Banner Image: Ubisoft / Adela S. @adelasznajder
With the BLAST R6 Major Manchester Finals kicking off later today, here's a look at the four matches that will be played in the tournament's quarter-finals!
Team Secret vs. Team BDS
The BLAST R6 Major Manchester quarter-finals will begin with a European clash as Team BDS and Team Secret will meet for the second time in three months.
While the French-majority squad is the favorite to win today's series due to the organization's legacy in Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege's competitive scene, Marlon "Twister" Mello's roster heads to the match in a great position as they topped the Swiss Stage standings after having only played four maps. Meanwhile, Team BDS played the double.
Individually, fans will have the chance to watch the current-highest-rated player in the competition Marc "Jume" Steinmann (1.41) facing off against Josh "Yuzus" Pritchard, who currently has the fifth-highest rating (1.23).
Looking at the record between both teams, the future isn't looking good for Team Secret as the organization has only collected two wins against Team BDS in Rainbow Six Siege since their first game in October 2019. Meanwhile, Team BDS has won eleven. The last time both teams met in a BO3 series was at the Malta Cyber Series, where the French-majority squad defeated Team Secret by 1-2, with a thrilling overtime victory on the final map of the match.
DarkZero Esports vs. M80
Today's North American match will feature DarkZero Esports and M80, who look forward to qualifying for a Major semi-final for the first time since Year 7.
The last time the purple organization made it to a Major Top 4, they won the Six Charlotte Major. Unfortunately, M80's roster hasn't reached a Major semi-final under the green organization as the last time they did so was for XSET at the Six Berlin Major.
The match between DarkZero Esports and M80 will include ten of the highest-rated players at the BLAST R6 Major Manchester, including Adam "nudl" Hryceniak (1.32), Nick "njr" Rapier (1.25), Jason "Beaulo" Doty (1.23), and Ben "CTZN" McMillan (1.20). Meanwhile, William "Spoit" Löfstedt can be found in sixteenth place with a SiegeGG rating of 1.15.
Additionally, it's worth mentioning that this will be the first international matchup between Beaulo and Spoit ever. The Six Berlin Major champion joined the competitive scene shortly before the American's retirement, whose last international appearance before his professional return was the Six Jönköping Major. The only time both players met was two months ago when M80 defeated DarkZero Esports by 7-4 on Skyscraper.
Since the Six Invitational 2023, both teams have met seven times, with M80 winning four and DarkZero Esports three. However, M80's record doesn't only include a BO3 series but also a BO5 match as both organizations met in the GWB 2023 NA grand final.
FURIA Esports vs. Team Liquid
The back-to-back BLAST R6 Major winners and current world champions will face off against Team Liquid, who are looking to win their first international piece of silverware since November 2019.
Although Team Liquid's start to Manchester's Phase 2 was underwhelming, the Brazilians managed to qualify for Phase 3 following the team's victories against Spacestation Gaming, SCARZ, and Bleed Esports.
Unfortunately for the Blue Cavalry, they will have to play against FURIA Esports. The Panthers finished in second place on the Swiss Stage with a 3-0 record after wins against Team BDS, SCARZ, and Bleed Esports.
Internationally, both faced off four times since the former w7m esports squad started qualifying for Majors and Six Invitationals. With two victories in Copenhagen and one in São Paulo, the current FURIA Esports boys have defeated Liquid thrice abroad. Meanwhile, Liquid's only international victory against them was at the Six Jönköping Major semi-finals.
It's also worth mentioning both teams' overall record, which includes eleven victories for FURIA Esports' squad and five wins for the Blue Cavalry. However, curiously enough, the current world champions have only won thrice in BO3 series against Team Liquid, the same as the blue roster.
FaZe Clan vs. Beastcoast
Last but not least, FaZe Clan and Beastcoast will meet on Friday's last match. The Brazilians are the clear favorites to win today's series despite the North Americans pushing the Six Invitational 2024 grand finalists to maximum overtime on Skyscraper earlier this week.
While this will be the first on-stage performance for Beastcoast at a major competition, most of the players in the team's squad have a lot of international experience, with the rookie Ayden "dfuzr" Gabari being the only exception.
If FaZe Clan defeat Beastcoast later today, the Brazilians will have to play against FURIA Esports or Team Liquid in the semi-finals. Therefore, Manchester's next round could include another Siege Clássico or a replay of the Six Invitational 2024 grand final.
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