by GoNext Esports have etched their names in Apex Legends history by claiming victory at the 2024 Apex Legends Global Series Championship in Sapporo, Japan.
The European squad defied the odds, securing the title after a dramatic final series that saw them win two of the last three games.
GoNext showcased remarkable consistency throughout the tournament.
Despite a seventh-place finish in the opening match and an eighth-place finish in the first Winners Match, they gradually built momentum.
The Finals, however, presented a rough start, with only two top-10 finishes in the first five games.
A crucial turnaround began in game six, where they secured nine kills alongside a seventh-place finish.
The breakthrough came in game seven, where a match win made them match point eligible.
Yet, game eight proved to be a setback, as GoNext finished in 13th place with zero points.
Fortunately, ENTER FORCE.36, who had yet to reach match point eligibility, won that game—giving GoNext another shot.
Seizing the opportunity, GoNext clinched the championship in game nine.
With just four kills, they outlasted Virtus.pro and Luminosity Gaming, standing as the final team in the arena.
Their intelligent use of Catalyst’s Dark Veil ability, which cut the shrinking battlefield in half, proved pivotal.
This strategic mastery forced Virtus.pro and Luminosity into a desperate skirmish, allowing GoNext to capitalise and claim the win.
?? @GoNextEsports #ALGSSapporo Year 4 Champions!! ?? pic.twitter.com/noBjwHLS0u
— Apex Legends Esports (@PlayApexEsports) February 2, 2025
GoNext’s victory is a milestone for the EMEA region.
While SCARZ won the 2021 championship in a split-region format, GoNext are the first fully European team to claim an ALGS LAN title outright.
This marks a shift in the competitive landscape, with previous champions DarkZero Esports (2022) and TSM (2023) dominating the global stage.
The triumph also cements the legacy of one of Apex Legends’ longest-standing duos, Filipe “Hiarka” Morgado and Jose “Uxako” Llosa, who have played together since early 2021.
Alongside Kyllian “zhidan” Brun, the trio remained orgless until GoNext Esports signed them in October—an investment that has now yielded a $600,000 prize.
Meanwhile, heartbreak struck Luminosity Gaming and their star player, Christopher “sweetdreams” Sexton, who came within a single final circle of claiming his first LAN victory.
Alliance, despite consistent performances, fell painfully short, securing second place and a $320,000 prize.
Virtus.pro, with an impressive fifth-place finish, rounded out the top five alongside Shopify Rebellion.
GoNext’s win makes them the fourth different team to claim an ALGS LAN title in Year 4, underscoring the unpredictability of this competitive season.
Hiarka, in a passionate post-match interview, summed up the team’s journey: “We came in as underdogs and left as champions.”
?? @HiarkaYeahh @lzhidann @UxakoTTV ??@GoNextEsports | #ALGSSapporo pic.twitter.com/yXB5DyC3U8
— Apex Legends Esports (@PlayApexEsports) February 2, 2025
