It’s that time again! One of the most enjoyable events on the Counter-Strike calendar has returned – ESL Pro League Season 21 is underway, and it looks like it’s going to be a banger of a tournament! With sixteen teams in the Swiss stage, there are plenty of storylines and prospects to keep your eyes on. As always, to help us navigate some of the more prescient storylines, the wonderful Jacob “Pimp” Winneche has dusted off the Pimp-O-Meter and given each team in the Swiss a score out of five, in terms of excitement. Let’s dive in!

Team Spirit

Of late, it seems like Spirit are destined to be the favorites of any tournament they’re in. With a consistently world-beating form, and the ever-present Danil “donk” Kryshkovets, Spirit are always a safe bet for barn-burner games and deep runs. Pimp has rated Team Spirit a 5/5 on the excitement scale, saying “Donk is 10/10!” We agree!

Vitality

This is the first time we’re seeing Vitality after their convincing win in Katowice earlier in the year. With the addition of Robin “ropz” Kool, and ample time to prepare for EPL, there could be something exciting on the cards for the French organization. Our Pimp-O-Meter comes in at another 5/5!

The MongolZ

After a disappointing finish at PGL Cluj-Napoca in February, The MongolZ are looking to make a big return at Pro League. Can they shake off their somewhat lacklustre Cluj-Napoca placement and get ready for an even deeper run? Pimp rates The MongolZ at 4/5, saying “I’m excited to watch them bounce back after PGL Cluj-Napoca.”

MOUZ

From a team with a slightly disappointing PGL Cluj-Napoca run, to a team with a much different Cluj tale! MOUZ are coming in fresh of a victory at PGL, looking to cement Ludvig “Brollan” Brolin’s move to IGL with a solid performance in Pro League. Will they be able to replicate their winning ways? Pimp has rated MOUZ 5/5!

Team Falcons

Having reached the Grand Final of PGL Cluj-Napoca last month, Team Falcons are looking for some consistency. If they get another deep run under their belts so soon after Cluj, they might well be onto something! Pimp has rated Team Falcons 4/5, asking the all-important question “can they replicate their form from PGL?”

Eternal Fire

After a disappointing run at PGL Cluj-Napoca, Eternal Fire are looking to prove to the CS world that they’re still very much in contention for the deepest of runs. Engin “MAJ3R” Küpeli’s squad are looking to shake off the Cluj stress and power through the Swiss stage in EPL. Pimp has rated Eternal Fire at a 3/5.

G2

As has been said so often about the various G2 rosters in the past, this is a team with something to prove. A chip on their shoulder, looking to truly show the world that losing Nikola “NiKo” Kovač doesn’t spell the end for their competitive chances. Will Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov and Mario “malbsMd” Samayoa step up to the plate, or will it all be down to how many clutches Janusz “Snax” Pogorzelski can pull off? Our Pimp-O-Meter comes in at a 4/5.

NAVI

If there has ever been a team that has proved it has what it takes to hit the big time, this NAVI roster is it. With the combined leadership and tactical visions of Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen and coach Andrij “B1ad3” Ghorodensjkyj, NAVI are looking to defend their ESL Pro League Season 20 crown. Pimp has rated NAVI at 4/5, asking “can they return to the top of the top?”

GamerLegion

GamerLegion are one of the most exciting and interesting teams to watch at the moment. They’re never far away from pulling off an upset against bigger, supposedly better, teams, and the addition of Fredrik “REZ” Sterner to the team has added some firepower and experience to the roster. Pimp has rated GamerLegion at a 4/5, stating that they are “one of the most underrated teams out there”. Definitely one to keep your eye on at EPL Season 21!

paiN

A team that feels like they’re right on the precipice of something great, paiN have been showing marked improvement in recent months. Led by Rodrigo “biguzera” Bittencourt, can the Brazilian grinders make a deep run in this season of ESL Pro League? Our Pimp-O-Meter comes in at 3/5.

3DMAX

The French trash-talkers that make Dan “apEX” Madesclaire look like the quiet guy in the corner, 3DMAX are something of an anomaly. Sometimes they can pop off and pull out an impressive performance on the server (and on the mic), but they are equally capable of falling a little bit flat. Hopefully for the “Last Gauls” they can pull through in Pro League. Pimp has rated 3DMAX at 3/5, saying they are “impossible to predict” in their current form.

Team Liquid

It’s safe to say that this iteration of Team Liquid has yet to truly find its feet. With a relatively disappointing finish in IEM Katowice 2025, the team led by Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken will need to lock in and buck the trend of unfortunately-short runs if they want to make an impact in EPL Season 21. Pimp has rated Team Liquid at a 3/5.

FURIA

A team that feels like it could be in trouble, FURIA have been struggling to find deep runs for a while. The Brazilian organization haven’t been at the top of the game for a long while, but this particular roster feels like it needs a solid showing at Pro League in order to keep moving towards eventual success. Pimp has rated FURIA at a 2/5, saying “a bad showing at EPL Season 21 could mean roster changes, which I think is needed.”

SAW

SAW are in an interesting position, to say the least. After announcing the removal of Ricardo “⁠roman⁠” Oliveira and José “⁠Shr⁠” Gil just days prior to PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025, the team had to continue with roman and Shr due to the Cluj roster lock. SAW then proceeded to have an impressive showing at the tournament, finishing in 5th-8th place. Now, with a new roster, SAW are looking to start strong at EPL. Our Pimp-O-Meter comes in at 3/5.

MIBR

Another Brazilian organization facing some troubles on the server, MIBR had a very disappointing placement in PGL Cluj-Napoca last month. Will the team led by Raphael “exit” Lacerda push through their PGL woes and into a good showing in EPL Season 21? Pimp has rated MIBR at 2/5, asking “what’s happened to them since the major?”

TYLOO

To finish off the sixteen teams in EPL Season 21’s Swiss stage, we come to TYLOO. A team that is capturing the hearts of many viewers, can the Chinese organization make a push for glory at EPL? Pimp rates TYLOO at a 3/5, saying “it’s always exciting to watch TYLOO in EU!” We certainly agree!

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So, there you have it. A brief run-down of all the teams in ESL Pro League Season 21’s Swiss Stage. Who will burn bright, and who will crash out? Only time will tell. Until then, happy watching, and make sure you’re not forgetting to get some grind in of your own!