Dacia Spring Cup Recap
New Parity atop Europe
Moist Esports (formerly known as Team Queso) dominated the Winter Split from start to finish, reaching every Grand Finals including the international Winter Major. They won two events and finished 2nd in the other two, which propelled them all the way to 3rd in the European rankings after finishing tied for 9th in the Fall Split. As one of only three top-eight rosters to remain the same after the second trade window of the season, they entered as favorites to win the Dacia Spring Cup. However, it was Team BDS and their new three-headed monster led by Seikoo and M0nkey M00n who stormed through the tournament, losing only six times in five series, and won it all. The dominant run culminated in a resounding sweep of Moist Esports in the Grand Finals, and Team BDS once again staked their claim as the region’s best.
In a region that has always been known for its depth, there are more than two contenders. Two-time Major Qualifiers Dignitas and Endpoint CeX both fell out early, only tied for 12 place, but have proven they can contend on the right day and will be motivated for good results going forward in order to make the Spring Major. Fan-favorite Luminosity Gaming matched that result, and are still dark horse contenders to qualify for London. Karmine Corp and Misfits Gaming showed that they’re back after disappointing seasons thus far, both finishing top six. A revitalized Team Vitality, led by new signing Radosin, made the top four for the first time since the Fall Split, and a brand-new Solary roster finished 3rd coming all the way from the Open Qualifiers. No open-qualifier team has had such a successful run in Europe or North America since the beginning of the Open Era of RLCS. It all adds up to an incredibly deep Europe, where no less than eight teams are capable of winning any event.
(image courtesy of Rocket League Esports)
Rostermania Check-in
While not every team’s new roster could be as successful as Team BDS, many of the roster moves from this past trade window paid immediate dividends. Team Vitality returned to contention, Karmine Corp made top six, and SMPR Esports made top eight. The only team to place significantly worse than the norm after a roster move was Endpoint CeX, which is understandable after losing superstar Seikoo. While their new player, archie, may be at a similar skill level, it will take time for the new team to fully mesh and develop chemistry. Endpoint CeX shouldn’t panic yet, but they’re one more bad result away from missing out on the Spring Major.
Instead of the new rosters struggling, it was the well-established who couldn’t put up many victories. Dignitas, the #2 overall team in Europe coming into the event, struggled to a 12 place finish, as did Luminosity Gaming. Moist Esports may have done well, but they were the only team to keep their roster and meet their standard. However, they’ve now made it to five straight Grand Finals, and have proven to be Europe’s most consistent team. The last top eight team to maintain their roster was Evil Geniuses, who had the worst results of any roster. They finished tied for last, failing to beat two previously struggling rosters in Team Liquid and Misfits Gaming.
(image courtesy of Rocket League Esports)
Closed Qualifiers
Typically, one or two teams from the Closed Qualifiers will do well in an event, while most of them struggle. However, the Dacia Spring Cup quite the exception. Solary, one closed qualifier team, finished third for the whole event, only losing to Moist Esports twice. Team Liquid went on a deep run in their RLCS debut with the current roster, finishing in the top eight, while Misfits Gaming finished sixth after emerging from the Closed Qualifiers. With an RLCS-high six teams coming from the Open Qualifiers directly to the main event, this was in impressive showing for Europe’s depth teams.
The new rosters provided intrigue, while Moist Esports proved that they didn’t need to change rosters to stay competitive. Until North America returns next week with the 7-Eleven Slurpee Cup, make sure to keep up with Shift for all your RLCS news!
