Everything you need to know about MAD Lions: Europe Closed Qualifier profile

Update: MAD Lions have now been replaced by Complexity Gaming due to an inability to field a complete roster.

Click here for all links to all sixteen of the team profiles for the Europe Closed Qualifier for ESL One Rio.

Rank (HLTV/ESL): #11/#13

Invite or Qualifier: Invited

Lineup

• Asger "AcilioN" Larsen (rumoured)
• Frederik "acoR" Gyldstrand
• Rasmus "Sjuush" Beck
• Lucas "Bubzkji" Andersen
• Fredrik "roeJ" Jørgensen
• Luis "peacemaker" Tadeu (coach)

Five most recent results

• IEM Katowice 2020 = (LAN)
• ICE Challenge 2020 = 3rd (LAN)
• DreamHack Open Leipzig 2020 = 3rd (LAN)
• DreamHack Open Leipzig 2020 Europe Closed Qualifier = 1st (Online)
• IEM Katowice 2020 Europe Closed Qualifier = 3rd (Online)

Brief rundown

Nicolai "HUNDEN" Petersen has been one on Denmark's greatest in-game leaders in terms of discovering and nuturing talent and MAD Lions is no different. Winning their first trophy while still under Tricked Esports, the new name saw MAD Lions on the prowl for more.

DreamHack Open Sevilla 2019 saw the team look strong against fellow Danes and eventual winners North and started the year with semifinal runs at both DreamHack Open Leipzig and ICE Challenge 2020.

Each of the team's young stars were the highest rated players for the team at each event, Sjuush was the ninth best player at the ICE Challenge against the likes of Denis "electronic" Sharipov, a 1.28 rating in Leipzig for Bubzkji saw him just below tabseN as the second best player at the tournament and acoR shone in Sevilla with the highest rating of the event at 1.37 across five maps.

The decision to remove HUNDEN ahead of the Closed Qualifier and start of FLASHPOINT seems to be a huge risk for a team that saw its rise under the renouned Danish leader. While HUNDEN himself confirmed it was a decision that was mutually agreed, the timing could hinder MAD Lions in the short term.

While AcilioN was initially linked to the c0ntact Gaming team, also in FLASHPOINT, it is now being reported that he will instead join MAD Lions at this crucial time. AcilioN is an upgrade mechanically but time will tell whether his leadership can help MAD Lions continue on the path that HUNDEN laid out that has seen them reach top 11 status.

Player to watch: roeJ

There is no shortage of talent on MAD Lions, with acoR on the AWP and both Bubzkji and Sjuush undeniable Danish prospects, but roeJ is a huge playmaker that viewers should keep an eye on.

A roeJ player profile is available to read, but for those unaware, he is a player able to step up in the face of any competition and has improved alongside the growing level of competition, with comparisons to be drawn between Astralis’ own Peter "dupreeh" Rasmussen.

MAD Lions has such potential that all of the players will be worth keeping an eye on during the Closed Qualifier.

GINX prediction

HUNDEN was always a brains over in-game brawl leader and while his removal is a tactical blow, the addition of AcilioN could be what the young team needs to push through to another final in the future and qualify for the Minor.

Calming the nerves of the younger players under pressure during the Closed Qualifier will be crucial but recent form suggests that MAD Lions will be a name we will see in Rio.