The Playoff stage is all set for these teams.
The conclusion of Group Stage has paved the way for eight teams who will fight to advance further and win the ESL One Fall tournament. 12 teams competed in the Groups. However, Creepwave and Thunder Predator from Group A, as well as Team Liquid and SG esports, could not make it to the elimination bracket.
Group B was a tough one for Liquid, who failed to register in the top four and gave a chance to Team Empire. Group A, on the other hand, saw Tundra Esports and Team Spirit in tremendous form.
With Playoffs just one day away, let’s look at how these teams stack.
Upper Bracket Round 1
Virtus.pro vs PSG.LGD
Two strong teams competing will surely be the highlight of the opening phases in the elimination brackets. VP have been on top of their game in the entire tournament. They have an unbeaten run till now, but their match against LGD will be a definite test of their strength. The CIS team has obliterated every single team winning 2-0 against them in the Group Stages. LGD who stand second in Group B have only lost to beastcoast, while drawing their last series against Team Empire. LGD will have to bring their A-game to stand against Virtus.pro.
Tundra Esports vs beastcoast
This will probably be the most interesting match-up in the entire Playoff bracket. Tundra Esports have defied odds and played some exceptional Dota to reach where they are. We would expect nothing less from an experienced captain like Adrian “Fata” Trinks. Coming on the second spot are Tundra, who faced their only defeat at the hand of VP in the Groups. That said, beastcoast are also on fire. Their team has drawn three games, but is yet to lose one.
Lower Bracket Round 1
Team Spirit Vs Team Empire
Team Spirit have an amazingly talented team. Their performances in the Groups have shown they can challenge for the title. Sitting on the third spot, Spirit have only lost to VP and Tundra. Team Empire have stayed on the fourth spot picking up draws against strong teams like LGD and beastcoast. Team Empire facing Spirit certainly favours the latter, considering their form and performances in the tournament so far.
T1 Vs Alliance
Another interesting series of the tournament, with these two going head to head. Southeast Asia pride T1 have found only a part of their form in the Bootcamp Edition tour. The defending champions have to find their top gear if they want to win this one. Losing to Team Spirit and Tundra Esports on the opening day hit their morale pretty badly. However, they racked up some wins against Creepwave and Thunder Predator. On the last day of Group Stages, T1 lost to VP, but stayed in the fourth spot.
Although Alliance have drawn three games, their achievement is commendable. This especially holds true when we consider how they have stayed in the third spot in the group of death. Winning against Empire and drawing against beastcoast wasn’t a straightforward task.
Feature Image: ESL