The final day of the Europe League 2024 Stage 1 Group Stage is set to determine the teams that will join Team BDS in the league’s Top 2 and qualify for the playoffs. With only a handful of matches remaining, the race for the remaining playoff spots is heating up.
The Contenders for Playoff Spots
With 13 points each, Wolves Esports and Team Secret are currently the favorites to secure the region’s second seed for the league’s playoffs. The two sides will face off in the final match of the regular phase, with the winner likely to secure a spot in the Top 2.
Outside of Wolves Esports and Team Secret, Into the Breach is the only team with a mathematical chance of finishing in second place. However, they would need to defeat ENCE by 7-1 or 7-0 and have Wolves Esports lose to Team Secret in overtime to achieve this.
G2 Esports’ Fate in the Hands of Others
G2 Esports, Fnatic, and ENCE are all vying for Europe’s remaining playoff spots. Unfortunately for G2 Esports, they have already played all nine of their matches, meaning their future is not entirely in their own hands.
G2 Esports will automatically qualify for the playoffs if Into the Breach defeats ENCE in Monday’s opening match. However, if ENCE wins, they will move into fourth place on the standings. G2 Esports would then need Fnatic to lose to Team BDS without winning a single round to qualify for the playoffs.
A Flawless Victory for ENCE?
ENCE currently sits in seventh place with 10 points and needs two points to overtake G2 Esports in the standings. If ENCE defeats Into the Breach and then beats Fnatic with a flawless victory, they will secure a playoff spot.
While a flawless victory is a tall order, it is not impossible. However, no team in Europe has managed to achieve a flawless victory in the 32 matches played so far in the league.
Conclusion
The final day of the Europe League 2024 Stage 1 Group Stage promises to be filled with excitement and drama. With multiple teams vying for the remaining playoff spots, the outcome of the matches will have a significant impact on the makeup of the league’s postseason.
Mehek