European competition has rocketed to a new level of play in the Call of Duty World League, presented by PlayStation 4. For years, the region struggled to escape the shadow of their North American peers, yet through continued growth and support the field has begun to level.<\/p>\n
The Stage 2 Finals, taking place from July 14th \u2013 17th in Burbank, California, provides the region\u2019s final chance to show who\u2019s in fighting form to take on the world in the upcoming Call of Duty Championship 2016. European talent includes the top six teams in the EU standings at the close of Stage 2 regular play: HyperGames, Team Infused, Splyce, Epsilon eSports, Millenium, and Supremacy.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s take a look at the six competing teams and what to watch for in their Stage 2 presence: <\/p>\n
#1) HyperGames (15-3)
\nFormerly excel eSports, the full squad of Zed, QwiKeR, Nolson, and Braaain joined HyperGames in April. The roster originally came together out of their shared frustrations in getting dropped from teams before the start of the World League, only to fight back to a dominant first place position with a 15-3 Stage 2 finish. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to beat all the teams who have doubted us in the past. With the Call of Duty World League, we can take first.\u201d \u2013 Zed<\/p>\n
Their confidence has proven true, but will they bring their A-game to the Stage 2 Finals?<\/p>\n
#2) Team Infused (14-4)
\nClosing out Stage 2 regular play with a six-series win streak, Team Infused just barely missed a first place standing. They finished the Stage 1 regular season in first, however, but fell in a surprise defeat to Splyce at the Stage 1 Finals. While they won\u2019t get top seeding this time, the squad of MarkyB, Peatie, Urban, and Zer0 offers a consistent threat to any and all competitors.<\/p>\n
#3) Splyce (12-6)
\nSplyce made waves in the Stage 1 Finals with a seven-game series quarterfinals win over exceL eSports. They went on to upset Team Infused, the number one seed at the tournament, with another seven-game series, proving their endurance and dedication under pressure. In the Grand Final, they fell 4-1 to Millenium, but with the latter\u2019s disappointing Stage 2 performance, they might just have the momentum they need to close out the finals in first.<\/p>\n
#4) Epsilon eSports (10-8)
\nWhere Splyce has risen in prominence and Millenium have fallen, Epsilon has remained in a steady 3rd\/4th EU position. Settling in third for the Stage 1 regular season and playoffs, the current squad of Moose, Reedy, Skrapz, and SunnyB hopes for a lapse in the top seeds to make room for a strong Stage 2 Finals performance. <\/p>\n
#5) Millenium (10-8)
\nStage 1 champions Millenium struggled to maintain their momentum through Stage 2, falling to fifth with an underperforming 10-8 finish. A brief exit by MadCat signaled the desire to change up the roster, only for him to rejoin when a replacement couldn\u2019t be found. Will Europe\u2019s former top squad regain their form for the finals, or does a new champion await the region?<\/p>\n
#6) Supremacy (10-8)
\nFrench team Supremacy joined the World League for Stage 2, and despite a rough start began turning things around with a mid-stage four-series win streak. While the team is new, their captain, mAxxie, has competed in Call of Duty since Modern Warfare 3, bringing valuable experience to tournament competition. Tied with both Epsilon and Millenium at a 10-8 Stage 2 ranking, Supremacy isn\u2019t a squad to overlook.<\/p>\n
Tune in for the Stage 2 Finals<\/p>\n
The Stage 2 Finals will take place in Burbank, California from July 14th-17th. Tune in to all matches live at callofduty.com\/CWL, Twitch.tv, or YouTube. For on-site seating, purchase live tickets here<\/a>. <\/p>\n