We’ve reached the conclusion of the ESL Professional League S20 Group Stage, after Teams C and D reached their conclusion right now. It’s been an intense few weeks of motion, however we lastly have our full listing of groups locked in for the Playoffs in Malta. Let’s recap how Teams C and D ended!
Complexity and FURIA combat via Final Likelihood Brackets
Credit score: ESLCS on X.
Complexity had been made to work for it, however they’ve reached the Playoffs of ESL Professional League S20. After falling to the Final Likelihood Bracket in Group C early, issues had been wanting grim for the workforce, particularly with Astralis and MOUZ down there too. That stated, they got here via comparatively unscathed, solely dropping a single map to Astralis. This felt like a significantly better model of Grim and floppy than we’ve seen in a very long time for Complexity, which was an enormous issue of their means to qualify right here.
They’ll be joined by FURIA, who made an identical run via Group D. Their Decrease Bracket opponents of ATOX and RED Canids could not encourage an excessive amount of religion within the Playoffs possibilities, however you’ll be able to solely beat the groups in entrance of you. FURIA have appeared markedly higher of late, they usually’ll take a Playoffs berth in Malta.
ESL Professional League Holders MOUZ crash out within the Group Stage
Credit score: ESLCS on X.
MOUZ‘s efficiency at ESL Professional League S20 is by far probably the most shocking of your entire occasion. This workforce are the back-to-back winners of ESL Professional League Seasons 18 and 19, they usually’ve usually been referred to as “studio retailers” consequently. Right here in Season 20, MOUZ haven’t even made it previous the Group Stage, in an uncharacteristically poor occasion for the workforce. Not since IEM Dallas again in Could have they appeared so mortal.
For MOUZ, tough particular person type was an enormous contributor to their failure in Malta. Brollan had his first poor occasion shortly, Jimpphat put up numbers you’d count on from a median anchor (versus a world-class one), and torzsi appeared extra like his 2022 self when in comparison with his much-improved 2024 type. We are able to’t count on perfection, particularly from such a younger workforce, so MOUZ gained’t hit the panic button simply but. Reset, and go subsequent – there’s nonetheless loads to play for in 2024.
Extra distress for Astralis and Falcons
Credit score: ESLCS on X.
Pricey oh expensive. It’s extra distress for Astralis and Falcons, each of whom have crashed and burned within the Group Stage of ESL Professional League S20. For Astralis, the dev1ce IGL experiment that started so effectively ought to be achieved and dusted now, particularly with HooXi remaining available on the market. Whereas Astralis thrived on the CT-side throughout EPL S20, their T-sides had been nothing wanting diabolical, with people enjoying with the selfishness of a median FACEIT pug. It’s time for Astralis to mercy-kill dev1ce’s IGL period and usher in an skilled caller for future tournaments.
Over on Falcons, the scenario isn’t any higher. This lineup is full of expertise and high quality, but profitable a single sequence in opposition to anybody with actual high quality proves to be an issue. The continued NiKo rumors actually haven’t helped anybody’s particular person type. In Malta, they beat ATOX within the opener, however each Virtus.professional and RED Canids took them down with relative ease. IGL Snappi described the scenario post-match as “rock-bottom,” and it’s laborious to disagree.
The complete listing of groups certified for the ESL Professional League S20 Playoffs is as follows:
Quarter Finals
NAVI
G2
M80
Vitality
Spherical of 16
Everlasting Hearth
FaZe Clan
Heroic
MIBR
Spirit
The MongolZ
Imperial
BIG
Complexity
Liquid
Virtus.professional
FURIA
