Victory Zigzag: Team's fate hangs in the balance after coach ban

26 Aug

Andre Guaraldo

In a shocking turn of events, Ivan "Hardwell" Alekseev's anticipated appearance as a stand-in for the ESIC-suspended Joel "joel" Holmlund has been halted as he faces a FACEIT ban for alleged cheating. This decision has been met with controversy and the impending exit of a prominent member from the Victory Zigzag roster, leaving fans and the esports community bewildered.

Allegations and denials

Hardwell's journey to becoming Victory Zigzag's stand-in at the BLAST Premier Fall Showdown took a drastic turn when he received a ban for cheating on his FACEIT account this past Saturday. The Russian coach, however, vehemently denies any wrongdoing, insisting that the accusation is false, and even implicating someone else as responsible for the alleged cheating.

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This sudden development followed the Esports Integrity Commission's (ESIC) decision to suspend Joel "joel" Holmlund, a 19-year-old Swede, over allegations of match-fixing in several instances earlier this year. With this cloud of controversy already hovering over Victory Zigzag, the coach's FACEIT ban seemed to be the final straw for the team.

Bubble's Farewell

Bubble, an integral part of Victory Zigzag, has had enough of the tumultuous controversies surrounding the team. Bubble also announced that the BLAST Showdown would mark his last tournament with Victory Zigzag. This decision signals a significant shift in the team's dynamics and raises questions about its future.

Bubble as WESG champion (credits: Bubble's Twitter)

Team's response

While bubble has made his intentions clear, the rest of the Victory Zigzag lineup has remained tight-lipped about the situation. Daniel "mertz" Mertz, a member of the team, has confirmed that Victory Zigzag will be fielding Mikkel "lund" Lund at the upcoming BLAST Showdown. This decision, while offering some clarity, still leaves fans and analysts speculating about the team's performance in the tournament.

In summary, the BLAST Premier Fall Showdown, scheduled to commence on October 4, features Victory Zigzag facing off against the formidable favorites, ENCE, in the opening round. As the tournament approaches, the controversies surrounding the team and the recent ban on Hardwell continue to cast a shadow over Victory Zigzag's prospects in the esports scene. Only time will tell how these developments will impact the team's performance and its future in the competitive gaming world.