StarLadder Berlin Major 2019: Format, Participating Teams & Favourites; All You Need To Know

Participating Teams

The teams will be primarily divided into 3 categories: The Legends, The Returning Challengers and The Minor Challengers.

The Legends of Katowice

The Legends

World Rank #1 Team Liquid - Liquid became the first-ever North American team to become the number one team in the world. They have dominated the scene in the past 5 months speedrunning the Intel Grandslam Season 2 in 4 out of 4 tournaments. Their domination has made them the biggest favorite to win this Major.

Line-up: Twistzz, NAF, Stewie2k, Nitro, and Elige. Coach - Adren

World Rank #3 Astralis - We haven't seen a team dominate the CSGO scene as much as Astralis did the past year. The won the last two Majors becoming the 3rd team to win back to back Majors. But their era conclusively ended as in the past 4 months Liquid began their dominance over the scene. Regardless, they are still favorites to win the tournament.

Line-up: Device, Dupreeh, Glaive, Xyp9x and Magisk. Coach - Zonic

World Rank #4 ENCE Esports - ENCE were the biggest surprise of the last year. The community made a meme "Ez for Ence" which became a reality when Ence made it to the Grand Finals of the last Major at Katowice. They will go into the Berlin Major as favorites.

Line-up: Aleksib, Sergej, Allu, XSeven and Aerial. Coach - Twista

World Rank #6 FaZe Clan - Faze are still one of the strongest teams in the world. Although they haven't challenged Liquid and Astralis for the title of the best team in the world in a long time, they still have an immensely talented team and are expected to become Legends again

Line-up: Niko, Rain, Guardian, Olofmeister, and Neo. Coach - YNK

World Rank #7 Natus Vincere - Na'vi boast having the best player in the world on their line-up, S1mple. Having changed their line-up between the Majors they are looking stronger than their last line-up did. They are also favorites to become Legends as well.

Line-up: S1mple, Zeus, Electronic, Boombl4, and Flamie. Coach - Kane

World Rank #11 Ninjas in Pyjamas - Although the organization has come under heavy fire from controversial accusations from several former players, they will take part in the Major as Legends. This will also mark their iconic player Get_Right's final Major with them.

Line-up: Rez, Lekro, Golden, Forest, and Get_Right. Coach - Pita

World Rank #14 Made in Brazil - MiBR can be considered as a sinking ship. Not only has the team failed to win a tournament in a long, long time but they just lost their biggest star Coldzera. They managed a top 8 finish at the last Major but will probably struggle to repeat it.

Line-up: Fallen, Fer, Taco, Lucas1, and Zews.

World Rank #17 Renegades - Renegades had a dream run at Katowice managing to finish in the top 8. But their run came to a crashing end as they followed it up with a string of poor results. They will enter as the lowest-ranked Legend in the tournament.

Line-up: AZR, Jks, Jkaem, Gratisfaction, and Liazz. Coach - Kassad

The Returning Challengers

World Rank #2 Vitality - Vitality rose up the ranks of CSGO teams in record speed. Like Ence, they surprised everyone with a strong showing at the last Major but they followed it up with even Top 2 finishes in several tournaments. They are favorites to be Legends and might just shock everyone by winning it all.

Line-up: NBK, Apex, Zywoo, Alex, and Rpk. Coach - XTQZZ

World Rank #8 G2 Esports - G2 have returned to their form after the Katowice Major. They even finished 2nd in ESL Pro League finals. Still, they are not expected to trouble the top contenders that much.

Line-up: Shox, KennyS, Lucky, Jackz and Alex. Coach - Malek

World Rank #26 Complexity - Complexity will be returning to the Major with a new line-up infused with young talent. However, they aren't expected to perform well or even make Legends.

Line-up: Dephh, Shahzam, Rickeh, Sick, and Obo. Coach - Warden

World Rank #31 Avangar - Avangar were one of the surprises of the last Major. Led by star sniper Jame, they managed to get a Challengers spot but it has gone downhill for them ever since and they aren't expected to make it too far in this Major.

Line-up: Adren, Sanji, Buster, Qikert and Jame. Coach - Dastan

World Rank #32 HellRaisers - HellRaisers had a turbulent season. They had several changes to their roster over and over again. As a result they nearly lost their Challengers status but due to some rule changes, they can field a team but aren't allowed a coach.

Line-up: Ange1, Issaa, Oskar, Nukkye and IoWel.

The Minor Challengers

World Rank #5 NRG Esports - North America's second-best team is undoubtedly NRG at this point. They recently changed their in-game leader after removing Daps and have looked just as strong under new leaders, Stanislaw. They are expected to become Legends easily.

Line-up: Tarik, Ethan, Cerq, Stanislaw and Brehze. Coach - ImAPet

World Rank #9 Furia Esports - Furia has been Brazil's brightest over the past few months. Since MiBR's decline, Brazil had taken a backseat in the CSGO pro scene but Furia has taken it upon themselves to bring Brazil back on top. They can easily become Legends.

Line-up: Kscerato, Yuurih, ArT, Vini, and AbleJ. Coach - Guerri

World Rank #10 Mousesports - Mousesports infamously missed the last Major becoming one of the strongest teams to ever miss a Major. They shuffled their roster and now have finally made it back to the Major. They certainly have what it takes to be Legends easily.

Line-up: ChrisJ, Ropz, Karrigan, Frozen, and Woxic. Coach - Rejin

World Rank #12 North - North also missed the last Majors infamously losing to teams outside the top 50. They finally have made it back to the Major. With the talent they have they are capable of becoming Legends but given their recent results, it seems unlikely.

Line-up: Kjaerbye, Aizy, Valde, Gade, and Jugi. Coach - MithR

World Rank #16 Cr4zy - Formerly known as Valiance, Crazy have pulled off an upset over a few European teams and qualified for the Major. They are an up and coming squad and might make it far, although it seems highly unlikely.

Line-up: Letn1, OttoNd, Hunter, Nexa, and Espiranto. Coach - Emi

World Rank #22 Forze - Forze qualified through the CIS Minor and will be making their debut at a Major. Their entire line-up are new and will play a Major for the first time.

Line-up: Facecrack, Jerry, Xsepower, Almazer, and Fl1t. Coach - Little

World Rank #25 Grayhound - Australia's Grayhound have qualified for their second consecutive Major. They are not expected to go much further though.

Line-up: Dickstacy, ErkaSt, Malta, Dexter, and Sico. Coach - Neil M

World Rank #33 Tyloo - Tyloo are Asia's best team. They usually put up decent performances at Majors but had a really bad showing in the last Major. They aren't expected to go much farther in the tournament.

Line-up: Somebody, BnTet, Summer, Attacker, and Freeman.

World Rank #34 INTZ Esports - INTZ were Brazil's strongest team after MiBR before Furia came around. They failed to qualify for several high profile tournaments but have made it to the Major. However, they aren't expected to go much far.

Line-up: Kngv, Chelo, Xand, Destiny, and YeL. Coach - Apoka

World Rank #40 Syman Gaming - Syman qualified through the CIS Minor and will be making their debut at Majors. They are complete newcomers and much isn't expected.

Line-up: NeaLaN, Torick, Perfecto, Ramz1k, and Keoz. Coach - Solaar

World Rank #41 DreamEaters - DreamEaters are the lowest-ranked team in the Major. They will also be making their debut in Majors.

Line-up: Speed4k, Kinqie, Krad, Forester, and Svyat. Coach - ZoneR