It is my sad duty to announce that  Hjalmar 'DowaQ' Högberg will be retiring from competitive gaming in order to put more focus on other aspects of his life. This has a tremendous impact on our team, DowaQ was not only a successful player (key to our recent success in WC3L for example), but he was also a player that we have seen grow tremendously throughout the years as we were his first (and now it seems last) ‘pro’ team.

A small recap of DowaQ’s career:

DowaQ has been with us since October 2, 2007, roughly 2.5 years. We recruited him after finishing third at  WCG Sweden and second at KODE5 Sweden. Two months after joining he beat  Manuel ‘Grubby’ Schenkhuizen at  DreamHack Winter 2007, eventually taking second place at the event, losing to Grubby in the grand finals. The first major tournament qualifier he played after joining he won ( ESWC Sweden) and he gained valuable international experience by competing in ESWC 2008 in  San Jose, California. The next year he travelled to the ESWC Masters in  Cheonan, Korea and would be eliminated in the group stages. This ended up being his last major international LAN tournament despite winning the  Swedish WCG 2009 qualifier; which unfortunately did not end up with DowaQ travelling to WCG China.

On a national, European and online level he continued to impress. He took 3rd place place at  DreamHack Summer 2009 and 2nd place at the first season of the  Scandanivian EPS Series. Online he qualified for and participated in such high profile leagues as the NGL One Individual league and the Extreme Masters. He won two Zotac Cups, editions #79 and #105. Just last week he finished second in the eBet challenge. Possibly the most impressive, he played a vital role in getting Serious Gaming to the consolation finals of WC3L season XVI. He played 1on1 and 2on2 in every single war of the season, beating such players as  Future,  Check (twice!) and  FoCuS. Unfortunately he wont be able to see the season through to the end because of previous commitments he made which collide with the final’s date, but it is imaginable DowaQ and viOlet could have gone all the way.

Serious Gaming will miss you Dowi, hopefully we will see you online from time to time!

Statements:

Hjalmar 'DowaQ' Högberg
I've decided to step away from professional gaming because my love for the game is dead and other interests has taken over. Big thx to my teammates, my managers zerter and basz, they've been great! And last but not least endar for all of his help during my career.

Bas Peeperkorn
Already several weeks ago Hjalle told me about his intention to quit playing Warcraft III competitively. This did not come as a shock, without any big events to play for it is very difficult to keep the motivation needed to perform on the highest level. Hjalle has been more then just a team member, he has spend almost his entire career in Serious, and grew from a raw talent into one of the few undead players in the world to be able to beat worldclass Blademasters. Unfortunately Hjalle did not get the chance to shine a last time during the WC3L finals, without any kind overtalking ESL set a date for the final on which Hjalle already booked a holiday. Our attempts and requests to reschedule were denied. I would like to thank Hjalle for everything he has contributed to the team, and obviously wish him all the best of luck in his future. Hopefully Hjalle will pick up Starcraft II and return to the team as an active player.

Kim ‘viOlet’ Dong Hwan
Greatest player ever DowaQ, all this time we went through together is something to be remembered always as a treasured moment. It makes me sad that we started getting to know each other very well and now having to separate. Anyways I respect your decision and whatever you do from now on I wish you do great on it and make sure you never forget the time we spent together. DowaQ Fighting!

Nikolaus ‘SonKiE’ Cassidy
Dowaq leaving is unfortunate but at the same time reasonable. I can fully understand why he would want to retire. He was a great undead player and will remain a great team mate. I wish him the best of luck in his future adventures!

Kevin ‘RotterdaM’ van der Kooi
I'll keep it short and simple for this one. DowaQ has been a great teammate and a great friend for a long time of me. He's an awesome Wc3 player but I understand his decision, if he feels he has to move along I can only wish him best of luck. Thanks for the great times and I won't forget our times in San Francisco. So long!

Tom 'EndarS' Bramler
DowaQ is probably the most talented player I can think of. What he managed to achieve in the relatively short time he has been within the scene is just remarkable. I have had the great fortune to develop a friendship outside Warcraft with Hjalle. And we have been through a lot of great things outside the game, and that is why I am so happy that even though the scene loses one of its best players, I am still left with one of my best friends.

Oskar ‘Zubie’ Rudberg
I remember when DowaQ first joined Serious. Back then it was obvious the kid got a looot of potential. I followed this prodigy at the beginning, but then I fell of the grid for a while. When I returned I was in awe, seeing he was taking out all those pro-gamers I actually once feared. Not only did he bloom out to become a kick-ass gamer, he is also a gamer which you have a hard time not to like (smiles). Definitely an inspiration for all gamers, and non-gamers, out there.