Emre Yilmaz wins 2022/23 eChampions League
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
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Team Gullit's Emre Yilmaz recovered from an early setback to storm to the title.
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Emre Yilmaz has won the 2022/23 eChampions League, earning $75,000 after defeating Lucio "Hezers" Vecchione in Istanbul.
Coming into the finals, Yilmaz was the only player in the tournament still undefeated but that quickly changed as he lost his first match of the day, falling to reigning world champion Umut "Umut" Gültekin.
The Dutchman with Turkish heritage admitted he thought his title hopes were over in that moment but he fought his way through the lower bracket, impressively defeating Ander "Neat" Tobal 4-3 and Anders "Vejrgang" Vejrgang 6-3 before taking revenge on Umut in a spectacular 10-5 win during their rematch to reach the final.
After a scintillating 4-4 draw in the first leg, Yilmaz, from Ruud Gullit's Esports outfit Team Gullit, came out victorious, winning 8-6 on aggregate to force a bracket reset. Because Hezers had won the upper bracket, the Italian was afforded the luxury of a second chance, meaning the two competitors would immediately meet in another two legs to decide the champion.
Yilmaz was relentless in the second tie, racking up a 3-0 lead during the first leg. Hezers seemed to find a lifeline thanks to a remarkable long shot – from in-game Gullit nonetheless – but Yilmaz responded immediately with another goal to retain his three-goal cushion for the second leg.
When in Istanbul, the home of Liverpool's famous 2005 UEFA Champions League final comeback, anything is possible but there was no miracle this time as Yilmaz held out to win 6-4 on aggregate in a stunning final to lift the eChampions League trophy – handed over to him by his boss Gullit.
"It feels amazing and I feel his joy," Gullit said of Yilmaz. "I know how much work he put in and you could see his body released all the tension. It's the biggest prize, it's the first prize he's ever won and it's a Champions League final; that's a high achievement."
Who are the previous eChampions League winners?
2019: Chris – Christopher Holly (USA, New York City FC)
2020*: Event not held due to COVID-19
2021: OliverPN – Oliver Provstgaard (DEN, unattached)
2022: nicolas99fc – Nicolas Villalba (ARG, Guild Esports)
*2020 eChampions League Invitational event won by Tekkz (Donovan Hunt, GBR, Fnatic)
What were the prizes?
In addition to the coveted eChampions League trophy, players were competing for their share of over $281,000 in prize money.
Both the eCL winner and runner-up have qualified for the EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Global Series Play-offs, while the beaten semi-finalists have qualified for the EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Global Series Play-ins, which precede the Play-offs. The top 24 players in the Play-offs are through to the FIFAe World Cup 2023.