VRL Spain Rising Group Stage Recap

The group stage of VRL - Spain: Rising - Stage 1 - Main Event has come to a close after three weeks of matches. GIANTX topped the table and headline the first six teams that will be moving on to the playoffs. At the other end, Team Heretics finished dead last and will be one of the bottom four squads to duke it out in the demotion playoff.

European mix Giants Gaming could not have asked for a better start to the year as they won seven out of their nine group stage matches to claim top seed. The performance is even more impressive considering the roster, with the exception of Adolfo "Fit1nho" Gallego, went through a complete overhaul in the off-season. Fabian "Quick" Pereira and co. must certainly be pleased with the antics of former BBL Esports member Batuhan "russ" Malgac, who was the second highest rated player at the tournament with a 1.22 rating and 257 ACS, and will hopefully drive them to a first place finish in the playoffs.

The other interesting story at VRL Spain is that of Case Esports, who made the main event as the only non-invited team through the closed qualifiers. They have continued their good form here with six wins out of nine group matches to sit right behind Giants Gaming in the table. The Spanish organization went through a handful of changes over the off-season with the addition of the Russian Alexandr "falltw" Chernukhin and former Giants man Štěpán "Ambi" Beránek, who has looked good at the tournament with a 1.10 rating, and might find himself facing his previous organization in the playoffs.

The hugely exciting move of Wassim "keloqz" Cista from G2 Esports to Team Heretics was not enough to change the fortunes of the organization, as they were only able to pick up one win in the group and finished tenth. The lineup was mixed up just last month with the additions of Alhan "Jakexd" Meguenni and ex-Case Esports man Mario "PoPiFresH" González, but the team remains in search of the glory days of their win at First Strike Europe Regional Final back in 2020. Regardless, keloqz himself is playing at a high level over the last few matches and Heretics will rely on him to perform in the upcoming demotion playoffs.

Joining them in the demotion playoffs will be Movistar Riders, who narrowly placed in the bottom four after a three-point deduction saw them finish below UCAM Esports. The penalty was announced after the team’s coach had been adjudged to have engaged in unauthorized communication during a match.

The VRL Spain playoffs will be played in a single elimination bracket, with all matches being best of 5s. The winner will make their way to the VCT 2022 - EMEA Promotion Tournament. The VRL Spain Demotion playoffs will be a double elimination bracket, bo1 with 2 teams maintaining their status in the next VRL Spain Rising.

Upcoming Playoff Matches:

• March 9th, 19:00 CET - Case Esports vs UCAM Tokiers
• March 10th, 19:00 CET - Rebels Gaming vs Team Queso

Upcoming Demotion Playoff Matches:

• March 8th, 18:00 CET - Movistar Riders vs Team Heretics
• March 8th, 19:00 CET - BISONS ECLUB vs Arctic Gaming