The Atlanta Reign, considered the favorites in the 2023 Overwatch League playoffs, suffered a surprising defeat at the hands of the Hangzhou Spark. The Spark’s exceptional DPS players outperformed the Reign, resulting in a reverse sweep and an early elimination for Atlanta.
Despite their dominance throughout the season, the Reign struggled to adapt to the new meta, while the Spark showcased their superior mid-match adjustments. This unexpected turn of events sent shockwaves through the tournament in Toronto.
Prior to the match, the Spark were seen as underdogs against the Reign, who had previously swept them in the Midseason Madness tournament. However, the Spark’s limited practice due to jet lag and lack of scrim partners did not hinder their determination to succeed.
Although the Spark initially struggled in the first map, they managed to keep it close. The second map slipped away from their grasp, putting them at a 2-0 disadvantage. Despite this setback, the team remained positive and believed in their ability to mount a comeback.
The Spark made three crucial adjustments to turn the tide in their favor. Firstly, their tank player, Guxue, adapted to the challenges posed by the new patch by switching to Doomfist when Winston was ineffective. This change allowed him to survive longer and contribute more to the team’s success.
The second adjustment came from the DPS players, Leave and Shy. The Spark initially utilized Sombra but quickly adapted to Tracer and Sojourn in the third map. This flexibility enabled them to optimize their Ana ultimate, providing crucial support to either Shy or Guxue during dives.
The Reign struggled to contain the dynamic duo of Leave and Shy, and the crowd erupted with excitement when the Spark completed their comeback on Route 66. Leave expressed his elation at defeating such a formidable opponent and the support they received from their fans during the LAN event.
With this unexpected victory, the Spark have set themselves up for a match against the Dallas Fuel, while the Reign must now win two consecutive matches to keep their championship hopes alive. The road ahead will be challenging, but the Reign are determined to lift their second trophy.
Next, the Hangzhou Spark will face the Dallas Fuel, and the Atlanta Reign will compete against the loser of the Boston and London match, both scheduled for September 29th.
Source: DOTESPORTS
