Today was first round of matches between the sixteen teams who are scrambling for their final chance at one of the few remaining spots for MLG Columbus 2016 that is slated for the end of March. Only half of the teams will survive the gauntlet, and today already saw the first few dropping like flies. Group A saw two tight matchups in the upper bracket with G2 and FlipSid3 both squeezing past their opponents 16:13 on de_dust2 and de_inferno respectively. The two losers, Tempo Storm and Selfless are now set to fight tomorrow for their survival.
In group B, Team YP took a pummelling by mousesports on de_cobble in the upper bracket, taking only a single round and then dropping to face Liquid (who themselves fell to Hellraisers) in the first elimination match of the day to get smashed once again, this time 16:2.
The matches in group C were much more competitive; Counter Logic Gaming took on the suprise addition to event, Splyce, on de_cache where the two fought until the bitter end where Splyce came out on top 16:14. Meanwhile, Vexed Gaming managed to overcome SK Gaming even with a stand-in on de_train 16:10, meaning that SK will face CLG tomorrow in the elimination match.
Finally, Group D saw a surprising upset as the CIS-based Gambit took out Cloud9, the favourites of the group by a significant margin, defeating the North American titans 16:9 on de_cache in the upper bracket. Renegades and dignitas faced off next, with the Australians edging them out to stay in the upper bracket.
Remember to visit GosuGamers for more MLG Columbus qualifiers news and match results as they become available.
