In the first round of the Swiss stage at YGames Pro Series Season 5, ENCE suffered a painful 1:2 defeat to Polish team M1. Despite being the clear favorites, the European squad couldn’t cope with the opponent’s aggressive and well-coordinated gameplay. M1, despite their controversial past, showcased a mature and tactically disciplined performance, securing a statement victory in their history.
Match Breakdown
Nuke — M1 13 : 4 ENCE
M1 imposed their game from the very beginning, dismantling ENCE’s defense with structured and confident executions. They closed out the first half 10:2 and wrapped up the map shortly after switching sides. ENCE looked lost: poor rotations, lack of initiative, and weak communication. gla1ve couldn’t stabilize the defense, and although sdy fought hard, he couldn’t turn the tide alone.
Anubis — ENCE 16 : 14 M1
On their map pick, ENCE finally pulled themselves together. The game was neck and neck — constant round trades and a narrow 8:7 lead for M1 at halftime. Thanks to clutch plays from Neityu and more efficient use of utility in the final rounds, ENCE managed to scrape out the win. Still, the structural weaknesses in their setup remained visible.
Mirage — M1 13 : 9 ENCE
On the decider, M1 once again took control. They read ENCE’s attacks well in the first half, securing a 7:5 lead. In the second half, they executed well-planned hits through mid and B, while ENCE struggled to establish any defensive rhythm. The standout player was suonko, who consistently shut down attacks and made the crucial difference in closing out the map and the series.
Individual Player Stats
M1’s Controversial Past
M1 were previously at the center of controversy when one of their stand-ins publicly left the team after alleging that some teammates were cheating. The roster had also faced multiple accusations from the community, which stained the team’s reputation. Although no concrete evidence has surfaced, this shadow still follows them. Their win over ENCE at this level has only reignited debates — are M1 legitimate up-and-comers or a fleeting phenomenon?
ENCE’s Ongoing Struggles Against Tier-2
This isn’t the first time ENCE have fallen to tier-2 opposition. Just recently, they suffered a painful loss to Zero Tenacity — a defeat that exposed similar issues: lack of adaptability, poor mid-round calling, and weak mental resilience under pressure. These repeated failures raise serious questions about the team’s current structure and long-term prospects as a stable tier-1 contender.
ENCE have once again fallen into the “tier-2 trap,” where young and hungry teams prove their ability to challenge elite competition. gla1ve’s squad looked unstable, with visible communication gaps and a lack of clear leadership. For M1, this marks the biggest win of their international run so far — a massive confidence boost that could propel them forward. The tournament is only beginning, but this match has already become one of the biggest surprises of the opening round.
