After an exciting day one, the MDL Paris Major group stages resumed on Sunday, 5th 2019 at Disney’s Newport Bay Club, Disneyland, Paris.
Let’s recap yesterday’s events. At the end of day one, the standings were as follows:
Virtus.Pro, Team Secret, Vici Gaming and Evil Geniuses already solidified their positions in the upper bracket of the playoffs. As a result, they did not play on day 2, a well-deserved rest day.
The scheduled games for Day 2 were as follows:
Group A Lower Bracket Decider Game
The first series of group A on day 2 saw Keen gaming (who lost to Liquid) take on Beastcoast (who lost against Virtus.Pro). The North Americans didn’t seem to be much of an issue for the Chinese squad who beat them in 2 quick games to take the series 2-0.
That victory set up a best of 3 series between Team Liquid and Keen Gaming to be played later on day 2, for a spot in the upper bracket of the playoffs, while Keen gaming would be relegated to the lower bracket of the playoffs.
Group B Lower Bracket Decider Game
Ninjas in Pyjamas (NIP) faced CIS squad Team Empire in the lower bracket decider. Just like the other series from group A, NIP blew away their opposition to win the match 2-0, comfortably without breaking a sweat.
With this victory, NIP were set for a rematch against Chaos Esports whom to lost against earlier on day one, for a slot in the upper brackets of the playoffs. Team Empire would be starring in the lower bracket of the playoffs.
Group C Lower Bracket Decider Game
Group C witnessed a matchup between Mineski from the SEA region against paiN gaming from South America. paiN stood no chance against the SEA powerhouse losing the game in 2 straight games 0-2.
This meant that Mineski would face PSG.LGD later for a place in the upper bracket of the playoffs, while paiN gaming would start the playoffs in the lower bracket.
Group D Lower Bracket Decider Game
Group D saw Fnatic take on Complexity in a gruelling battle which was back and forth, with Complexity making a comeback to win the series 2-1 after Fnatic won game 1 of the series comfortably. This result was a major upset,consideringFnatic were one of the favourites to top group B after Evil Geniuses.
Complexity would take on OG later in the day for a shot at an upper bracket playoffs spot. Fnatic were forced down into the lower bracket of the playoffs with this loss.
Upper Bracket Decider Games (Group A &B):
In group A, Team Liquid took on Keen Gaming, in a rematch of the opening series of Group A (which Liquid won 2-1). This time around, Keen Gaming had no idea what hit them. Team Liquid ran over Keen Gaming for a comfortable 2-0 victory, this securing a spot in the upper bracket of the playoffs.
Group B witnessed a rematch between Chaos Esports and NIP. Last time around Chaos managed to scalp a 2-1 victory over NIP, but this time, NIP was prepared. PPD and team secured a comfortable 2-0 result in their favour, thus joining the other 5 teams in the upper bracket of the playoffs.
Upper Bracket Decider Games (Group C&D):
Group C decider game involved PSG.LGD taking on Mineski, for the second time in 2 days and for the second time in 2 days, PSG.LGD beat Mineski with a scoreline of 2-0 to secure a place in the upper bracket of the playoff.
Group D decider involved defending TI champions OG taking on Team Complexity. Although Fnatic had a hard time against Complexity, OG did not seem to be fazed and they dismantled Complexity and wrapped up the series in 2 games to win 2-0 and secure an upper bracket playoffs slot.
With this last set of games, the group stage concluded, and the playoff bracket was solidified.
The upper bracket of the playoffs:
The Lower Bracket of the playoffs:
Action will resume on day 3 with 2 upper bracket Bo3 games and 2 lower bracket Bo1 games being played.
Team Secret take on PSG.LGD at 13:30 IST for the first game of the playoffs on DAY 3.
