Stronghold Article "SWS26 Recap GG1 Q2" (#3016)

content/articles/sws26recap-gg1-q2.md

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+---
+title: "SWS26 Recap: Global Gauntlet 1, Qualifier 2"
+date: 2026-04-23
+author:
+   - name: YELLOW
+     link: https://sendou.ink/u/great-hero-yellow
+---
+
+#### *To no surprise, PxG qualifies for the Global Gauntlet Finals—more interestingly, who’s going with them?*
+
+<img width="1200" height="675" alt="SWS26Recap_GG1Q2" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/ccce8fcd-0d46-4e9d-840d-1206964d3ab5" />
+
+On Saturday, April 18, 2026, the second qualifier for IPL and AREA CUP’s global tournament series, the Global Gauntlet, took place to decide the final three Western teams who will compete at the First Edition Global Gauntlet Finals. 
+
+Last week, the first three teams—FTWin, ezmd, and Azure—earned their seats, and all six teams from Japan have been revealed by this point. You’ll find all of the teams participating at the end of the article\!  
+
+The double-elimination, Splat Zones-only tournament saw 15 teams step into the ring, including heavy-hitters like PxG, Sun-Eater, healthy diet food groups, and nm. Popgun and Sasu commentated the action, and Ely was on the spectator camera. 
+
+After nearly three and a half hours of action, what went down? 
+
+## **Winner’s Round 1: healthy diet food groups vs. Sooo nights at a lan 😂 (1–2)**
+
+Kicking off Qualifier 2 was healthy diet food groups, returning from Qualifier 1, and Sooo nights at a lan, a pickup with players who were on team hi last qualifier. The first two rounds of the event were Best of 3 sets. 
+
+Game one, the random map selection, went to Hammerhead Bridge, after healthy diet food groups banned Flounder Heights and Crableg Capital, and Sooo nights at a lan banned Humpback Pump Track and Manta Maria. 
+
+Healthy diet food groups was the first team to take the zone, after 35 seconds of fighting over it in neutral. Midway through the game, Sooo nights at a lan got close to taking the lead, but needed a second push to get it, and began to lock out once there. Healthy diet food groups prevented the knockout, but still lost the game, 76–88. 
+
+Game two went to Museum d’Alfonsino, after Sooo nights at a lan banned Sturgeon Shipyard and Shipshape Cargo Co. 
+
+Once more, healthy diet good groups started with the zone. They didn’t get too far before their opponent took the zone, then the lead. After going down two players each, healthy diet food groups ended up back in the lead, and this would flip-flop a few times before a tense clash in the final seconds where healthy diet food groups stopped Sooo nights at a lan and took the win, 85–81. 
+
+<img width="1000" height="562" alt="WR1_museum" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/eecd54d2-1d8e-49a1-b663-9bed15a90afb" />
+
+*Just five ticks from losing the lead, healthy diet food groups neutralized the zone and would quickly cap it, just before the game ended, securing their win.*
+
+Game three went to Brinewater Springs; Mincemeat Metalworks and Eeltail Alley were healthy diet food groups’ map strikes. 
+
+Sooo nights at a lan, who selected this map, chose well; they kept the game in their hands for pretty much the whole, short match. After wiping healthy diet food groups out after two minutes had passed, the game ended in a knockout victory for them, and they advanced to the next round. 
+
+## **Winner’s Round 2 \- Black Bull ♣️🐂 vs. NEVER BACK DOWN NEVER WHAT (2–0)**
+
+The second round in Winner’s Bracket was between Black Bull, a pickup of Black Lotus players, and NEVER BACK DOWN NEVER WHAT, another returning face from Qualifier 1\. This set was still a Best of 3, but the next would be a Best of 5\.
+
+Game one, Brinewater Springs, was randomly chosen after Black Bull banned Eeltail Alley and Crableg Capital, and NEVER BACK DOWN NEVER WHAT banned Urchin Underpass and Humpback Pump Track. 
+
+The game began with NEVER BACK DOWN NEVER WHAT taking the zone, but within the first 30 seconds, Black Bull took possession and the lead. Black Bull’s run was stopped at 49, but was just a small bump in the road, as they ended up knocking out just past the three-minute mark. 
+
+Game two, Mahi-Mahi Resort, was NEVER BACK DOWN NEVER WHAT’s selection after Black Bull banned Museum d’Alfonsino and Mincemeat Metalworks. 
+
+Once more, NEVER BACK DOWN NEVER WHAT led the game from the start, taking Black Bull down three players, getting all the way to 11 before Black Bull set up a Big Bubbler in the corner to safely break their way into the zone. Just when 11 sounded like a safe lead, Black Bull got the 100-to-0, taking the game just one second slower than the previous one.
+
+<img width="1000" height="562" alt="WR2_mahi-mahi" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/c0296f46-4ae7-448b-a2e6-2300acd06156" />
+
+*SOUL WORLD rallies their Black Bull teammates to the Big Bubbler, initiating the play that would lead the team to a 100-to-0 victory.*
+
+## **Winner’s Semifinals Part 1 \- PxG vs. French \+ Kenshin (3–1)**
+
+The bracket skipped over Winner’s Quarterfinals and went right to Winner’s Semifinals, transitioning from a Best of 3 to Best of 5\. PxG was set up to face French \+ Kenshin, for the first of Qualifier 2’s three tickets to the First Edition Global Gauntlet Finals. 
