Rudi Ekmen is competing for ePro League title today

Today is finally here, the final day of the Proximus ePro League. After a fantastic season, Rudi Ekmen is competing with seven other teams for the ePro League title. All about an impressive series, the period title and the finals!

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A lot has happened before the upcoming finals, which is why we like to take a look back first. A lot of changes were made at the start of this ePro League season. In a league with sixteen teams, each opponent would meet once. Those fifteen games would be divided into three periods, with three period champions also guaranteed a place in the finals.

In addition to the period champions, the three highest ranked teams would also receive a ticket to the finals. The seven teams below that got a second chance in the qualifiers, where an amateur gamer also got an ultimate chance to qualify for the finals. The top two gamers from the qualifiers qualified for the finals. A little addition tells us that eight gamers will soon fight for the Belgian title.

Strong series, but not the strongest

Rudi Ekmen was already considered one of the title favorites before the start of the new season in February. The man from Mechelen, who also made it to the finals last year, was already burning with ambition: "After two semifinals in the ePro League, it is now time for the top prize.

In the first match of the season, Ekmen took on Standard, not an easy start. Despite the game's superiority, our esporter failed to start the ePro League with three points, as it ended 1-1.

But Ekmen did not stop at nothing and took full advantage in each of the four remaining games of the first period. Unfortunately, Genk did just a little more punishingly, so Ekmen finished the first period second with 13/15.

Second period title

The foundation for the second period had been laid, however, and Rudi Ekmen was more motivated than ever to secure the second period title and thus qualify directly for the finals on April 27. He convincingly succeeded in his ambition to take that period title and extended his winning streak with five wins from five games. Especially the 1-9 win against Antwerp will be remembered. And not only was the period title won, Ekmen immediately took over the lead.

Finishing on top

The period title may have been won, but Ekmen had no intention of resting on his laurels. Being in the lead after matchday 15 and continuing the unbeaten run for as long as possible were two nice goals in the third and final period: "I have that ticket for the quarterfinals anyway, but I don't intend to leave any points behind. With Cercle, Anderlecht and Genk we have some nice matches coming up".

The first hurdle was already easily taken, as Ekmen took the scalp of his opponent (1-6) in the virtual City derby. This was followed by a 6-4 win over Anderlecht as well. On matchday 13, the duel with KRC Genk was scheduled. Ekmen lost to Genk in the 1/2 finals last year, so motivation was high. Unfortunately it did not work out for Ekmen as the match was lost 3-2. The unbeaten streak was thus ended after thirteen playing days and an impressive 34/36, but first place was still in Ekmen's hands.

And he would not relinquish it in the final playing days, which included a win over OHL and a loss to STVV. Ekmen thus ended the regular season as leader, with 37/45. 12 wins, 1 draw, 2 defeats.

The finals

Saturday it is finally time for the finals. Rudi Ekmen starts in the quarter-finals with the derby against Cercle. If he wins, he will come out against the winner of the duel between KV Mechelen - Westerlo. On the other side of the table, the duels Union - STVV and Genk - Standard are scheduled. The winner after those semifinals might face Blauw-Zwart.

The schedule in the quarterfinals:

• Club - Cercle at 8.30am
• Union - STVV at 9h10
• KV Mechelen - Westerlo at 9h50
• Genk - Standard at 10h30

The quarterfinals will not be televised live. You can follow the semi-finals (broadcast from 12pm) and the finals live on Eleven/DAZN 2 and in the DAZN app.

Want to watch the finals live? You can! The event takes place at the Kinepolis in Brussels, Boulevard du Centenaire 20. Doors open at 8am and admission is free, but registration is required . Until Saturday?

Register for free here!