The group stage at the inaugural EPIC.LAN of 2025 comes to an end with stories of triumph and woe as the top 16 is locked in. At EPIC43 only one team seeded outside the top 16 made it into playoffs with the remaining 15 teams all seeded in the top 16, this time that number was doubled with the likes of VIVID UTD and Rey missing out on playoffs.
Favourites prevail.
Alaska returned in dominating fashion as the cruised to playoffs dropping only five rounds across their seven games. Notably disposing of other playoff team AMANEKMYSELF in a speedy 13-2 and LTH‘s Flowstate in an just as fast 13-1. ALASKA have CTRL ALT DEFEAT in their opening game.
Another big favourite was the ANTARCTICA roster that’s been dominating UKIC. ANTARCTICA make playoffs undefeated too however dropped points due to drawing to CTRL ALT DEFEAT. ANTARCTICA’s run was smooth sailing for most of the way with a commanding win over The Last Resort to top the day off. ANTARCTICA have Viperio Academy to open playoffs.
Another team looking to bring the thunder was Belfast Storm and they struck as fast as lightning. Being in the same boat as ANTARCTICA going undefeated and drawing to Glitchtech, Belfast storm showed their desire to push much further than their result and surprise relatively early exit at the last EPIC.LAN. Belfast storm will go onto play The Last Resort to open proceedings.
The final two teams to drop points to a draw were 8Sins and CTRL ALT DEFEAT with them facing off against each other to close the groups the both comfortably made playoffs given that neither of them lost a match. That being said CTRL ALT DEFEAT did draw two matches bringing their points total to 17 versus the likes of 8Sins and Belfast storm who ended the groups on 19.
Dusty cruised to the upper bracket too having only lost one game to a default loss. Having to forfeit a game against ALASKA due to tech issues they made playoffs with a 6-1 record. The upper bracket will come as an important stepping stone to the icelandic roster who will be aiming to repeat their success from nine EPIC.LANs ago when they won the whole event.
ReTr00 Coaching Adept
No room for mistakes.
With 16 teams making it through to the playoffs that leaves eight teams in the lower bracket. These teams will be fighting tooth and nail to remain in title contention due to the fact that they dont have the lifeline the upper bracket offers.
Surprise appearances like Ross Kemp Bald and Submissive and Readable make the lower bracket despite both being seeded outside the top 16. With a grueling set of matches and some lucky breaks these teams have defied the odds to keep themselves in contention to win the event.
Notably Ross Kemp bald (RKB) demonstrated their resolve and ability when they defeated playoff hopefuls VIVID UTD 13-8. Just squeezing into playoffs with a 5-3 record RKB are set to face off against Adept club in their lower bracket fixture. Submissive and Readable capitalised on their good fortune after being getting two default wins during the group stage of the event, making their way into playoffs with an identical 5-3 record.
Playoffs here at EPIC.LAN 43 get under way tonight so keep an eye on our socials for all updates around the playoffs!
Your EPIC.LAN playoff teams are:
ALASKA
8Sins
ANTARCTICA
Belfast Storm
The Last Resort
Viperio Academy
Dusty
CTRL ALT DEFEAT
Glitchtech
Adept Club
proqfanclub
pigeons
flowstate
AMANEKMYSELF
Ross Kemp Bald
Submissive and readable.
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