BOV ePremier League Knockout Stage Recap - An Expe...

Indeed, the champion of the BOV ePremier League 2021/22 season has finally been decided. After hundreds of competitors, and several stages of competition, one competitor has risen to the top of the standings. However, apart from crowning a winner, the final event of the year had a few surprises - read on to learn more in this exclusive recap!

BOV ePremier League Knockout Stage Recap - Primed for Performance

For those unaware, all the competition took place this last weekend, from the morning of 28th May to 29th May. Inviting all the competitors to compete offline at the incredible Valletta Campus Theatre, the stage was set for an epic tournament.

Competing on the P55 version of FIFA 22 Ultimate Team, the top 8 competitors on the island were decided earlier on as they fought for seeds at the Group Stage of the competition.

Bearing this in mind, find the competitors and their representative clubs listed below:

Balzan FC - Miguel "Migi" Grima
Santa Lucia FC - Gianluca "Turbulense" Sant
Hamrun Spartans - Matthias "Tubbi" Farrugia
Gudja United - Kursten "KurstenFIFA" Sciberras
Sliema Wanderers - Luke "LukeBartolo99" Bartolo
Gzira United - Duane "DuaneMercieca" Mercieca
Birkirkara FC - Kyle "Barzak" Calleja
Mosta FC - Matteo "Vella_999" Vella

Heading into this event, all competitors started on equal footing. Moreover, competing in a double-elimination bracket, all 8 players were seeded into the Winners' Bracket Quarter-Finals. Notably, any loss would send the loser to the Losers' Bracket to fight for their lives in the competition, while winners would remain in the Winners' Bracket.

BOV ePremier League Knockout Stage Recap - The Final Standings

Naturally, before we progress, here's how the final standings looked at the end of the Knockout Stage:

A total of 14 matches were played to decide these standings - let's discuss a few of them below!

Match Highlights - Surprises, Contenders and Favourites

First off, let's talk about the earliest surprise in the competition, where Kurten "KurstenFIFA" Sciberras managed to take down the favourite of Gianluca "Turbulense" Sant in a dominant fashion. Defying a community poll giving Santa Lucia FC 100% confidence, the veteran for Gudja United proved himself immensely here, shocking the competition.

However, the likes of Gianluca "Tubulense" Sant took this opportunity to show off his impressive skills. Indeed, sent to Losers' Bracket Round #1, the favourite would go on to return to the Grand Finals. Basically, he acted as the grim reaper of the Losers' Bracket, sending multiple players home.

One such player is the likes of the underdog, Duane "DuaneMercieca" Mercieca. Accordingly, the rookie would kick off the event with a tight, massive victory over Hamrun Spartans', Matthias "Tubbi" Farrugia - once again, another surprise in the WB Quarter Final! Yet, the rookie would prove that this wasn't just luck with a subsequent win in the Semi-Finals against Mosta FC.

Naturally, his run would be halted at the Winners' Bracket Final against the favourite, and eventual winner, Luke "LukeBartolo99" Bartolo. Overall, finishing top 4 as the highest-ranking rookie is hugely impressive.

Returning back to the likes of Hamrun Spartans, we'd just like to point out that in the Losers' Bracket, the player would pull off the narrowest of victories. Specifically, in LB Round #2, we saw the only penalty shoot-out of the entire event. Marginally beating Gudja United on the spot, he would then lose to Santa Lucia FC in the LB Semi-Final.

And now it's time to discuss the winner of the event - Luke "LukeBartolo99" Bartolo. Standing unbeaten from the Group Stage, the veteran would remain undefeated throughout the entire Main Event. Yet, after overcoming a rematch against Gzira United, the Grand Final would prove to be his greatest challenge.

Drawn against the aforementioned Gianluca "Turbulense" Sant, the Grand Final once again involved a match between Santa Lucia FC and Sliema Wanderers. Last year, Sliema were devastated with a loss in a final penalty shoot-out - this year revenge was served.

This time around, Luke "LukeBartolo99" Bartolo managed to hold off the opposition long enough to win in a 3-2 aggregate score - claiming the entire season!

BOV ePremier League 2021/22 Season - An Incredible Year

For those who are interested, we actually sat down with the champion in our very own interview available here.

Otherwise, we have one more piece of news left to cover this year - and that's our very own Pepsi People's Choice Award Winner which we'll cover sometime next week! Stay tuned to our news site for more: https://maltaepremierleague.com/news