Overwatch League 2022: Countdown Cup Qualifiers Post Review

The Overwatch League (OWL) 2022 Countdown Cup Qualifiers had concluded on Oct 16th and the results are in. Played over the course of 4 weeks, the leading teams were determined for both the West and East through the accumulation of points.

Similar to previous events, the qualifiers ran a format of set Bo3 matches according to a pre-arranged season schedule. Each team received the opportunity to play 6-7 matches across the 4 weeks of play, with each match contributing to their points earned for standings.

The top 6 West teams and the top 3 East teams will both automatically qualify for Playoffs 2022, the crown jewel of the OWL season, with the winner of that tournament named the world champion.

Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment

 

That said, the teams that have qualified for Play-Offs are as listed below:

West

• San Francisco Shock
• Dallas Fuel
• Los Angeles Gladiators
• Houston Outlaws
• London Spitfire
• Atlanta Reign

 

East

• Seoul Dynasty
• Shanghai Dragons
• Philadelphia Fusion

 

This does not mean the end for the other teams though. West teams placing 7th-10th and East teams placing 4th-6th have another shot at glory through the Countdown Cup Play-Ins.

 

Heroes Never Die

The Countdown Cup Play-Ins began on Oct 15th and will follow through until the 22nd of the month. The tournament includes the 7 teams in separated regional brackets. The West side of the bracket will include the 4 teams in a double elimination bracket to determine the top 2 teams that will qualify for Playoffs. The East side of the bracket will include the 3 teams in a single elimination bracket to determine the top team that will qualify for Playoffs.

The teams that have qualified for Play-Ins are as listed below:

 

West

• Florida Mayhem
• Toronto Defiant
• Washington Justice
• Boston Uprising

 

East

• Hangzhou Spark
• Guangzhou Spark
• Chengdu Hunters

 

The East side has since already concluded on the 15th, with Hangzhou Spark emerging victorious and securing the final East spot in the Play-Offs.

The West side has yet to clash, with the first match between Florida Mayhem and Boston Uprising slated to run on the 21st of Oct at 8pm BST.

 

Some Byes to Make

As we gear up for Play-Ins and Play-Offs at the end of October, the Countdown Cup Qualifiers was sadly the last appearance in 2022 for some teams.

Teams that were eliminated through Qualifier Points:

 

West

• Vancouver Titans
• New York Excelsior
• Paris Eternal

 

East

• Los Angeles Valiant

 

Predictions for Countdown Cup Play-Ins

With the early conclusion of the East side matchup, there is left only the West teams to battle it out for the remaining 2 spots at Play-Offs.

An early look would favour the side of Toronto Defiant and Florida Mayhem to secure the final two spots. With their recent 3rd place finish at the Summer Showdown, Toronto Defiant have been looking solid enough to win a spot. Similarly, with their 4th place finish at Summer Showdown, Florida Mayhem is attempting to argue a case in their favour.

Boston Uprising’s string of disappointing results for most of the year will find no one surprised with the low optimism for the squad. Having barely squeaked into Play-Ins, it is more than likely a drop to the lower bracket courtesy of Florida Mayhem is imminent on Friday.

Washington Justice has barely done better than Boston, with a 7th-8th place finish at Summer Showdown.  Albeit slim chances, their match against Toronto will be tough to call.

Image via Blizzard Entertainment

 

Featured image credit: Blizzard Entertainment