:Hangzhou Spark
{{short description|Chinese professional esports team}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox sports team
| name = Hangzhou Spark
{{lang|zh-Hans-CN|杭州闪电}}
| logo = Hangzhou Spark logo.svg
| alt = The logo depicts a hand-gesture in shape of a gun with electricity emerging from it.
| founded = 7 September 2018
| current =
| current_icon = Esports
| league = Overwatch League
| region = East
| history = Hangzhou Spark
(2018–present)
| arena =
| colors = {{color box|#FB7299}} {{color box|#5788CE}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}}
| owner = Rui Chen
| president = Youyou "So" Chen
| gm = Youyou "So" Chen
| affiliations = Bilibili Gaming
| championships =
| uniforms = Hangzhou Spark Jersey.svg
| main_sponsor = MG Motor
| website = {{Official website|https://spark.overwatchleague.cn/}}
| footnotes =
}}
{{Chinese
|title=Hangzhou Spark
|first=s
|s=杭州闪电
|t=杭州閃電
|p=Hángzhōu Shǎndiàn
|order=st
}}
Hangzhou Spark ({{zh|s=杭州闪电|t=杭州閃電|p=Hángzhōu Shǎndiàn}}) was a Chinese professional Overwatch esports team based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. The Spark competed in the Overwatch League (OWL) as a member of the league's East region up until the Overwatch League was shut down on the 23rd of January 2024. Founded in 2018, Hangzhou Spark began play as one of eight expansion teams in 2019 and was one of four professional Overwatch teams based in China. The team is owned by Bilibili, a Chinese video sharing website; the company also owns Bilibili Gaming, who operate their own Overwatch division that competed in Overwatch Contenders as an academy team for the Spark.
Franchise history
= OWL expansion =
On 7 September 2018, Activision Blizzard announced that Chinese video sharing website Bilibili had purchased an expansion team based in Hangzhou for Overwatch League's second season.{{Cite web|url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/the-overwatch-leagues-8-new-teams-are-preparing-for-season-two|title=It's official: All 8 new teams coming to Overwatch League have been revealed|last=Carpenter|first=Nicole|date=7 September 2018|website=Dot Esports|access-date=11 November 2018}} On 14 November, the team revealed their team name as Hangzhou Spark.{{cite news |title=Introducing the Hangzhou Spark杭州闪电队 |date=14 November 2018 |publisher=Business Wire |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181114005633/en/Introducing-Hangzhou-Spark%E6%9D%AD%E5%B7%9E%E9%97%AA%E7%94%B5%E9%98%9F |access-date=20 March 2019}}
On 16 November, the Spark revealed their new head coach, Lee "Mask" Mu-ho.{{cite news |last=Rodriguez |first=Veronika |title=Hangzhou Spark Reveals Overwatch League Coaching Staff |date=16 November 2018 |work=DBLTAP |url=https://www.dbltap.com/posts/6224482-hangzhou-spark-reveals-overwatch-league-coaching-staff |access-date=19 March 2019 |archive-date=12 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912204049/https://www.dbltap.com/posts/6224482-hangzhou-spark-reveals-overwatch-league-coaching-staff |url-status=dead }} In the following week, the Spark revealed their 10-man inaugural roster through a series of Twitter posts, consisting of players from different Chinese and Korean Contenders teams.{{cite news |last=Qu |first=Bonnie |title=The Hangzhou Spark are making an electric entrance into the Overwatch League |date=13 December 2018 |work=Heroes Never Die |url=https://www.heroesneverdie.com/2018/12/13/18139506/hangzhou-spark-overwatch-league-roster-analysis-profile |access-date=20 March 2019}}
= Early years: 2019–present =
Hangzhou's first regular season OWL match was a 3–1 victory over the Shanghai Dragons on 14 February 2019, in the 2019 season.{{cite news |last=Grayson |first=Nathan |title=Overwatch League's Season Two Debut Was Exciting Despite An Unpopular Meta |date=15 February 2019 |work=Kotaku |url=https://kotaku.com/overwatch-leagues-season-two-debut-was-exciting-despite-1832660156 |access-date=20 March 2019}} The Spark qualified for both the Stage 2 and Stage 3 playoffs, but failed to reach the finals in either one.{{cite news |last=Samples |first=Rachel |title=Vancouver Titans and San Francisco Shock advance to Overwatch League stage 2 finals |work=Dot Esports |date=11 May 2019 |url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/titans-shock-advance-to-owl-stage-2-finals |access-date=19 June 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Linscott |first1=Gillian |title=LA Valiant Continue Meteoric Rise, Head To Semifinals |url=https://www.hotspawn.com/la-valiant-continue-meteoric-rise-head-to-semifinals/ |access-date=4 October 2019 |work=Hotspawn |date=13 July 2019}} Hangzhou struggled at the beginning of Stage 4, which was the beginning of the enforced 2-2-2 role lock by the league, after suspending their starting damage player Cai "Krystal" Shilong — an event that later led to the Spark's parent company Bilibili taking legal actions.