EWC 2025 Overview

From July 8 through August 24, Saudi Arabia will host the highly anticipated International Esports World Cup 2025, a grand event that spans over seven weeks and features competitions in 24 distinct esports disciplines. This global gathering promises an extraordinary spectacle, highlighted by a total prize pool exceeding $70 million, ensuring both players and fans experience unmatched excitement and competition.

Among the marquee tournaments is the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang competition, where elite players will battle in mobile MOBA arenas. The stakes are high, with a $500,000 cash prize awaiting the champions and the chance to lift the renowned trophy, symbolizing the pinnacle of success in this popular game.

As the event approaches, questions arise about the contenders. Which teams are expected to make a strong impact? Are there any local teams to watch out for as potential winners? What makes the Mobile Legends tournament particularly captivating? Our detailed analysis explores these questions, offering insights into the fierce competition and thrilling moments to expect.

Qualifiers for the event include the top teams from the MCC Season 5 (Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Continental Championships), held earlier this year from April to June. The reigning champions, Team Spirit, secured their spot after a remarkable journey. Having dominated the previous two MCC seasons, they faced setbacks but managed a dramatic comeback from the lower bracket, ultimately prevailing in the final stages. Fans often refer to their resilience as just another day in the life of the “dragons.”

Virtus.pro, another notable team, earned their place as the second seed—an impressive feat considering this is their first appearance at the MCC. Their innovative playstyle has garnered praise from both fans and analysts, dispelling initial doubts about their experience level. Zaur Magomedov, known as Zauregoist, the team's jungler, delivered standout performances during the play-in stage, earning MVP honors and ranking among the top kill leaders in the tournament—highlighting their potential to make a significant impact on the world stage.

The recent conclusion of the fifth season of the MLBB Continental Championship has been nothing short of extraordinary, with intense battles and dramatic comebacks captivating fans worldwide. The tournament, held from April to June, showcased the resilience and skill of top-tier teams vying for a coveted spot at EWC 2025, culminating in a surprising yet predictable victory for the seasoned squad, Team Spirit. Known for their resilience, the "dragons" demonstrated once again why they are considered masters of turning setbacks into triumphs. After a tough descent into the lower bracket, they rallied with relentless determination, echoing their reputation for swift rallies and decisive victories—a narrative that has become a beloved meme within the community.

Meanwhile, Virtus.pro made an impressive debut in this season, clinching second place and impressing both fans and analysts with their aggressive and well-structured gameplay. Their daring approach earned them widespread admiration, defying expectations set by their status as newcomers. A standout performer was Zauregoist, the team's jungler, whose confident and calculated play earned him the tournament’s MVP award during the play-ins. His remarkable kill statistics placed him among the top players globally, signaling a promising rise and establishing him as a fresh star on the scene.

Team Spirit, formerly known as Deus Vult, has cemented their status as regional heavyweights since their rebranding in March 2024, when they assembled their current roster. Veterans like sunset lover (Kemiран Kochkarov) and Sawo (Stanislav Reshnyak) bring extensive international experience—participating in five World Championships and narrowly missing a slot in one year. Their journey has been documented by Moonton, highlighting their dedication and global influence.

Over the years, Team Spirit has consistently performed well on the world stage, securing top-four finishes at both the M5 and M6 World Championships, and placing ninth to twelfth at EWC 2024. Their recent victory at the MLBB Super Cup Invitational 2025 further cements their reputation as a formidable force. Their lineup features a balanced mix of skill and experience:

• Sunset Lover (Kemiран Kochkarov) in the mid lane
  
• Kid Bomba (Mateos Hatzilakos) in the EXP lane
  
• Hiko (Anton Pak) in the gold lane
  
• Sawo (Stanislav Reshnyak) in the roamer position
  
• Oneshot (Alexander Sharkov) in the jungle
  

Having played together for nearly a year, the team’s chemistry is undeniable, with the only significant roster change occurring in July 2024 when Oneshot rejoined after previously playing under the Deus Vult banner. This stability and cohesion have made them a tough opponent, especially for teams outside Asia, thanks to their rich international experience and tactical versatility.

