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Ence (esports)

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ENCE
Divisions
Founded2013 (2013)
Based inHelsinki, Finland
Websiteence.gg Edit this at Wikidata

Ence (stylized as ENCE) is a Finnish esports organization with teams and players competing in Counter-Strike 2, PUBG: Battlegrounds, StarCraft II, and NHL 22.[1][2] ENCE was founded in 2013[3] and the organization takes inspiration for its name from the Enceladus of Greek mythology.[4] It is currently based in Helsinki[5] and is the most popular esports organization in Finland.[6] The organization also competed in Hearthstone and Overwatch until 2018,[7][8] and in League of Legends for the 2020 season.[9] ENCE is best known for its success in Starcraft II and CS:GO. Serral was the first non-Korean to win a StarCraft II World Championship and the CS:GO team finished second at IEM Katowice Major 2019.[10][11][12]

Counter-Strike

[edit]

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

[edit]

ENCE was founded in 2013 and picked up a Finnish CS:GO team which competed in local tournaments.[13] In July 2014, the team disbanded after a series of disappointing results and did not return to CS:GO until 2016.[14][15] The organization fielded multiple Finnish lineups for the next two years[16][17] but did not have a stable roster until April 2018, when the organization signed Aleksi "allu" Jalli, Aleksi "Aleksib" Virolainen, Jani "Aerial" Jussila, Jere "sergej" Salo, and Sami "xseveN" Laasanen.[18][19] The roster of young talent went on an unexpected Cinderella run at IEM Katowice Major 2019 before finally losing in the finals to Astralis.[18][20] During the Major the team's unlikely success made them a fan favorite among neutrals and in Finland.[21][22][23] The Verkkars, a Finnish musical duo, released a song called "EZ4ENCE", titled after the team's chant; it references players, coaches, and team memes.[21] "EZ4ENCE" went viral in Finland during the tournament, eventually becoming the fourth-most-popular song in a Finnish top 50 published by Spotify.[24] The song would later be added into the game by Valve.[25] ENCE remained one of the top CS:GO teams in 2019, winning BLAST Pro Series Madrid and finishing second at DreamHack Masters Dallas and IEM Chicago.[26][10]

IEM Katowice 2019 remains ENCE's best performance at a CS:GO Major, although they reached the playoff round of StarLadder Major: Berlin 2019[27] and the semifinals of PGL Major Antwerp 2022.[28][29]

The team's results worsened at the start of 2020[30] and ENCE gradually replaced all of the players from the IEM Katowice run with an international roster.[31][32][33] In February 2022, with the release of Joonas "doto⁠" Forss, ENCE's roster was completely non-Finnish for the first time in the organization's history.[34][35] The team instead set up a Finnish academy team.[36][37] Shortly after, ENCE partnered with ESL, receiving a guaranteed spot in the ESL Pro League.[38] The new roster has reached the top-5 of HLTV's world rankings.[39]

ENCE won their first trophy in over four years after beating MOUZ in the grand finals of IEM Dallas 2023, where Alvaro "SunPayus" Garcia would claim his first MVP title.[40] The team would continue their strong form with grand final appearances in their following two tournaments, IEM Cologne 2023 and Gamers8 2023.[41][42]

ENCE also attended ESL Pro League Season 18, where they placed 3-4th after being eliminated in the semi-finals by MOUZ.[43]

Counter-Strike 2

[edit]

On 26 November 2023, ENCE announced the departures of coach Eetu "sAw" Saha and in-game leader Marco "Snappi" Pfeiffer, who were replaced by Jakub "kuben" Gurczynski and Lukas "gla1ve" Rossander respectively.[44][45] Later, on 16 December 2023, the team announced the departures of Alvaro "SunPayus" Garcia and Pavle "⁠Maden⁠" Bošković, who were signed by Saudi Arabian organization Team Falcons, along with Snappi the day prior.[46][47] Heroic announced the signing of Guy "NertZ" Iluz on 17 December 2023, reducing ENCE's roster to only gla1ve and Paweł "dycha" Dycha.[48]

The same day, ENCE announced the signing of the Polish roster 9INE's core, consisting of Krzysztof "⁠Goofy⁠" Górski, Kacper "⁠Kylar⁠" Walukiewicz, and previous ENCE player Olek "⁠hades⁠" Miskiewicz.[49]

Roster

[edit]
ENCE Counter-Strike 2 roster
Players Coaches
Handle Name Nationality
gla1ve Rossander, Lukas Denmark
sdy Orudzhev, Viktor Ukraine
podi Heiskanen, Paavo Finland
Neityu Aubry, Ryan France
xKacpersky Gabara, Kacper Poland
Head coach

Niclas "enkay J" Krumhorn

Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • Substitute player Substitute
  • Injured Injury / Illness
  

Roster updated 18 October 2024.

