EPICENTER 2019 CIS closed qualifier invites revealed

Epic Esports Events has announced the six teams who have been invited to participate in the CIS closed qualifier for EPICENTER 2019.

World No.17 FORZE, who finished in second place at the recent BLAST Pro Series stop in Moscow, and No. 30 Gambit Youngsters, who made the playoffs at last weekend's WePlay! Forge of Masters Season 2 Finals, headline the team list for the qualifier, which will be played online on November 23-24.

The winner of the closed qualifier will secure the final spot at EPICENTER 2019, joining a participants' list that includes three teams currently in the top five in the rankings, Evil Geniuses, fnatic and Vitality, and CIS giants Natus Vincere.

forZe are one of the favourites for the CIS qualifier

The Russian event will take place at the Crocus Expo Hall in Moscow from December 17-22, with $500,000 on the line - an increase of over $200,000 in prize money when compared to last year's tournament, which was won by FaZe.

Below are the six invited teams for the CIS closed qualifier:

FORZE
Hard Legion
Nemiga
Unknown flag cis Open qualifier #1

Gambit Youngsters
Syman
Spirit
Unknown flag cis Open qualifier #2