Brekay Demirci leaves Werder Bremen: A new path in eSports!

Brekay Demirci leaves Werder Bremen: A new path in eSports!

SV Werder Bremen is facing a major change in the eSports department. On August 14, 2025, it was officially announced that Berkay Demirci would be leaving the club for the coming season. The talented eSports athlete, who is known for his performance in EA SPORTS FC, thanked his fans as well as his fellow players and those responsible for the “unforgettable time” in Bremen in an emotional Instagram post. There is currently no information about his future where he will play next season.

Demirci was not alone in his decision; Henning Wilmbusse is also moving to Hamburger SV, which became public the previous Monday. These steps come at a time in which SV Werder Bremen wants to rethink its course in eSports. Dominik Kupilas, the person in charge of the department, wishes both athletes all the best for their future journey.

Achievements and challenges

Last season, Werder Bremen achieved an impressive second place in the North-West Division of the regular VBL Club Championship (VBLCC). However, the final event of the German Club Championship was a disappointment as the team was eliminated after the group stage. Both Demirci and Wilmbusse qualified for the VBL Grand Final, but had to withdraw in the first round. A particularly bitter pill to swallow was missing qualification for the FC Pro World Championship, where Demirci was unable to make it into the top 32 in the Last Chance Qualifier.

The players' performances reflect the challenges that many in the eSports scene are familiar with. Despite the great growth of eSports since the late 2000s, when streaming platforms like YouTube and Twitch became popular, competition remains fierce. Many players not only fight for titles and glory, but also against mental challenges such as burnout and the pressure to always be on top of their game. According to Wikipedia, it is important to create the conditions in which players feel comfortable and can realize their potential.

A look into the future of eSports

But something is not only happening around SV Werder Bremen. Crucial developments have also become known in other areas of eSports, such as the Pokémon competitive scene. Ahead of the Pokémon Day Presents livestream on February 28, 2025, there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the future of the Video Game Championship (VGC) series. The announcement of the new game “Pokémon Champions” could now bring a breath of fresh air. This will be available on both the Nintendo Switch and mobile devices and promises to revolutionize the competitive structure with new elements and combat mechanics.

This online VGC battle app could make the Pokémon competitive scene more independent from the main games and attract players in both the competitive and casual communities. The ability to avoid outdated concepts and introduce new Pokémon and mechanics seasonally could lead to renewed interest in the competition.

It remains to be seen how the personnel changes at Werder Bremen will affect the future of eSports at the club and whether new talents can follow in the footsteps of Demirci and Wilmbusse. Developments throughout the industry show that this form of sport is still on the rise and will continue to cause a stir in the coming years.