The ESL Pro League Season 21 Play-In stage features 16 CS2 teams competing for the final 8 spots in the regular season. This high-stakes tournament combines established organizations and emerging talents, all vying for their chance at the $850,000 prize pool.

Teams are divided into two double-elimination brackets, with the top 4 teams from each bracket advancing to the regular season. The tournament runs from February 6-11, 2024, featuring best-of-three matches throughout.

Bracket A Teams:

• Eternal Fire
• Imperial
• Complexity
• paiN
• FURIA
• Fluxo
• Apeks
• Nouns

Bracket B Teams:

• Aurora
• MIBR
• BIG
• Permitta
• OG
• Monte
• AlterEgo
• GamerLegion

Tournament Favorites:

• FURIA: Strong track record and consistent performance
• Complexity: Recent impressive showings in tier-1 competitions
• BIG: Experienced roster with proven tactical approach
• OG: Promising lineup with potential for deep runs

Underdogs to Watch:

• Eternal Fire: Turkish squad showing improved form
• Monte: Young roster with upset potential
• GamerLegion: Known for surprising higher-ranked teams

Key Factors:

• Teams must win three matches to qualify
• Single loss sends teams to lower bracket
• Two losses result in elimination
• All matches are best-of-three format

The Play-In stage serves as a crucial gateway for teams seeking to establish themselves in the competitive CS2 scene, with successful teams earning their spot among the world's elite in the regular season.

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