In the summer of 2023, the addition of Kid Bomba, also known as Mateos Hatzilakos, infused Team Spirit with renewed energy and a fresh perspective. His arrival marked a new chapter, and shortly thereafter, Hiko, or Anton Pak, joined the roster at the beginning of 2024, further strengthening the team's lineup. Long-standing members such as Sunset Lover, whose real name is Kemiran Kochkarov, and Sawo, or Stanislav Reshnyak, have been instrumental in shaping the team's core identity from the outset.

A key factor contributing to the team's steady performance is their minimal roster turnover. This consistency enables players to bypass the typical adjustment phase, allowing them to refine their synergy, communication, and strategizing skills. Such stability has translated into more polished and unified gameplay during competitions.

Following Kid Bomba's integration, the team adopted a unified English communication approach, which proved pivotal in enhancing coordination and inclusivity. Interestingly, Mateos Hatzilakos now speaks Russian fluently and often leads strategic calls and draft decisions, demonstrating his adaptability and dedication to the team’s collective success. This combination of linguistic versatility and skill has elevated Team Spirit into a formidable contender on the international stage, with fans eagerly anticipating their future performances.

In May of this year, Nikita Morozov, known in the esports community as Coldstar, assumed the role of head coach for Team Spirit. His background includes a successful career as a professional League of Legends player, beginning his journey in 2017 with Gambit Academy. Despite his competitive efforts, international success was elusive due to the dominance of Asian teams in global tournaments. Transitioning from playing to commentating, Nikita built strong ties within the esports community and developed a nuanced understanding of the game.

Prior to Nikita’s appointment, the team was guided by Vren Don Consul Posebre from the Philippines. His coaching experience with prominent teams like ap.bren and RRQ Hoshi brought valuable strategic insights, but communication barriers—particularly his limited proficiency in Russian—posed challenges during matches and team discussions. These issues, highlighted during MCC Season 5 interviews, underscored the importance of clear communication in high-stakes esports environments.

Tournament Overview and Team Highlights

The upcoming tournament features a diverse lineup of teams from across Asia, North America, and beyond, including prominent names like Aurora Gaming and Onic Philippines from the Philippines, alongside Team Liquid representing the same region. Indonesia showcases strong contenders such as Onic and RRQ Hoshi, while Malaysia's presence is marked by Selangor Red Giants and Homebois.

Cambodian team CFU Gaming and Middle Eastern squad Ultra Legends also aim for victory, along with Latin America's Corinthians and Myanmar's Mythic Seal. Singapore's Team Flash and China's Dianfengyaoguai add further international flair, complemented by North America's Area77.

A notable change occurred in the North American bracket, where S8UL Esports was initially slated to compete. However, due to rule violations involving players Hoon and Mobazane—who participated in a competing game—S8UL was disqualified just ahead of the tournament. The wildcard spot remains vacant, with the winner to be decided on July 13.

As the group stage approaches, only eight teams will advance to the playoffs, making qualification fiercely competitive and unpredictable. The stakes are high, and fans are eager to see which teams will rise to the challenge and make it to the final stages of the competition.

Renowned as the “dragons,” Team Spirit has established itself as a formidable presence on the international esports scene, consistently challenging top-tier teams from across Asia and beyond. Their impressive track record includes victories over prominent squads such as Malaysia’s Homebois, Turkey’s Fire Flux Esports, Cambodia’s See You Soon, and Saudi Arabia’s Falcon Esports during previous MLBB tournaments.

A key factor behind their success is the strategic guidance provided by their coaching team from the Philippines—Vrendon Consul Posebre (Vren) and Kenneth Coloma (Flysolo). These coaches have expertly analyzed regional playstyles, enabling the team to adapt to the Asian meta and understand the tactics employed by the continent’s best teams.

Interestingly, hero selections and item configurations tend to be quite similar worldwide, with China being a notable exception due to its narrower hero pool and outdated patches. Generally, teams from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) tend to adopt Asian strategies but with a slight delay, reflecting the natural progression of strategic development as analysts and coaches study international opponents.

