s1mple’s BC.Game and BIG reach the EWC open qualifier playoffs
The 64-team LAN in Paris will send four teams to a $2 million main event, with another $100,000 shared by teams finishing fifth through 16th.
BC.Game and BIG were among the first teams to reach the Esports World Cup open qualifier playoffs on August 7. The Counter-Strike 2 qualifier is being played as a 64-team LAN event in Paris, with the opening group winners moving into a 32-team playoff bracket.
Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev’s BC.Game had to work for its place. The team dropped Nuke to BASEMENT BOYS in its opening series, then recovered to win the match 2-1. A later meeting with the recently signed 1win roster proved much less troublesome.
The qualifier started an hour late because of technical problems, but play continued without further issues. Groups 9-16 were next in the schedule, with teams including 100 Thieves and Liquid still waiting to begin their best-of-three matches.
Four teams will qualify for the $2 million event
Only four playoff teams will earn places at the $2 million Esports World Cup main event. Teams finishing from fifth through 16th in the qualifier will also divide an extra $100,000, giving the playoff stage more than qualification alone to play for.
Iberian Soul suffers the day’s biggest upset
The day’s biggest surprise came in Iberian Soul’s group. The roster had returned to the Iberian Soul name after leaving Gentle Mates, but 6666 defeated it in the opening round. Iberian Soul will get a chance to answer back in the group decider on Saturday, August 8, after fnatic finished on top of the group.
For now, BC.Game, BIG, and the other early group winners can focus on the playoff bracket while the remaining teams fight for the spots still available.
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