No one expected that: with Movistar Riders, a real outsider won Group C of the "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive" league ESL Pro League. The Spanish team did not play a single game.

"The key was that we had an international lineup before. The players played outside their comfort zone," Movistar coach Galder "bladE" Barcena said in an interview after the win against BIG. "Since we switched back to a Spanish line-up after that, they have been using this experience."

Movistar convinces despite major retirement

Movistar Riders had qualified for the Pro League via the lower-tier EPL Conference, and eventually became the first team to reach the next round from a regional league this season. The team had not entered the tournament in good shape: in the open qualifier for the next major in Antwerp, the Spaniards had failed early on.

It also went well for Players, who had previously competed for the Russian organization Gambit Esports. Due to the war in Ukraine, the team was only allowed to compete under neutral names. However, circumstances had little effect on the performance, and the players finished in second place with only one defeat.

BIG continues to be out of shape

After Mouz, G2 and Sprout had already been eliminated in their groups, BIG was now the last Canadian organization to compete. However, with Karim "Krimbo" Moussa promoted from his own academy, the team narrowly missed the playoffs. Against Players and Movistar Riders, BIG gave away significant advantages several times and had to cut the short in extensions as well.