{{cite news |last1=Amos |first1=Andrew |title=Hangzhou Spark indefinitely suspend Krystal |url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/hangzhou-spark-indefinitely-suspend-krystal |access-date=4 October 2019 |work=Dot Esports |date=2 August 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Butler |first1=Sam |title=Hangzhou Spark Sues Krystal For $2 Million After Controversy |url=https://www.thegamer.com/hangzhou-spark-sues-krystal-2-million-controversy/ |access-date=7 March 2022 |work=The Gamer |date=15 July 2020}} The team lost their first three matches of the stage but recovered by winning their final four matches, ending the regular season with an 18–10 record and the fourth seed in the season playoffs.{{cite news |last1=Howard |first1=Brandon |title=Hangzhou Spark End Their Regular Season Strong, Hoping To Carry Momentum Into The Playoffs |url=https://www.thegamer.com/hangzhou-spark-end-regular-season-strong-hoping-carry-momentum-playoffs/ |access-date=4 October 2019 |work=TheGamer |date=26 August 2019}} The Spark began their playoff run with a 3–4 loss to the Los Angeles Gladiators, sending them to the lower bracket.{{cite news |title=Gladiators, Titans win on Day 1 of Overwatch League playoffs |url=https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/27547940/gladiators-titans-win-day-1-overwatch-league-playoffs |access-date=4 October 2019 |work=ESPN |agency=Reuters |date=6 September 2019}} The team defeated the Seoul Dynasty, 4–1, in the first round of the lower bracket,{{cite news |title=Shock, Spark stay alive in OWL playoffs |url=https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/27565091/shock-spark-stay-alive-owl-playoffs |access-date=4 October 2019 |work=ESPN |agency=Reuters |date=8 September 2019}} followed by a 4–0 sweep over the Atlanta Reign in the second round.{{cite news |last1=Gemignani |first1=Mike |title=Overwatch League Playoff: Spark and Shock Advance |url=https://www.hotspawn.com/overwatch-league-playoff-spark-and-shock-advance/ |access-date=4 October 2019 |work=Hotspawn |date=13 September 2019}} The Spark's season came to an end after a 0–4 loss to the San Francisco Shock.{{cite news |last1=Hoskins |first1=Ryan |title=OWL: San Francisco Shock Advance over the Spark |url=https://www.hotspawn.com/owl-san-francisco-shock-advance-over-spark/ |access-date=4 October 2019 |work=Hotspawn |date=15 September 2019}}
Prior to the 2020 season, the Spark made minor changes to their roster, departing with two players and promoting two from their academy team Bilibili Gaming.{{cite news |last1=Hook |first1=Brennon |title=2020 Team Preview: Hangzhou Spark |url=https://overwatchleague.com/en-us/news/23290201 |access-date=7 March 2022 |work=Overwatch League |date=22 January 2020}} In the first two regional midseason tournaments of the 2020 season, the May Melee and Summer Showdown, Hangzhou lost 0–3 in the quarterfinals each time.{{cite news |last1=Garcia |first1=Jordy |title=Third Times The Charm For Hangzhou At The Countdown Cup |url=https://thegamehaus.com/overwatch/hangzhou-spark/spark-countdown-cup/2020/08/06/ |access-date=7 March 2022 |work=The Game Haus |date=6 August 2020}} Following, Hangzhou released head coach Lee "Mask" Mu-ho and promoted assistant coach Huang "Pajion" Ji-sub to head coach.{{cite tweet |user=Hangzhou_Spark |author=Hangzhou Spark |number=1289049004362391553 |title=Thank you Coach @Mask_ow |date=31 July 2020 |access-date=26 April 2021}}{{cite tweet |user=Hangzhou_Spark |author=Hangzhou Spark |number=1289057433424453633 |title=Meanwhile, @pajion90 will step in as the main Coach |date=31 July 2020 |access-date=26 April 2021}} In the third, and final, midseason tournament, the Countdown Cup, the Spark reached the finals, but lost to the Shanghai Dragons.{{cite news |last1=Parrish |first1=Ash |title=I (Almost) Miss When The Shanghai Dragons Were OWL's Worst Team |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2020/08/i-almost-miss-when-the-shanghai-dragons-were-owls-worst-team/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812155845/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2020/08/i-almost-miss-when-the-shanghai-dragons-were-owls-worst-team/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 August 2020 |access-date=7 March 2022 |work=Kotaku Australia |date=12 August 2020}} The team finished the regular season with a 12–10 record.