Inner Circle qualify for BLAST Open Porto

The Ukrainian team earned the first spot at the event after beating Virtus.pro in the Europe qualifier.

Inner Circle have secured a spot at BLAST Open Porto after winning RES Showdown 4, the Europe qualifier for the $1,000,000 tournament slated to play out from August 24 - September 6.

Viktor "⁠onic⁠" Babii's troops didn't drop a map en route to securing their spot, romping past GenOne, magic, and Virtus.pro with ease to earn a place at their first notable LAN since PGL Bucharest in April.

The victory comes weeks after the Ukrainian team impressed with a title-winning campaign at Super DraculaN Season 1, providing valuable VRS points as they inch closer towards earning future invites by being ranked 26th.

HLTV Prospect #8 David "⁠Dawy⁠" Bibik led his team's campaign, averaging a 1.38 rating over six maps even after taking a backseat in the grand final. Virtus.pro were hampered in the series as Petr "⁠fame⁠" Bolyshev had to substitute for Alexander "⁠AquaRS⁠" Kovalev on the second map, but the Russian team will likely be satisfied with a solid campaign overall — picking up wins over Ninjas in Pyjamas and B8 — after being absent from top competition for months.

Three more teams will earn spots at BLAST Open Porto through regional qualifiers in the Americas and Asia, while the remaining spots will be dolled out to teams on the Global VRS based on the July 6 ranking.