VCT London Masters: Playoffs set after Swiss stage

The four-day Swiss stage of VCT London Masters concluded on June 11, confirming eight teams for the event’s Playoffs. Teams that had already qualified chose their first-round opponents from the Swiss survivors before the bracket was finalised.

Playoff matches begin in London on June 12. Paper Rex face Leviathan at 15:00 BST and Team Heretics meet Vitality at 18:00 BST. On June 13 EDG play FUT Esports at 15:00 BST and G2 Esports meet XLG at 18:00 BST.

Several first-round ties reflect regional line-ups and previous meetings. Heretics and Vitality are European rivals who met in the EU Stage 1 finals. FUT Esports field a full Turkish roster and will play EDG, which use an all-Chinese line-up. Paper Rex, composed largely of Southeast Asian players, will face Leviathan, whose roster centres on a Brazilian core with Argentine and Chilean leadership. G2’s full American squad will play XLG, a mixed team with players from Russia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and China.

The Playoffs use a double-elimination format. Lower Bracket play begins on June 14. The second round of the Upper Bracket is scheduled for June 15. Additional Lower Bracket fixtures are set for June 16, 19 and 20, and one more Upper Bracket match will take place on June 19. The Grand Final is scheduled for June 21.

Benjamin “BenjyFishy” Fish plays for Heretics; the team entered the event as the EU number one seed. NRG’s Georgio “Keiko” Sanasky was eliminated in the final Swiss rounds after NRG lost to FUT, ending their run before the Playoffs.

With the bracket confirmed, the eight teams will compete in London from June 12 for progression through the remaining stages of VCT London Masters.