Game 1:
Kru vs Zeta
In a match where the 2-0 scoreline scarcely captures the true intensity, KRÜ edged out ZETA in a fierce contest, with both teams displaying flashes of brilliance. ZETA had their moments, but KRÜ’s individual firepower—most notably from dods—proved to be the deciding factor, as ZETA struggled to counter her relentless impact. Uncharacteristically, ZETA seemed less composed than in their regular season, possibly showing signs of nerves on the big stage. With ZETA now preparing to face FlyQuest, they’ll hope to rediscover their season form and regain their confidence. As for KRÜ, their path leads to an encounter with the formidable G2 Gozen, the team which is favorites to win it all. If KRÜ maintains this momentum, we might just witness a thrilling three-map showdown, where they could pull off a huge upset and send the EMEA giants to the lower brackets.
8/10
Game 2:
Falcons vs Ambitious Gamers GC
In a lopsided clash that could only be described as a masterclass in dominance, Falcons soared over Ambitious Gamers, dismantling the squad from the Chinese region 2-0 with ease. Even as Mary struggled to find her usual rhythm—a challenge she's faced in recent months—Madv rose to the occasion with a once-in-a-generation performance, ending with a spectacular stat line of 42-18-8. From the first moments on Haven, the Falcons set the tempo with a one sided 13-6 victory, leaving AG gasping for breath. And just when it seemed the onslaught couldn’t get worse, Falcons nearly achieved a flawless 13-0 on Split, only rejected through the pistol rounds in the second half. For Ambitious Gamers, a team that entered with an undefeated split, it was a humbling defeat, raising questions about their resilience against top-tier international competition. Now, they'll have to reset and ready themselves for a showdown with the loser of MIBR and GiantX, a battle that promises no easier path. Meanwhile, the Falcons, with confidence soaring, are primed for their next test against Shopify Rebellion.
Rating: 3/10
Game 3: Xipto vs Flyquest
This story was written a year prior. Back then, the core players of these teams were with different orgs—Theia and Starbound with EG GC, and Xipto’s squad with SMG. Xipto is the same squad that famously locked in four duelists on Lotus and then went on to crush EG 13-3. Starbound and Theia came looking for revenge, but it simply wasn’t there. Both teams turned in one of their poorest showings. Sunset could have gone Xipto’s way, but they played one of the worst maps I’ve ever seen, throwing away massive rounds for no reason. FlyQuest had their own struggles—they were rolling on Split but let Xipto claw back, sending the game to four OTs before Xipto finally closed it with a defensive round. Mistakes were everywhere from both sides. Xipto, a team that came in as favorites to finish top four or even higher, didn’t look the part. Enerii had an uncharacteristic off day, with only Alexy going positive from Xipto, and the team looked disorganized, missed fundamentals like checking corners and gave up numbers way too many. There's a lot to work on, but little time to fix it all. FlyQuest will face ZETA in their next match, where they’ll be heavy favorites, but that won’t show in the results if they keep playing like this. Xipto, on the other hand, faces a much tougher challenge ahead—the winner of Falcons or Shopify Rebellion.
Rating: 5.4/10
Team rankings based on performance from day 1:
- Falcons
- Kru
- XIPTO
- Flyquest
- Zeta
- Ambitious Gamers
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