The group stage wrapped up at BLAST Open Porto, sending six squads from the Copenhagen studios onward to compete at Super Bock Arena in Portugal.
Spirit and MOUZ secured their spots straight into the semi-finals by defeating FURIA and Falcons respectively in the group winners' matches. Meanwhile, Vitality and G2 fought through the lower bracket to grab the remaining quarter-final positions.
The opening playoff clash features a compelling storyline as Nikola "NiKo" Kovač faces his cousin Nemanja "huNter-" Kovač when Falcons take on G2. This matchup recreates their Stage 3 opening encounter from the IEM Cologne Major. The second quarter-final pits FURIA against Vitality in their first meeting since IEM Rio.
An intriguing possibility looms if Falcons progress further. Their loss in the group winners' match placed them on the same bracket side as Spirit, potentially setting up a rematch of their Cologne Major semi-final showdown.
The playoff stage promises intense competition as these elite teams battle for supremacy in Porto.
