Second IEM Chicago open qualifier reaches final round
Day one of the second IEM Chicago open qualifier has concluded, leaving just four teams remaining in the running for the final two qualification slots to the Closed Qualifier.
Much of the 40 team qualifier proceeded as expected, with almost all of the top-seeded teams making their way through to the semifinals. The only notable loss in the bracket saw Mythic forfeit their Round of 32 match against Cursed Ascension, who then went on to drop their next matchup against Thunder Logic.
Envy, entering the qualifier as the top seed, made short work of all of their opponents, dropping just three rounds in their first two matchups before sending Thunder Logic packing in the quarterfinals with a 16-8 victory.
It was a similar scenario in the next section of the bracket, with both oNe and a Michael "dapr" Gulino-fielding Bad News Bears finding little resistance in their opening games. Neither team allowed their opponents more than five rounds, managing to stock up their energy for their own quarterfinal matchup that took place on Overpass.
There, the two teams went the distance, with oNe initially mustering a 9-6 CT-side lead before adding another four to their tally after a pistol round loss in the second half. Despite their 13-8 lead, oNe were unable to close the game out as a string of seven rounds for Bad News Bears granted Peter "ptr" Gurney's side match point first, with oNe managing to battle back into overtime before finally closing out the game 19-16.
The bottom end of the bracket played out much the same, although Singularity initially struggled against Lowkey as they started their match on Nuke down 0-7. After managing to claw back to a 5-10 scoreline at the half, Singularity narrowly edged out the map win 16-14, but quickly made up for their struggles as they dispatched of their quarterfinal opponents, Party Astronauts, in quick fashion with a 16-9 victory on Mirage.
eUnited had perhaps the easiest time of things as they opened up their qualifier run with a 16-0 victory before moving on to eliminate Brazen 16-11, earning themselves a spot in the quarterfinals against some familar names from New Identity, who had dropped just nine rounds in their first two matchups combined.
The battle between the former eUnited members and the current eUnited roster did not last long, with New Identity mustering seven rounds on the CT-side of Overpass before the sides swapped over, allowing for eUnited to lock down the defense and give up just two final rounds for a 16-9 map win.
The two semifinal matchups are set to play out tomorrow, awarding the winners with the final two qualification spots in the IEM Chicago Closed Qualifier. Envy will be first up to bat as they take on oNe at 6 PM EDT, with Singularity and eUnited set to face off shortly afterwards at 9 PM EDT.
