In the eleventh – Season of the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS), teams with German participation were stronger than they have been in a long time.

Good past performances ensured that e-sports organizations such as Evil Geniuses, SK Gaming and Natus Vincere brought German players into their teams. However, after the three European tournaments in the fall – Season , none of them was enough to qualify for the Major tournament in Stockholm.

It was especially close for Evil Genius, who played until the last moment for a Major place, but as seventh in the EU ranking missed the top five for qualification.

RLCS Autumn Spilt Full of Highs and Lows

German organization SK Gaming didn’t get off the starting blocks at all. “My start into the – Season was unfortunately not so exhilarating due to a lack of boot camp opportunities,” SK player Damian “Tox” Schäfer told the German Press Agency. Due to significant internet problems, he said, they only finished 15th ahead of Vitality.

EG, despite a better start to the – Season , was also not satisfied with its own performance. “To only be top eight in the first EU tournament was not exactly what we wanted,” said EG player Leonardo “Catalysm” Ramos. “And then we didn’t even make the playoffs in the second tournament.”

Another top-eight finish in the third regional tournament wasn’t enough to qualify for the major in the end. Similarly for SK Gaming: After a good run in the second tournament, they again failed to make the playoffs in the third regional.

Room for improvement for Rocket League teams

But both teams are setting high goals for the rest of the – Season . “We are continuously working towards a permanent place in the top five,” said Tox, while Catalysm wants to “qualify for the World Championship and be the best team in Europe.”

Special incentive: for the first time in two years, the Majors will be held as offline tournaments. “Having never participated in a LAN tournament, it would be great to experience it live! The fact that LANs are back motivates everyone,” said Catalysm.

Tox also stresses the importance of these tournaments, “Of course, I’m especially looking forward to the LAN events, which are a first for me.” In his first professional – Season , he had only been able to play online. “I can imagine that the atmosphere at the events will carry me through the tournaments even more and motivate me.”