(Banner image: Ubisoft/João Ferreira)
It’s been almost three months since BDS’ 1-2 lost to Team Empire at the Mexico Major semi-finals. Since then, BDS’ has only lost one match, and it was at the 6 French League Finals against Team Vitality.
With seven regulation and two overtime victories, the French powerhouse record at the European League Stage 3 was spectacular, and they are looking to extend that unbeaten record at top-flight competitions.
“It felt great, we didn’t set that goal, it was just to play and reach the Major, when we were 5-0 it’s when we tried to reach it, feeling invincible in your region is amazing, it’s a great achievement,” said Bryan “Elemzje” Tebessi in a Ubisoft-organized press conference.
The French player joined the team just before the start of SI 2020, BDS’ first major international event. With Rogue and Natus Vincere falling in groups and G2 Esports being defeated against Fnatic and Ninjas in Pyjamas, the French squad had to carry with EU’s hopes of winning the SI. However, they fell short and finished in fourth place, which is an impressive result for a side who had just been promoted to the old continent’s top-flight.
(Photo: Ubisoft/João Ferreira)
Since then, BDS Esport have been a LAN powerhouse. The French roster is always improving and learning from their experiences, and has possibly peaked in this year’s third split.
“We improved a lot in our map-pool, we can play in every map now. The cards are in our pockets, the practice we had during the whole season will help us,” said Elemzje.
So far, so good. BDS Esport have defeated its initial two opponents, the Susquehanna Soniqs and Invictus Gaming, both of them by 7-2 results.
“We had great preparation for both matches, we analyzed a lot, how they play in their region, the maps, so we could not allow them to do what they do. They both have different play-styles, Soniqs is more passive and iG is more aggressive, everything went good,” said Elemzje.
But the real test comes today. The French squad will face Ninjas in Pyjamas for the first time since SI 2021. Although BDS has an enviable record against Brazilian teams -- 13 maps won in 19 appearances at major international competitions -- for of these six defeats came against NiP.
“We lost the matches but they were close, I feel like we have more capacities right now to do it, the team’s synergy is better now too,” said Elemzje.
Considering that both sides have all won their first two group-stage games, today’s duel might eventually decide the first seed. The French look confident and readier than ever before, third time’s the charm.
BDS Esport’s match against Ninjas in Pyjamas will be played today at 13:30 UTC.