Despite a third place finish at the CWL Stage 2 Playoffs, the Red Reserve squad looks confident going into this year’s CWL Championship.
The European side failed to make it to the Grand Final of the tournament on July 29, after losing 3-1 to Rise Nation for the second time over the weekend. The same Rise team also defeated Red in both the Winners Bracket Final and Grand Final at CWL Anaheim.
Although the players were understandably disappointed with their final result, it hasn’t put a dampener on their spirits for the CWL Championship, which takes place at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus from August 15 to 19.
The biggest competition of the year will see one of 32 teams crowned the winner and take a share of the $1.5 million prize pool, as well as an all-important championship ring each.
Rhys ‘Rated’ Price believes the European roster has a good of taking the title, with strengths in every game mode and map. Though mistakes have been made at previous tournaments, like struggling to adapt mid-round, he says the same thing will not happen at the CWL Championship.
Probably the best chance myself or any of my team are ever going to get to get a ring,need to just polish everything up for Champs, we are good at literally every map and mode which makes us super scary we've been sloppy in a different mode each event, that won't happen at Champs
— Rhys Price (@Rated_COD) 30 July 2018
Matthew ‘Skrapz’ Marshall commented on the high placings the squad has had during its two events together since he joined at the beginning of May, as well as the fact that Rise are the only team to have defeated it so far.
He hasn’t been put off though, showing his confidence for the biggest tournament of the year by saying he can’t wait.
GGs Rise, lost 3-1 finished 3rd, been to 2 events as a team & they are the only team that have beat us. Champs it is, I can’t wait :punch:⏳
— skrapz (@skrapzg) 29 July 2018
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2 events as a team, 2nd then 3rd … the next one only makes sense :shrug:♂️:raised_hands:
— skrapz (@skrapzg) 30 July 2018
Joseph ‘Joee’ Pinnington also acknowledged the team has struggled against Rise Nation on a number of occasions without coming out on top.
GG’s rise can’t seem to beat them atm, finished 3rd At playoffs
— Joee (@Joee_COD) 29 July 2018
While Trei ‘Zer0’ Morris noted how well the roster had managed to do in a short space of time, as well as sharing his hope that 2018 would be his year.
Impressive what the squad has done in such a short time, one more event, biggest one of the year, hope to make it one to remember.
— 0 (@TreiZer0) 30 July 2018
It’s not just the players who are looking forward to the CWL Championship, as Red Reserve’s CEO, Patrik Andersson, also joined the conversation, saying the team would be gaining even more focus ahead of the event.
We go again at champs. Regain and focus up
— Patrik Andersson (@Red_CEO_) 29 July 2018
With Red Reserve already looking strong, could we see the roster put in the extra time and become the first European World Champions?