After weekend one of the ESL Europe Open #2, we are left with a Top 8 that will compete in a Bo3 Double Elim bracket next weekend. Out of these eight teams six are not yet guaranteed a spot in the Europe Championship in Prague, but they are on the hunt. 

Coverage hub - Official tournament website

The first rounds of the ESL Europe Open #2 were played this weekend. Out of the 130 teams that signed up, eight are left in the running to earn one of three spots in the Regional European Championship that will be happening in Prague. The top 3 will be decided through a Best-of-3 Double Elimination Bracket that is scheduled to happen next weekend on the 22nd and 23rd of August.

The most surprising teams that made it to the RO 8 are two Spanish teams: Perezoso Team and Húron. Húron was knocked out by Team Roccat in the RO 32 in the ESL Europe Open #1; for Perezoso Team this weekend was the first time they tried to qualify for the European Championship.

Some of the bigger teams that did not make it to the finals rounds include Team ROCCAT, who are already qualified for the Europe Championship anyway, Team Kinguin, that was unfortunate enough to meet Na’Vi in the RO 64, and Fnatic that was matched up against Team Liquid surprisingly early on during the RO 16.

The final six teams that made it to the Double Elimination phase are thereforeNatus Vincere, Meet Your Makers, Team Liquid, Virtus.Pro, Gamers2 and Bob Question Mark. It is important to note that both Natus Vincere and Virtus.Pro have already qualified for Prague, and cannot earn another spot. This means that 50% out of the remaining 6 teams will end up qualifying for the Europe Championship.

Two interesting stories from the ESL Europe Open #1:

  • Team Liquid, widely regarded as the best EU team, lost early on to Na'Vi in the Round of 64 of the Europe Open #1. This was already surprising, but highlighted an unfortunate situation: TL is going to take part in the MSI Master Gaming Arena LAN tournament. This big tournament will coincidentally take place during the ESL Europe Open #3, which is the final event that will hand out spots in the Europe Championship. If TL does not qualify next weekend, they will have to make a choice between competing in the MSI event or the Europe Open #3.
  • Bob Question Mark on the other hand was never able to enter in the first Europe Open, but has been performing really well in everything they play in and are looking to continue that way. But if they do not succeed this week, they will surely try again for the last Open.

Besides the spots in the European Championship, the Open also features a prize pool of over $15,000. The $8,500 first place prize will be a great reward for whoever ends up on top. We will find out next weekend!

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