The Playoffs have begun!
The PGL Antwerp Major has been reduced to the final eight teams. The last three teams to qualify for the Champions stage are Heroic, FURIA, and Copenhagen Flames. PGL has released the playoff bracket, and there will be some intriguing elimination matchups ahead. The CS:GO Major playoffs kick off with NiP and FaZe match, beginning what is possibly the culmination of the highest stake matches of the year!
The CS: GO Antwerp Major has brought together the greatest teams from across the world to play on the world's stage. There's s $1 million at risk (a 50% decrease from last year's PGL Stockholm Major 2021), and the chance of being named one of the world's finest CS: GO teams. Honor, blood, glory, lots of flashbangs and smoke bombs await!
Also there are several narratives at work. The growth of FaZe Clan after their victory over NAVI in IEM Katowice, and then the present time with Navi defending its championship, and more. There have been a few teams whose run has been cut short, but the biggest surprise is the new stars of the CS:GO esports scene CPHF's reach for the championship and the absence of the all-star Team Vitality roster, which has been causing ripples throughout the scene.
The PGL Major Champions Stage begins on May 19th, with NiP and FaZe Clan competing against each other. There is no Dev1ce on NiP, and FaZe is hoping to win its first Valve CS:GO Major after losing one a few years earlier (don't worry IEM Katowice still counts). That Boston Major disaster also resulted in North America's first and only CS: GO Major victory.
The CS:GO Major playoffs will be held at Antwerps Sportpaleis. With a capacity of roughly 24,000, this facility will be packed with fans cheering for their favourite teams. Professional players on stage will surely feel the adrenaline rush of their supporters cheering them and overhyping great game moves.
When do the PGL Major Antwerp 2022 playoffs begin?
After a day off, the PGL Antwerp CS:GO Major playoffs will commence on May 19. The playoffs format is a best-of-three single-elimination tournament.
On May 22nd, the CS:GO Major Grand Finals will take place, featuring a Bo3 series to crown the global champion.
PGL Major Antwerp 2022 playoffs schedule, betting odds, how to watch?
Below are the current predictions for the upcoming matches. Teams that are highlighted in bold have the odds in their favour. You can click on the dates to take yourself directly to the detailed match page, and live bet whilst the matches play out. You can always visit luckbox.com to watch your favourite team’s matches and bet live.
- FaZe vs. NIP (May 19, 2022 - 16:30 CEST) 1.45 vs. 2.60
- Spirit vs. FURIA (May 19, 2022 - 20:00 CEST) 2.00 vs. 1.72
- ENCE vs. CPHF (May 20, 2022 - 16:30 CEST) 1.48 vs. 2.50
- Heroic vs. NAVI (May 20, 2022 - 20:00 CEST) 1.35 vs. 2.90
PGL Major Antwerp 2022: Champions Stage Overview
NAVI easily fought their way into the Champions Stage, soon followed by FaZe, ENCE and NIP.
On Tuesday, the last three games in the studio were played, with Heroic and Vitality going head to head first. After a three-map battle, the Danish team emerged victorious, sending home the remaining remnants of the famed Astralis core that won four Majors. Martin "stavn" Lund's outstanding effort assisted his squad to a 2-1 victory over Vitality, the French-Danish mix legendary team with the extremely talented ZywOo on its roster.
G2 then faced FURIA, with the Brazilian team coming out on top in another nail-biter. FURIA qualified for the PGL Major Antwerp playoffs with a 2-1 victory over G2, giving them a 3-2 record in the Swiss stage. The Brazilians began their tournament in the Legends Stage after finishing first in the Americas RMR, and they entered the 2-2 elimination match with wins against Liquid and BIG.
G2's run at the Major has come to an end. The European squad won the Challengers Round with a perfect 3-0 record before faltering in the second Swiss stage, losing to Natus Vincere and Heroic by close margins.
Finally, it was time to call it a day to the ex Last Dance roster: The Imperial Esports, as the Copenhagen Flames defeated the Brazilians 2-0. Copenhagen Flames successfully exorcised the ghosts of the previous Major by winning a playoff position, defeating Imperial's Brazilian heroes 16-2 on Inferno and 22-18 on Vertigo. Make sure to read our article on the rising team of CS:GO esports.
| Also Read | Who are the Copenhagen Flames? |
Looking at the current situation, ENCE and Copenhagen Flames are both wildcards in this power game between the teams. It would be impressive to see CPHF rise from this challenge, as they surely have the potential to do so, and is probably the highlight game of the quarter finals. FaZe and NAVI both look strong and are seen as the ultimate favourites if other teams don't provide an upset and will most likely survive their encounters with their also very formidable opponents. Team Spirit and FURIA, is another game that hangs on a very thin balance and which should be monitored closely, but it’s best not to forget that Spirit bested Furia in the round 1 matches of Legends Stage.
