Rudi Ekmen: road to the top

Chances are you know Rudi Ekmen by now. The esporter from Blauw-Zwart put himself and Club completely on the map this season after winning the national title and an amazing eChampions League campaign. And to think he only started as a professional esporter three years ago. Read Rudi's road to the top here!

Become ePro

It all started at the end of November 2021. Together with fifteen other FIFA players, Rudi Ekmen participated in Club Brugge's Become ePro event at The NEST. The winner of that final tournament would represent Blauw-Zwart in the ePro League in the 2021/22 season.

Ekmen, a Mechelen native, eventually won the tournament. The starting signal for an impressive period at Blauw-Zwart.

Debut that can count

A month after the final win at Become ePro, the 2021/22 ePro League was already underway. In his first ePro League match, Ekmen immediately set the tone: 3-0 against Zulte Waregem.

The first season was therefore a hit, as Ekmenn94 advanced to the ePro League finals. Eventually, his debut season ended in the semifinals after a defeat against Gilles Bernard of KRC Genk.

Performance 2021/22:

• Semi-final ePro League

Season of confirmation

After such a successful first season, confirming is often a difficult task, but that is beyond Ekmen. Not only did he once again make it to the finals of the ePro League with a consecutive semifinal, he also showed himself on the international stage for the first time.

In his first participation in the eChampions League - similar to the UEFA Champions League, but for EA FC players - he immediately advanced to the group stage on location in London. And for that, he already had to overcome some hurdles. In the preliminary rounds, he defeated no less than nine opponents to finally be the only Belgian to advance to the group stage. Tekkz proved too strong in the end, but he left his calling card.

Watch below how Ekmen again made it to the semifinals of the ePro League:

Performance 2022/23:

• Semi-final ePro League
• Group stage eChampions League

The only way is up

In his third season, Ekmen had a clear goal in mind: after two semifinals, to finally reach the ePro League finals. His course in the regular competition already confirmed his ambitions. With an impressive 37/45, he entered the finals as top favorite.

A role he fulfilled with verve, because in the finals he demonstrated his abilities. In the finals, he beat previous national champion Kinane (Union SG). But for Ekmen, only one thing applies: The only way is up. There, in addition to the national title, a ticket to the group stage of the eChampions League awaited him. (continue reading below the video)

And that our esports pride wanted to do better than last year shouldn't be surprising by now: 'I don't just want to show up, I want to perform'. But that had to happen in a "group of death," because Ekmen was in a group with Tekkz and Neat, among others.

His words were not yet cold or Ekmen stunned everyone. After wins against JP_Sleator and Tekkz and a draw against Montaxer, he advanced to the final 24 in third place. There he defeated former world champion Umut a week later.

Thus Ekmen could count himself among the best 16 players in the world. In the Round of 16 the current world champion MANUBACHOORE was waiting. In a very exciting game a new stunt was definitely in the cards but in the end it was the Dutch who pulled the longest straw. A 5-3 defeat ended this year's more than successful eChampions League adventure.

In barely three years Ekmen thus nestled itself among the absolute world top in EA FC. Bluvn Goan, Rudi!

Achievements 2023/24:

• Champion ePro League
• Last 16 eChampions League