The group stage for the 14th Season of ESL Pro League concluded, with Ninjas in Pyjamas grabbing the last possible spot from Group D after their win versus Gambit. ESL also announced the matchups for the first round of playoffs, which would include the 2nd and 3rd placed teams from each group.
In the new format that ESL introduced for this season, the group winners automatically secure a quarterfinals spot. Therefore, Heroic, OG esports, Natus Vincere, and Gambit have already booked themselves in the round of 8 and wait as their adversaries battle it out in the round of 16.
Ninjas In Pyjamas were almost down and out after the loss versus FURIA but came back fighting as they defeated Gambit in the final game, a feat that no one thought they could pull off. Nicolai ‘dev1ce’ Reedtz brought his A-game to send his team through to the playoffs ahead of FURIA to set up a date with Mouseports, the winner goes on to play OG in the next round.
Playing with a stand-in after ‘k0nfig’s injury, Complexity Gaming too shocked viewers as they made playoffs ahead of G2, and will face Team Vitality in the round of 16. Substitutes forZe, who were brought in for Renegades will play ENCE and the winners go on to face NAVI in the quarters.
Team Liquid are the only team keeping the NA hopes alive and will look to make this run a deep one as they face a reinvigorated Fnatic, to meet Heroic. Heroic have had a flawless run in Pro League till now but their problems are mostly out of the server than in it, with TeSeS being accused of helping HUNDEN cheat. The woes for OG are similar as niko claimed to know about the bug too, but didn’t come forward to clarify anything.
This season of Pro League has been filled with upsets and redemption arcs and promises to be even spicier as we reach the business end of the event. Playoffs start from Tuesday, 7th September at 19:30 IST when NiP faces Mouseports.
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