About Balkan League

Balkan League comprises four countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece and Romania) and its goal is the organization of on line games between the top teams of each country. Via the Balkan League, gamers will have the opportunity to broaden their skills through the high level of competition. They do not compete with other teams in their countries any more∙ they can watch the movements from other gamers and implement new tactics being better themselves. Balkan League’s goal is the gathering of willing and passionate gamers, with team spirit and skills of course, so as to represent their countries in the best way and the creation accordingly, of a high level competition and skills between the countries. At the first Season, Balkan League will take place only on line, until the final decisions of how a live League could be be made. Via the Balkan League, the teams not only can they gain experience by training their skills, but they can also built an international fame and reputation gradually, earning money prizes and many other various rewards.

The Games

How to qualify for the Balkan League?

There are two ways to qualify for the Balkan League Main Round: Countries with an active ESL Pro Series can determine their participants via the ranking of the latest finished season. Countries without an active ESL Pro Series will hold so called "National Qualifiers". After the National Qualifiers the winning teams will be placed directly in Balkan League Main Round. Four countries will participate in Season I - Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Romania. Each country will announce their participants until 28 of September.

Slot distribution and seeding

For the first season each country will have 4 slots per game. From next season there will be Country ranking based on the performance from previous seasons. The formula will be the same as it`s in ENC and Extreme Masters.

The Main Round and Playoffs

16 participants advance in the Balkan League main round from EPS or qualifications. These participants are placed into 4 groups with 4 participants each. The participants that finish the main round first and second in their groups are directly qualified for the Playoffs. A participant that placed second in a group will face a participant that placed first in another group. The playoffs are bo3 single elimination.

Which are the specific dates of the Balkan League?

Balkan League will start in 09.01.2009 and will end in 12.13.2009. There will be a relevant announcement at about 10-15th of August, and the teams-representatives will be announced until the 28th of September.

It should be added that, if for example the dates are every Thursday at 20:00, every Saturday at 19:00 and every Sunday at 18:00, teams will be obliged to choose only between the official dates and times.

Tournament Structure

How to qualify for the Balkan Female Series?

The Female Series will mime the EPS Counterstrike season’s structure with 8 teams. In 8 playdates, the teams will fight for their slot to the Final Four. No qualifiers will be organised since the interested teams will have to apply for their participation.

Slot distribution and seeding

For this season, each country has 2 slots at least and depending on the attendance modifications will be applied. From next season there will be Country ranking based on the performance from previous seasons. The formula will be the same as it is in ENC and Extreme Masters.

Female Series Final Four

As most Final Fours are structured, the 1st team ranked on the main season will have to play on the 1st semi-final against the 4th position. The second semi-final will consist the 2nd and 3rd positions teams where will have to fight to proceed to finals.