ESL Pro League Season 19: A New Era of CS2
The ESL Pro League Season 19 is underway, set to ignite the competitive spirit of CS2 enthusiasts worldwide. After the exhilarating PGL Copenhagen Major, the stage is now set for another unforgettable esports event. What else to expect from the tournament besides a fresh format, intense matchups, and a lucrative $750,000 prize pool?
A Thrilling format overhaul
ESL is ushering in a new era of engagement with a condensed tournament format. The action kicks off with Groups A and B simultaneously battling it out from April 23th to 28th, ensuring non-stop excitement for esports fans.
The group stage introduces a triple-elimination format, where each match is a best-of-three series. With 32 teams divided into four groups, the top four from each group advance to the playoffs. Group winners secure a direct path to the quarterfinals, while others battle through various stages to keep their championship dreams alive.
After the group stage is finished, the playoffs beckon with a single-elimination bracket. Intense best-of-three series culminate in the grand final’s best-of-five showdown, where legends are born and legacies cemented.
Strategic shifts and absences
The tournament isn’t just about fierce competition; it’s also a stage for strategic changes and team dynamics. With significant roster shifts, teams like Team Liquid and Ninjas in Pyjamas are poised to showcase their adaptability and prowess.
For example, the Falcons have entered the competition with a revamped roster. The focus is on the team’s new acquisition, Peter ‘dupreeh’ Rasmussen, with whom the team hopes to rethink its strategies and make a strong push towards the playoffs.
In a surprising twist, Team Spirit has made the unforeseen decision to withdraw from the competition, leaving fans and analysts perplexed by the lack of explanation. But they’re not the only ones! They are joined by Cloud9 which also lacks an official statement of their absence, prompting debates about the potential implications for their respective rosters and competitive strategies.
A Bounty of Riches and Prestige
The ESL Pro League Season 19 boasts a staggering $750,000 prize pool, attracting the world’s top CS:GO talents. Beyond the cash rewards, teams vie for a direct invite to IEM Cologne 2024 and coveted BLAST Premier points, adding another layer of prestige to their triumphs.
To be more detailed, the winners will go home with a lion’s share of the prize pool in the form of $170,000 as well as 2,000 Blast Premier points and a ticket to the prestigious tournament in Cologne. The 2nd place will have to settle for $80,000 and 1,400 Blast Premier points, followed by $45,000 and 750 points for both the 3rd and 4th best teams.
What are the odds?
Amidst the strategic plays and unyielding competition of the ESL Pro League Season 19, the first day concluded with some teams fortifying their positions and others facing the gauntlet of the lower bracket. Teams like BetBoom, FaZe, Astralis, Vitality, 3DMAX, and Fnatic leveraged their tactical acumen to advance in the upper bracket, keeping their momentum toward the championship title alive.
OlyBet sportsbook has set the stage, with FaZe Clan leading the pack as favorites. However, contenders like Team Vitality, Natus Vincere, G2 Esports, and MOUZ are hot on their heels, promising a fiercely contested battle for glory. Should FaZe bounce back from the sorrowful defeat in Copenhagen and reclaim their spot at the top of the food chain, remains to be seen. Fortunately, you can find out and follow all the action live at OlyBet sportsbook. Let the battle begin!