Recent updates to MLBB have significantly altered the jungle meta, shifting dominance from tanks to assassins. This change favors Team Spirit’s core player, Oneshoot (Alexander Sharkov), who excels with fast-paced, high-damage heroes. With only five bans per game, opponents cannot fully neutralize his preferred picks. Just prior to EWC 2025, a new mage hero named Zetian was introduced into the global hero pool—initially exclusive to China. Teams had just a month to integrate her into their strategies, but Team Spirit was already ahead of the curve, including her in their draft at the MLBB Super Cup Invitational 2025 and remaining undefeated when she was in play.

The team’s recent performances suggest a promising playoff trajectory, having already defeated potential rivals such as Homebois, CFU Gaming from Cambodia, and Chinese team Dianfengyaoguai. Their current momentum indicates they could potentially replicate or surpass their previous successes. Nonetheless, their toughest tests lie ahead, facing formidable opponents from Indonesia’s Onic and RRQ Hoshi, the Philippines’ Team Liquid and Onic PH, as well as Malaysia’s Selangor Red Giants OG—teams that have historically challenged and defeated them, including losses of 0:1 to RRQ Hoshi and 0:3 to Selangor Red Giants.

As of July 1, Team Spirit’s full roster was confirmed to have arrived in Malaysia, following a long-standing tradition of holding an Asian bootcamp before major international tournaments. This intensive training period allows them to collaborate with the world’s best players, sharpen their strategies, and prepare thoroughly for the upcoming battles on the global stage.

Virtus.pro's International Debut

This time, the spotlight extends beyond Team Spirit as Virtus.pro steps onto the international stage to represent their region at the esports World Cup. Before they can reach the main event, they must navigate the challenging wild card qualifiers, raising questions about their potential to advance and how far they can go.

Virtus.pro’s journey in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang began earlier this year when the organization assembled a fresh roster, signing five talented players from the former Teiko team. The lineup includes Badrkot, Egor Bugayev, Dmitry Belyaev, Zaur Magomedov, and Alexander Orlov, each bringing unique skills and experience to the squad.

Adding depth to the team, Vladimir Misyurin, known as Pluto, was recruited to fill the crucial roam position, bringing experience from Forze. The team is guided by coach Kenneth “Flysolo” Coloma, renowned for leading Deus Vult, a dominant force in the regional scene, bringing strategic insight and leadership to Virtus.pro.

Over recent months, this young team has undergone rapid development, transforming from underdogs to serious contenders. Their impressive performances include a notable run in MCC Season 5, where they pushed Team Spirit to five intense games in the finals. Although they ultimately lost 3:2, Virtus.pro demonstrated resilience and strategic prowess, winning two of the games and showcasing their potential.

At the wild card stage, Virtus.pro’s lineup features Bober in the mid lane, Badrkot in the exp lane, Superegorka in the gold lane, Pluto handling roam, and Andoryuuu in the jungle. With determination fueling their efforts, the team is entering the tournament with strong momentum, aiming not just to participate but to make a splash and secure their place in the playoffs.

As they step into this high-stakes competition, Virtus.pro’s players are eager to prove their growth and showcase their skills on the world stage, determined to challenge established teams and carve out their own legacy in the esports arena.

June 10 marks a historic milestone for Virtus.pro as they step onto the international esports stage for the first time. Their debut match promises to be challenging, facing off against Nightmare Esports from Laos in a high-stakes encounter. The team’s nerves may be visible, but they carry a potential ace up their sleeve—unexpected strategies, innovative team compositions, and unfamiliar drafting patterns that have yet to be seen by their opponents. An unforeseen roster adjustment adds an intriguing twist, turning VP into an unpredictable contender.

