The two week long Funspark ULTI 2023 Europe Regional Series 3 event is right around the corner, and there is plenty to play for. With the top teams in the world not in attendance, it gives those second-tier teams sitting under the professionals the opportunity to shine and make a statement ahead of major event qualifiers. This preview will cover everything you need to know, including format, teams attending, schedule, and more.
Funspark ULTI 2023 Europe Regional Series 3 Breakdown
The event features sixteen teams. During Series 1, sixteen teams were invited, with the top twelve securing a spot in the next series (season). The final four spots are up for grabs through qualifiers prior to each series now. Series 3 of Funspark ULTI 2023 Europe Regional takes place from September 13th-16th with $30,000 up for grabs.
Event Format
If you’re a fan of events that span over several days and have non-stop action, then this event will be for you. Whilst your big-name teams and favourite professionals might not be in attendance, there are some incredibly talented players and teams competing at Funspark ULTI 2023 Europe. The format of the event plays out as below.
Group Stage:
- Four double-elimination format (GSL) Groups
- Each group has 4 teams
- All matches are Bo3
- Top 2 teams from each group advance to the Playoffs
Playoffs:
- Single-Elimination bracket
- All matches are Bo3
Teams Participating
Here is a breakdown of all sixteen teams attending that are battling for $35,000. We have highlighted the rosters and how the team qualified for the event.
| Team | Roster | Playoffs Placing |
| HAVU Gaming | sLowi, ZOREE, xseveN, jemi, Aerial | Season 2 |
| Dignitas | F0rest, friberg, hallzerk, HEAP, Lekr0 | Season 2 |
| CPH Flames | Jabbi, nicoodoz, roeJ, HooXi, Zyphon | Season 2 |
| Lyngby Vikings | Birdfromsky, maNkz, Daffu, FASHR, WolfY | Season 2 |
| ENCE | Doto, Snappi, Spinx, dycha, hades | Season 2 |
| TBD | TBD | Season 2 |
| Entropiq | El1an, Lack1, NickelBack, Krad, Forester | Season 2 |
| K23 | neaLaN, mou, n0rb3r7, AdreN, fame | Season 2 |
| touch the crown | Dukiiiii, powerYY, KrowNii, pulzG, aybeN | Season 2 |
| Team Unique | Sorrow, w1nt3r, smiley, icem4N, dukefissura | Season 2 |
| Team Fiend | Bubble, dream3r, v1c7oR, REDSTAR, h4rn | Season 2 |
| Nemiga Gaming | Lollipop21k, Jyo, boX, iDISBALANCE, 1eeR | Season 2 |
| AGO | Furlan, F1KU, leman, snatchie, rallen | Closer Qualifier |
| 00Nation | kNgV-, HEN1, LUCAS1, leo_drk, v$m | Closer Qualifier |
| MAD Lions | TMB, tudsoN, Woro2k, sausol, jL | Closer Qualifier |
| AVE | Svyat, Raijin, waterfaLLZ, Porya, sugaR | Closer Qualifier |
Prize Pool
As mentioned, the prize pool is $35,000, and below is how it is split across the teams at the event.
| Place | $USD | Seed | Points |
| 1st | $15,000 | Season 4 | 20 |
| 2nd | $6,500 | Season 4 | 15 |
| 3rd – 4th | $3,000 | Season 4 | 8 |
| 5th – 8th | $625 | Season 4 | 5 |
| 9th – 12th | – | Season 4 | – |
| 13th – 16th | – | S4 Closed Qualifier | – |
How To Watch The Games
There are two different streams you can watch, an English broadcast and a Chinese broadcast. Below are the official links:
English Broadcast – https://www.twitch.tv/funspark_esports
Chinese Broadcast – https://www.huya.com/funspark
What To Expect
With it being a more semi-professional level event, I imagine the potential storyline will be crazy, and by that, I mean anyone can beat anyone outside of maybe a couple of exceptions. There a few teams I think eyes should most definitely be locked on for the duration of the event: HAVU Gaming, Dignitas, ENCE, K23, and 00Nation.
These are the teams that, when you look at the rosters, just have those experienced individuals that have competed at the higher levels before and can bring that to the team and help elevate them in certain situations, you pair that with some youthful, explosive talent beside them and there is a lot of potential.
Funspark ULTI 2023 Europe Regional Series 3 Conclusion
Honestly, it seems like this could be one of the more entertaining events that aren’t featuring the best teams in the world. Sometimes events like this can be a bit lackluster without the big-name players, but it feels like the format of this event and the opportunity to shine and start to take the next steps could be a huge element and could lead to some fantastic CS:GO gameplay.
