If we imagine the eChampions League as a platform game, it’s time to take on the finals boss. Eight competitors will be lining up in Istanbul on 7 June, all eyeing the silverware. However, when Champions Journal checked in, things were more hectic: in the group stage, 64 gamers were battling it out in the UK capital to progress to the knockout stage.
The tournament kicked off with the first of the offline stages, as a throng of elite EA SPORTS FIFA 23 players travelled to the Here East theatre in London. Inside the studio, six players were on stage for the broadcast’s highlighted matches, while the remaining 26 players in Group A were crammed together in what is dubbed ‘the pit’: a double-sided row of chairs and monitors where they compete simultaneously. The general public weren’t allowed in, so as the first matches got under way, the silence that took over the tension-filled room felt oddly reminiscent of lockdown-era football. That was until the goals began to fly in.
“Vamos!”
“Oui!”
If we imagine the eChampions League as a platform game, it’s time to take on the finals boss. Eight competitors will be lining up in Istanbul on 7 June, all eyeing the silverware. However, when Champions Journal checked in, things were more hectic: in the group stage, 64 gamers were battling it out in the UK capital to progress to the knockout stage.
The tournament kicked off with the first of the offline stages, as a throng of elite EA SPORTS FIFA 23 players travelled to the Here East theatre in London. Inside the studio, six players were on stage for the broadcast’s highlighted matches, while the remaining 26 players in Group A were crammed together in what is dubbed ‘the pit’: a double-sided row of chairs and monitors where they compete simultaneously. The general public weren’t allowed in, so as the first matches got under way, the silence that took over the tension-filled room felt oddly reminiscent of lockdown-era football. That was until the goals began to fly in.
“Vamos!”
“Oui!”
“Come on!”
Drama was inevitable as all the emotions of two legs of football were condensed into about 20 minutes; plus, there were 16 of those bouts happening at once. Competitors came into the day knowing they would need to win three two-legged games to advance; three losses would mean elimination. And unlike footballers, who have at least six days to prepare for their next Champions League fixture, these pros had just 15 minutes to reset and regain their composure.
Some players had coaches in attendance; others brought friends and family for moral support. One group of friends could be seen dancing along to the in-game celebrations, while one father watched on proudly as his son took part in his first professional tournament.
However, plenty of players had to watch their dreams slip away. The last-minute elimination of one proved too much for his coach, who proceeded to nail his chair with a volley that would please Robin van Persie. Of course, the reality of any tournament is that many never reach that final stage. Still, there’s always next year.
If we imagine the eChampions League as a platform game, it’s time to take on the finals boss. Eight competitors will be lining up in Istanbul on 7 June, all eyeing the silverware. However, when Champions Journal checked in, things were more hectic: in the group stage, 64 gamers were battling it out in the UK capital to progress to the knockout stage.
The tournament kicked off with the first of the offline stages, as a throng of elite EA SPORTS FIFA 23 players travelled to the Here East theatre in London. Inside the studio, six players were on stage for the broadcast’s highlighted matches, while the remaining 26 players in Group A were crammed together in what is dubbed ‘the pit’: a double-sided row of chairs and monitors where they compete simultaneously. The general public weren’t allowed in, so as the first matches got under way, the silence that took over the tension-filled room felt oddly reminiscent of lockdown-era football. That was until the goals began to fly in.
“Vamos!”
“Oui!”
If we imagine the eChampions League as a platform game, it’s time to take on the finals boss. Eight competitors will be lining up in Istanbul on 7 June, all eyeing the silverware. However, when Champions Journal checked in, things were more hectic: in the group stage, 64 gamers were battling it out in the UK capital to progress to the knockout stage.
The tournament kicked off with the first of the offline stages, as a throng of elite EA SPORTS FIFA 23 players travelled to the Here East theatre in London. Inside the studio, six players were on stage for the broadcast’s highlighted matches, while the remaining 26 players in Group A were crammed together in what is dubbed ‘the pit’: a double-sided row of chairs and monitors where they compete simultaneously. The general public weren’t allowed in, so as the first matches got under way, the silence that took over the tension-filled room felt oddly reminiscent of lockdown-era football. That was until the goals began to fly in.
“Vamos!”
“Oui!”
If we imagine the eChampions League as a platform game, it’s time to take on the finals boss. Eight competitors will be lining up in Istanbul on 7 June, all eyeing the silverware. However, when Champions Journal checked in, things were more hectic: in the group stage, 64 gamers were battling it out in the UK capital to progress to the knockout stage.
The tournament kicked off with the first of the offline stages, as a throng of elite EA SPORTS FIFA 23 players travelled to the Here East theatre in London. Inside the studio, six players were on stage for the broadcast’s highlighted matches, while the remaining 26 players in Group A were crammed together in what is dubbed ‘the pit’: a double-sided row of chairs and monitors where they compete simultaneously. The general public weren’t allowed in, so as the first matches got under way, the silence that took over the tension-filled room felt oddly reminiscent of lockdown-era football. That was until the goals began to fly in.
“Vamos!”
“Oui!”
“Come on!”
Drama was inevitable as all the emotions of two legs of football were condensed into about 20 minutes; plus, there were 16 of those bouts happening at once. Competitors came into the day knowing they would need to win three two-legged games to advance; three losses would mean elimination. And unlike footballers, who have at least six days to prepare for their next Champions League fixture, these pros had just 15 minutes to reset and regain their composure.
Some players had coaches in attendance; others brought friends and family for moral support. One group of friends could be seen dancing along to the in-game celebrations, while one father watched on proudly as his son took part in his first professional tournament.
However, plenty of players had to watch their dreams slip away. The last-minute elimination of one proved too much for his coach, who proceeded to nail his chair with a volley that would please Robin van Persie. Of course, the reality of any tournament is that many never reach that final stage. Still, there’s always next year.
If we imagine the eChampions League as a platform game, it’s time to take on the finals boss. Eight competitors will be lining up in Istanbul on 7 June, all eyeing the silverware. However, when Champions Journal checked in, things were more hectic: in the group stage, 64 gamers were battling it out in the UK capital to progress to the knockout stage.
The tournament kicked off with the first of the offline stages, as a throng of elite EA SPORTS FIFA 23 players travelled to the Here East theatre in London. Inside the studio, six players were on stage for the broadcast’s highlighted matches, while the remaining 26 players in Group A were crammed together in what is dubbed ‘the pit’: a double-sided row of chairs and monitors where they compete simultaneously. The general public weren’t allowed in, so as the first matches got under way, the silence that took over the tension-filled room felt oddly reminiscent of lockdown-era football. That was until the goals began to fly in.
“Vamos!”
“Oui!”
