Spirit added to ESL Pro League team list as BOOM withdraw-case battle

Spirit have been called up as a last-minute replacement for ESL Pro League Season 11 Europe following BOOM's withdrawal, it has been announced.

The ex-INTZ squad have decided to return to Brazil with immediate effect after recently landing in Malta, where the Pro League season was supposed to be held before ESL decided to move the matches to online play due to the spread of the coronavirus.

On Twitter, BOOM coach Alessandro "⁠Apoka⁠" Marcucci revealed that the team ran the risk of being quarantined at the hotel where they were staying in Malta as the local government is stepping up measures in an effort to contain the virus, which has already infected 18 people in the country.

Spirit will face ENCE in their first match in ESL Pro League

BOOM become the third team to withdraw from ESL Pro League Season 11, after Sharks and Renegades decided against participating in the tournament for the same reason. The trio have not been disqualified from Pro League and will be invited back next season, ESL has guaranteed.

Currently ranked 27th in the world, Spirit will take BOOM's spot in Group A, which will begin on Monday, March 16. The Russian team will face Astralis, Vitality, Ninjas in Pyjamas, ENCE and GODSENT in best-of-three matches, with the group winner automatically securing a spot in the next stage.