+
+Game one was at Hagglefish Market, chosen after PxG banned Urchin Underpass and Barnacle & Dime, and French \+ Kenshin banned Crableg Capital and Hammerhead Bridge. 
+
+French \+ Kenshin claimed the zone first and was able to get to a respectable score of 61 before PxG locked in. Two minutes into the game, PxG took the lead, being delayed at 34 before knocking out with just over two minutes to spare. 
+
+Game two was at Mahi-Mahi Resort; PxG banned Um’ami Ruins and Undertow Spillway.
+
+A disconnect (which would be some foreshadowing for later) caused the game to reset, and once it started in full, PxG’s opening saw them hold the zone to 34, where French \+ Kenshin finally capped the zone after several attempts of only neutralizing it. French \+ Kenshin was wiped out by the two-minute mark, and seconds later, PxG had another knockout. 
+
+French \+ Kenshin’s game three selection was Inkblot Art Academy, after PxG banned Shipshape Cargo Co. and Wahoo World. 
+
+French \+ Kenshin’s opening push got them incredibly far, to 25, before PxG could take the zone. It took PxG about a minute to take the lead, and they were so close to knocking out, but were stopped at 4\. With one minute remaining, French \+ Kenshin at 9 and PxG at 4, Gos disconnected, and PxG was not able to maintain their lead, losing it in the final 20 seconds, and French \+ Kenshin had their own knockout in the books. 
+
+<img width="1000" height="562" alt="WSF_inkblot" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/4801d7a9-80ca-4bb5-840d-a05a3d52279a" />
+
+*PxG held the lead in the 3v4 for an impressive amount of time, but one E-liter 4K can’t keep the zone against three opponents.* 
+
+PxG counterpicked to MakoMart after French \+ Kenshin banned Museum d’Alfonsino and Mincemeat Metalworks. 
+
+PxG came back with a vengeance in this game, wiping out their opponent twice in the first minute. PxG made it to 21 before French \+ Kenshin took the zone from them, but only for four points before they cycled being down two players, and ultimately, PxG took the final knockout, securing their \#4 spot at the Global Gauntlet Finals\!
+
+## **Winner’s Semifinals Part 2: Sooo nights at a lan 😂 vs. Black Bull ♣️🐂 (2–3)**
+
+On the other side of the bracket, for the second ticket to the GG Finals, was Sooo nights at a lan and Black Bull, for their second time each on stream. Sooo nights at a lan (seed 10\) has upset seeds 7 (healthy diet food groups) and 2 (nm) to get this far, and was looking to upset another in Black Bull, who was seed 3\. 
+
+Urchin Underpass was game one’s map; Black Bull banned Inkblot Art Academy and Museum d’Alfonsino, and Sooo nights at a lan banned Wahoo World and Manta Maria.
+
+Sooo nights at a lan started the match with the zone, but by the end of the first minute, Black Bull had the zone and lead, ticking down points, and almost knocked out, finally losing the zone at 2\. With 70 ticks and 24 penalty points, Sooo nights at a lan went the distance in one sweep, knocking out as the clock read 2:10. 
+
+<img width="1000" height="562" alt="WSF2_urchin" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/9d5efaed-6595-40b9-8dcd-0a86d662dd5f" />
+
+Game two went to Um’ami Ruins by Black Bull’s choice, seeing strikes on Hammerhead Bridge and Mincemeat Metalworks. 
+
+The first major lead in the game occurred after Sooo nights at a lan, who only had a lead of 1 point, won a 20-second firefight over the neutral zones, and was able to get to 55 before Black Bull had their turn. Black Bull locked out their opponent, taking them down three players to get the lead, and knocked out for the win. 
+
+Game three went to Scorch Gorge as Sooo nights at a lan’s counterpick after Black Bull banned Humpback Pump Track and Shipshape Cargo Co.
+
+It took 40 seconds for the zone to be capped; Sooo nights at a lan had it up until they reached 42\. After having the zone for about 30 seconds, Black Bull was in the lead and extended it to 19\. Both teams started to trade possession, and Sooo nights at a lan tied with Black Bull, unfortunately ending up one point behind after they lost the zone. However, they came back and wiped out Black Bull, getting the win with time to spare.
+
+Game four, Black Bull’s counterpick, went to Robo ROM-en. Sooo nights at a lan banned Bluefin Depot and Crableg Capital. 
+
+Sooo nights at a lan had a strong lead, keeping ahead of Black Bull even after they took the zone. Black Bull eventually got their lead after wiping out Sooo nights at a lan, and their opposition couldn’t regroup and retake, resulting in another knockout for Black Bull. 
+
+After trading wins, the set was tied 2–2, going to a game five, where Black Bull banned MakoMart and Undertow Spillway. Sooo nights at a lan selected Hagglefish Market.
