The Play-In stage of VCT EMEA Stage 2 begins on August 6, where the final playoff participants will be determined. For Natus Vincere, the tournament starts with a match against the French side Joblife, and the Ukrainian team will have no room for error in this encounter.
Four matches will take place in the first round of the Play-In:
- GIANTX — Eintracht Frankfurt
- Natus Vincere — Joblife
- PCIFIC Esports — REBORN
- FNATIC — EP
At the same time, four teams that performed more successfully in the previous stage received a bye to the second round. Among them are M8, Team Heretics, Eternal Fire, and FUT Esports.
For NAVI, the match against Joblife will be decisive. A defeat in this meeting will mean the end of the team's run at VCT EMEA Stage 2, whereas a victory will open the path to a matchup against Eternal Fire, who will await the winner of the pair in the second round.
It is after that match that the Ukrainian squad, in the event of a setback, would still be able to continue their fight through the lower bracket. Thus, the opening clash with Joblife will be a true test of strength for NAVI, and the price of every map will be extremely high.
The first Play-In matches start as early as August 6, and the battle for the final playoff spots promises to be one of the most intense stages of the season.
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