2022/23 eChampions League Finals: Five things we learned

The FIFA 23 eChampions League Finals in Istanbul concluded in spectacular fashion as Team Gullit's Emre Yilmaz beat Lucio "Hezers" Vecchione 8-6 and 6-4 to be crowned champion.

With eight world-class players competing in a relentless marathon of high-pressure games, the finals were filled with emotions and exciting moments. Here are the biggest takeaways from the thrilling event.

Emre Yilmaz is a machine

Heading into the finals, Team Gullit's Emre Yilmaz was the only player in the tournament who remained undefeated. However, the Dutchman was quick to acknowledge that his record didn't matter as, in his eyes, the finals were a "new tournament". He was quickly proven right as his unbeaten run was ended by reigning world champion Umut Gültekin in the opening round.

However, Yilmaz's earlier efforts were not for nothing as his success in the knockouts meant he could still progress through the lower bracket and he duly did exactly that. No player was able to cope with his relentless pressing and remarkable ability to dance past multiple players in the box as he defeated Hezers twice to lift the trophy alongside boss Ruud Gullit himself.

Vejrgang is a superstar in waiting

The eChampions League was Anders Vejrgang's first major tournament and his long-awaited offline debut did not disappoint.

Famed for his ludicrous 535-game FUT Champions win streak back in FIFA 21, some tried to brush off Vejrgang as someone who could only perform under the lower pressure of online games. He firmly put those claims to bed with a fantastic showing under the immense pressure of the finals.

All three of the young Dane's matches were featured onstage and he handled the spotlight superbly, never more so than with his 119th-minute winner versus Francesco "Obrun2002" Tagliafierro.

While this tournament wasn't his crowning moment, it's obvious Vejrgang has a very bright future ahead of him.

Kaká and Ruud Gullit are great esports commentators

Joining as special guests, legendary footballers and FIFA 23 Icons Kaká and Gullit took to the stage to commentate some of the eChampions League games.

Both relived their Champions League memories from their storied careers and gave insight into how they dealt with the pressure of competing at the elite level.

Gullit had the unique opportunity of commentating on one his own player's matches and admitted that it was a "nerve-racking" experience, adding: "Just like real football at the highest level, it's all about little mistakes." It's no surprise then that Gullit was begging Yilmaz to run the ball into the corner towards the end of his first match against Hezers in the final.

Ruud Gullit (C) on the mic

Hezers surprised everyone

Despite qualifying for the finals through the winners' bracket, Hezers was a big underdog in the final eight.

Having previously reached eChampions League semi-finals in 2021, the Italian clearly thrives in the European competition as he went one better this year by reaching the final.

After losing his first two games of the group stages, one more loss at that point would have eliminated the AC Monza Esports player. Instead he won every single match from then on until the final, defeating his friend and fellow countryman Obrun as well as Umut in a very impressive showing.

FIFA esports has entered a new era

Half of the eight eChampions League finalists were aged 20 or under. While the sport's biggest names in Nicolas "Nicholas99fc" Villalba and Donovan "Tekkz" Hunt had to watch from home, it was 18-year-old Emre Yilmaz who stepped up as the new leading man.

With 17-year-old Vejrgang and 19-year-old Ander "Neat" Tobal also performing well and gaining valuable experience, the old guard will be looking over their shoulders.