Missed the Cut: Europe
With only the World Championship remaining in the RLCS 2021-22 season, and 24 teams competing for a historic championship, many teams have seen their seasons come to an end. In Europe, that list includes three Major qualifiers and several other teams who fell short of their expectations. Here’s a breakdown of what went right, wrong, and everything in between for those teams.
Evil Geniuses
Evil Geniuses are one of three teams from Europe to qualify for a Major and miss out on the World Championship, which is the most of any region. Europe’s renowned depth was certainly on display this season, and nothing shows it more than that. Evil Geniuses had the most disappointing season of all these teams, however, as they seemed like locks to qualify after their Winter Major. They needed only a few mediocre results, and would likely qualify even without reaching the Spring Major. Instead, they won just one series in the first two events combined, and a top six finish couldn’t save their season. Karmine Corp’s stellar performance at the Spring Major meant Evil Geniuses were leapfrogged in the standings, and will watch Dallas from home after sitting fifth in Europe entering the Spring Split.
The trio of Leonardo “Catalysm” Christ Ramos, Ivan “ivn” Sabri, and Riccardo “Rizex45” Mazzotta played the whole season together. They finished sixth in Europe in the Fall Split, missing out on the Major on the last day, and then finished second among European teams in the Winter Major. Their disappointing Spring Split destroyed a good season through the first two Splits, and a team of their quality will be missed at the World Championship.
Going forward, Evil Geniuses are continuing with Catalysm and ivn on the roster, though Catalysm is highly sought after among Europe’s elite teams and may leave the organization. If Evil Geniuses retain the duo and find a talented third, they will be right back in contention for Major and World Championship qualification in a difficult European region.
Team Vitality
Team Vitality is historically among Rocket League’s greatest teams. A World Championship in Season 7, and a runner-up finish in Season 8, in addition to several other tournaments and online championships. Entering another RLCS season, Team Vitality were among the favorites to contend once again. Despite early struggles in the Fall Split, they qualified for the Fall Major, where they were easily one of the favorites due to their incredible LAN experience together.
Team Vitality instead faltered, going out last among European teams and suffering the first ever perfect sweep at an RLCS LAN event. There were calls to make a change, but the trio of Alexandre “Kaydop” Courant, Yanis “Alpha54” Champenois, and Victor “Fairy Peak!” Locquet stuck together for one more Split. The Winter Split was worse than the Fall, however, and Team Vitality suffered two last place finishes and missed the Major entirely. The team then brought in Andrea “Radosin” Radovanović in place of Fairy Peak!, and a top four finish in the first event of Spring Split brought hope that Team Vitality could contend for another World Championship.
Two disappointing finishes in the final two events left Team Vitality needing a miracle from Europe’s other teams at the Spring Major, but they did not get it. Team Vitality is instead missing out on a World Championship for the first time since Season 6, and will need to look at the roster over the offseason to get back to contention.
Luminosity Gaming
Luminosity Gaming began the season under the banner of SK Gaming, with a roster of Maurice “Yukeo” Weihs, Damian “Tox” Schäfer, and Dylan “eekso” Pickering. The trio had a disappointing Fall Split, finishing 13th in Europe, and opted for a roster change. With the breakup of the Giants Gaming roster, star Sergio “Atomik” Pérez Cortés became available. He joined the team, replacing Yukeo, and SK Gaming’s roster was acquired by Luminosity Gaming.
The new roster was picked by fans and analysts as a dark horse contender, a team capable of breaking into Europe’s elite tier and contending for Major championships. The reality was Luminosity Gaming struggling, placed in a group with Team BDS in all three events and facing difficult lower bracket runs when they could not upset Europe’s elite team at the time. Luminosity Gaming missed out on the Winter Major, finishing sixth in Europe. The Spring Split went much the same, with the team struggling to beat those ahead of them in the standings and failing to make a deep run in any tournament.
Luminosity Gaming finished the season ninth in Europe, the highest among teams to not qualify for any Majors. A full offseason of building chemistry on the roster, and potentially a better start to next season, could see Luminosity Gaming fulfill their potential as true contenders in Europe.
Misfits Gaming
Misfits Gaming finished tenth in Europe, but were on the brink of a Major berth multiple times. In the Fall Split, they were fourth in Europe after two events, but went 0-3 in the final event to miss out on the Fall Major after being in a good position. In the Winter Split, they secured a top four finish in the second event and were tied for fifth in the standings before the final event, but once again lost out on a Major berth by going 0-3 in the final event. The Spring Split saw Misfits Gaming open with a top six finish, but they went winless in the final two events to miss out on any chance of the Spring Major or the World Championship.
Misfits Gaming was among the most talented trios in Europe, with Mitchell “Mittaen” Driessen, Ario “arju” Berdin, and Kurtis “Kash” Cannon all among Europe’s elite when at their best. For some unknown reason, they could never put it together enough to qualify for a Major or a World Championship, and frequently flopped when it mattered most. As of July 9th, Kash has left the roster, so Misfits Gaming will have a new look going into next season. Whether it’s that or a new coach, something needs to change for the team to break through.
Team Liquid
Even though Team Liquid only played in the Spring Split, they finished eleventh in the European standings for the full season. They dominated in their first Split in the RLCS, which also the first Split for star players Oskar “Oski” Gozdowski and Tristan “Atow” Soyez. Their third player, Bruno “AcroniK” Lopes, has more experience but is still extremely young, just having turned 17 years old. The trio was third in the Spring Split before the Spring Major, and upset #1 overall seed G2 Esports at the event.
The team is already contending, but with so much room to grow for all three individuals and the team as a whole, they could become Europe’s best team in the future. As early as next season, watch out for Team Liquid to contend for multiple Major titles.
Solary
Much like Team Liquid, Solary’s current roster only debuted in the Spring Split, but put in a strong performance. Though Solary failed to make the Major, the trio of Mike “Mikeboy” Verkuijlen, Ole “oaly” van Doorn, and Thomas “ThO” Binkhorst impressed in their first Split together. They finished sixth in the standings, only barely missing out on the major.
With more time to gel as a roster, and the flashes they showed (including a top three finish in their first event together), Solary could contend for Majors going forwards. It’s difficult in Europe, arguably the world’s deepest region, but the Dutch trio proved that they’re certainly capable.
Six of Europe’s best teams missed out on competing in Dallas, but all of them have the talent and potential to compete for the title next season. Until we find out what happens with the top six at the World Championship, make sure to keep up with Shift for all your Rocket League news!
