Complexity beat Virtus.pro to secure EPL playoffs; G2 out of contention

One more playoff team is left to be found in Group B.

After a drawn-out three-map series, Complexity edged out a win over Virtus.pro, claiming a spot in the playoffs. A 16-10 win by Dzhami "⁠Jame⁠" Ali's team started the series on Mirage, but Complexity mustered 16-14 victories on Dust2 and Overpass to upset the world No. 5, despite playing with a stand-in.

Key to Complexity's victory was Benjamin "⁠blameF⁠" Bremer, who posted a 1.27 rating and got 16 first kills - the most in the series. "I think blameF is taking a lot more space because k0nfig isn't here and doing a good job at that," Justin "⁠jks⁠" Savage said in the post-match interview, praising his in-game leader's performance at the event so far.

With Complexity grabbing their third win at the event from four matches played, G2 are officially out of playoff contention. One of the favorites for the Pro League title go into the fourth round of matches without a win recorded, and can now only play spoiler to other teams in group B.

Virtus.pro had a surprisingly comfortable path to victory on the first map of the series. The CIS side went into Complexity's map pick with a measly 12% win rate on Mirage, but walked away with a 16-10 win. Virtus.pro finished the first half 10-5 up, and closed out the map with a five round streak built on a 2v4 won by Jame and Sanjar "⁠SANJI⁠" Kuliev.

On Dust2, Complexity grabbed a 3-0 lead on the defense, but Virtus.pro got back into the driver's seat in no time. Timur "⁠buster⁠" Tulepov was at the helm of their strong T side, posting a 17-8 K-D in the first half. The majority-Danish team didn't falter, though, coming back into the game with a strong start to their offense and edging out a 16-14 in a scrappy affair.

The CIS team fell behind early on Overpass. Their pistol round win was instantly replied to by a Complexity force-buy, who ran up a massive 11-4 T side lead thanks to a number of disadvantageous rounds won. Jame's triple in the pistol gave a lifeline to Virtus.pro, who made an unexpected comeback on the offense, taking the lead at 14-13. However, a Niels Christian "⁠NaToSaphiX⁠" Sillassen 1v2 clutch and a blameF ace pushed Complexity over the line, 16-14.

With OG and Complexity securing playoff spots and G2 out, the last team to advance from Group B will be decided between forZe, Virtus.pro, and SINNERS. Andrey "⁠Jerry⁠" Mekhryakov and co. can finish the job today, as a win over G2 would lock them in one of the top three spots.