{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Liz |title=Full house: Hangzhou Spark 2021 team preview |url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/full-house-hangzhou-spark-2021-team-preview |access-date=7 March 2022 |work=Dot Esports |date=8 April 2021}} Hangzhou fell in the Asian play-in tournament to the Seoul Dynasty, 0–3, ending their season.{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Liz |title=Hangzhou Spark, Chengdu Hunters eliminated in Overwatch League playoffs |url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/hangzhou-spark-chengdu-hunters-eliminated-in-overwatch-league-playoffs |access-date=7 March 2022 |work=Dot Esports |date=5 September 2020}}
Looking to improve from their 2020 season, the Spark nearly instantly maxed out their roster with rookies in the 2021 offseason. After an 0–2 start to the 2021 season, the Spark released head coach Hwang "paJion" Ji-sub and promoted Hwang "Andante" Jae-hong to interim head coach.{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Xavier |title=Hangzhou Spark parts ways with Pajion, Andante becomes interim head coach |url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/hangzhou-spark-parts-ways-with-pajion-andante-becomes-interim-head-coach |access-date=26 April 2021 |work=Dot Esports |date=26 April 2021}} In the first week of June, the Spark hosted the first live OWL events of the 2021 season, marking the first time that live OWL events took place in China.{{cite news |last1=Czar |first1=Michael |title=Hangzhou Spark host the first live Overwatch League games in China |url=https://www.upcomer.com/hangzhou-spark-host-the-first-live-overwatch-league-games-in-china |access-date=6 March 2022 |work=Upcomer |date=2 June 2021}} Head coach Hwang "Andante" Jae-hong was released on 15 July 2021, due to "irreconcilable differences between Andante’s and the rest of Spark’s ideals," leaving assistant coach assistant coach Chen "U4" Congshan as the only member on the coaching staff.{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Liz |title=Hangzhou Spark parts ways with head coach Andante, assistant coach Mentalist |url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/hangzhou-spark-parts-ways-with-head-coach-andante-assistant-coach-mentalist |access-date=15 July 2021 |work=Dot Esports |date=15 July 2021}} The Spark finished the regular season in fifth place in the Eastern region. Prior to the start of the postseason, starting Spark support player Lee "MCD" Jeong-ho was dropped from the team following reports that he had made xenophobic remarks towards a Chinese player.{{cite news |title=Hangzhou Spark drop MCD after xenophobic remarks |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/esports-overwatch-hgz-mcd/hangzhou-spark-drop-mcd-after-xenophobic-remarks-idUSFLM2F38cj |access-date=6 March 2022 |work=Reuters |date=24 August 2021}} Their season ended after they were eliminated in the play-in tournament tournament semifinals, losing to the Philadelphia Fusion.{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Liz |title=San Francisco Shock, Washington Justice advance to Overwatch League playoffs bracket |url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/san-francisco-shock-washington-justice-advance-to-overwatch-league-playoffs-bracket |access-date=6 March 2022 |work=Dot Esports |date=5 September 2021}}
Team identity
On 14 November 2018, Bilibili officially announced the brand of their franchise, the Hangzhou Spark. The name "Spark" symbolizes the immense speed and power electricity, as well as the "electric nature and creative spark" of the Bilibili brand.
The logo is in the team's official colors of pink, white, and blue. It depicts a hand-gesture in shape of a gun with electricity emerging from it and is a reference to Mikoto Misaka from A Certain Scientific Railgun.{{cite news |last=Cooney |first=Bill |title=Chinese Illustrator shares her original Overwatch League concepts for the Hangzhou Spark |date=15 November 2018 |work=Dexerto |url=https://www.dexerto.com/overwatch/chinese-illustrator-shares-her-original-overwatch-league-concepts-for-the-hangzhou-spark-221144 |access-date=20 March 2019}} The official colors are vibrant in nature to reflect the fast-growing nature of Hangzhou.
