ESL Professional League Playoffs Preview

With the ESL Professional League Group Stage over, we check out the upcoming playoffs.

A whopping 16 seasons on, ESL Professional League is as synonymous with Counter-Strike: International Offensive because the World Sequence is with baseball. With the overwhelming majority of the $850,000 prize pool in tow, the playoffs of this version of the event are undoubtedly scintillating. Held on the lovely Salini Resort in scenic Malta, the playoffs will characteristic 12 of the strongest CSGO groups on the planet — to not point out the innumerable wonderful performs they at all times carry.

The State of affairs So Far

The Group Stage contained all the things from useless rubbers to nail-biting thrillers, and we bore witness to loads of surprises and a few massive upsets. With twelve groups locked and loaded for the second spherical, the stakes are increased than ever, and the competitors will probably be tight. For these of you who haven’t been following the Group Stage, right here’s a brief abstract of what went down.

Group A

The primary group contained a good few surprises, with probably the most distinguished being that Natus Vincere, one of many event favorites, barely scraped by means of by the pores and skin of their enamel. They struggled closely towards not simply massive groups but additionally the smallest of the lot. In consequence, they may have a tough highway ahead.

One of many group’s most inspiring and stunning finish outcomes was the qualification of Fnatic. The Swedes have been struggling for a really very long time, however just a few latest adjustments appear to have made one thing click on.

Vitality appeared ironclad all through their run, solely dropping one map every to Na’ Vi and a resurgent Fnatic. They are going to be seeking to shake off a 12 months of poor performances with a win right here.

The elimination of Ninjas in Pyjamas is one other stunning consequence from this group. Nevertheless, after a really tough begin, the Ninjas will at the least go residence with some dignity after successful their final two matchups, which included one towards Na’ Vi.

Group B

Group B was probably the most simple of all teams, with the variety of wins, losses, and factors in good ascending order from the underside up. G2 topped the group with not simply 5 wins out of 5, however a flawless run with out dropping a single map — even besting FaZe Clan alongside the best way.

FaZe beat everybody besides G2, however did drop maps towards MIBR and Outsiders, who haven’t been in the most effective type. They are going to be bummed out having their number one HLTV crew standing questioned, and can look to bounce again sturdy.

Lastly, Outsiders will probably be seeking to make a deep run on the event with their comparatively younger crew. They haven’t gained an S-Tier occasion since Flashpoint Season 2 on the finish of 2020, and the final time they gained an offline S-Tier occasion was all the best way again in February 2017 with DreamHack Masters Las Vegas.

It was one other in a string of disappointing outcomes for BIG, and they’re going to probably make some much-needed adjustments to their crew. The exits of neither MIBR nor FTW Esports got here as a lot of a shock.

Group C

By far probably the most messed-up group so far as outcomes are involved. MOUZ have been sturdy as of late, however few anticipated them to win the group within the method that they did, solely shedding to Astralis on the best way.

Heroic started the event by shedding to MOUZ, however bounced again strongly to win the remainder of their video games. That being mentioned, there have been actually seen cracks within the crew’s armor, with the Danish aspect dropping maps towards HEET and Astralis.

The qualification of Complexity is arguably the second-biggest shock of the group, with the American aspect making it by means of with three sturdy performances towards the three eradicated groups. Loads of work to be performed for the crew to be sturdy sufficient to go toe to toe with the most effective groups on the planet, however it is a good begin.

The elimination of ENCE might have been anticipated as a result of their forever-fluctuating type, but it surely nonetheless got here as a shock to many. What was a far greater shock, nonetheless, was Astralis’ lackluster marketing campaign. The four-time Main winners not solely misplaced to the likes of HEET, COL, and Heroic, however at all times appeared to take action from a place the place that they had the benefit. For a crew with such massive names in it, Astralis has fallen on some robust instances.

Group D

Earlier than the event, folks may have been forgiven for considering that Group D was probably the most accessible group, however issues went proper all the way down to the wire for the groups in it. Workforce Liquid had probably the most fascinating expertise of the groups, shedding to Everlasting Hearth and FURIA on consecutive days to have their event lives in jeopardy. Fortunately for them, they beat C9 on the final day to remain alive.

