Gaming
The newest EU team heralds the return of xPeke, Soaz, and Amazing.
While the North American League Championship Series [LCS] welcomed two new teams this split – in the shape of Team Dragon Knights and Enemy eSports – the EU LCS only picked up one. Like Enemy, Spanish team Origen automatically qualified after their performance in the Challenger Series, claiming Meet Your Makers’ spot in the region.
Constructed by former Fnatic mid-laner and co-founder, xPeke, Origen boasts some of the best talent in Europe. They coasted through this split’s Challenger scene and, with a 9-1 record, automatically qualified for the promotion tourney. Jumping into the increasingly competitive EU LCS, Origen could very well upset the regular top teams in the region.
A phlock of Phoenixes
Origen’s promotion heralds the return of familiar pros xPeke, Soaz, Mithy, and Amazing to the LCS. xPeke made a huge move at the end of last season, leaving the Fnatic team he helped establish. Instrumental in their years of success, including a Season 1 Worlds win, xPeke in many ways was Fnatic. His departure was the first of many for the team that lost four of its members at the conclusion of Season 4.
“Starting a new team is something I had in mind for a couple of years,” xPeke told ESL in February. “Following the events of last year, and the team being a bit divided, I decided that it was the perfect moment to do it.”
Ready for action
Though the EU LCS has a clearly divided top and bottom, both halves of the region are fiercely competitive. Roccat and Giants Gaming both re-qualified for the LCS in the Spring Promotion Tournament with strong showings against Challenger hopefuls CW Academy and Reason Gaming. Middling team Unicorns of Love managed to make it to the finals this split and SK Gaming, the once undefeated juggernaut that finished atop the EU LCS, finished fourth in the playoffs.
Where Origen will fit into this mix is anyone’s guess. Their collection of talented players is familiar with the level of play, but has also spent the last split beating up on Challenger opponents.
xPeke has reiterated that he feels confident in the experience and skill of his team; indeed, three of them have proven themselves after years in the highest tier of league play. As Amazing has shown his versatility with a variety of teams, Origen’s fate could very well be decided by Niels’ performance this split. He found no ceiling as he soared to the top of the Challenger series, so chances are good he won’t be holding the team back. Either way, Origen is certain to add even more zest to the increasingly spicy European region.
