Detonate get an ECL lifeline
Earlier this month, paiN had a stunning performance at ESL Pro League Season 17, knocking down Rooster, OG, and Grayhound to secure playoffs in Malta. EPL playoffs are scheduled right when ECL playoffs take place, meaning paiN are forced to forfeit their spot in the lesser of the two tournaments.
With paiN out of contention, that pushes the top four in Group A one slot higher. Detonate were on the unfortunate end of a tiebreaker with timbermen and LOS + oNe, the two other teams with a 4-3 record. Because Detonate lost to those two in the regular season, they were just one spot shy of playoffs, keeping their slot in ECL but not fighting for an EPL slot either.
With this news, Detonate now join timbermen, LOS + oNe, and ATK as the representatives from Group A in playoffs. Limitless do not move up a spot in the ranking, and will still need to play Relegation to keep their ESL Challenger Spot for next season.
The timing of ECL playoffs comes at the right time for oNe, who are just coming back on the 18th from a lengthy bootcamp in Poland with the playoffs beginning on March 21st.