Starcraft II

[edit]

Serral, a Finnish Zerg player, joined ENCE in October 2016[50] and is one of the best players in the world.[51][52] In 2018, Serral became the first non-Korean player to win a StarCraft II World Championship.[53]

NHL esports

[edit]

Finnish player Erik "EKI" Tammenpää represents ENCE in NHL esports.[54] EKI is the most successful Finnish player in the game and one of the top players globally.[55] He was chosen by the Finnish Association of Sports Journalists as the 2021 Finnish esport athlete of the year.[56]

Overwatch

[edit]

Ence rostered an Overwatch division from 2017 to 2018. In March 2024, the organization announced their return to Overwatch esports, competing in the Overwatch Champions Series.[57]

Roster

[edit]
ENCE Overwatch 2 roster
Players Coaches
Handle Name Nationality
Kai Collins, Kai United Kingdom
kevster Persson, Kevin Sweden
Masaa Kantanen, Petja Finland
Vestola Vestola, Ilari Finland
Chase Okseschenko, Oleksandr Ukraine
LhCloudy Tiihonen, Roni Finland
ghost91 Ventola, Aaro Finland
Head coach

William "Crimzo" Hernandez

Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • Substitute player Substitute
  • Injured Injury / Illness
  

Roster updated 5 May 2024.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Teams". ENCE. 11 June 2020. Archived from the original on 3 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  2. ^ Heath, Jerome (15 January 2019). "Red Bull partners with Finnish team ENCE". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  3. ^ Hayward, Andrew (17 July 2019). "ENCE CEO on Effects of CS:GO Success, Sustaining Without External Funding – ARCHIVE – The Esports Observer". Esports Observer. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  4. ^ @ence (22 July 2018). "For clarification! ENCE stands for Enceladus, one of the giants in Greek Mythology and it is a variation of that #tentacles" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. ^ Hartikainen, Nico (22 December 2021). "IS selvitti: Esportsilla ei tehdä rahaa Suomessa – melkein kaikki firmat tekevät rumaa tappiota". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 4 April 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  6. ^ Hartikainen, Nico (7 April 2019). "Jääkiekko menetti asemansa nuorten miesten suosikkilajina – vedonlyöntiennätykset rikottiin toisaalla". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 30 May 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  7. ^ Hartikainen, Nico (14 May 2018). "Menestystä ei tullut – koko joukkue sai potkut". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  8. ^ Hayward, Andrew (21 August 2019). "ENCE and Red Bull Expanded Sponsorship with Jersey Branding – ARCHIVE – The Esports Observer". Esports Observer. Archived from the original on 17 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  9. ^ Stubbs, Mike. "ENCE has a remarkable new LoL team". Red Bull. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  10. ^ a b Ashton, Graham (31 December 2019). "Top 10 Esports Team Organizations of 2019 by Competition Results – ARCHIVE – The Esports Observer". Esports Observer. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  11. ^ Murray, Trent (16 January 2019). "Red Bull Partners With ENCE – ARCHIVE – The Esports Observer". Esports Observer. Archived from the original on 17 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  12. ^ "Review of IEM Katowice Major 2019". egamersworld. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  13. ^ Kovanen, Tomi. "TMVG now Ence eSports". HLTV.org. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  14. ^ Kovanen, Tomi. "ENCE disbands – allu to mouz?". HLTV.org. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  15. ^ Miles, Lucas. "ENCE returns with a new lineup". HLTV.org. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  16. ^ "ENCE CS:GO's year concludes". ENCE. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  17. ^ "ENCE & CSGO TEAM PART WAYS". ENCE. Archived from the original on 10 September 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  18. ^ a b Stubbs, Mike. "Here's how ENCE went on one of the best runs in CS:GO Major history". Red Bull. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  19. ^ "A new challenger appears – ENCE is back in CS:GO". ENCE. Archived from the original on 9 November 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  20. ^ Erzberger, Tyler (4 March 2019). "Astralis build on Counter-Strike legacy with IEM Katowice title". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  21. ^ a b Hartikainen, Nico (5 August 2020). "Suomalaisen pelijoukkueen fanilaulusta tuli jättihitti – Kauppatorillakin kuvattua musavideota katsottu yli 9 miljoonaa kertaa". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  22. ^ Erzberger, Tyler (2 March 2019). "ENCE the most unlikely of IEM Katowice finalists". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  23. ^ Hartikainen, Nico (7 March 2019). "ENCEn menestys synnytti ennätyksiä Veikkauksella ja DNA:lla – myös IS:ssä ja Ylellä kovia lukuja". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  24. ^ Villanueva, Jamie (4 March 2019). "EZ4ENCE is the fourth-most played song on Spotify in Finland after IEM Katowice". