9Z Secures Spot in ESL Pro League Season 18 - You Won't Believe How They Did It!

With only two remaining spots left to fill, the anticipation for ESL Pro League Season 18 is reaching its peak, set to commence on August 30. 9Z, a formidable South American team, has emerged victorious in the open qualifier, defeating Meta, BESTIA, and 00NATION in the final rounds of the bracket to secure their place in the highly anticipated Maltese event.

The South American qualifier showcased the formation of new Brazilian lineups during the off-season period, as teams like 00NATION, Fluxo and O PLANO displayed their skills, all making it to the round of 16. Interestingly, 9Z occupied the other side of the bracket due to their No.1 seed placement, creating an exciting clash of talent.

9Z showcased their dominance in the early stages of the qualifier, swiftly progressing through their matches with little resistance. However, they faced a tougher challenge against Meta in the best-of-three semi-finals. The series against BESTIA was an intense battle, with both teams securing 16-14 victories on each other's map picks. Ultimately, 9Z managed to claim victory in the Overpass decider, securing their place in ESL Pro League Season 18.

Meanwhile, Fluxo made an impact on the other side of the bracket by eliminating O PLANO in the round of 16, impressively securing a 16-12 victory on Ancient. This set up a compelling semi-final match against 00NATION, who had advanced past Solid. Marcelo "coldzera" David's team, Fluxo, emerged triumphant, securing a 2-0 victory and securing a spot in the grand final against 9Z.

In the grand final, 9Z demonstrated a significant improvement in form compared to their narrow victory over BESTIA. Facing 00NATION, David "dav1deuS" Tapia Maldonado delivered an exceptional performance on Anubis, snatching away 00NATION's map pick with a commanding 16-7 victory. The strong display continued on 9Z's pick of Ancient, where Santino "try" Rigal contributed significantly, leading their team to a 16-11 comeback victory after trailing 6-9. The duo showcased exceptional skill, securing 9Z's well-deserved victory.

With the conclusion of the South American qualifier, 30 out of the 32 participating teams for EPL Season 18 have been determined. The remaining two spots will be awarded to the teams that advance through the NC Europe qualifier, scheduled to kick off on July 14, adding even more excitement to the upcoming tournament.