DarkZero to miss Six Berlin Major

North American Rainbow Six Siege organization DarkZero Esports will not defend their title from the Six Charlotte Major after failing to qualify for the upcoming Six Berlin Major.

DarkZero finished fifth in the North American League Stage 2, missing out on a place at the Berlin Major thanks to a tiebreaker.

DarkZero miss Major qualification

The Six Charlotte Major was seen as a resurgence for the North American Rainbow Six scene. An all-North American Grand Final occurred for the first time and at the end of a thrilling match, DarkZero came out victorious.

However, entering Stage 2 of the 2022 season, DarkZero struggled to turn in their international success into domestic momentum. With the exception of two matches, DarkZero either won or lost decisively. The saving grace for DarkZero was a highly competitive Stage across the league, with no team other than Oxygen Esports being able to mount a sizeable lead.

This meant that heading into the final matchday on July 13, with Oxygen guaranteed a place at the Major and beastcoast and Mirage eliminated, seven teams were still in the running for the three remaining Major spots. DarkZero were sixth, tied with XSET and Spacestation Gaming on points, but behind XSET on round differential.

DarkZero threw down the gauntlet with a regulation win over Mirage. That moved them to 15 points and a +4 round differential. If XSET failed to beat Oxygen, and barring a flawless match from Spacestation against Astralis, DarkZero would squeak into the Major as the North American fourth seed.

But it wasn’t to be. XSET beat Oxygen 7-3 to claim an unassailable fourth place and the final Major spot. DarkZero will have to watch from home as Astralis, Soniqs, Oxygen, and XSET head to Berlin for the event that is due to begin August 15.

Hope for an NA title defense

Though DarkZero will not be present to defend their title, bragging rights for the NA region are still possible.

Astralis, who defended their domestic title in Stage 2 and head to Berlin as the North American top seed, were runners up in Charlotte and are likely one of the favorites for another deep run. Meanwhile, XSET and Oxygen were both playoff teams in North Carloina, each losing to Astralis in the quarterfinals and semifinals respectively.

However, it will also depend on the rest of the field. North America is the first region to conclude its domestic play for Stage 2, with the other regions scheduled to decide their Major representatives over the coming weeks.

While the defending champions won’t be in attendance, North America will likely be confident as they make their way to Berlin.

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