NAVI Junior Triumph in European Pro League Season 21

NAVI Junior emerged victorious in European Pro League Season 21, decisively defeating Passion UA with a 3-0 scoreline in the grand final. The team secured a prize of $10,000, while the runners-up earned $5,000.

The tournament took place online from 12th November to 4th December, featuring 12 teams and a total prize pool of $20,000. This victory follows NAVI Junior's success in European Pro League Season 20, where they also claimed the championship by defeating DMS in the final with another 3-0 sweep.

NAVI Junior Roster: Gotthejuice, Niku, Pma, Daze, Riddys. Coach: the legendary Artstyle.Passion UA Roster: Rincyq, Mellojul, Daxak, Prblms, Hduo.

Notably, during the third map of the European Pro League Season 20 final, NAVI Junior demonstrated remarkable resilience by overturning a 15,000 gold deficit at the 24-minute mark. Despite their relatively young lineup, this performance underscored the team's strength and cohesion.

While NAVI Junior celebrate back-to-back victories, Aleksei "Shiishak" Ustinov, a player for Nemiga, shared his thoughts on the difficulties faced by tier-2 teams. At the most recent tournament, his team finished 9th-10th, prompting Shiishak to reflect on the challenges of competing at this level.

“I often think about whether it’s worth playing these tournaments, hoping to eventually reach top-1 or top-2. Of course, you need to focus on improving your game, but it’s hard to say. It’s an endless cycle—playing EPL, hoping you’ll improve and break through. When competing at this level, you must work extremely hard, stay determined, and believe in each other. It’s incredibly tough. One tournament you make it to the playoffs, and the result is even worse a month later. It really makes you think.”

Shiishak’s reflections highlight the harsh realities faced by many tier-2 teams striving for consistency and opportunities to transition to tier-1 competition.

NAVI Junior’s consecutive wins in the European Pro League showcase their exceptional preparation and potential to compete on the global stage. However, Shiishak’s candid observations remind us of the challenges emerging teams face to break free from the limitations of the tier-2 scene. This contrast underscores the diverse struggles and triumphs within the esports world.