Banner Image: Ubisoft / João F. @itsmeERROR
The Malta Cyber Series 2023 is kicking off today with its first online qualifier. Europe's teams, including Europe League rosters, will compete to get a part of the tournament's prize pool.
Keep on reading to know more about the Malta Cyber Series 2023!
Format
Malta Cyber Series 2023's format is divided into three stages: Online Qualifiers, Last Chance Qualifiers, and Finals.
Online Qualifiers
According to the official announcement, the Online Qualifiers will be played from Dec. 12 to Jan. 18.
The first Online Qualifier will require teams to have at least three players from the UK or a Nordic region, including Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark.
Meanwhile, the second Online Qualifier will require teams to have at least three players from Turkey or the Balkans, which includes Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, and Slovenia.
Each qualifier will be played on the following dates:
- Online Qualifier 1 (Nordics and UK): Dec. 12
- Online Qualifier 2 (Balkan and Turkey): Dec. 19
- Online Qualifier 3: Dec. 21
- Online Qualifier 4: Dec. 22
- Online Qualifier 5: Jan. 9
- Online Qualifier 6: Jan. 11
- Online Qualifier 7: Jan. 16
- Online Qualifier 8: Jan. 18
The best two teams from each online qualifier move to the Last Chance Qualifiers.
Last Chance Qualifiers
The Last Chance Qualifiers will be played from Jan. 27 to Jan. 28. While the format of the games is still unknown, the tournament organizers have already confirmed that the Last Chance Qualifiers' bracket will follow a double-elimination bracket.
Finals
The best four teams from the Last Chance Qualifiers will join two invited teams. The Finals will be played from Mar. 16 to Mar. 17.
Prize Pool
The prize pool of the Malta Cyber Series 2023 is US$20,000. These will be divided as follows:
- 1st place: US$12,000
- 2nd place: US$5,000
- 3rd place: US$3,000
Online Qualifier 1 - Confirmed Teams
Although it's early to make predictions, here are some of the most notable teams in the first online qualifier, which will take place today starting from 7 PM CET!
Rogue
Rogue's crest is back in Rainbow Six Siege with changes. While the team hasn't made any official statement regarding the position of their players, Pascal "Cryn" Alouane and Ádám "Hxsti" Imre won't compete in this week's qualifier. Instead, the Finn duo of Alex "SlebbeN" Nordlund and Jesse "Jeggz" Ojanen have joined the starting roster.
Into The Breach
Into The Breach (ITB) will try to qualify for the Malta Cyber Series 2023 through the Online Qualifiers, as the European League roster will be in today's tournament. Unlike Rogue, ITB hasn't made any changes to its starting roster.
Into The Breach Academy
Yes, you're not seeing double. Into The Breach's Academy will be in today's tournament as they could eventually play against the organization's main roster.
The team includes the former core of WiLD MultiGaming, which lost to MNM Gaming by 7-3 and 7-2 at the R6 Central Combine Finals. The roster also includes the former MNM Gaming Academy player Iikka "Erkkari" Anttila, who competed in the Challenger League 2021 and 2022.
Team 86
Team 86's roster is one of Europe's most well-known Tier 2 squads. The squad reached the R6 Central Combine Finals and has recently won the first R6 South Breach Open Qualifier.
After spending the second stage of the Europe League playing for Team Secret, Harvey "Eupor" Hawkins recently joined Team 86's roster.
G Who
G Who is Viperio's former roster, which competed at the R6 North Rainbow Rumble. While they missed out on the tournament's Final Bracket, the team finished in a remarkable 5th - 6th place.
Recently, G Who finished in second place in the R6 Shouth Breach after defeating Mkers by 8-6.
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