The Edge-Man 2025 Championship was a weekend like no other—a perfect blend of fun Old School competition and an electric, welcoming atmosphere. From the on-site registration to the final showdown, the venue buzzed with energy, filled with laughter, tension, and the shared passion of a community brought together by the love of Old School Magic. In this blog, I’ll try to capture the spirit of both days—the excitement, the emotions, and the unforgettable moments. I am also thrilled to feature a guest blog from our champion, Ruben, later this week, sharing his road to victory. There will also be separate post showcasing all the decks that shaped this incredible weekend.

The Edge-Man Pre-Party: A Night to Remember

Just like last year, the Edge-Man weekend kicked off with the legendary Friday night pre-party—a chance for players to gather, catch up, and start the festivities before the tournament began. Dinner and drinks were on the menu, with plenty of the latter, of course! Unfortunately, thick fog led to multiple flight delays, meaning some players couldn’t make it in time. Because of this, we had to cancel the planned Broque side-event, but that didn’t dampen the mood. Instead, we embraced the situation, enjoying good company, great food, and even better beers.

After dinner, tradition called, and we made our way to the same bar as last year, where the infamous Wheel of Misfortune awaited. Spin the wheel, and you either win free shots or have to buy them—but in the end, shots were happening no matter what!

It was a night full of laughter, surprises, and, unsurprisingly, more drinks than planned. Eventually, everyone made their way back to get some rest… or at least as much as possible before the main event the next morning.

Game Day: The Final Prep!

Saturday morning came fast, and with just under an hour to get everything ready, the race was on. With 88 players registered, we had 44 tables to set up, plus a prize table that needed to look as epic as the rewards themselves. Wijnand from PowerNegen got a prime spot for his card stand, while Buddy Jonkers’ art table was arranged to showcase his amazing work. The music had to be just right, the video screen set up, and, of course, the Wheel of Fortune was ready to make a return—this time not for drinks, but for some seriously cool Magic: The Gathering prizes.

Unfortunately, there was one big absence this year. Thomas from Timmie Talks had come down with the flu and couldn’t make it to stream the event. We definitely missed his presence, but the show had to go on. Thankfuly, I wasn’t alone in tackling the setup. My brother Rudy, along with Demmer and Willy, were there to help every step of the way, making sure everything was in place. Despite a slight hangover from the night before, we managed to pull it all together just in time. The venue was ready, the players were arriving, and Edge-Man 2025 was about to begin!

The Wheel of Fortune and Exciting Prizes

At the Edge-Man 2025 Championship, every participant was treated like a champion from the moment they registered. Each contestant received a swag bag that included exclusive Edge-Man Championship stickers, a limited edition 2025 patch, and one of six random Barbarian-themed cards stamped with The Edge-Man logo. These stamped cards doubled as raffle tickets, each bearing a unique number corresponding to a slot in our Wheel of Fortune. Throughout the day, between every round—including during the Top 8—my daughter, Noor, spun the wheel to draw winners. Prizes ranged from exclusive playmats and custom Classic Horror alters by David Mack (a.k.a. Mack Lotus) to booster packs and other spicy rewards.

One of the most special moments for me personally was seeing both my daughters actively involved in the Edge-Man Championship. Noor had an amazing time at the first edition and was beyond excited to return this year. She took her job incredibly seriously, making sure every spin of the Wheel of Fortune was fair and exciting. But this time, she wasn’t the only one helping out—my youngest daughter, Suus, also joined me on stage between rounds. She was so eager to do her part, proudly stepping up to show that she could help just as much as her big sister. Seeing them both embrace the event, sharing my passion for Old School Magic, and fully enjoying the atmosphere was a moment of pure pride for me.

Beyond the tournament itself, we had the Spice Award, that went to the player with the most fun and unique deck, rewarding creativity and bold choices over sheer competitive edge. The Biggest Wanker Award, for the lowest-placing player running “The Deck,” was more than just a title—it came with a special-edition Counterspell, on which every single participant had written the word Shame! as a reminder of their performance and a vintage Conan action-figure.

And then there was the Motivation Prize, awarded for the worst Chaos Orb flip of the tournament. Early on, Ron Dijkstra seemed to have it locked in with a miss that was 3.1 cm off target. But then, the real chaos began.

