eSports
Shellzz Wins 2020/21 ePremier League Title for Manchester City
Shaun ‘Shellzz’ Springette has been crowned the 2020/21 ePremier League Champion on behalf of Manchester City after a thrilling climax to the EA SPORTS Shellzz came out on top as eight leading players took their place in the final stages of the competition on Friday night, beating Leeds United’s Olle ‘Ollelito’ Arbin in a dramatic penalty shootout in the cross-console final. After a 4-2 victory on his less-favoured Xbox in the first leg, he was on the reverse of the same scoreline in the second leg before keeping his nerve to settle the tie on spot-kicks.
“Words can’t describe it,” he said after clinching the title. “It has been a long ride to get here and to be able to call myself ePremier League champion, I’m so, so happy. “Ollelito is No5 in the world on Xbox for a reason and I knew it would be tough against him, but I played really well. I have done a lot of work on the mental side of my game and it’s paid off.”
The drama wasn’t reserved for the grand final for Shellzz, who beat Leicester City’s Cosmin ‘NFG Cosmin’ Petrescu on penalties in the quarter-finals before beating last season’s runner-up Marc ‘MarcMarleyyy’ Marley (Brighton & Hove Albion) 4-2 at the semi-final stage. He then won 4-3 in the PlayStation4 Final against Sheffield United’s Mitchell ‘RISE MHaywxrd’ Hayward.
As well as winning the coveted ePL trophy, Shellzz also picked up the £20,000 first prize and a Hublot watch. Runner-up Ollelito collected £10,000, with the runners-up of the two console finals MHaywxrd (Sheffield United) and Diogo ‘FalconsDiogo’ Mendes (Chelsea) each winning £5,000. They also won all-important seats in the EA SPORTS FIFA 21 Global Series European Playoffs this summer.
Premier League Commercial Director Will Brass said: “Congratulations to Shellzz and Manchester City on winning the 2020/21 ePremier League. The standard of play in this year’s Finals was incredibly high and it was great to see such exciting competition across all stages of the tournament.
“Over three seasons, the ePremier League has proved popular with FIFA players of all abilities, and consistently brought together established pros and new faces. It has also attracted a growing audience worldwide and provided clubs with a new way of engaging with their supporters. “Many thanks to EA SPORTS and our broadcast partners for their support, ensuring we have been able to bring another enjoyable and high-quality tournament to fans globally. We look forward to continuing to develop the ePremier League over coming seasons.”
After more than 22 million fans tuned in to the first two ePL Finals, the climax to this year’s tournament was televised in the UK by Sky Sports, BT Sport and BBC Sport, as well as being shown around the world by the Premier League’s international licensees. All players competed remotely in this season’s Finals as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the event hosted live from the Gfinity Arena in London.
ePremier League is operated by esports tournament organisers Gfinity. For more information visit e.premierleague.com.
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The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) and GeoGuessr announced that GeoGuessr will join the Esports World Cup Festival tournament program, a new series of competitive events held alongside the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC). The Esports World Cup and its accompanying EWC Festival will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 7 through August 24.
The EWC Festival will play host to a Last Chance Wildcard Tournament for the 2025 GeoGuessr World Championship. Taking place during Week 3 (July 21–27), the last chance tournament will feature a $20,000 prize pool and award two spots for the GeoGuessr World Championship later this year in Copenhagen on August 29–30. 16 of the top ranked GeoGuessr players will be invited to compete for the final two places on the global stage.
Celebrated for transforming online exploration into a competitive experience, GeoGuessr joins the EWC Festival as a global fan favorite. Launched in 2013, the geography-based guessing game gained worldwide momentum in 2020, similar to Chess, which also debuts at EWC 2025 this year. Since then, GeoGuessr has attracted millions of players to its browser-based and Steam platforms, connecting players through exploration of countries, continents, and cultures. Using the widely recognized Google Street View, GeoGuessr makes exploring the world accessible to all.
