The Rainbow Six Invitational 2020 is already off to a strong start. Day two concluded on Saturday and we know the four teams who advanced from the group stages with a 2-0 scoreline. The most surprising result is that North America has shown up more than people expected, and that is great news for international competition. As for LATAM, we knew it would be a bloodbath considering one group was filled with LATAM teams. Meanwhile, in Group D, G2 Esports show the world they are making the most from their direct invite.

Group A – DarkZero topple the empire

Group A had the final we predicted, though not the result we called. In our predictions, we had Team Empire taking first and DarkZero taking second place. However, DarkZero edged out Team Empire in one of the best international best-of-threes we have ever seen. The series was back and forth, full of great plays and close calls. Team Empire got Coastline, a map they are famous for, whilst DarkZero did their homework and brought Team Empire to Consulate, a map Team Empire are not so great on. Both teams took their respective map picks and the decider was on Bank.

The first half was a 3-3 result, showing just how close the series remained. On the flip side, DarkZero gained more control and got themselves to a 6-5 point. The series was decided in the last 15 seconds of the round when DZ stormed Empire in a 5v5 skirmish. They planted the defuser and managed to take the game. That’s how you upset predictions in style.

On a side note, DarkZero also pulled out a unique strategy they used against FaZe the day before. This move completely devastated FaZe Clan, and Team Empire should have been aware of it. Instead, Team Empire did not react to it, meaning they didn’t do their homework. This one decision may have been the series definer. Team Empire must respect their opponents in their preparation time. Otherwise, they will miss out on lifting the Six Invitational trophy again.

Group B – We have lift off

Speaking of expectation defiers, Spacestation Gaming defied all the odds and came out on top of Group B. They battled regional rivals TSM in the upper bracket group final. Most people had TSM to take first place because of their great online and offline prowess. They even sent Rogue to the lower bracket off 7-2 map wins on day one. However, SSG did their homework (unlike Team Empire) and knew how to control TSM on Bank and Kafe.

The best bit about the Kafe pick was that SSG was more than willing to let TSM onto the bomb site and plant the defuser. TSM would get early bomb plants, but they soon found themselves in man disadvantages. It was a strange yet effective tactic that really did upset TSM’s attacking strategy.

Spacestation Gaming repeats their surprise 2-0 exit from the Six Major Raleigh at the Six Invitational. Maybe they are the king’s of group stages at this point? It certainly seems that way.

Group C – NiP rules LATAM

Ninjas in Pyjamas are your LATAM team to exit Group C in style. In the opening round they took down Team Liquid 2-1, with the first two maps going 7-5. Proceeding into Consulate, NiP battered Team Liquid 7-2.