DH Open Fall: Playoffs Set to Start Tomorrow

The 12 playoffs teams of DreamHack Open Fall are set. Yesterday, we witnessed quite a few crazy upsets and the upcoming matches promise to deliver lots of CS action.

The format for this event – unlike regular GSL – gives the third placed teams of the groups a second chance in the playoffs. These teams enter the Lower Bracket and will wait for the losers of the Upper Bracket. So for Heroic, OG and company the fight continues – even though they are facing a mountain of strong teams.

GODSENT VS. ASTRALIS

GODSENT were so incredibly close to making it to the playoffs in first place of their group. They would have faced G2 Esports in the Quarter Finals, instead they’re now going up versus Astralis. Obviously, this is quite a tall order for Kevin “kRYSTAL” Amend and his men, even with their upset potential they can’t really expect to take down the Danish giants. Astralis rarely ever underestimate their opponents and have surely followed the crazy game between GODSENT and FaZe. Even if GODSENT were to make it to the next Upper Bracket match, they’d face North or fnatic next.

NORTH VS. FNATIC

North have made playoffs at their first big event with Jonas “Lekr0” Olofsson on board. Obviously, this is a great result, but Sprout and ENCE haven’t exactly been top opponents in this bracket. Fnatic have put up a solid display in Group A and won two close matches over OG, who themselves had stood in the Grand Finals of IEM New York recently. So this encounter will be the first big test for North. So far, Lekr0 hasn’t put up a star performance, but maybe this will change against his Swedish rivals.

G2 ESPORTS VS. BIG

BIG managed to leave Group C in first place. On paper, this might sound promising – but GODSENT almost advanced over them and FaZe appear to have left their honeymoon phase from IEM New York behind already. G2, however, have shown great form versus Heroic and have thrown the Danes down to third place of their group. The team’s French trio is also performing decently well, which overall gives G2 an edge over BIG. The Germans will have to work hard in order to win against Nemanja “nexa” Isaković and his men.

TEAM VITALITY VS. NIP

The Ninjas are struggling. Even with Tim “nawwk” Jonasson back from his break, the players deliver inconsistent results. Their victories over ENCE and Sprout (as well as their defeat to Sprout) aren’t looking too promising. Their recent performance shouldn’t be enough versus Vitality, anyways, as Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut is on fire again. Richard “shox” Papillon has also put up a great show at this event and they should dispatch the Ninjas with relative ease. But the tournament won’t be over for anyone tomorrow, as there’s still a comprehensive Lower Bracket to be played out.

THE LOWER BRACKET

This time around, there’s even more to the Bracket than just a second chance for the teams. DH Open Fall will feature a ‘Lower Lower Bracket’ of sorts, in which teams will fight for their exact placement. The losing sides of the Lower Bracket Openers won’t be down and out, instead they’ll fight for 9th to 12th place (handing out RMR points in accordance to the placements)

Heroic, OG and FaZe have surely hoped for more than just the Lower Bracket. From the Opening Matches, quite a few capable opponents will drop down to them. Their survival in the tournament is getting increasingly unlikely and FaZe could even exit the event in 12th place, if they’re not careful.