Event Wrap-up: Hellraisers Dominate WARGAMING.net Grand Finales 2015

Thousands of curious spectators stepped into the arena to watch virtual tanks shell it out at this year’s EXPO XXI in Warsaw, Poland for the 2015 Wargaming Grand Finals. Despite hours of intense battles only one team could claim the crown and this year that team was the triumphant Hellraisers--who earned the title of world champions alongside a massive cash prize of $150,000.

The Wargaming.net league Grand finals consisted of twelve teams who were pitted against each other in epic matches of World of Tanks on April 25-26. World of tanks, as an e-sport, is growing in popularity; the event was much bigger than last year with eager fans standing for hours outside to cheer on their favorite teams.



Wargaming (WG) had over 150 staff working on the venue itself during the Grand Finals. But it wasn't limited only to the happenings taking place on the main stage, streaming studios, camera teams, etc. Wargaming made sure to have a wide array of entertainment for the attendees and enough sources of beverages and snacks around the venue to please every possible need of the attending crowd. Also, it was very much about spectacle and entertainment, as it was about the players and games. While twelve teams entered the tournament, in the end only Hellraisers was left, after completely destroying EL Gaming 7:1.

One the 1st day of the tournament Na’Vi, who also are known as Natus Vincere, beat EL Gaming and RG Razer in dual 5:0 victories. RG Razer, Elevate, RUlette, and Arete were sent home by the end of the day. And on the second day of the tournament Santa Clause and Six Deers was sent packing by Elong with a defeat of 5:2. While Schoolbus clashed with Kazna Kru with Schoolbus being sent home in a 5:3 loss. The biggest disappointment in the tournament was perhaps European Schoolbus, who started with a great opening but was soon beaten by just Kazna Kru in the quarterfinals. However, Na’ VI, also known as Natus Vincere, and Hellraisers qualified for the semifinals after destroying Virtus.PRO 5:3 and YaTo 5:4, respectively. EL Gaming sent Kraznu Kru to the pool of defeated teams with 5:3 win. Hellraisers took the final spot in the semifinal from Na’ Vi with 5:2 win. Kazna Kru and Na’ Vi come face-face for the Bronze. While Natus Vincere (Na’Vi) pounced on the win at 5:0. This mean that Hellraisers and EL Gaming moved forward into the final battle for the 2015 Grand Finals championship.

Turning back to defend their title after last year's win was Natus Vincere, also known as Na'Vi, as well as Virtus.PRO who were surely finding and looking to take revenge on Na'Vi after their defeat in the 2014 finals. Last year's bronze medalists, HellRaisers (know before as Unity), also made a re-appearance, as did the Korean team ARETE. The eight teams remaining, were newcomers to the Grand Finals looking to prove their worth. These eight newcomer teams included Schoolbus, ELONG, RUlette, RG.RAZER gaming and YaTo Gaming, as well as two teams who got entry after getting a Wild Card – Kazna Kru and Santa Claus & Six Deers. Na'Vi saw off Virtus.PRO, who failed to take revenge after last year's defeat in the finals, instead losing 5:3. They then faced off against HellRaisers, who got only a semi-final position after a small victory over YaTo Gaming in a match that went all the way to the tiebreaker – the only one of the day to do so. However, HellRaisers came out fighting strong in the semi-final, and beaten the Na'Vi by 5:2, sending the previous champions back home.

The most exciting moment of the entire event was the final match of the 2014-15 Wargaming.net league season between HellRaisers vs. ELONG. At this stage HellRaisers had become very aggressive, and in spite of some very strong attempts from ELONG, Hellraisers couldn't be controlled, winning the Grand Finals 2015 with a 7:1 score. Hellraisers won the title of world champions and was awarded with the cash prize of $150,000, while ELONG received about $75,000. Hellraisers amazing victory will forever be remembered in the Wargaming Grand Finals history.

The tournament went great in Poland since the fans there are very passionate about World of Tanks, the teams and eSports in general. The tournaments this year were tremendously fast paced with several of them being over and done with in a minute or two. In particular, the use of the T-54 became very popular throughout the matches for this reason alone.

In the end, the Wargaming 2015 Grand Finales was an amazing event that did not disappoint, and we can't wait to see what next year brings. To learn more, visit the official Grand Finals 2015 website.