We’re effectively into the second half of the ESL Professional League S20 Group Stage, with Teams C and D now underway. After a couple of days on the server, there have already been a couple of shocking developments in Malta – learn on to seek out out what’s gone down!
M80 and Imperial safe shock Playoff spots
Credit score: Igor Bezborodov | © ESL
Realistically, taking a look at Group C in ESL Professional League Season 20, we didn’t precisely have M80 and Imperial down because the groups to make it by the Higher Bracket. Nevertheless, that’s precisely because it has transpired, with each already locking of their spots within the EPL S20 Playoffs.
M80 have been made to work exhausting for his or her spot, successful out a North American conflict towards Complexity, earlier than pushing by a legendary marathon match towards Fnatic. This Fnatic match will go down in historical past, with the 2 groups requiring eight Overtimes to determine a winner for an eventual rating of 37:34 in favor of M80. Within the course of, they set a brand new file for probably the most rounds in knowledgeable CS2 map, with 71 unlikely to be crushed any time quickly.
Imperial’s run is spectacular in different methods. Their opening match towards BIG required psychological resilience in a reverse sweep, whereas they might later beat ESL Professional League holders MOUZ in a cushty 2:0 collection. This younger group is wanting robust, with decenty among the many event’s best-performing gamers. Now, each Imperial and M80 will face off towards one another for an opportunity to lock in a spot within the Quarter-Finals.
Liquid and Vitality reside as much as expectations
Credit score: Igor Bezborodov | © ESL
Group D of ESL Professional League S20 is wanting somewhat nearer to what we anticipated would occur. There, each Liquid and Vitality have emerged victorious on their facet of the Higher Bracket, becoming a member of the opposite certified groups within the Playoffs of EPL S20.
Liquid have gone flawless to date, taking down ENCE and Virtus.professional with out dropping a single map. Is that this nonetheless Twistzz’s IGL honeymoon part, or is that this an indication of issues to return? We predict at this level, it’s extra prone to be the latter, however let’s see how they get on within the Playoffs. As soon as once more, final is exhibiting he’s an actual star, and different groups within the scene will probably be left questioning how he went unnoticed earlier than Liquid took an opportunity on Roland from Poland.
Vitality are in the identical boat. They’ve reached the Playoffs with a clear file, though their match towards ATOX got here somewhat too shut for consolation on map one, contemplating the opposition. Their win towards FURIA was spectacular although, reacting to a sluggish begin with an unlimited streak of rounds spanning each maps within the collection. Vitality’s momentum from their Cologne win rolls on.
MOUZ and Astralis drop to Final Probability Bracket
Credit score: Igor Bezborodov | © ESL
It’s been a disastrous occasion to date for each MOUZ and Astralis, who discover themselves combating within the Final Probability Bracket of Group C collectively. Our ESL Professional League S20 energy rankings had these groups proper on the high of Group C, and the way incorrect we have been.
Frankly, MOUZ have been probably the most disappointing group on the complete occasion. The back-to-back ESL Professional League winners have been simply two kills away from shedding their opener towards Rooster, earlier than xertioN bailed them out in a 2v5 clutch. It was a fortunate escape, and an indication of issues to return. In opposition to each Imperial and Complexity, MOUZ have didn’t win a single map, with solely xertioN constantly exhibiting something near his finest. They should get up quick, or it’s an early exit from Malta.
Becoming a member of MOUZ within the Final Probability Bracket is Astralis. We spoke of Twistzz’s IGL honeymoon earlier – effectively, dev1ce’s has been actually over for a while now, and it’s solely getting worse. Constant underperformance throughout from Astralis ensures the Danish group doesn’t even look able to successful any map in the mean time, regardless of the opponent. Losses to Fnatic and Complexity right here have been tough, and we don’t see it turning round. Not at ESL Professional League S20, at the least.
Our protection of ESL Professional League S20 will proceed because the Group Phases conclude, proper by to the Playoffs – keep tuned for extra!
