Apeks Rebels to be first EU team to attend Fragadelphia

Norweigan-based organization Apeks have announced that they will be flying their CS:GO academy team and supporting staff out to Philadelphia in order to compete in the upcoming Fragadelphia 16: Last Chance Qualifier for a shot at participating in the main event.

Fragadelphia is a staple LAN for North American teams, providing players with the valuable opportunity to accrue vital experience, something that has become even more limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fragadelphia has also been vital as a proving ground for up-and-coming talent. Prominent North American players like Ricky "floppy" Kemery and Josh "oSee" Ohm obtained crucial LAN experience early on in their careers at Fragadelphia.

Fragadelphia events have traditionally been dominated by North American squads, with the last non-North American team to play in a Fragadelphia event being oNe at Fragadelphia 12, where the Brazilian side ended with a 9th-12th finish. Apeks Rebels' attendance at Fragadelphia 16 will mark the first time a majority European squad has attended the event throughout Fragadelphia's almost 8 year history.

Apeks Rebels' participation in Fragadelphia 16 could prove to be a boon for their North American competition, giving local teams the chance to compete against European opposition, an opportunity often only available to squads who have qualified for European events, such as Bad News Bears and Party Astronauts.

However, Fragadelphia 16 won't be Apeks Rebels' first LAN event, as they've previously participated in the Telia League Fall 2021 Finals in Oslo, Norway in November of last year. Apeks Rebels finished that event in 3-4th place after a 1-2 loss to fellow academy team 00Prospects.

Apeks Rebels' results in online European events have generally been middling, with only occasional notable successes, like a 2-0 victory over Young Ninjas in the Elisa Invitational Winter 2021 Regionals. With the team's decision to go as far out of their way as the United States to accrue LAN experience, paired with the recent addition of veteran coach Torbjørn "mithR" Nyborg, it's clear that Apeks have high hopes for the youngsters of their academy team.

Another interesting tidbit is that Colin "koi" Thor and mithR will meet up once more since their departures from MOUZ late last year, with the Davenport University coach set to join forces with InControl as they compete at the main event.

Apeks Rebels will be competing with:

• Steffen "SLY" Amundsen

• Tobias "shyyne" Sæther

• Ådne "sense" Fredriksen

• Evan "H0land" Holand

• Preben "Trax" Martinsen

• Torbjørn "mithR" Nyborg (Coach)

Apeks Rebels will kick off their Fragadelphia 16 campaign on March 3rd in the Last Chance Qualifier, where the Norweigan squad will be fighting for one of the eight remaining spots up for grabs in the main event.