Pandanet Belgium’s First Round Battle Ends in a Draw

The opening round of the 2024-2025 Pandanet Championship saw the Belgium team go head-to-head with Finland, resulting in a hard-fought 2-2 draw. This season brings a fresh look for Belgium, with stricter anti-cheating protocols reshaping the roster. The lineup for this first matchup featured Lucas, Lucman, Kevin, and Vincent, each ready to make their mark.

Board 1: Lucas Secures the First Win

Lucas (White) set the tone early, playing his game on October 11. After navigating a competitive start, Lucas took command from move 45 and never looked back. A decisive kill on a large dragon secured the first point for Belgium, putting them up 1-0 and establishing momentum.

Board 2: Lucman’s Comeback Falls Short

Lucman (Black) faced off in a game that had all the makings of a grind-it-out contest. Both players opened with solid shapes, but Lucman’s early attempt to invade the bottom left fell flat, putting him behind by komi. With the game slipping away, Lucman went on the offensive, launching a powerful invasion to split White's groups. White countered, giving up the corner while maintaining a narrow lead. Lucman’s relentless pressure brought the game within three points, but Belgium couldn’t seal the deal, dropping Board 2 to even the score.

Board 3: Kevin Edges Out the Twitch Sensation

In a marquee matchup against Twitch sensation Mikkgo, Kevin (White) put on a show. The game started with a high-stakes clash at the top, where Kevin emerged ahead by four points. Mikkgo wasn’t backing down, launching a left-side invasion that disrupted Kevin’s corner and white was able to make life and some points for his group. With the game still even, Kevin made his move—an aggressive invasion into Mikkgo’s framework. The gamble paid off, wrecking Mikkgo’s territory and swinging the lead back to Kevin.

But the drama wasn’t over. Mikkgo’s last-ditch invasion on the bottom left set up a ko capturing race (semiai) that had me on the edge of my seats. In the final moments, Kevin’s big one-eyed group outlasted Mikkgo’s, and with some clutch play, he clinched the victory, giving Belgium a 2-1 edge.

Board 4: The One That Got Away

With this board we had a chance to get our firs team win. Vincent (Black) took off to a good start, carving out a 14-point lead. For some moments, all signs pointed to a Belgium victory. But his opponnt played solid endgame. The 1-dan opponent mounted a comeback, and Belgium’s hopes for a win faded as Vincent fell short by just 2.5 points.

Final Score: 2-2 Draw Against Finland

In a round that had its share of highs and heartbreaks, Belgium walked away with a 2-2 split. The team's performance showed grit and flashes of brilliance, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.

For those who want to relive the action, the game records are available on the Pandanet website.

https://pandanet-igs.com/communities/euroteamchamps/rounds/1111?tourname...