While there is glory, there also exists disappointment for the rest. Sadly, for us to narrow down to an eventual winner, we must end the stories of so many far too early, and today's sorrow washes over TheMongolz, OG and Complexity.
The fall of TheMongolz
Despite running Monte close on two maps, TheMongolz were unable to convert either into a map victory and found themselves on the receiving end of a 2-0 defeat.
Newest recruit hasteka struggled in his first big international appearance, but few will stand up to BOROS and come out alive. The Jordanian once more put his opponents to the sword, as his personal stock continues to rise. Boasting over 100 ADR and 56 kills over the two maps, he was as close to unstoppable as it gets.
Michal KonkolTheMongolz may have shocked the world last time out, but this time they seem to have run out of steam.
OG miss the mark
After dropping down to the 1-2 bracket following a disappointing collapse against NIP, OG had a chance for redemption against the resilient upstarts GamerLegion.
Things, however, didn't go to plan.
Though degster did all he could to put OG in pole position on Overpass, it was all for naught. OG's imperfect CT side earned them eight rounds - which handed the ascendency to GamerLegion who held firm to win 16-13.
Michal KonkolOG did hit back with a very convincing Mirage victory, acquiring nine T rounds before a 14-3 CT half from degster made it a comfortable one.
GamerLegion, though, aren't easy to put away, and they romped to victory with a brutal 11 round T side on Ancient, closed out by a stalwart iM CT side hold.
OG coach ruggah said the mood was "obviously a little flat, and disappointed" after the loss - understandably, one might add - and bemoaned the "inexperience" that "hit [OG] like a truck".
"At the RMR we bounced back, we could recover some of these things, but today and the other days, we've just been too inexperienced, making too many mistakes, and reoccurring things that we've talked about."
Complexity disintegrate in demolition derby
What was billed as an American grudge match quickly devolved into a demolition job from Team Liquid, who eviscerated a shell-shocked Complexity team with a complete CT side lock-out.
Complexity got absolutely nothing - literally - on their T side of Overpass, which has traditionally been a happy hunting ground for them, leaving Team Liquid as the only remaining North American team after they ambled over the finishing line to win 16-3.
Michal KonkolLiquid put up the iron curtain on Overpass after a superb T-side on Anubis granted them the win on their own map pick.
That should at least give some hope the North American fans, but for Complexity, it's more than a little worrying.
"We had a very disappointing tournament, it felt like we never got going" were the words of T.c after the loss. "Honestly it didn't really feel like we were playing at the Major, it felt like we just playing some online tournament with the way we were playing".