Spacestation, Team Liquid advance in OWCS NA Stage 1 playoffs

Spacestation Gaming and Team Liquid made it clear who is the class of the field Saturday as the playoffs got underway at the North American Stage 1 of the Overwatch Champions Series.

After finishing with the No. 1 overall seed after going 6-1 in the regular season, Spacestation opted to face Timeless in the first upper-bracket semifinal and won 3-0. (The No. 1 seed got to choose its opponent in the semis, leaving the other 3/4 seed for the No. 2 seed.)

NTMR, which also went 6-1 and received that No. 2 seed, was handled by Liquid 3-1.

The $100,000 tournament, played online, featured eight teams. The two teams that didn't make the playoffs, Shikigami and Amplify, will proceed to promotion/relegation for Stage 2.

The fifth- and sixth-place teams in the regular season (Avidity and Rad Esports) were placed in the lower-bracket quarterfinals to face Saturday's upper-bracket semifinals losers.

Spacestation made quick work of Timeless, winning 2-0 on Nepal Control, 3-1 on Suravasa Flashpoint and 119.32m-27.28m on Esperanca Push. Canadian-American Alex "seeker" Taylor was named MVP of the match.

In the second semi, Liquid shut out NTMR 2-0 on Nepal Control before NTMR evened the match with a 3-1 win on Suravasa Flashpoint. Liquid answered with a 3-2 win on Havana Escort and put the match away with a 128.33m-91.67m win on Esperanca Push. Korean-American Elliot "TR33" Chu was match MVP.

Timeless will play Avidity while NTMR faces Rad Esports in Sunday's lower-bracket quarters. The upper-bracket final between Spacestation and Liquid will take place March 8.

Overwatch Champions Series 2025 NA Stage 1 prize pool

1. $30,000 (Champions Clash berth)

2. $20,000 (Champions Clash berth)

3. $14,500

4. $10,500

5-6. $7,500

7-8. $5,000 - Shikigami, Amplify

--Field Level Media