As the London FACEIT Major 2018 draws near, we come closer to finding who the 8 teams will be who join the 8 Legends in London. That will be decided on LAN among the 16 teams that manage to qualify from the Americas Minor, EU Minor, CIS Minor and the Asia/Pacific Minor.

Before the EU Minor gets started, the teams that will participate in the EU Minor needs to be decided. There are 8 spots up for grabs at the EU Minor Closed Qualifier.

The likes of AGO, NIP, Optic, Red Reserve, Windigo, Heroic, ex-EnvyUs – now known as LeftOut – and Fragsters make up the teams invited to the Closed Qualifier. 8 other teams have joined them in pursuit of a place in the EU Minor.

The event will be played out online in a Round Robin based Win/Loss format. With as many as 8 spots in the EU Minor up for grabs, expect all teams to attempt to have 3 wins on the board as quickly as possible.

There are 2 teams though, that are likely to pose problems to their more recognised counterparts at the Closed Qualifier. We take a closer look at the two teams that we have handpicked out of the 16.

ENCE (HLTV Ranking – 31) Players – Aleksib, sergej, xseven, Aerial, allu

ENCE have formed many iterations in attempt to put Finnish counter strike back on the map. But, they failed taste much success internationally in CSGO. This time though, allu was given a free reign to handpick the players he wanted for ENCE’s return.

The squad includes Finnish prodigy sergej, who has been tipped to be a future superstar and a contender for the World Number 1 ranking in the future. sergej is the only player under the 20 age mark in an ENCE side that looks balanced, unlike their previous iterations.

sergej is matched well by 21-year-old Aleksib in his endeavours. Aerial adds to the culture and experience while xseven has built up a name for himself in the recent past. This is perhaps the first Finnish lineup with allu and has 5 players capable of stepping up when the need arises.

ENCE’s start was far from impressive. But, their recent form puts them right up among the favourites to make the EU Minor.

ENCE beat the likes of LDLC and HAVU on their way to the Closed Qualifiers. But, what was particularly emphatic and much-needed was their qualification to ESL Cologne.

ENCE managed a brilliant lower bracket run. They ultimately beat Spirit in the Grand Finals of the GG.Bet Majestic and land a spot at ESL Cologne.

Their Round of 16 defeat to Movistar Riders in the Dreamhack Masters Stockholm Qualifiers might just be a blip.

They have a tricky opening match against ex-EnvyUs. But, regardless of the result in the match, ENCE will be looking to cause some upsets and earn some routine wins to grab one of the 8 available spots at the EU Minor.

3DMAX (World Ranking – N/A) Players – Davidp, Maka, Adlane, Lucky, jiNKZ

NOBO are a fresh team that have recently earned a name for themselves by beating Virtus Pro in a bo3 at the DreamHack Masters Stockholm Qualifiers.

3D MAX picked up the roster soon after, with reports that the deal was done before they achieved the feat.

The team also managed to take one map off Optic. Davidp & co. also presented themselves in good stead against Heroic in the DreamHack Masters Stockholm Qualifiers.

While they stand at 3-4 in the ESEA MDL Season 28, they have run Valiance, Japaleno and Alternate attax close while also registering a win over Virtus Pro in a bo1.

Davidp might be the only recognisable face in the stack. But, the other 4 players are not newcomers or young prodigies in any sense. Each of them are at least 20. The Closed qualifiers will be played online. Thus, they can play in the comfort of their own setups, removing any possibility of LAN nerves coming in their way.

Lucky is the snappy aimer that has been doing well for the stack. Davidp would hope the stack continue their recently found vein of form.

The team were a late replacement for tomorrow, who had to pull out after being unable to field a full roster. 3DMAX will start their EU Minor Closed Qualifier campaign against NiP.

The newly picked up 3DMAX roster have already shown promise. With a familiar organisation now backing them, can they overcome the challenges posed by teams of a higher stature to land themselves a place at the EU Minor?