Virtus.pro secure Swiss Stage spot after victory over Weibo Gaming in the Upper Bracket Final

Virtus.pro are the second team to qualify for the Swiss Stage from Phase 1 at BLAST R6 Major Osaka, after defeating Weibo Gaming in the Upper Bracket Final. The victory means the European side advance directly to Phase 2 of the tournament, avoiding the Lower Bracket, where a single loss sends a team home.

The road there was not without its bumps. Virtus.pro first had to overcome KINGZERO eSports in the opening round, before their clash with Weibo Gaming proved to be a tight affair. The first two maps — Chalet and Fortress — were both closely contested, and Weibo Gaming forced the series to a decisive third map. On Bank, the picture changed completely: Virtus.pro won flawless and closed out the series.

To understand the significance of the victory, it is worth looking at what Phase 1 actually requires. Eight teams compete for four spots in the Swiss Stage. Opening matches are played as best-of-one, while all subsequent matches are best-of-three. Winners of the Upper Bracket qualify directly, while losers drop down to the Lower Bracket — and here there are no second chances. Only the two winners from the Lower Bracket complete the four spots for the Swiss Stage.

Virtus.pro thus follow in the footsteps of DarkZero Esports, who became the first team to secure their Swiss Stage spot from Phase 1 by defeating LOS in the first Upper Bracket Final.

Weibo Gaming are not out of the picture yet. The team gets another chance in the Lower Bracket, where they will face the winner of the match between All Gamers and TYLOO.