Due to age restrictions, their original jungler, Zauregoist, cannot participate in the tournament, stepping back from playing to serve as an analyst. In his place, Andoryuuu, a rising star from Omega Esports in the Philippines, has been brought in on loan. His track record includes earning MVP honors twice in the MPL Philippines Season 14, making him a valuable addition. However, integrating new players and forging team chemistry quickly will be vital, especially considering language barriers that could slow communication during rapid, intense matches.

Veteran coach Flysolo has been instrumental in elevating Virtus.pro’s competitiveness, transforming them into a top-tier regional team in less than half a year. His leadership might be the key to unifying this diverse lineup and navigating the complexities of international competition. The team is currently training in the Philippines, fine-tuning their coordination with Andoryuuu and preparing for their debut.

Eight teams have secured their spots in the wild card stage through regional qualifiers. Among these are notable squads like Team Falcons from Saudi Arabia, Legion Esports from Vietnam, Rare Atom from China, The Mongolz from Mongolia, Zeta Division from Japan, and Influence Rage from Brazil. Virtus.pro is placed in Group B, where they will face Zeta Division, Nightmare Esports, and Influence Rage.

Fortunately for VP, the group draw is favorable. Two of the strongest contenders, Team Falcons and Legion Esports, are in the opposite group, easing some pressure. The first challenge awaits on July 10 against Nightmare Esports, an aggressive but internationally less-known team from Laos. Success for Virtus.pro will likely depend on disciplined defensive play—drawing opponents into mistakes, executing precise counterattacks, and leveraging a late-game composition designed to punish reckless moves.

Following this, their potential matches include Zeta Division and Influence Rage. The Japanese team making its first international appearance might be less prepared for the level of competition, giving VP an edge—particularly with Andoryuuu’s experience in map control and farm management. Meanwhile, Influence Rage, with more international experience, still exhibits vulnerabilities under pressure. Exploiting these weaknesses early could give Virtus.pro the opportunity to secure crucial victories and establish themselves as a formidable presence on the global stage.

Underdogs Shine in Esports

Asian teams have consistently demonstrated their talent and competitive edge on the global stage, often impressing audiences with their refined skills and strategic depth. However, even seasoned squads can face unexpected challenges during critical moments in tournaments. A notable example is the 2024 Esports World Cup, where an underdog team, the Selangor Red Giants, unexpectedly stole the show. Their commanding victories over several established competitors underscored their exceptional coordination and tactical ingenuity, propelling them to the tournament’s pinnacle.

This impressive run underscores an important lesson: emerging and less experienced players possess the power to reshape championship dynamics. Success often hinges on their ability to swiftly adapt to evolving game situations, effectively leverage a diverse hero pool, and identify vulnerabilities in their opponents’ strategies. Such flexibility and quick thinking are crucial in high-pressure scenarios, often tipping the scales in favor of the underdog.

Looking forward, fans are eager to see if teams like Team Spirit and Virtus.pro will demonstrate similar resilience and brilliance. The upcoming opening match promises excitement, with the "Bears" set to face Nightmare Esports on July 10 at approximately 6 pm MSK. Stay tuned to the official Telegram channel of esports | Mobile Legends: Bang Bang for live streaming links. Let’s unite in support as these teams battle to make their mark on the international stage.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Diamond: Usage and Acquisition

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Diamond is the premium currency used within the game to unlock exclusive content and enhance your in-game experience. Players use these Diamonds to purchase new heroes, stylish skins, and other special items that provide both cosmetic and gameplay advantages. To obtain Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Diamond, gamers can easily top up through various trusted trading platforms such as Codashop, UniPin, and the official Mobile Legends store. This convenient process allows players to quickly access Diamonds and enjoy all the benefits they bring to the game.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang top up on LootBar

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Additionally, lootbar.gg provides a range of payment methods to accommodate players from different regions, adding to the convenience of the platform. Regular and exclusive mobile legends diamond sale events allow players to benefit from significant discounts, with some deals reaching up to 20% off. This means you can enjoy more value for your money every time you top up Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Diamond. By choosing lootbar.gg, players can take advantage of a trustworthy service that puts their needs and savings first.

How to top up Mobile Legends: Bang Bang on LootBar

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