EPICENTER Moscow playoffs results: OG break Newbee’s streak, Liquid upsets EG

EPICENTER Moscow playoffs results for day 1 are in! OG and Team Liquid continue to the Upper Bracket finals while Newbee and Evil Geniuses drop to the lower brackets. The action continues with Lower Brackets match between Alliance and Team Secret at 10:00 CEST May 13th.

Only two series were on the agenda for the EPICENTER Moscow playoffs day 1, but they were nonetheless epic. The playoffs kicked off with the highly anticipated match between OG and Newbee, with the Chinese team heading into the series with a 29 game winning streak record. OG took the first match and broke their record in an astounding first game. The boys in green continued to best Newbee 2:1 to advance further in the upper brackets.

Team Liquid pulled off a fantastic upset as they wiped through the North American giants and TI5 championship team – Evil Geniuses.

EPICENTER Moscow playoffs results:

OG vs Newbee

The first match of the day was one for the records as OG stopped Newbee’s winning streak in it’s tracks. The European squad came out of the gate swinging and after a very intense and back and forth game, they secured the win in 48 minutes. Despite Newbee losing the first game, they were not ready to give up their streak and a spot in the upper brackets. The Chinese team put up quite a fight in the second match of the series. Taking the Bristle Back-Io combination and Chen “Hao” Zhihao on Lifestealer, Newbee was able to take control of the game from the first moment and retain it. OG put up quite the defense against them and lasted over an hour as they struggled to gain the advantage but were unable to secure a victory. Newbee’s win forced a deciding third game. The last match of the series saw OG go with a Drow strat and easily overpower Newbee in only 30 minutes with a 20:8 score.

EPICENTER Moscow playoffs results:OG 2:1 Newbee. OG continue in the upper brackets, Newbee drop to the lower brackets.

Team Liquid vs Evil Geniuses

Team Liquid wiped through Evil Geniuses in two convincing games where they took the control and lead both times, setting the pace. Team Liquid quickly shut down the chaos knight and bounty hunter in the first game, making things very difficult for the North Americans to make headway and execute their strategy. In the second game Evil Geniuses did well in the laning phase but Team Liquid quickly gained the advantage. Evil Geniuses fought back hard and almost were able to take the lead about 36 minutes in, turning the high lead the Europeans had into an even match, but Team Liquid quickly regained their momentum and advantage until the end.

EPICENTER Moscow playoffs results:Team Liquid 2:0 Evil Geniuses. Team Liquid continue in the upper brackets, Evil Geniuses drop to the lower brackets.

EPICENTER Moscow main event

EPICENTER Moscow main event teams

• Team Secret
• Alliance
• Team Liquid
• OG
• Evil Geniuses
• Virtus.Pro
• Newbee by WildCard phase
• compLexity by WildCard phase

EPICENTER Moscow main event schedule

May, 13th Playoffs EPICENTER Moscow main event

• 10:00 CEST Lower Bracket match: Alliance vs Team Secret
• 14:00 CEST Lower Bracket match: compLexity vs Virtus.Pro
• 18:00 CEST Lower Bracket match: Newbee vs Alliance/Team Secret

May, 14th Playoffs EPICENTER Moscow main event

• 10:00 CEST Lower Bracket match
• 14:00 CEST Lower Bracket match
• 18:00 CEST Upper Bracket final

May, 15th Playoffs EPICENTER Moscow main event

• 10:00 CEST Lower Bracket final
• 14:00 CEST Grand Final

EPICENTER Moscow main event format

May 10th-11th – Group Stage

• Eight teams will compete – six invited teams and two coming from the offline qualifiers.
• Top two teams from each group will advance into the Upper Brackets of the main event.
• Bottom two teams from each group will start the main event in the Lower Brackets.
• The group stages will be closed to the public and, just like the offline qualifier, they will be held at a prestigious hotel in Moscow.

May 12th-15th – Main Event

• All series will be best-of-three.
• The Grand Finals will be best-of-five, with not Upper Bracket advantage.
• The main event will take place at the Crocus City Hall, in Moscow. Tickets will go on sale in early April.

EPICENTER Moscow prize pool distribution

• 1st place – $250,000
• 2nd place – $100,000
• 3rd place – $60,000
• 4th place – $30,000
• 5th-6th place – $20,000
• 7th-8th place -$10,000