Shanghai Major Elim Stage Final Day – Who Makes Playoffs?

As the final day dawns upon us, we have finally reached the end of the Shanghai Major Swiss Stages. Five teams who have punched their tickets to the Playoffs await the last three to join them. Day 4 will be make-or-break for the remaining teams, as they clash for survival and a chance to continue their run at Shanghai.

Let’s get an overview of the three matches that will decide the year for the remaining teams in contention.

MIBR vs. MOUZ

Unlike previous days where we had the high-profile matchups open the day, Day 4 will start with a series between MIBR and MOUZ – not the most exciting fixture, but it’s only the appetizer. 

MIBR started their Elimination Stage campaign with a strong 2 – 0 start, only to be beaten down by Vitality and Liquid to their last life. Though the Brazilians succeeded in taking a map from their Liquid, MIBR only managed a combined total of 15 rounds won in their two losses, while conceding 52. One key concern is the drop-off in performance from Insani, whose earlier form was instrumental in their run. The 20-year-old now needs to step up if MIBR are to have any hope of making it to the Playoffs.

A team that once claimed the title of the best Counter-Strike team in the world this year, MOUZ, showed signs of vulnerability in Best of 1s after losing to FaZe and The MongolZ. Their previous match against 3DMAX wasn’t the cleanest either, with two scrappy 13 – 11 wins to take the series. Fortunately for them, star rifler xertioN has started to find his form again, and this resurgence could definitely come in handy in the coming series.

Overall, I think this series should be an easy win for MOUZ, and MIBR should still be proud of getting so close to the Playoffs. Unfortunately, their inexperience will ultimately lead them to their demise. 

Heroic vs. Natus Vincere

For the day’s main course, we’ll see Heroic taking on NAVI in a match for all the marbles. This match is the one I’m seriously looking forward to watching.

NAVI had a despicable performance against Spirit the other day, but have started picking up steam after a swift victory against GamerLegion. The two individuals I mentioned yesterday, b1t and w0nderful, are back to fragging form, which bodes well for the Ukrainian side.

Heroic has been putting up a great fight in their past two matches, barely losing to The MongolZ and Team Spirit, some of the toughest competition we’ve had out there. In the Spirit series, they unfortunately just got donked. However, facing NAVI would be their most arduous task, considering what we’ve seen all year. 

I genuinely feel for Heroic, as they’ve had to play some of the toughest teams when they were only one win away from elimination, only to be met with the literal number one team in the world – but it is the Major, after all. It’s very difficult to imagine NAVI missing out on the Playoffs, but Heroic does have a legitimate shot to do the unthinkable. 

FaZe vs. FURIA

The final match of the Swiss Stage will see a clash of two legendary in-game leaders, but the town isn’t big enough for the two of them. I don’t mind this heated matchup at all for dessert.

Karrigan and his FaZe squad had just come out of a beatdown against G2, only finding 7 rounds across the entire series. Ropz, who had been FaZe’s key player in earlier matches, was struggling heavily, only posting a dismal 0.49 rating. But if there’s one thing that defines FaZe Clan, it’s their experience and ability to thrive under pressure. I’m sure a two-hour demo review will gear the boys up for a better performance.

Showing resilience, FURIA took down their countrymen, paiN Gaming, in a narrow 2 – 1 victory that went all the way. However, crawling past the finish line against paiN may not be enough to convince anyone they’re ready to take on the powerhouse of FaZe Clan. 

Though FaZe Clan come into this elimination series as the favorite, there is still a world where FURIA can swoop the victory from down under. This is truly a clash of two teams with a wealth of experience, and the stakes could not be any higher. I’m looking at FalleN and karrigan to have a battle of mind games. 

By the end of today, we’ll have a list of all RSVPs for the Major Playoffs. As long as MOUZ doesn’t lose, we are guaranteed to have 7 teams from the Top 10 rankings in the Playoffs, with Team Liquid being the only exception at number 13.