After the one-day break, it is time to watch the main event of the ESL One Stockholm 2022. Today, we had the chance to see three matches from the Lower Bracket. Those kinds of clashes are always intense because every mistake could be crucial.

Each of the three matches was special, so it is time to look at all of the interesting moments in each one. Don’t forget to watch the event tomorrow because the Grand Final is just a few days away.

BC vs BB Team

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The first encounter of the day was between BetBoom Team and beastcoast. Most people didn’t expect the South Americans to reach this phase of the event, but following their dominant performance, Jean Pierre “Chris Luck” Gonzales and the rest deserve their shot.

The two teams used their strongest drafts in game one. The South Americans relied on their signature Tiny mid, whereas BB used Nikita “Daxak” Kuzmin’s Furion. Unsurprisingly, the CIS superstar and his team had a perfect start and even destroyed the T1 mid-tower 5 minutes after the start of the game.

To make matters worse, BB had an 11-kill lead just 13 minutes after the start of the game. The team’s rotations didn’t allow any of BC’s ganks to succeed. Using the momentum and the first Aegis in the match, BetBoom secured the bottom rax.

Although the CIS powerhouse almost lost the game after throwing a few fights, in the end, BB team won the first map.

Game 2

Since beastcoast was one game away from losing, the team had to step up its game in order to survive in the series. Even though their draft didn’t look that good on paper, the South Americans used their heroes exceptionally well. 

The star of the game was not as action-packed as in game one because both teams tried to farm. Neither team had a definite advantage in the game until the 24th minute of the game. Beastcoast used Smoke and killed several of their opponents’ heroes. The next couple of minutes were completely one-sided as BC ripped through their opponent’s lineup. Needless to say, this allowed them to force a game three. 

Game 3

Despite not having access to their Nature’s Prophet, BB Team picked an amazing draft for team fights with Ursa, Lesh, and Abaddon. Beastcoast relied on their Storm Spirit for the second game in a row. 

After BB’s early and mid-game dominance, BC turned the game around after an epic fight near the mid lane. Héctor Antonio “K1” Rodríguez’s Juggernaut got a triple kill and suddenly became the strongest hero in the game. 

Fnatic vs OG

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Although OG is famous for using a couple of strategies that usually work for them, the team decided to try something different in their first match against Fnatic. Despite the slow start, OG’s draft with Enigma, Pangolier and Juggernaut allowed them to deal impressive amounts of damage.

The European squad started pressuring their opponents in the mid-game. As a result, OG gained an 8k net worth lead just 29 minutes after the start of the game. A couple of minutes later, we saw two amazing team fights in a row where we even saw a black hole. Even though Fnatic took down Bozhidar “bzm” Bogdanov’s Pangolier, Artem “Yuragi” Golubiev’s Juggernaut was just too strong.

Fnatic did everything they could to bounce back and even forced a couple of buybacks from OG. However, the power of Black Hole and Yuragi’s six-slotted Juggernaut was too much, even for the best team in SEA.

Game 2

Speaking of interesting heroes, Fnatic surprised everyone in the second game of this fantastic series. The SEA powerhouse picked Elder Titan, a hero that we don’t see that often in the current meta. Although he doesn’t work in every lineup, Fnatic paired him with Medusa, one of the strongest late-game monsters.

Despite clearly focusing on the late game, Fnatic had an amazing start and dominated even during the laning stage. OG lost pretty much every lane, which was more than welcome from Dusa and Kunkka. The two heroes managed to bring down Roshan 20 minutes after the start of the game. 

Although OG tried to bounce back, they were unable to deal with the unstoppable Medusa. CK was no match for the agility carry, which is why OG decided to use the GG call and focus on game three after 36 minutes.

Game 3

Fnatic was highly motivated after winning the second game of the match, so they decided to roll out another surprising pick. After getting Kotl and Treant, Fnatic was able to annihilate their opponents.

The European team didn’t get a single kill until the 16th minute. During that time, Fnatic already had 19 kills. However, things slowly changed once OG’s team-fight monsters got a few items. 

Despite all odds, OG rose from the ashes like a phoenix. The team’s world-class performance allowed them to win an amazing game and eliminate Fnatic from the tournament.

Gaimin Gladiators vs BC

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The final series of the day in the Lower Bracket was between BC  and GG. The South Americans won against BB Team, but they had to go up against one of the best in Europe. Gamin Gladiators had a fascinating draft and got Legion Commanded. Despite not having a big combo to use LC with, the hero is one of the best counters to Bristleback (BC’s core).

While it is true that BC did everything in its power to win, it was just not enough. Erik “tOfu” Enge and the rest played better and deserved the victory.

Game 2

BC’s pick in the first game of the series didn’t allow them to win. Hence, the team focused on some of the more traditional heroes for the current patch. The same applied to GG because the team got Ember, CK, and MK.

Both teams were even until the 24th minute when GG got the first Roshan and a 5k lead. Unsurprisingly, GG used their advantage at this stage of the game and got the mid rax. A couple of minutes later, the European squad killed all of BC’s heroes and destroyed their opponent’s Throne.