“We’re excited to welcome GeoGuessr to the Esports World Cup 2025 as part of our EWC Festival tournament program,” said Fabian Scheuermann, Chief Games Officer, Esports World Cup Foundation. “Few games have captured the imagination of players around the world quite like it – its blend of exploration, puzzle solving, and fast-paced competition has turned it into a global phenomenon. Together, we are bringing GeoGuessr’s official tournament to the Middle East to grow global ecosystems, expand opportunities for players and fans, and showcase the diversity of modern competitive gaming on the world’s biggest stage.”
Since launching the official GeoGuessr World Championship in 2023, the game has further elevated itself into a professional esport, with elite players and creators drawing global audiences across competitive circuits and livestreams.
The inclusion of GeoGuessr at EWC represents a major milestone for the game’s competitive scene, placing it alongside iconic titles and opening new opportunities to reach players and fans worldwide. The EWCF remains committed to providing games with strong communities and competitive potential the platform to grow and thrive.
The Esports World Cup Festival is a global celebration of gaming and esports culture. From esports tournaments and live music stages to retro arcades, anime cafes, cosplay shows and creator studios, the EWC Festival invites millions to explore and play together in the heart of Riyadh during the Esports World Cup.
The Esports World Cup 2025 will feature 2,000 elite players and 200 Clubs from over 100 countries, competing in 25 tournaments across 24 games for a record-breaking $70+ million prize pool.
The post GeoGuessr Joins the Esports World Cup Festival 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Esportes da Sorte
Esportes Gaming Brasil, the group behind Esportes da Sorte and Onabet, announces Hugo Baungartner as Executive Director for Institutional Relations and Partnerships
The executive will focus on expanding the group’s presence in Brazil’s regulated market, with an emphasis on institutional engagement, new business, and compliance.
Esportes Gaming Brasil, the group composed of Esportes da Sorte and Onabet, announces the appointment of Hugo Baungartner as its new Executive Director of Institutional Relations and Strategic Partnerships (Chief Business Officer – CBO). He joins the company’s leadership team with the mission of strengthening institutional engagement with public authorities, regulatory bodies, and strategic partners, as well as driving the continued expansion of the group in Brazil.
Baungartner will be responsible for liaising with institutions such as the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA/MF), the Federal Revenue Service, the Central Bank, and COAF, as well as certification bodies and accredited laboratories. His responsibilities also include preparing the company for developments in the regulatory landscape.
“Hugo’s arrival strengthens our ability to act strategically in a constantly evolving sector. He brings an experienced, technical perspective aligned with the principles of governance and innovation that guide our group’s companies,” said Darwin Filho, CEO of Esportes Gaming Brasil.
“Brazil is going through a crucial moment in regulating the sector, and being at the forefront of this movement with such a relevant group is a challenge that truly motivates me. Our goal is to ensure our operations not only meet legal requirements but also serve as a benchmark for best practices, innovation, and sustainable growth,” said Hugo Baungartner.
With over 28 years of experience in the technology and gaming sectors, Baungartner will also be responsible for developing partnerships with global providers, evaluating merger and acquisition opportunities (M&A), and structuring new projects with full legal and regulatory compliance. He previously held leadership roles at companies such as Grupo Aposta Ganha, RCT Gaming, and Prohards.
The post Esportes Gaming Brasil, the group behind Esportes da Sorte and Onabet, announces Hugo Baungartner as Executive Director for Institutional Relations and Partnerships appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
LEON Esports, the international esports division of Leon.bet, has officially become the international partner of SAW, one of the leading Counter-Strike 2 teams in Europe.
Based in Portugal, SAW is currently ranked #24 in the global CS2 rankings (HLTV) and maintains a strong position within the Top 30. The team is recognized for its competitive consistency, professional structure, and growing fanbase across Europe.
This partnership marks the second major esports collaboration for LEON Esports, following its ongoing cooperation with FlyQuest. The agreement with SAW reflects LEON’s continued commitment to the development of the global esports ecosystem and its support for high-performing international teams.
The cooperation will include a range of joint initiatives, such as exclusive content creation, community activations, and brand integrations designed to strengthen the connection between the team and its audience.
With this new partnership, LEON Esports continues to expand its presence in international esports and invest in teams that demonstrate both potential and performance on the world stage.
The post LEON Esports announces partnership with Portuguese CS2 Team SAW appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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