INTZ, Imperial secure Americas Minor Spots

The South American closed qualifier for the Americas Minor has come to a close, with INTZ and Imperial earning spots in the next stage.

Fresh off securing a spot at the ESL Pro League Season 8 Finals, INTZ approached the qualifier with the wind in their sails, and they lived up to their tag as favorites as they breezed through the qualifier unbeaten.

With João "⁠felps⁠" Vasconcellos, Alexandre "⁠xand⁠" Zizi and Vito "⁠kNgV-⁠" Giuseppe all averaging ratings higher than 1.50, INTZ topped the qualifier after picking up 2-0 victories over Rejected, Isurus and Imperial.

kNg & co. cruised through the qualifier

The biggest surprise of the qualifier was the early elimination of Sharks, who have secured a spot at the upcoming EPL Finals after winning the ESL LA League. Renato "⁠nak⁠" Nakano's side began their campaign with a 2-0 victory over W7M but then fell short against Imperial and Wild, losing both matches without taking a single map.

The tournament came to an end with a nail-biting clash between Imperial and Wild, with Caio "⁠zqkS⁠" Fonseca' side running out 2-0 victors after two keenly-contested maps, the first of which went to overtime. This will be the first international event for Imperial, who feature the core of the old Santos line-up.

INTZ and Imperial will be joined by six teams coming out of the North American closed qualifier at the Minor, scheduled for January 22-26. The top two sides will progress to the Major's New Challengers Stage, while the third-placed side will compete in a play-in stage for the chance to secure one of the last two spots at the $1 million event.

The team list for the Americas Minor currently looks as follows:

INTZ
North America qualifier #1
North America qualifier #3
North America qualifier #5

Imperial
North America qualifier #2
North America qualifier #4
North America qualifier #6