Personnel
= Current roster =
{{Esports roster header|team=Hangzhou Spark|num=yes|role=yes}}
{{Esports roster footer
| head_coach =
- Vacant
| otherlegend = (2W) Two-way player
| roster_url = https://spark.overwatchleague.com/en-us/roster
| transaction_date = 29 October 2023
}}
= Head coaches =
| class="wikitable" |
| style="background:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|1}}; color:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|2}}" |Handle
! style="background:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|1}}; color:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|2}}" |Name ! style="background:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|1}}; color:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|2}}" |Seasons ! style="background:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|1}}; color:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|2}}" |Record ! style="background:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|1}}; color:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|2}}" |Notes ! style="background:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|1}}; color:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|2}}" class="unsortable" |{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
|---|
| Mask
| Lee Mu-ho | 2019–2020 | 26–21 {{small|({{winpct|26|21}})}} | {{small|Released after 19 games in 2020.}} |
| paJion
| Huang Ji-sub | 2020–2021 | 2–2 {{small|({{winpct|2|2}})}} | {{small|Released after two games in 2021.}} |
| style="background:silver;"
| Andante | Hwang Jae-hong | 2021 | 5–2 {{small|({{winpct|5|2}})}} | {{small|Interim head coach. Released after seven games in 2021.}} |
| Changgoon
| Park Chang-geun | 2022 | 11–13 {{small|({{winpct|11|13}})}} | | {{cite news |title=Hangzhou Spark announce Changgoon as coach |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/esports-overwatch-hgz-changgoon/hangzhou-spark-announce-changgoon-as-coach-idUSFLMbqCGqm |access-date=7 March 2022 |work=Reuters |date=17 November 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Liz |title=Overwatch League 2023 offseason trade tracker |url=https://dotesports.com/overwatch/news/overwatch-league-2023-offseason-trade-tracker |access-date=November 19, 2022 |work=Dot Esports |date=November 12, 2022}} |
| RUI
| Wang Xingrui | 2023 | 3-2 {{small|({{winpct|3|2}})}} | {{small|Released after five games in 2023.}} | {{cite tweet |author=Hangzhou Spark |user=Hangzhou_Spark |number=1612660628589625346 |date= January 10, 2023 |title=We are glad to announce Xingrui “RUI” Wang has joined #HangzhouSpark as our Head Coach.}}{{cite tweet |author=Hangzhou Spark |user=Hangzhou_Spark |number=1672816890811482112 |date= June 25, 2023 |title=Today we part ways with our Head Coach Xingrui “RUI” Wang.}} |
| Creed
| Yan Xiao | 2023 | 6-2 {{small|({{winpct|6|2}})}} | |
Awards and records
= Seasons overview =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |
| style="background:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|1}}; color:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|2}}" | Season
! style="background:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|1}}; color:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|2}}" |{{Abbr|P|Matches played}} ! style="background:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|1}}; color:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|2}}" |{{Abbr|W|Matches won}} ! style="background:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|1}}; color:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|2}}" |{{Abbr|L|Matches lost}} ! style="background:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|1}}; color:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|2}}" |{{Abbr|W%|Win percentage}} ! style="background:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|1}}; color:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|2}}" |Finish ! style="background:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|1}}; color:#{{OWL color|Hangzhou Spark|2}}" |Playoffs |
|---|
| 2019
| 28 | 18 | 10 | {{winpct|18|10}} | style="text-align:left" | 3rd, Pacific | style="text-align:left" | Lost in Lower Round 3, 0–4 (Shock) |
| 2020
| 21 | 10 | 11 | {{winpct|10|11}} | style="text-align:left" | 6th, Asia | style="text-align:left" | Did not qualify |
| 2021
| 16 | 7 | 9 | {{winpct|7|9}} | style="text-align:left" | 5th, East | style="text-align:left" | Did not qualify |
| 2022
| 24 | 11 | 13 | {{winpct|11|13}} | style="text-align:left" | 4th, East | style="text-align:left" | Lost in Lower Round 4, 1–3 (Shock) |
= Individual accomplishments =
Role Star selections
- guxue (Qiulin Xu) – 2019
- iDK (Park Ho-jin) – 2019
All-Star Game selections
- guxue (Qiulin Xu) – 2019
Academy team
{{main|Bilibili Gaming#Overwatch}}
On 15 March 2019, the Hangzhou Spark announced their official academy team, Bilibili Gaming (BLG), and full roster. The team competes in Contenders China.{{cite news |last=Joyce |first=Darby |title=Overwatch: Hangzhou Spark Announces Academy Team |date=15 March 2019 |work=The Game Haus |url=https://thegamehaus.com/hangzhou-academy-team/2019/03/15/ |access-date=20 March 2019 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category|Hangzhou Spark}}
- {{Official website|https://spark.overwatchleague.com/}}
{{Hangzhou Spark}}
{{Overwatch League}}
Category:Esports teams based in China
Category:Overwatch League teams