For the first time players from all over Europe participated in a competition in Ukraine.
Lineup
The list of participants was impressive. One of FIFA17 best players (eighth place in the world), representative of AFC Ajax Dani Hagebeuk, was one of them. So were representatives of FC Red Bull Salzburg, Legia Warsaw, clubs from Finland, Uzbekistan, Georgia etc. Of course the most titled Ukrainian performers also took part in the Summer Cup: Yevhen ‘Yozhyk’ from NaVi and Dynamo representative Vitaliy ‘Labotryas’ Mukha.
The lineup looked as follows:
- Dani 'Dani' Hagebeuk, AFC Ajax
- Andrés 'Andrescytorres' Torres, FC Red Bull Salzburg
- Milosz 'Milosz93' Bogdanowski, FC Legia Warsaw
- Anton 'Anzinho8' Korvenaho, FC SJK
- Robert 'Ufenok' Fakhretdinov, FC Lokomotiv Moscow
- Evgeni 'Yozhyk' Mostovik, NaVi
- Konstantin Ketko, FC Dynamo Brest
- Turgunboev Mukhamaddamin, FC Bunyodkor
- Sandro Maghlakelidze, Football Federation of Georgia
- Giorgi Levidze, Football Federation of Georgia
- Vitaly 'Labotryas' Mukha, FC Dynamo Kyiv
Winners of online-qualifiers, that started a week before the contest, joined them. Everyone could fight for the trophy.
Not only a gamepad
Foreign e-sportsmen arrived in Ukraine several days before finals. They experienced warm welcome and complete comfort in Kyiv. By the way, the delegation of Football Federation of Georgia was the largest one. Mostly players came with their agents or managers.
After check-in at the hotel all participants were invited to FC Dynamo Kyiv training complex in Koncha-Zaspa to play a friendly match against sports journalists arranged by Sport Heroes. Journalists won the game though e-sportsmen did pretty well. It was a real match with officials and two halves, 45 minutes each.
Venue
The Summer Cup venue was Klitschko Expo social space that became a true paradise for players and spectators. Samsung Electronics Ukraine Company, LLC and Logitech provided the tournament with all the necessary modern equipment.
Two days of the final stage passed in a single burst. Energy partner of the contest Red Bull maintained positive atmosphere while Morshynska water refreshed participants.
FC Dynamo Kyiv Parafan-club members were also present at the event.
The room was divided into several zones equipped with PS4 and monitors. Top games were broadcasted on the big screen.
FC Dynamo Kyiv e-sports team player Ruslan ‘Ruha’ Soroka didn’t take part in this tournament, but performed the role of commentator. Dynamo TV commentator Andriy Shaknov and well-known e-sports commentator Vitaliy Volochai kept him a company.
The grand-final was broadcasted live on several web-portals.
Losing doesn’t mean tumbling out
FC Dynamo Kyiv representative Vitaliy ‘Labotryas’ Mukha faced the best player at the tournament, Dani Hagebeuk, in the first round.
Dani went through to the next stage while Vitaliy tumbled out to the lower part of the table. Still the Double Elimination format gave losing players second chance to struggle for the trophy. “Losers tournament” winner also reached the final.
The prize fund was over 150 thousand hryvnias, besides winners in special nominations got presents from Logitech.
For example, FC Dynamo Kyiv Spring Cup winner Olexiy ‘ForlanFS’ Merser finished fourth and got the award “For will to win”.
Participants of the most spectacular match of the final stage Milosz ‘Milosz93” Bogdanowski from Legia Warsaw and Mukhamaddamin ‘Ali_Bebeto’ Turgunboev also got prize-money and presents.
In each round the aim was to win two games out of three. Every player could pick four teams, but the thing was that one could choose the same team again only after using three others.
The most popular teams were Ream Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Manchester United.
Decisive duel
Dani Hagebeuk covered the distance really confidently though the semifinal against Robert 'Ufenok' Fakhretdinov and final against Mukhamaddamin ‘Ali_Bebeto’ Turgunboev weren’t easy for him at all. Still Ajax representative won 2:1 both times.
In the grand-final he opposed ‘Ali_Bebeto’. In the first game Dani picked Real Madrid and defeated Ali’s Manchester United – 2:1. In the second match both e-sportsmen played with Bayern Munich and this time Ali succeeded – 2:1. The decisive game was really spectacular. Dani’s Manchester United succeeded against Ali’s Real Madrid – 3:2.
After the final whistle Dutch e-sportsman was as emotional as professional football player, who wins some trophy. Dani got $2500 while finalist – $1500 and bronze medalist – $800.
E-sports are very popular in Europe. For example, Dani is as popular as many Ajax players. He has more than 42 thousand followers in Instagram. Our club also keeps up with the time. Autumn Cup is expected to be even more exciting.
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