Banner Image: Ubisoft / João F. @itsmeERROR
With the conclusion of Manchester's Phase 1, BLAST released the schedule for the first games that will be played on Sunday, May 19. Here's a brief look at all of the storylines and rivalships from tomorrow's matches.
Bleed Esports vs. PSG Talon
Bleed Esports and PSG Talon have never met on the server. Therefore, this will be the first time both teams play each other. However, the clash involves two former players who know each other perfectly.
Two plus two is four, minus one that's three, quick maths. At least, that's what the song says. Well, that's the number of Six Invitational hammers you have by combining Fabian "Fabian" Hällsten and Julio "Julio" Giacomelli's trophy cabinets — with three of them coming from the Swed. The fans' eyes will be focused on how the coaches help their teams perform tomorrow in the first game of the day.
It's also worth mentioning that both organizations were drawn into the same Atlanta Phase 1 group. Unfortunately, Talon's defeat against LOS and Bleed Esports' win against CYCLOPS athlete gaming made it impossible for both teams to meet in the United States.
SCARZ vs. CAG Osaka
For the first time since the Six Major Raleigh, two Japanese teams feature among the best sixteen rosters at a Rainbow Six Siege Major.
CAG Osaka qualified for Manchester's Phase 2 after defeating Team Cruelty and Geekay Esports in the Lower Bracket. Unfortunately, tomorrow's match doesn't look bright for CAG Osaka if we look at the record between both rosters. Since SCARZ joined the Japanese scene, the current regional champions have won ten matches — while CAG Osaka have only won once.
FaZe Clan vs. Team Secret
After finishing in third place in the Europe League 2024 Stage 1, Team Secret qualified for an international competition for the first time since featuring at the Six Invitational 2023. Curiously enough, the European-majority roster lost against FaZe Clan by 1-2 in Montreal, Canada.
Additionally, this clash means that Marlon "Twister" Mello will be playing against FaZe Clan, an organization he represented from February 2019 to March 2020.
E1 Sports vs. Team Bliss
E1 Sports are making their international debut in Manchester after finishing in second place at the Brazil League 2024 Stage 1. The Brazilians will play against Team Bliss in their first match in the tournament, as the Australian roster is making a third Major appearance after also having qualified for Copenhagen and Atlanta.
Team BDS vs. FURIA Esports
The former w7m esports players will play against Team BDS for the first time since they defeated the French-majority roster at the BLAST R6 Major Atlanta Swiss Stage. However, a lot has happened since then as Team BDS added Fatih "Solotov" Türker and Josh "Yuzus" Pritchard to the squad.
Both teams have met five times in the past, a record that includes four w7m esports victories and only one Team BDS win. Now, under FURIA Esports, the Brazilians will look forward to adding a fifth.
Beastcoast vs. DarkZero Esports
Beastcoast and DarkZero Esports will meet for the first time since Beastcoast's 2-1 win in the North America League 2024 Stage 1 Playoffs. Additionally, the blue roster won against DarkZero Esports by 7-1 in the group stage. Therefore, this will be Gaven "Gaveni" Black's third game against his former teammates at DarkZero Esports.
Into the Breach vs. Spacestation Gaming
Into the Breach, whose roster includes four British players, will make its international debut in front of the players' home crowd. Their first opponents will be the astronauts at Spacestation Gaming, who just qualified for Phase 2 after defeating Team Cruelty and Bleed Esports.
M80 vs. Team Liquid
Last but not least, M80 and Team Liquid will meet for the first time since their clash at the Six Invitational 2024. Back then, the Blue Cavalry took a rock-solid 2-0 win against the Brazilian-majority squad.
Team Liquid have just qualified for Phase 2 after defeating G2 Esports and Geekay Esports. Most of the fans' eyes will be focused on the Brazilian rivalship between both squads.