s1mple wins first tournament with BC.Game in revenge match-up

Hannah Marie ZT, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 24/09/2025

BC.Game has been crowned ESL Challenger League Cup 2 Champions, with the help of their high-profile 2025 signing of Counter-Strike legend Oleksandr ‘s1mple’ Kostyliev. 

However, their journey wasn’t all smooth sailing. Is he destined to re-enter Tier 1 of the esport, or doomed to remain in lower-tiered competition?

s1mple doesn’t stay humble

On September 20, s1mple posted “Boring games lately, waiting for real opponent to humble me.”

Following the post, s1mple had his request presented to him on a silver platter. BC.Game surprisingly lost to Alliance and Ruby, with both series finishing 0-2.

The loss against Alliance pushed BC.Game into the lower bracket, where the roster rematched against ESC.

ESC are one of the most in-form teams in the online scene, suddenly producing remarkable wins against highly ranked opposition, Fnatic, BIG, FUT, and BetBoom.

Notably, Fnatic’s loss to ESC severely damaged their chances of making the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025.

BC.Game did not fall into the same trap, however. During the series against ESC, s1mple went 43-20 in a 1.81 HLTV-rated performance to progress 2-0.

Despite being pushed into taking a longer route to the Grand Final, victory over ESC gave BC.Game the opportunity for redemption in a rematch against Alliance.

Initially, Alliance, who finished 3rd at EPIC.LAN 45, threatened to upset the CS:GOAT again as they took Ancient 13-8.

However, a strong 1.43 rating Inferno performance from s1mple led BC.Game’s recovery to equal the series 1-1.

Dust II was much more comfortable for BC.Game. The team comfortably dispatched Alliance 13-6 in a map where every BC.Game player went positive.

The top-rated player of the series was an unlikely one, with PGL Stockholm Major 2021 Grand Finalist, Nemanja ‘nexa’ Isaković, coming out as the top performer in the series.

Is BC.Game in Tier 1?

Due to s1mple’s status as one of the best Counter-Strike players of all time, fans are questioning whether his ESL Challenger League Cup 2 title indicates an ability to return to Tier 1 competition. 

This is, in fact, a possibility. BC.Game’s ESL Challenger League Cup 2 win qualifies them for the ESL Challenger League Season 50 Europe Finals. 

However, the team is not in Tier 1… yet.

From November 18th to 20th, 2025, the winners of each Challenger League Cup (four in total) will face off to determine who will emerge as European Challenger Champions. 

The overall winners in question receive a ticket to Stage 1 of the ESL Pro League Season 23 competition.

If BC.Game can complete this run, they will qualify.

Thankfully, s1mple has been hard at work proving that he has what it takes to carry the team forward. 

His dominant performance throughout the competition earned him the Challenger League Cup MVP. 

Therefore, there is a definite chance BC.Game’s shock s1mple purchase has rewarded them with a Tier 1 qualification. 

Certainly, s1mple seems determined to rise back to the top.

Hannah Marie ZT, Senior Editor

Hannah is a journalist specialising in the esports, gaming, and technology sectors. Working for outlets such as Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and of course ENUK, she has developed a love for wider esports, Apex Legends, and advocating for women's esports initiatives. You may have seen her at various esports and gaming events, including ALGS LANs, ESI London, EGX, and watch parties.

All Posts By Hannah Marie ZT