What to expect from NRG v. GamerLegion

After tuning up against plenty of regional talent during the first months of 2025, NRG's first European excursion is heading to ESL Pro League Season 21.

Waiting for them in round one in GamerLegion, fresh off the re-tooled European roster's impressive showing at IEM Katowice. Here's what you can expect from NRG's European debut.

br0 got that eNeRGy

Halfway through January, NRG took a big swing by signing former Astralis player Alexander "br0" Bro. With the young Dane on the roster, NRG has been cutting their teeth in NA competition, and even secured a lucrative spot at IEM Dallas.

His numbers already speak for themselves: a 1.27 player rating and +100 K/D differential in 30 maps played. But a recent listen-in to the team's comms showcase an energy that has got the whole team playing really solid Counter-Strike so far.

• Since br0 joined, NRG is 22-8 across 30 maps played, and they've gone 7-1 in best-of-three series.

• However, the only team with tier one international experience they've played is M80, who beat them 2-0.

We are (Gamer)Legion

At IEM Katowice, Fredrik "REZ" Sterner became the latest player to see the light after enduring the darkness of NiP jail. With the new look GamerLegion roster, REZ and company beat SAW, paiN, MOUZ, and Astralis, and were the only team outside of NAVI and eventual winners Vitality to even take a map off Team Spirit.

GamerLegion has been off to a hot start in 2025, and how they get treated to an NRG roster that's not been tested against EU competition yet.

• Also qualified for IEM Dallas.

• Ranked no. 12 in Valve EU rankings.

Previous Matchups

NRG and Legion have never played against each other.

Likely Vetoes

Here is a speculative look at how the map veto will shake out, based on NRG and GL's map preferences.

• NRG ban Ancient (permaban)

• GamerLegion ban Dust2 (permaban)

• NRG pick Mirage

• GamerLegion pick Anubis

• NRG ban Nuke

• GamerLegion ban Train

• Decider is Inferno

There may be a lot of positive signs in the NRG camp, but they are jumping head first into tier one competition against a team that's already proven it can hang in international play. NRG has looked really good on Mirage though, so they could very well take their map pick, which honestly they need to do if they even want a chance at taking the series.