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The NHL Gaming World Championship for 2021 featured separate European and North American championships. In mid-June, the European finals were completed and a familiar name prevailed. The tournament featured several very talented players. Here are the European Finalists: Adam @dzouvi Mensik 🇨🇿 Henrik @Eken45jr Eklund 🇸🇪 Erik @Eki Tammenpää 🇫🇮 Jani @J-_-Jamaltheman Raappanen 🇫🇮 Johan @Lehmannens Lehmann 🇸🇪 Niklas @NikkeDangles Tukiainen 🇫🇮 Josef @pepcastachurcik Stachura 🇨🇿 Aaro @xDoumi Ruuhinen 🇫🇮 In the end, Finland's absolute superstar @Eki and the rising star of the future @NikkeDangles finally made their way to the European grand final of the tournament. However, @Eki was relatively superior and won his third European championship. At the same time, he claimed himself a hefty $12,000 prize reward, which he plans to save for the future or invest.  In the past, on several occasions, he has said that Europe has a higher skill level when compared ton North America. We asked him if he still thought so, as global tournaments have been largely hampered by the prevailing conditions. ''It's always different to play online compared to when you're live. Connections are not the same in every game + I feel that the skill gap is bigger on LAN events. I believe that there is wider talent pool and a better general level in Europe, but there is no denying that much progress has been made in North America based on what I have seen. The next time the World Cup is played it's definitely going to be tight games in the EU vs NA rivalry. There are a few players in North America in particular who have bettered their own game exceptionally well.'' The star player, who has won practically everything possible on his career this fas, notes that more players have taken big steps forward in development.  ''@NikkeDangles seems to bring something new to the table every time he takes to the ice. @Eken45jr has been the smoothest tournament performer in recent years. These two especially deserve props.'' COVID-19 has had an impact on many events worldwide, an unfortunately the GWC hasn't been spared. Most notably, no LAN events have been hosted for the past 1,5 years. Eki thinks that it has also had an impact on the level of play in the tournament. ''There's fewer potential winners. Some people play this game in the hope of trips, big money prizes more than for the titles. It's reflected in the training volumes. Of course, in general, players do more work when it would be possible to win a 60k + world championship and trips to Vegas, Copenhagen, etc.'' UPCOMING GWC SCHEDULE Saturday, July 3rd – GWC Scotia NHL North Division Club Championship Saturday, July 10th – GWC Discover NHL Central Division Club Championship Saturday, July 17th – GWC Honda NHL West Division Club Championship Saturday, July 24th – Club Championship Final