We can sometimes be a bit Debbie Downer on these sorts of events here at TLDR, but actually, this has been a whole lot of fun.

BO3 Swiss system groups? We like. A mix of teams without the inevitability of Vitality winning? Fun, actually. The playoffs? Well… it could be better, but we’re not going to complain. We didn’t expect that much of groups, and it was great.

The first quarter-final is an absolute banger, and honestly could just be the final. G2 are off the back of a very impressive win in London, and The MongolZ are one of the best teams in the world.

They’re two of the most in-form teams in the world, and we’d be disappointed if this game was before the semis at the Major, never mind whatever this event is called.

The winner of that will play the winner of Aurora vs Liquid. So, Aurora.

Outside of that EWC run, the Turks haven’t been at their best as of late , but they’re surely still better than the ghost of Liquid. Is it just us, or are Liquid perennially dead? They’re like the team version of karrigan in the server.

The bottom half of the bracket is a bit more open - FURIA are a renewed force and might just actually be one of the best teams in the world, just keep it quiet. They’re up against Astralis, who… look, they’re not great. But they’re not terrible. They’re decent enough.

FURIA should win, but Astralis do look markedly better with HooXi at the wheel. Put some respect on his name.

paiN are doing their ‘we’re actually good this time, honestly. For real. This time we’re actually good’ thing again, but we won’t be convinced. Not even if they beat Falcons, who are also sort of doing the same thing. Again.

Falcons are good. They will eventually, probably, be unstoppable. Right now, they are stoppable. Believably good. Playable. Beatable.

Having said that, they have the three top rated players at the event. kyousuke top, with TeSeS and NiKo not far behind. That’s terrifying - especially when paiN aren’t really known for being a heavy firepower team. They’re alright, but, look, they’re paiN. Enough said.

Maybe they can outfox, outwit and outplay Falcons. But they ain’t outshooting them, and it might not even matter if they outfox them. Well done, lads, kyousuke is out of position.

He only killed two of you this time.