Insomnia63 is nearly upon us, and the biggest LAN in Europe is once again bringing the most talented players from all over the globe. The cream of the crop, the 8 best teams of this event are all part of the same invite group, and will all progress in the playoffs, with the results from the group used to determine seeding in the playoffs.

froyotech

• Scout: b4nny
• Scout: arekk
• Roamer: garbuglio
• Pocket: yomps
• Demoman: habib
• Medic: Cookiejake

Froyotech are back at Insomnia. After missing the last iteration and finishing third at i58, the team led by b4nny will want to carry its legacy of being the most successful team at insomnia, and they definitely have the skill required to do so as they are currently in online and offline winning streaks, triumphing in Rewind II and ESEA Season 28, where they were undefeated.

After winning Rewind II, b4nny looks to take the second world championship title of the year. (picture by Ness "uberchain" Delacroix and Jasmine "Jasbutts" Ho)

The team that will be fielded in a few days is quite different from the one that just won the ESEA grand finals, as veteran players shade and blaze have elected not to cross the Atlantic. The two players will be replaced with cookiejake and garbuglio, who both chose not to play in the most recent season, last playing for EVL Gaming and SVIFT NA respectively. Neither are newcomers to froyotech however, as both of them have previously played with the team in various Essentials.TF monthly cups.

Apart from b4nny, the rest of the team has never played at an Insomnia LAN before, and we will see if this new battleground trouble them, or if they will dominate it in their trademark fashion.

Se7en

• Scout: Thalash
• Scout: Thaigrr
• Roamer: adysky
• Pocket: amppis
• Demoman: kaidus
• Medic: Starkie

The reigning champions Se7en are here to defend their Insomnia crown. Following a disappointing third place finish at Rewind II, the team went under some restructuration, picking up Thaigrr, who had just won his second ETF2L season in a row, and adysky, mostly known then for his demoman, but who was able to show his creativity on roamer.

Now playing in Europe, Se7en are far away from problematic Mexican restaurants and its associated cuisine (picture by Ness "uberchain" Delacroix and Jasmine "Jasbutts" Ho)

This new roster has shown its worth, as Se7en won the last 2 ETF2L seasons. Now, with the last-minute addition of Starkie on medic, the roster led by kaidus will be eager to defend their home turf.

SVIFT

• Scout: Funs
• Scout: SVMZI
• Roamer: chris
• Pocket: MikAZN
• Demoman: Smirre
• Medic: Connor

SVIFT originally started as a LAN team for i61, so it is no surprise that the organization is represented again, although with a widely different roster with founder SVMZI the only survivor from the i61 squad. SVIFT boasts an experienced roster with players often described as future stars, but still lacking in actual trophies.

Will SVMZI and co. be able to defend their title from Se7en and froyotech? (picture by Matthew King, courtesy of iEventMedia)

Out for blood in Birmingham, SVIFT look forward towards adding some silverware (a really big piece of paper really) to their trophy cabinet at Insomnia63.

Faint Gaming EU

• Scout: sorex
• Scout: counou
• Roamer: Samski
• Pocket: Amarok
• Demoman: alle
• Medic: seeds

Created by former Ascent.EU roamer Samski, Faint Gaming EU is a savant mix of old players ready for another LAN and newer ones eager to get into the top flight.

Samski will be taking on his old team with Faint Gaming EU (picture by Alexandra "Fribs" Fraser)

The team was created with LAN in mind, and only a fool would rule them out because of their Div 1 placement in ETF2L due to a late creation. Losing only one map in the entire season, winning Division 1, and picking up seeds, who formerly played for Se7en, Faint Gaming EU are locked and loaded for Insomnia63 and are ready to deal with those who underestimate their prowess.

Ascent.EU

• Scout: Olgha
• Scout: Opti
• Roamer: Raf
• Pocket: Corbac
• Demoman: Elacour
• Medic: Ombrack

Ascent originally expanded in Europe with Ascent.EU for i61, so their presence at i63 should be a surprise to no one. This iteration of the roster is based on top5rocket squad, and while the team flourished under the organisation for its first two seasons—finishing 2nd in ETF2L twice and showcasing new and talented players such as Credu and Elacour, last season has saw less success for them than previously.

Ombrack leads his French brigade to another LAN (picture by Adam "ArchRhythm" Lloyd)

Going back to their French roots did not yield the results akin to those in previous seasons and the players ultimately chose to forfeit the season after Week 6. However, despite their forfeitures online, Ascent.EU are determined to make a good showing at i63, fielding Raf and Olgha from Velocity eSports EU as stand-ins. With a full Frenchie roster, Ascent.EU are one of the favourites to contest the other Invite teams at i63.

The Bus Crew

• Scout: alba
• Scout: Deox
• Roamer: tobs
• Pocket: Poison
• Demoman: Yohn
• Medic: Marten

The Bus Crew is a team that has gone through loads of changes since their last LAN, with both of their soldiers and one of their scouts being replaced last season, but you won't see any of the new guys as it was planned from the get-go that the original Bus Crew roster would be the one attending i63.

The Bus Crew head to Birmingham with their classic LAN roster (picture by Adam "ArchRhythm" Lloyd)

This roster may have finished last in ETF2L Season 29, but their performance at Copenhagen Games 2018 has impressed many. This crew has travelled quite a while together, and they were noted to be one of the most tenacious teams in Europe, so The Bus Crew may be one of the few teams that will shock those who underestimate them offline.

Ora Elektro

• Scout: Nevo
• Scout: Scruff
• Roamer: Azunis
• Pocket: iatgink
• Demoman: Eemes
• Medic: Demos

Ora Elektro are a team that slowly but surely built themselves a spot in the top of Europe. Two failed Premiership qualifiers have not deterred them and now they've been in Prem for the last two seasons.

Ora Elektro are back for another LAN (picture by Adam "ArchRhythm" Lloyd)

Having barely changed their roster since Copenhagen Games, where they finished 5th, Ora Elektro look to be one of the most cohesive teams in the Invite group. The one roster change they did make happened just recently, where Eskimo was replaced by iatgink. iatgink is known well for his time on Scout, but recently finished 4th in ETF2L playing on Roamer for the bin BLACK. Having built themselves up over the years, Ora Elektro are full of surprises and have the opportunity to usurp teams in Birmingham.

Timed_Out

• Scout: Maroš
• Scout: toemas
• Roamer: Matthes
• Pocket: PolygoN
• Demoman: Nas Boii
• Medic: babs

Timed_Out is a team created right before LAN, featuring an assortment of experienced players and new players who have risen through the divisions, ready to prove themselves against the old dogs.

Maroš and co. head to i63 with former SVIFT and Arctic Foxes players (picture by Adam "ArchRhythm" Lloyd)

On the old side, we have Maroš, who stopped playing ETF2L after the Premiership division in Season 27, but has returned for another LAN after finishing second with MGE Chad in Copenhagen. Polygonand babs are also set to make an appearance, hoping to replicate their form from Season 28, which they won the season with SVIFT. The other players have yet to make a big impact on the scene, with the only trophies between them being one Mid champion title and two podium finishes in Newbies cups—achieved by the same player somehow. Although new, their skills are sharp and ready thanks to the vast amount of PUGs that they've played before. If the new players can pull it out with the help of some wise elders, get ready to experience being an extra in Rocky.