Marc and Demmer found themselves tied for the worst miss, and instead of settling it quietly, they did what any true Edge-Man competitor would do—they stepped on stage and threw an actual Beta Chaos Orb across the venue to see who could throw it the furthest. In the end, Marc walked away with the prize after launching his Orb a staggering 22 feet, securing his place in Edge-Man history with the wildest misflip ever recorded.

The Wheel of Fortune, the special prizes, and these unforgettable moments all added to the atmosphere, making Edge-Man 2025 a tournament unlike any other.

Even Flow

With six rounds of Swiss followed by an intense Top 8, the tournament ran like clockwork, and I couldn’t be happier with how everything unfolded. The competition was fierce, but the atmosphere remained relaxed and enjoyable throughout the day. After two rounds, we took a well-earned lunch break, with a delicious catered selection of deluxe sandwiches that everyone seemed to enjoy. A big shoutout to the venue staff, who did an absolutely fantastic job keeping everything running smoothly from start to finish.

After the Swiss rounds, the tension built as the Top 8 prepared to battle for the title. But before the real showdown began, a classic Dutch tradition awaited us—a frietwagen rolled up in front of the venue, serving up fresh friets and typical Dutch snacks to fuel up the players and spectators alike. With participants from all over Europe, it was great to see everyone enjoying a true taste of the Netherlands before diving into the final rounds.

The showdown of the century

As if the Edge-Man Championship wasn’t intense enough, an unexpected side event emerged—one fueled by pride, bravado, and probably a few too many beers. My kid brother and Demmer, two of the loudest mouths in the room, started taunting each other, and before we knew it, the Unofficial Edge-Man Arm Wrestling Championship was underway.

What followed was a battle of endurance and theatrics. Both of them, clearly exhausted, were sweating bullets, yet each kept up the facade of effortless dominance. Arms trembled, beads of sweat formed, but neither would admit they were actually struggling. The crowd ate it up, cheering them on as they locked into a grueling, comically over-the-top showdown of strength and stubbornness.

It was an instant classic, and after the roaring success of this impromptu event, one thing is certain—next year, we’re making it official. That’s right, the Edge-Man Arm Wrestling Championship will return in 2026, with a special prize on the line. So start training now, because next year, only one can claim the title!

The Climax

The Top 8 was a spectacle, filled with skilled, well-known players and a mix of exciting matchups. But the real story of the night was the relative newcomer, Ruben, who fought his way through the ranks to claim the title. Against all odds, he overcame seasoned veterans and sealed his victory, becoming only the second-ever Edge-Man Champion. The energy in the room was electric—everyone was thrilled to see a fresh face take home the title. The only downside? The bar had already closed, meaning there was no official celebration drink to toast our new champion. But judging by the smiles and cheers at the end of the night, the victory felt just as sweet.

The Afterparty

Of course, no Edge-Man weekend would be complete without a proper afterparty! After an intense day of competition, it was time to unwind, and what better way than hitting the town with an amazing group of players? My girlfriend, who had come over from Belgium, joined us as we gathered with the Dutch and Belgian crew for an evening filled with beers, shots, and nonstop laughter.

As the night carried on, we decided to wrap things up in true Edge-Man fashion—with a visit to a gentlemen’s establishment that felt like it was plucked straight from an episode of Married with Children. Dim lights, red velvet, and just the right amount of questionable charm set the scene as we settled in for one last round of drinks. And, as if fate had a sense of humor, we weren’t the only ones with this brilliant idea—the Norwegian crew had the exact same plan! What are the odds? The reunion was unexpected but absolutely perfect, as we raised our glasses and let the night carry on in the most memorable way possible.

The Champion’s Perspective

While this blog has been all about the atmosphere, the people, and the unforgettable moments of Edge-Man 2025, there was also some serious Magic played. And who better to tell that story than the champion himself? Ruben, the second-ever Edge-Man Champion, has written a guest blog detailing his road to victory—the key plays, the toughest matchups, and the strategy that carried him through the Swiss rounds and Top 8 to claim the title. If you want to dive into the gameplay, deck choices, and high-stakes decisions, be sure to check out his blog (follow this link).

It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable weekend. Until next year—Edge-Man 2026 can’t come soon enough!