The second super week for Europe’s Rainbow Six Siege Pro League is over. Like last week, LeStream and Empire maintain their position in the top two. Although, we have a developing underdog story in the EU Pro League. Both teams who emerged victorious from the Season 9 relegation matches have entered the top four. Meanwhile, Europe’s old guard suffers at the bottom.
LeStream Esport are looking very strong in the Rainbow Six EU Pro League. (Imge via LeStream Esport)
LeStream: Best in World?
Only praises can be sung for LeStream Esport right now. This week, they systematically destroyed both Team Vitality and Penta Sports, and it wasn’t the repeat offender winning them the games either.
LeStream’s match versus Team Vitality had Maurice “AceeZ” Erkelenz and Théophile “Hicks” Dupont picking up the lead, generating high frags per round, helping to close out the game 7-2. Meanwhile, their match versus Penta Sports had Lukas “korey” Zwingmann and Léo “Alphama” Robine dominating in their perfect 7-0 game.
As for their fifth man, Valentin “risze” Liradelfo, his ability to flex in the game as the support or playing a fragging role is easily noticed. In the Vitality game where Alphama and korey were quiet, Risze boasted good stats playing a mix of operators. As for Penta Sports, he sat at the bottom of the stats playing utility roles.
The way LeStream is playing the game right now is simply unmatched. Their ability to change priority, all their players can get involved with the fragging department, and their ability to flex people based on map strategy Is working so well right now.
But looking towards the remaining competition days, LeStream has a greater challenge ahead of them. They are yet to face NaVi, G2 Esports, and Team Empire. On paper, Team Empire should be a close matchup, whilst NaVi are looking strong, and G2 Esports look inconsistent. If any of these teams improve then LeStream may get a run for their money.
Karzheka for MVP
Last week, we commented on how Eugene “karzheka” Petrishin was a crucial component to Team Empire’s clutch victories against Penta Sports. Once again, the Estonian is turning heads away from his team’s fragging stars in Danil “JoyStiCK” Gabov and Danila “dan” Dontsov.
In their match versus Chaos Esports Club, karzheka topped the scoresheet, even beating the likes of JoyStiCK who sat with the same K/A but with more deaths. In terms of strategy, his Doc, Pulse, Hibana, played crucial parts in relaying information, playing anchor and opening sites up for contest. Even with his focus on these aspects of the game, he still topped his team’s scoreboard.
However, one moment in their game versus G2 Esports is where he needs to be praised the most. Team Empire should have lost this round, and by logic, the game since it ended 6-6, resulting in a tie. Artur “ShepparD” Ipatov accidentally teamkilled Dmitry “Scyther” Semenov when ShepparD was destroying cover, due to Scyther running in front of his shotgun. This left Team Empire in a 4v5 situation exiting the preparation phase. However, karzheka held Hookah Lounge and Cool Vibe stairs well enough to earn a triple kill and place enough pressure for JoyStiCK to get the flank on the defuser planter.
This is yet another week where his performance over the course of the game or certain moments is bagging Team Empire key round wins. What clutch moments will he find in the third super week?
The Underdog Story
Natus Vincere and Team Vitality both arrived in the Season 10 Pro League via their Season 9 relegation victories. With the end of the second super week here, Natus Vincere sit one point behind Team Empire, whilst Team Vitality sit solely fourth with a 2-0-2 record.
The mix British team in Natus Vincere feel rather like Team Luminosity in NA. In their game vs Mousesports, Ben “CTZN” McMillan and Szymon “Saves” Kamieniak had great moments getting frags on Consulate.
As for their match vs G2 Esports, they beat them 7-4. NaVi’s ability to play the game frag heavy and employ good tactical leverage is making them a solid new entry in their debut season.
As for Team Vitality, their history of being the high intel team that rushes in the last 20 seconds is what made them questionable in the past. However, this new Team Vitality line-up is making quite a storm in the Pro League. They have so far defeated Na’Vi, their Challenger League rivals and gained a revenge 7-5 victory over Chaos. This is after losing to them 7-0 in the Allied Vegas Swiss System, showing how great their improvement is in the last three weeks.
The remaining weeks for Team Vitality look promising. They must play G2 Esports, Penta Sports and Mouz. Given their remaining scheduling, Team Vitality may just continue their underdog return story and fight for second place.
However, NaVi’s remaining playdays are rather interesting. Na’Vi still needs to play LeStream, Team Empire and Chaos. These are difficult matches ahead of them and will be the true test of whether they can compete in the top half of the bracket. Either way, these two teams have a great schedule to look forward to and it will be very interesting to see how they progress.
Next week, Pro League takes a break whilst Dreamhack Valencia begins with many European teams attending the event. The event will determine who qualifies for the Six Raleigh Major, so keep your eyes out on this very important LAN.
EU Pro League Standings:
- LeStream (4-0-0)
- Team Empire (3-1-0)
- Natus Vincere (3-0-1)
- Team Vitality (2-0-2)
- G2 Esports (1-1-2)
- Chaos E.C. (1-0-3)
- Penta Sports (1-0-3)
- Mousesports (0-0-4)
