World Team League - 2023 Winter Season

by: Wax

Week 1 of WTL Winter continued many of the key trends from summer. Defending champions ONSYDE looked just as dominant as before, 'welcoming' the Kwangdong Freecs back to the WTL with a 6-0. Serral looked to be on track for another regular season MVP performance with a 3-0, but BASILISK's prospects seemed shaky as "50-50 man" Reynor reared his head in a tight match against Team Liquid.

The newcomers weren't able to make much of an impact in week 1. Alongside the Freecs going 0-6, Matcherino suffered a one-sided 1-5 against Shopify while Mystery Gaming lost 2-4 to DKZ. Will the championship race end up being a three-way contest between ONSYDE, BASILISK, and DKZ, or will we see more from the teams in the middle as time goes on?

Week 1 Recap

Top 7 teams qualify for the playoffs.
Bottom 2 teams must requalify.
Points are awarded as follows:
3 points for a victory in a series that does not require an ace match
2 points for a victory in a series that requires an ace-match
1 point for a loss in a series that requires an ace-match
0 points for a loss in a series that does not require an ace match

[Unfortunately, we are unable to provide our usual previews and recaps this week. Previews and recaps will resume as usual in week 2/3]

ONSYDE Gaming 6 - 0 Kwangdong Freecs
Watch VOD (Chinese)

Matcherino 1 - 5 Shopify Rebellion
Watch VOD (Chinese)

Mystery Gaming 2 - 4 Dragon KaiZi Gaming
Watch VOD (Chinese)

Platinum Heroes 3 - 4 Starlight Twinkle
Watch VOD (Chinese)

Team Liquid 3 - 4 BASILISK
Watch VOD (EN/Rotterdam)

瘦死骆驼 (Starving Camels) 1 - 5 PSISTORM Gamig
Watch VOD (Chinese)

Weekly MVP: BASILISK.Serral

Serral went 3-0 on the week, beating MaNa 2-0 and taking down Clem in an ace match to salvage two points for BASILISK against Team Liquid.

Wayne deserves much kudos for being the only other player on the week to score a 3-0, but his weaker opponents (2-0 vs Vindicta, 1-0 vs DnS) gives Serral the edge in winning weekly MVP.

Weekly MVP's: