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Dangerous Information Eagles are as soon as once more within the high 16 of a Main after cruising by way of the Challengers Stage of IEM Rio. Theirs is the kind of story that’s rising ever so uncommon within the CS:GO scene.
“They don’t seem to be a part of the circuit, they aren’t there with the massive boys, however they’re taking part in like them.”
As Dangerous Information Eagles’ gamers leaped up from their seats and gathered for a gaggle huddle, joined by supervisor James Banks, after soundly beating GamerLegion within the third spherical of the IEM Rio Challengers Stage, Australian caster Chad ‘SPUNJ’ Burchill, just like the CS:GO scene at massive, was left in awe.
There’s an unmistakable, distinctive purity to an underdog story, and through the years there have been many such tales at CS:GO Majors, from Luminosity’s 2016 win in Columbus, to Cloud9’s 2018 victory in Boston (the place Quantum Bellator Fireplace additionally made an especially unlikely run to the quarterfinals) after taking place 0-2 within the Legends Stage, to ENCE’s 2019 grand remaining look in Katowice.
Most romantic underdog tales in esports are one-offs, unable to be maintained as a result of the particular set of circumstances that went into them are by no means seen once more. However that’s not the case of Dangerous Information Eagles, who’re persevering with in Rio de Janeiro the fascinating story that they started to put in writing in Antwerp, virtually seven months in the past.
There’s undoubtedly one thing particular concerning the Kosovar-Albanian workforce, the primary to achieve a CS:GO Main with out the backing of a corporation since dAT’s ESL One Cologne 2014 look. Dangerous Information Eagles have gained many admirers within the scene not simply due to their in-your-face strategy — harking back to 2015 fnatic, in keeping with analyst Janko ‘YNk’ Paunović — but in addition due to their sudden success despite restricted sources.
The Dangerous Information Eagles tag was arrange in February 2022 after the gamers parted methods with BLINK following a breakdown in negotiations with the administration over contract renewals. A workforce made up of gamers who got here by way of the FACEIT Professional League — which explains their aggressive, pug model —, they overcame the chances after they certified for PGL Main Antwerp in Might and reached the Legends Stage with the highest 16 sides on this planet.
That they had achieved sufficient, the gamers thought after they returned house, to safe the backing of a corporation that might permit them to take the following step of their growth. To search out some stability of their private lives.
The fact, nonetheless, was very completely different.
With playing and sports activities betting unlawful in Kosovo and Albania, a lot of the ordinary suspects — betting corporations with deep pockets — had been out of the image. There have been conferences with potential worldwide sponsors, however talks broke down because the advertising and marketing price range for Balkan international locations is normally very restricted.
Numerous esports organizations additionally got here knocking, however that, too, was a useless finish. Some clearly needed to make the most of the sticker cash that the workforce would earn sooner or later, whereas others, regardless of being effectively meant, lacked the infrastructure that the gamers had been on the lookout for.
Reasonably than make a cope with the satan that will include a heavy worth or accept lower than what they’re value, the gamers determined to proceed their journey as Dangerous Information Eagles, utilizing sticker income and match winnings to help themselves. The workforce has only one sponsor to assist alleviate the burden, Albanian digital retailer gjirafa50.
“For us as a workforce, wage shouldn’t be crucial issue on this choice however the workers that a corporation has and the way they can assist us develop out and in of the sport,” the workforce wrote in August. “One other actually vital issue is the chance to bootcamp often with out subject. This for us is the place visas are additionally crucial.”
Working it again
Between the Majors in Antwerp and Rio de Janeiro, Dangerous Information Eagles competed in a raft of on-line tournaments to pocket prize cash and stay related within the scene. There was additionally a small four-team LAN occasion in Prague, which they gained. “It’s been a extremely busy schedule, having all these tournaments, each day a brand new match,” BNE participant Flatron ‘juanflatroo’ Halimi stated. “Making an attempt to organize for the whole lot, not catching a break, being exhausted on a regular basis.”
Such is the lifetime of a tier-two CS:GO workforce within the present panorama, the place ESL and BLAST maintain a decent grip on the scene with their franchise tournaments. The restricted spots for non-partner groups are determined by sophisticated multi-stage qualifying methods that resemble a seven-layer cake.
The CS:GO Majors, with their open qualifying system, supply one of the best probability for a workforce like Dangerous Information Eagles to compete on the worldwide stage. So that they put all their deal with ensuring they had been in the absolute best form for the European RMR resulting in Rio. It was the end-all, be-all, for the workforce, and so they handed the take a look at by beating Everlasting Fireplace, Astralis and forZe within the RMR.
It appeared just like the workforce might lastly catch their breath, however then their participation on the occasion got here below menace because of visa points. In the long run, it took the well timed intervention of Kosovo’s Minister of Tradition, Youth and Sport, Hajrulla Çeku, for the workforce to beat one other hurdle.
Nothing has ever come straightforward for Dangerous Information Eagles, however that’s a part of their appeal and one of many explanation why many rejoiced as they booked a spot within the Legends Stage with a flawless 3-0 report following victories over 00 Nation, BIG, and GamerLegion.
Exhausting work, consistency and persistence are the keys to Dangerous Information Eagles’ success, workforce coach Klesti ‘stikle-’ Kola says. James Banks, who helps the workforce on a professional bono foundation, advised Dexerto that he sees many similarities between their mindset and the laser focus displayed by the Luminosity/SK groups after they had been on the rise in 2015 and 2016.
Dangerous Information Eagles have already equaled their end result from Antwerp (the place they went 3-2 within the Challenger Stage), and something that they get from the competitors now might be a bonus. They regarded like a strong unit within the Challengers Stage: each participant did their half (although Rigon ‘rigoN’ Gashi and Dionis ‘sinnopsyy’ Budeci had been a transparent step above the remaining), and the workforce displayed an exceptional CT facet (their 82.7% winrate was the very best in the course of the first two days of the occasion) that’s closely based mostly on instinct. stikle-’s job is looking for the suitable stability between aggression and self-discipline, however for now, this model appears to be working. And the workforce’s confidence is unshakable. “We’re not achieved,” sinnopsyy stated after the victory in opposition to GamerLegion.
No person anticipated a (comparatively) ragtag bunch of gamers with virtually no prior tier-one expertise and no monetary backing to make the highest 16 of a Main, and to do it not as soon as however twice is a outstanding feat. In a scene turbocharged by blood cash the place the hole between the elite and the remaining has by no means been wider, Dangerous Information Eagles are a superb reminder of the sweetness that may be discovered within the tales of underdogs.
“The best way I see our boys is a passionate, devoted, and decided household,” Banks stated. “They’ve the starvation and drive, they know what they need to obtain, that is their dream and so they’ve sacrificed a lot to get right here. However they aren’t achieved. We aren’t achieved!”
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