Photo courtesy of ESL
The lower brackets of ESL One Hamburg 2018 proved to be rough for North American Dota as all three representatives were eliminated.
NA fans, among others worldwide, were surely disappointed to see all three of their teams be eliminated in just one day of the ESL One Hamburg 2018 playoffs.
Although the games were a 2:0 sweep across the lower bracket board, it wasn't without excitement and intensity. compLexity Gaming who had shown their moxxy and grit by triumphing on the brink of elimination in the groups, were not able to withstand the onslaught from Evil Geniuses. The second match between the NA squads was a mere 15 minutes, ending coL's run with a 7-8th place finish.
Forward Gaming had served Team Aster their only loss in the group stage but had trouble up against their neighbors to the South as they were never able to gain the lead or advantage in either of their matches against paiN Gaming.
It is the last elimination series, and mostly the last game of the day, that causes the most excitement and buzz. As EG and Team Secret went head to head in the second match it was EG that looked like they would be forcing the first 3-game series of the day. But clutch plays, high-risk moves and smart item builds turned the tides in favor of Team Secret and gave them the victory in just under one hour.
The action resumes today, October 27th at 12:00 CEST with two more sets of elimination series and the upper bracket finals. Games kick off with Team Aster taking on paiN Gaming in the Lower Bracket Round 2.
Main event format:
- Double elimination bracket
- All matches are 'Bo3'
- Grand-final match will be 'Bo5'