FURIA had been surprisingly good in some matches, and surprisingly weak in others. That being mentioned, that has just about been their description since their formation, and it’s about time some consistency turned a part of their crew credo.

Cloud9 arguably had the strongest run, successful all however considered one of their matches with out a lot opposition till they misplaced outright to Liquid. They need to iron out any weaknesses earlier than going through harder opponents.

Of the three groups that had been eradicated, Everlasting Hearth and EG each confirmed sporadic bursts of Promise, however Movistar Riders could have a world of rebuilding to do after solely exhibiting any type of battle of their very first match, the place they took a map off of Liquid.

ESL Professional League Season 16 Playoff Fixtures

The playoffs will characteristic two Bo3 matches a day till the Grand Ultimate, which will probably be a Bo5. Not like typical 16-team brackets, this one could have 4 matches every in Spherical 12 and the Quarterfinals, the place the 4 group-topping groups will probably be ready. The Semifinals and the Grand Ultimate will probably be like some other competitors.

Spherical of 12

Though CS is a sport of unsure outcomes, Complexity could have a area day beating the likes of FaZe until one thing goes horribly unsuitable for the reigning Main champions. The crew of multinational megastars is extremely sturdy when it comes to each technique and particular person talent, and appears to feed off of each crowd assist and saltiness. Helvijs “broky” Saukants, Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken, and Ádám “torzsi” Torzsás would be the gamers we count on to excel on this match.

Fnatic has proven large resilience, however so have Liquid, so this one ought to provide some edge-of-your-seat motion and may even turn out to be an encounter for the ages. Liquid has much more essential stage expertise than this younger Fnatic, however in the long run, nothing’s not possible. Count on Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski and Mareks “YEKINDAR” Gaļinskis to shine for the US squad, whereas Nico “nicoodoz” Tamjidi and newcomer Dion “FASHR” Derksen battle again for the Swedes.

Heroic vs Na’Vi will probably be probably the most eagerly-awaited conflict of the spherical. The Danes have had robust luck towards the Ukrainians at offline occasions, however the latter hasn’t appeared as mortal as they do now in years. This will probably be an unimaginable conflict, and we expect Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev and Denis “electroNic” Sharipov will shine for Na’ Vi, whereas Rasmus “sjuush” Beck and René “TeSeS” Madsen step up for theirs.

The ultimate match of the Spherical of 12 will characteristic two potential darkish horses of the event. FURIA are trying like the higher crew so far, however FURIA are additionally very a lot able to beating FURIA (sure, you learn that proper) — maybe extra so than Outsiders. It’s extremely seemingly that Kaike “KSCERATO” Cerato will proceed his crispy type alongside Andrei “arT” Piovezan, with Aleksei “Qikert” Golubev and Evgeniy “FL1T” Lebedev rising for the Russians.

Quarterfinals

If Complexity pulls off a miracle and meet Cloud9, one would in all probability fancy C9’s probabilities towards the People. That being mentioned, if a crew can beat FaZe, they’ll beat some other.

MOUZ’s latest type has been spectacular, and it’d be protected to say that they’re ready to beat both of the groups that will qualify to face them. Liquid are the extra seemingly candidate, however the People should be extra constant if they’re to beat MOUZ.

Irrespective of who meets who on this subsequent matchup, it is going to have all of the makings of a traditional. G2 are in excellent type, however so are Heroic and Na’ Vi are a crew remodeled as soon as they’re on the principle stage.

Vitality versus Furia will probably be an incredible conflict of types and talent. Each groups have wonderful gamers, and will probably be desperate to show their doubters unsuitable. If Outsiders come by means of, it will likely be a sport of persistence, with last-minute executions being the order of the day. Plus, numerous rounds will probably be misplaced as a result of there’s no time to plant or defuse due to the period of time these groups spend deliberating.

Semifinals and Grand Ultimate

At this level, it’s tough to foretell which groups will make it to those levels, but when the group levels had been an indication of issues to come back, we predict Cloud9, MOUZ, G2, and Vitality right here, with Cloud9 and G2 going by means of to duke it out within the closing. Don’t @ us, it’s only a prediction.

Regardless of the closing outcomes could also be, one factor’s for certain; we’re in for six days of incredible CSGO.