The dream
Gentle Mates had built their season around at the beginning of the year ultimately came to an end this Wednesday in nightmarish fashion. The French team became the first side to be eliminated from the
VCT EMEA Stage 2 Play-Ins, with their hopes of qualifying for Champions definitively extinguished, and were joined by
NAVI just a few hours later.
Facing Eintracht Frankfurt Esports, the team suffered their second defeat in as many matches during the Play-Ins, resulting in their elimination without winning a single map throughout the stage. The team had already fallen to Enterprise Esports a few days earlier, another VCL side that have proved to be decidedly more formidable than many had expected during this Stage 2.
Changes that failed to deliver
After struggling throughout the Group Stage, Gentle Mates made one final attempt to turn things around by bringing in Joona “H1ber” Parviainen. Despite showing some encouraging signs within the team, the limited amount of time available appeared to be insufficient for them to make any meaningful progress. The Finnish player, who had put together a solid performance against Enterprise, looked considerably more vulnerable yesterday, particularly on the second map, much like the majority of his teammates. As has often been the case this season, with the exception of Martin “marteen” Pátek, the team’s individual level was simply not consistent enough to give them much hope of progressing further.
In an ironic twist of fate, the French team were eliminated by the last remaining French player competing in VCT EMEA Stage 2, Ryad “Jamelinho213” Bentot. The 16-year-old once again delivered a decisive performance to secure the win yesterday, alongside SGE’s more experienced players, who caused Gentle Mates plenty of problems. Luca “azury” Sammer and David “Fizzy” Figueiredo, in particular, produced several crucial plays that ultimately tipped the balance in favor of the German side.
What’s next?
Amid the immense disappointment of the team’s fans and the mockery coming from supporters of opposing teams, M8 managing director Marceau “Placido” Lambert commented on the defeat on X. While stressing that he was not looking to make excuses, he nevertheless concluded by expressing hope that “the future format will give us more room to build for the long term.” The comment has rubbed some fans the wrong way, particularly following the roster changes made throughout the season, which, with the exception of the arrival of Yusuf Emre “Proxh” Tunc, have done little to convince. Gentle Mates will indeed have to wait until 2027 to return to the VCT, most likely with a very different roster and identity from the one we have seen over the past few weeks.
