I know what everybody expects of this article: a big hype piece on Origen and how they’re going to smash everyone on their road. Let’s be honest: it’s likely to happen, considering the roster they are slowly revealing.

But the truth is that I can’t oversee all the teams that worked hard over the course of the last six months to build talent, synergy and skill only to step for the first time (or once again) on the European stage and have a chance to prove their worth.

This is not about who already has fame.

This is about who wants to earn it.

Quixeth (support), SPG Esports (Switzerland)

Won last year’s Ragnarok with Polite and Mature, qualified with Wind and Rain for the 2017 Summer Challenger series, then played with the last iteration of Origen’s roster: this Norwegian support has as much to say as Norskeren.

With a huge champion pool, ranging from Janna to Alistar, from Tahm Kench to Nami, he’s the shining star of next generation’s supports and he’s eager to disprove that Europe lacks good supports.

Milica (midlaner), Kliktech Esports (Croatia)

Looking to be the next in line for the best Balkan midlaner (PerkZ still exists), Milica took part in the absurd domination of Kliktech Esports over the Balkan League: 20 undefeated matches in a row, a record unprecedented in any of the Regional Leagues.

Touted as a very mechanical and outplay-reliant player, I’m expecting the Serbian to bring the old glory of the midlane back to where all people want it to be.

Crownshot (ADC), Mad Lions (Spain)

The Slovenian ADC, formerly known as Crownie, has already dominated the French scene on two different teams: first on Melty eSports in 2016 and in 2017 with the now rival team of LDLC.

Young but promising, this meta suits his champion pool very well (he’s an Ezreal main after all!) and with the incredible synergy that he’s developed with this Spanish roster he looks to take this tournament by storm.

Toaster (ADC), Gamers Origin (France)

Speaking of dominating France, the former Origen talent looks to redeem himself from the failed stint with his previous organization. With a completely Lithuanian botlane of him and Pulsas and the guidance of GO’s new coach BrokenShard, Toaster has developed into a solid and consistent ADC, never getting caught but still dishing out the damage he’s supposed to. The perfect definition of a cleanup ADC, he can step up to the plate when needed and can both take a step back and be the primary carry for his team.

Very versatile player with a lot of experience, he could potentially be the best ADC in the whole tournament.

Scarlet (midlaner), Millennium (France)

If you’re from Europe and you happened to check the Challenger leaderboard, you might remember a certain ScarletRedHands consistently topping the charts with two accounts in the top 5.

The Austrian wonderboy was part of the same Wind and Rain roster that brutalized last year’s Challenger Series Qualifier before getting picked apart alongside Quixeth. Probably the most mechanically skilled midlaner in the whole competition, once again he’s under the spotlight thanks to his pool of scaling but outplay-reliant champions such as Kassadin and Cassiopeia.

Get ready Europe, because ScarletRedHands is definitely here for blood.

SendOo (toplaner), ExceL eSports (UK)

One of the few really promising toplaners in the UK scene along with MSFA Rift, SendOo is what you can call a veteran in the amateur scene. Spanish by birth, he competed in the main Spanish competition until he got picked up by premier LCS team G2 Esports. Despite playing only a few games due to Expect’s absence, he can now stand up for himself and is determined to prove his worth against his Korean senpai.

Kikis (jungler), Illuminar Gaming (Poland)

Did I speak of veterans? Well, here you have the most veteran of all the players in the competition, playing since 2011. Born in the jungle, the Polish legend qualified to LCS with Unicorns of Love before switching to the toplane for G2 Esports. A career full of international participations and accolades, he now switched back to his original role and took the personal initiative of making the Polish scene bigger and stronger.

If you look for creative, crazy and surprising actions, look no further: Kikis is the man you’ve been waiting for.

Dan (jungler), Wind and Rain (UK)

Everyone remembers the historical run that Unicorns of Love made in 2014 to qualify to the LCS, but few know what happened before. Dan has accompanied the Unicorns through all the LANs they played before qualifying to the Challenger Series, but hasn’t played the actual tournament due to age requirements. He kept playing in the amateur scene, racking up games on Nerv, Fnatic Academy, Team Kinguin and ultimately Wind and Rain in his own country.

Following the footseps of Maxlore, he wants to assert himself as the next jungling talent from UK.

MagiFelix (midlaner), Movistar Riders (Spain)

One of the most popular midlaners in the amateur scene, the Swedish prodigy started his career on Euronics Gaming in 2016, winning two ESL Meisterschaft titles before playing on RedBull Esports. When it comes to experience, having game time alongside players of the likes of KaSing, Thal and Moojin, which are now top 4 in their respective premier competitions of EULCS, LCK and LMS, definitely is an accomplishment.

Looking to be no less of a talent compared to his previous teammates, MagiFelix will prove that this year is his breakout moment.