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Inching ever Closer: Overwatch League Play-Offs Winner Round 4 and Loser Round 4 Preview
Tournament of Upsets
The Overwatch League (OWL) Play-Offs in 2022 has seen some of the most exciting games of the year. Check here and here for recaps of the previous days’ matches.
One tournament favorite, Los Angeles Gladiators, has already been eliminated. Two of them, San Francisco Shock and Seoul Dynasty face off against one another now in the lower brackets in a bid for survival.
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Eyes on the Prize
For the first time in 3 years, the seasonal end of the OWL year is capped off with a live, in-person Play-Offs. A total of 2.54 million USD prize pool is up for grabs, and the winner will receive the lion’s share of it at 1 million USD. Held in Anaheim, California, home of BlizzCon, the Overwatch League has truly roared back to life.
Play-Offs Matchups
[PLAY-OFFS WINNER ROUND 4]
Houston Outlaws vs. Dallas Fuel
The Houston Outlaws is on a dream run for the ages. Yet to lose a series this tournament, they have enjoyed victory after victory and a retained place in the Upper Bracket.
The Dallas Fuel remain as the sole favorites of the tournament still standing in the Upper Bracket. The champions that were promised, they are a team that has been long-awaited by fans of the franchise to win it all.
Both teams have remained the sole unbeaten teams of the tournament. Both are one series away from an OWL Play-Offs Grand Final spot. With convincing Semifinals wins from both rosters, it all comes down to a clash between the ultimate dark horse and the favoured champions.
[PLAY-OFFS LOSER ROUND 4]
San Francisco Shock vs. Seoul Dynasty
The San Francisco Shock have had a rough time in Play-Offs so far, an early upset by Houston Outlaws saw them take the long route back to the semifinals. Three more games stand in the way between them and another grand final appearance. The Shock are 2 time Play-Offs Champions, looking to add a third to their resume.
Last year, they would fall in 4th place to a rising Atlanta Reign who were having a dream run of their own. That said, this year, the Shock have amassed a sizeable collection of second place finishes. Short of Dallas Fuel, they looked to be the team to beat coming into the event.
The Seoul Dynasty, perennial underperformers, despite the talent on the roster. Falling to fated rival San Francisco Shock in the finals of the 2022 Play-Offs, they would miss Play-Offs altogether in 2021. Now returning from extended hiatus, they have looked stronger in the last few months. A second place finish as Summer Showdown and first from regular season promises a match to remember.
Hangzhou Spark vs. London Spitfire
The Hangzhou Spark face another tough opponent in the London Spitfire roster. However, they have yet to balk in the face of one, having taken down the Shanghai Dragons, Toronto Defiant and Florida Mayhem to make it this far. Like the Houston Outlaws, they have come into Play-Offs looking like a team not to be reckoned with.
Their performance at Play-Offs thus far can only be categorized as miraculous, considering their year of mediocre performances. Finishing at 11-13 in the regular season, their only other noteworthy achievement has been placing first in the East teams’ Countdown Cup. Which makes their current form all the more terrifying, as one by one, they have slain giants.
The London Spitfire have had a rough year themselves, placing 5th in the regular season at 14-10, they’ve look good but not amazing. With no noteworthy achievements this year, the Spitfire look to turn the narrative with a strong Play-Offs performance.
So far, they have taken down Philadelphia Fusion and the LA Gladiators. A close series loss to Houston Outlaws sent them down however, they face the Hangzhou Spark, another team looking to rewrite their own narrative.
Watching it Live
Catch all the excitement with the OWL Play-Offs, streamed live on YouTube or Twitch.