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  25. ^ Rosinski, Naim. "CS:GO patch removes Cache, pushes Vertigo, adds 'EZ4ENCE' music kit". Upcomer. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  26. ^ Biazzi, Leonardo (26 December 2019). "The most dominant CS:GO teams of 2019". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  27. ^ Biazzi, Leonardo (5 September 2019). "Renegades upset ENCE to advance to the StarLadder Berlin Major semifinals". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  28. ^ Biazzi, Leonardo (20 May 2022). "EZ4ENCE: Spinx leads the charge, ENCE knock Copenhagen Flames out of PGL Antwerp Major". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  29. ^ Miter, Mateusz (21 May 2022). "Dycha on ENCE roster's first Major playoffs: 'We're fueled by the crowd, it's an advantage for us'". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  30. ^ Biazzi, Leonardo (19 March 2020). "ENCE have lost 13 of their last 15 matches". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  31. ^ Biazzi, Leonardo (17 November 2020). "ENCE benches sergej". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  32. ^ Geddes, George (5 November 2020). "ENCE signs HAVU members doto and sAw". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  33. ^ Biazzi, Leonardo (17 June 2021). "ENCE officially replace allu with hades". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  34. ^ Hartikainen, Nico (10 January 2022). "Aikakausi päättyy – ENCEn CS-joukkueessa ei pelaa yhtään suomalaista". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  35. ^ Biazzi, Leonardo (2 February 2022). "ENCE releases doto". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  36. ^ Hartikainen, Nico (20 January 2022). "ENCE perustaa CS-akatemian: Hakee suomalaisia ja maksaa palkkaa". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  37. ^ Biazzi, Leonardo (11 July 2022). "ENCE assembles an all-Finnish academy team for CS:GO". Dot Esports. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  38. ^ Ashton, Graham (18 February 2020). "Thirteen Teams Join as Stakeholders of Counter-Strike ESL Pro League – ARCHIVE – The Esports Observer". Esports Observer. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  39. ^ Miter, Mateusz (5 May 2022). "ENCE's hades on the CS:GO team's climb to the top: 'We can rival the best teams in the world'". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  40. ^ "SunPayus shines bright as ENCE romp to IEM Dallas title over MOUZ". HLTV. 4 June 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  41. ^ "G2 Esports crowned IEM Cologne 2023 winners, become back-to-back IEM champs as tournament breaks several records". Esports News UK. 6 August 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  42. ^ "Vitality outlast ENCE to claim Gamers8 title". HLTV. 20 August 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  43. ^ "MOUZ continue upset rampage at EPL with ENCE scalp". HLTV. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  44. ^ "Snappi and sAw depart ENCE". HLTV. 26 November 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  45. ^ Biazzi, Leonardo (27 November 2023). "Gla1ve and kuben join ENCE's CS2 roster to fill IGL and head coach spots". Dot Esports. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  46. ^ "SunPayus, Maden, Magisk complete Falcons roster". HLTV. 16 December 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  47. ^ "Falcons sign Snappi". HLTV. 15 December 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  48. ^ "Official: Heroic announce NertZ". HLTV. 17 December 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  49. ^ "ENCE acquire 9INE core". HLTV. 17 December 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  50. ^ "ENCE renews contract with Serral". ENCE. 28 May 2020. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  51. ^ Erzberger, Tyler (14 December 2018). "ESPN Esports Awards 2018: Serral's WCS win is our moment of the year". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 3 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  52. ^ Yim, Miles (1 November 2018). "Serral searching to cement his StarCraft legacy". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 15 February 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  53. ^ Sillis, Ben. "How Serral took down the Korean stars of StarCraft 2". Red Bull. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  54. ^ Hartikainen, Nico (19 August 2020). "ENCE teki kovan kaappauksen – kiinnitti maailmanmestarin". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 21 August 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  55. ^ Partanen, Tatu (6 June 2022). "Erik Tammenpää teki sen taas – suomalaiselle neljäs NHL:n Euroopan mestaruus". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  56. ^ Hartikainen, Nico (10 January 2022). "Erik "EKI" Tammenpää valittiin vuoden 2021 kilpapelaajaksi". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  57. ^ Lyons, Ben (22 March 2024). "ENCE has returned to competitive Overwatch". Gamereactor UK. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
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