Orome reportedly joins BT Excel after playing at Worlds 2020

Professional esports careers often involve strategic pivots, and Andrei “Orome” Popa’s reported move to BT Excel represents a calculated career development strategy. According to industry sources at Esportmaniacos, the former MAD Lions top laner will compete in the Nordic league system for the 2021 competitive season.

Orome’s elevation to MAD Lions’ primary top lane position in 2020 marked a significant breakthrough. The young roster consistently exceeded preseason projections, establishing themselves as legitimate contenders throughout both the Spring and Summer splits. Their collective performance earned qualification for the 2020 World Championship in Shanghai, providing Orome with invaluable international competition experience.

The Worlds 2020 play-in stage presented unexpected challenges for Orome and his teammates. Their elimination represented a historic moment as the first major region team to exit during play-ins, including a surprising best-of-five series defeat against a wildcard region opponent. This tournament outcome likely influenced the decision-making process for his 2021 competitive placement.

Strategic Career Development in Esports

Transitioning to Excel Esports’ academy roster represents a strategic recalibration rather than a regression. Orome’s career trajectory began within European developmental circuits, making this move a return to foundational competitive environments. While many analysts recognize his LEC-level capabilities, the intense competition for starting positions necessitates alternative pathways for professional growth.

BT Excel provides an optimal environment for Orome to refine his technical execution and strategic decision-making. The organization’s LEC squad currently features Felix “Kryze” Hellström in the top lane position, creating potential promotion opportunities based on performance metrics and roster needs.

During his NLC tenure, Orome will compete against Nordic region’s elite teams. BT Excel secured third position in the inaugural NLC split, establishing ambitious improvement targets for the upcoming competitive year.

The organization’s competitive objectives focus squarely on NLC championship contention and substantial European Masters tournament advancement. This competition gathers Europe’s premier non-LEC organizations, offering significant visibility and competitive validation.

While complete roster configurations remain unconfirmed, Orome anticipates collaboration with established talents including mid laner Jørgen “Hatrixx” Elgåen, bot lane specialist Matthew “Deadly” Smith, and jungler Mark “Markoon” Woensel. This roster composition suggests a balanced approach combining experienced players with developing talent.

BT Excel’s Role in European Esports Ecosystem

As the official academy organization for LEC’s Excel Esports, BT Excel occupies a critical position within Europe’s competitive hierarchy. The team competes in the Nordic League Championship (NLC), featuring elite squads from United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Ireland, and Iceland. This regional competition serves as primary qualification pathway for the prestigious EU Masters tournament.

The NLC constitutes an integral component of the European Regional Leagues (ERL) framework. This comprehensive system organizes all developmental leagues feeding into the European Masters championship. Each LEC organization maintains academy rosters within these regional circuits, providing structured development environments for emerging competitive talent.

Orome’s career path demonstrates the interconnected nature of European competitive structures. Prior to his MAD Lions LEC appointment, he developed his skills within the Spanish LVP SLO league through MAD Lions’ academy program. This experience highlights the importance of regional league development in player progression.

The European Regional Leagues represent a sophisticated talent development infrastructure. Organizations strategically place promising players in these environments to refine skills, develop competitive maturity, and prepare for LEC-level competition. The system ensures continuous talent pipeline development while maintaining competitive intensity across multiple regional markets.

For players like Orome, participation in leagues like NLC offers multiple strategic advantages. It provides competitive match experience against varied playstyles, opportunities for technical skill refinement, and visibility within the broader European competitive community.

Successful performance in these developmental circuits often leads to LEC opportunities, either through promotion within the organization or recruitment by other LEC teams seeking proven talent.

The path from regional leagues to LEC typically involves demonstrating consistent performance, leadership capabilities, and the ability to adapt to different competitive metas.

No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » Orome reportedly joins BT Excel after playing at Worlds 2020 From LEC Worlds to NLC: Orome's strategic career move and BT Excel's competitive ambitions