ESL Pro League S22 Stage 1: Round 5 Matchups Confirmed

ESL Pro League S22 Stage 1: Round 5 Matchups Confirmed

After a Stage marked by several upsets, ESL Pro League Season 22 (Stage 1) heads into its final day, with three remaining spots in Stage 2 still undecided. 

FURIA and G2 remain the highest-profile teams yet to break through from the Stage 1 Swiss pool, as both have found themselves in must-win matches after faltering earlier in the bracket. 

Round 5 Schedule

G2 vs ENCE — 13:30 (local) 

Astralis vs Legacy — 16:00 

FURIA vs B8 — 18:30 

These matches will decide who advances out of the 2–2 pool, while teams that reach three losses are eliminated. 

Notably, the draw avoided a direct clash between FURIA and G2 at this stage. 

Context & Upset Highlights

Several underdog squads have delivered surprising runs through Stage 1. Ukrainian team Inner Circle (formerly “TNL”) locked in their progression after a dramatic reverse sweep, defeating Gentle Mates 13–11 on Ancient in the deciding map.

Meanwhile, HOTU also secured a flawless 3–0 record, knocking out strong teams like FURIA and ENCE in the process.

FURIA continued to show dominance in earlier rounds — for example, they dispatched M80 in the lower bracket with a clean 2–0, buoyed by KSCERATO’s 47 kills and a 1.64 rating.

These results have injected fresh drama into Stage 1’s final day, making every match a potential decider for teams fighting for survival.

Rivalries & Stakes

G2 vs ENCE is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing encounters. With both sides holding 2–2 records, this is essentially a “match of life.”  G2 enters with a reputation and pedigree advantage, but ENCE has pulled off surprises before. 

Historically, their matchups have ranged from close battles to decisive wins. 

Meanwhile, FURIA vs B8 presents an opportunity for FURIA to redeem themselves after their earlier slip-ups. B8, having been pushed into elimination scenarios, will be desperate to upset the Brazilian roster.

Astralis, already having sent HEROIC out of contention, faces a more manageable test against Legacy, but the pressure remains — one loss here means elimination. 

Format & Stakes Recap

Stage 1 uses a Swiss system: teams play until they get three wins (advance) or three losses (eliminated).

Stage 1 runs from September 28 to October 2, 2025, with the three winners of the 2–2 matches joining eight others in Stage 2

The contest is held at the ESL Studio in Stockholm.

What to Watch / Key Questions

Can G2 step up when it matters and avoid being eliminated after an inconsistent run?

Will FURIA redeem themselves and suppress an upset bid from B8?

Can underdog teams like Inner Circle and HOTU continue to shift perceptions of the meta and competitive balance in CS2?

Which surprises remain in store for Stage 1’s final moments?