Shock results. Dominant performances. Teams clinching playoff spots at the death. Week 7 had it all and then some. Who punched their tickets to the semi-finals and who will be watching on as spectators in a fortnight's time? Find out with our tale of the tape.
SFV
Friday commenced as the top two teams faced off - ultimately, Envy prevailed over Prophecy 4-3. With playoff places secured, both teams took the chance to have some fun and mix up their character selections and strategies, leading to an entertaining contest. From 3-1 down, both Mr Crimson and Layo fought back to win and steal top spot in the final standings from Prophecy.
In the basement battle, Reason saw off Epsilon 4-3 to end a frustrating campaign with back-to-back wins. Despite results not going their way, Reason have assumed the mantle of 'people's champions' with big personalities Ki113r_7 and Undacuva gaining huge fan support. In Boltstrike they have also uncovered a truly special talent; for the second week in a row he was their MVP, showing nerves of steel to close out the match and spark wild celebrations in the Gfinity Esports Arena. Reason finish 7th and will look to build on all this potential for Season 3; conversely Epsilon will conclude Season 2 ruing the results that got away.
The first of two playoff shootouts went in favour of exceL as they defeated Endpoint 4-3. We predicted this one would go the distance, and it did; both teams knew a win would lock them into the playoffs and all but send their opponents home. Under immense pressure, the reigning champs exceL fought back from 3-1 down before Infexious overcame Broski in a heart-pounding finale. They clinch a playoff spot and will rematch the Season 1 final against Envy in the semi-finals.
This left Method and Infused to duke it out for the final playoff spot. In the end, Method won the battle 4-3 but lost the war; Infused's losing bonus point was enough to pip Method to 4th spot. Given the stakes, the pop-offs and trash talk escalated to a whole new level, but amidst the drama and emotion it was Infused's fast start which saw them race into a 3-1 lead and grab that all-important point. Method salvaged pride by coming back to win the match, but went home bitterly disappointed; Infused move on to a semi-final clash with Prophecy, a team they have already beaten in Season 2.
ROCKET LEAGUE
Saturday got underway with Envy defeating exceL 3-2. With all four playoff spots locked up last week, this was a fun contest with not much riding on it, and both teams played with confidence. Frustratingly, Envy's win means they finish the season tied with 4th place Prophecy on 12 points, but Prophecy's head-to-head record denies them a spot in the playoffs.
Speaking of Prophecy, they have suffered a dramatic downturn in form, compounded in Week 7 by a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Infused. This was an Infused team without a win all season, playing with flair and determination, capitalising on a misfiring Prophecy unit who will go into the playoffs struggling to find the form that took them to four straight wins earlier in the season.
The rematch of the Season 1 final ended in very similar fashion, as Endpoint overcame Epsilon 3-2. Epsilon have suffered quite the slump in Season 2, but will take heart in how they finished the season with a win against Infused in Week 6 and pushing 2nd place Endpoint all the way in Week 7. Conversely, Endpoint will be relieved to come through unscathed with star player Cheerio once again delivering; this result puts the reigning champions into a semi-final with Prophecy.
Finally, Reason vanquished Method 3-0 to make history with the first clean sweep – seven wins from seven. Season 1 survivor Rix Ronday has formed a formidable partnership with Borito B and Tigree, and even a Method team welcoming back Metsanauris from the RLGC World Cup were powerless to stop the march of Reason. The bottom team in Season 1 cruise into the Season 2 playoffs in sensational form; confidence levels will be high ahead of a rematch against Method in the semi-finals.
CS:GO
Infused's slim playoff hopes ended in a 16-6 loss at the hands of Reason. Infused came into Week 7 with a mountain to climb, and unfortunately their opponents were not in a forgiving mood - after a shaky start Reason dominated to register their sixth win in a row. They enter the playoffs as top seeds and massive favourites; can anyone stop Reason's all-conquering young guns?
Prophecy ended a disappointing season on a high with a 16-13 upset victory over Endpoint. With a playoff position secure for Endpoint and nothing on the line for Prophecy, both teams battled for pride in an evenly-matched contest. Ultimately it was Prophecy who edged clear, winning crucial reset rounds late on to clinch only their second victory of Season 2. Despite already being into the semi-finals, this loss will have raised some questions for Endpoint.
Like Infused, Method needed a win to give themselves the best chance of playoff qualification. They were made to work hard against a gutsy exceL, eventually shading a thrilling contest 16-14. Much like Prophecy, exceL were hunting a second win of the season, and raced into a 5-0 lead. Method dug deep time and again however, and with the match hanging in the balance at 14-14 they showed nerves of steel to close out.
This all set up a potential three-way tie for the final two playoff spots. An Envy victory in the final game versus Epsilon would knock Method out, but just one point for Epsilon would eliminate Envy and send Method through. Under such enormous pressure, Envy produced a magnificent performance to crush the reigning champions 16-2 and seal their playoff place. Luckily, Epsilon still claimed the final playoff spot by virtue of superior head-to-head record against Method, but this match was all about a jubilant Envy sealing their passage into the playoffs at the death. They will meet Reason in the first semi-final; Epsilon will have to bounce back quickly as they tackle Endpoint in the second semi-final.
WHERE TO WATCH
All three sets of semi-finals are now decided, and in two weeks time we will crown our Season 2 champions – don't miss ANY of the thrilling action as we bring it all to you LIVE on Twitch! Street Fighter V starts at 6pm Friday 1st December, Rocket League 10am Saturday 2nd December and CS:GO 4pm the same day (all times GMT.)