Stage 1 of the inaugural season of the Overwatch League was filled with heart pounding moments and none more than the London Spitfire's run to being crowned Stage 1 champions. Facing off against the Houston Outlaws and the New York Excelsior, the Spitfire had to defeat two of the best teams the Overwatch League has to offer in their playoff matches.
To earn the chance to face off against the top seeded New York Excelsior for the $100,000 grand prize, second seeded London had to go up against third seeded Houston in the Stage 1 semifinal match. The Outlaws were able to go up 1-0 in the match after handing the Spitfire a 2-1 loss on Dorado. It would be all Spitfire from that point on, as London would go on to hold Houston scoreless in three straight maps and ultimately take the 3-1 match victory.
The London Spitfire were relieved to get past the Houston Outlaws in the semifinal match.
Source: Robert Paul for Blizzard Entertainment
The championship match did not go as well for the Spitfire at the beginning, as New York raced out to a 2-0 lead going into halftime by taking a 4-3 victory on Junkertown and a 2-0 victory on Oasis. It was then that London would begin to fight their way back into the match, as they would achieve a 3-2 victory on Horizon Lunar Colony and score a 1-0 win on Numbani. The championship match would be forced to a map five where both teams gave everything they had to become champions. London would eventually come out on top and secure the 2-1 map victory and the 3-2 match victory.
The thrilling five game series was highlighted by London coming back from being down 0-2 for just the third reverse sweep in the Overwatch League's short history. The Spitfire were awarded the $100,000 bonus for their Stage 1 championship, while the New York Excelsior took home the $25,000 bonus for taking second place.
The London Spitfire will have 10 days to celebrate before they begin their title defense.
Source: Robert Paul for Blizzard Entertainment
The Overwatch league will resume action on February 21st for the start of Stage 2 and all of the teams will be taking a much needed break until then, as they work to improve themselves. Records will be wiped clean, but overall standings will carry over for end-of-season playoff seeding.
Blizzard will look for Stage 2 to be even better than the highly successful Stage 1, as they continue their work in making the Overwatch League the premiere esports league in the world.
Interested in more Overwatch League news? Check out the plans that the Overwatch League has to improve the viewing experience for the league.
