Vitality qualify for playoffs in Shanghai

The European squad made quick work of MIBR in the best-of-three progression series.

Vitality have gone undefeated at the Perfect World Shanghai Major's Elimination Stage, as they went at the tournament's European RMR in November, and have secured a spot in the playoffs.

It started with two best-of-one victories on the opening day of the Elimination Stage against GamerLegion (13-7) and FURIA (16-13), and now Vitality punched their ticket with a drubbing of MIBR on Mirage (13-3) and Anubis (13-5).

The squad led by Dan "⁠apEX⁠" Madesclaire never gave MIBR a chance with every player stepping up at one time or another. From the get-go on Mirage, their map pick, Vitality only dropped a single gun round in a scathing 13-3 victory.

Anubis was not very different. MIBR got only three rounds on the CT side and won the T-side pistol round to stay afloat, but only momentarily as Vitality continued to pummel them into submission, 13-5.

From failing to defend explosive set pieces to getting outplayed in a 3vs3 bomb defense and allowing Vitality to stick a ten second defusal, MIBR were just not up to par against the European powerhouse.

The Brazilians, who made it through the Major's Opening Stage in the fifth round of play, stunned with two 13-11 victories on the opening day of the Elimination Stage against 3DMAX and Natus Vincere.

Much of the heavy lifting done on the first day was the work of Rafael "⁠saffee⁠" Costa and Lucas "⁠Lucaozy⁠" Neves against 3DMAX, and then a hard carry performance by Felipe "⁠insani⁠" Yuji against Natus Vincere followed, but nobody stood out in this progression match as the team collapsed against a superior opponent.

The upside for MIBR is that such a strong start to the Major in the best-of-ones still affords them two more chances to qualify for the next round as they now sport a 2-1 record.