+
+First Black Bull had the lead, then Sooo nights at a lan had the lead, both in the same minute. The zone flipped back and forth, finally settling with Black Bull, who sealed the game with a Triple Splashdown for the knockout, set win, and \#5 spot at the GG Finals\!
+
+## **Loser’s Round 4: Sun-Eater vs. Sooo nights at a lan 😂 (1–2)**
+
+Once the Winner’s Bracket concluded, the stream would see two sets in the Loser’s Bracket to determine the final Western team for the GG Finals. Since this was not Quarterfinals, it was another Best of 3 set. 
+
+As some fun trivia provided by Ely, we learned that Sooo nights at a lan was named that because one of their players, Nightmare, couldn’t play in the tournament due to playing at the Sunset Surge LAN. 
+
+Game one, Mahi-Mahi Resort, was selected from the map pool after Sun-Eater banned Shipshape Cargo Co. and Marlin Airport and Sooo nights at a lan banned Crableg Capital and Hammerhead Bridge. 
+
+Although Sun-Eater began with the zone, they lost it quickly. The water on the map was already dropping before the first minute was up, as Sooo nights at a lan extended their lead. One minute and a half into the game, Sooo nights at a lan knocked Sun-Eater out.
+
+Much to the dismay of the commentators, Sun-Eater selected Wahoo World for game two. Bluefin Depot and Museum d’Alfonsino were banned. 
+
+Sooo nights at a lan’s recurring tactic was to use their Crab Tank to paint the zone offensively, and again and again it worked against Sun-Eater. Each time, Sun-Eater bounced back stronger, ending up back in the lead. In the final seconds, they secured their win by taking the zone back, and the final score was 77–63. 
+
+<img width="1000" height="562" alt="LR4_wahooworld" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/487c8624-82a2-4f9d-81f2-a3d6094796d4" />
+
+*The Crab Tank that caused Sun-Eater so much trouble, just one of the many instances where it both protected and painted the zone.* 
+
+Game three, determining who went to Loser’s Semifinals, went to MakoMart after Sun-Eater banned Humpback Pump Track and Flounder Heights. 
+
+Sun-Eater started strong, holding the zone for most of the first minute. While their respawns kept staggering, Sooo nights at a lan capitalized to take the lead. Both teams kept one-upping the other with the lead. The only game to go into overtime, and Sun-Eater was just one point away from winning before Sooo nights at a lan overpowered them, winning 91–90 and advancing to face nm in Loser’s Semifinals. 
+
+## **Loser’s Semifinals: Sooo nights at a lan 😂 vs. nm (0–3)**
+
+The final ticket to the GG Finals on April 24th\! This was not the first time Sooo nights at a lan met nm in this tournament—in fact, Sooo nights at a lan was the team who sent nm to the Loser’s Bracket 2-1 in Winner’s Round 2\. While Sooo nights at a lan had taken every set thus far to the last possible game, nm meanwhile had torn through the Loser’s Bracket 2–0 in every set. 
+
+While waiting for the set to start, nm was in the Twitch chat talking with Popgun and Sasu, and revealed that the name “nm” stands for “No Mercy”, which was exactly what they were about to put on display. 
+
+Game one went to Sturgeon Shipyard. Nm banned Humpback Pump Track and Undertow Spillway. Sooo nights at a lan banned Hagglefish Market and Manta Maria. 
+
+Early on, nm claimed the zone, taking down two players on the opposing team. Sooo nights at a lan tried to paint with their Crab Tank, but it was shot down before it could even neutralize the zone. Going 100-to-0, nm ended the first game in a knockout. This was the first game one in the entire tournament that Sooo nights at a lan didn’t win. 
+
+MakoMart was selected for game two after nm banned Flounder Heights and Um’ami Ruins. 
+
+Nm guarded the zone so well that Sooo nights at a lan could only take shots at the objective from afar. Sooo nights at a lan was able to take the zone a few times this game, but never held it for long. After a wipeout, nm earned another knockout victory. 
+
+<img width="1000" height="562" alt="LSF_makomart" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/fcb71cd9-9926-4d26-b7e9-3f3e6de36a8c" />
+
+*Sooo nights at a lan, using their Crab Tank to try breaking into the zone, only for it to be taken out momentarily by an Ultra Stamp.*
+
+Game three, match point for nm, went to Brinewater Springs after Urchin Underpass and Inkblot Art Academy were banned. 
+
+Leading the charge with an Ink Vac, nm took the zone first. After going down two players, Sooo nights at a lan had a chance to take the zone and keep their opponent at 40 points. They took their turn with the lead, defended it against nm a few times, but nm had the last say, wresting control and getting one final, decisive knockout to end the set 3–0 and take the \#6 spot on the West’s GG Finals roster\! 
+
+### **The First Edition Global Gauntlet Finals: Who’s Going?**
+
+The First Edition Global Gauntlet Finals takes place during the International Timeslot, which is 8 PM PT / 11 PM ET on Friday, April 24th for North America and 5 AM CET / 12 PM JT on Saturday, April 25th for the EU and Japan. 
+
+From the West, the six teams have been decided: 
+
+1. FTWin  
+2. ezmd   
+3. Azure  
+4. PxG  
+5. Black Lotus (Black Bull)  
+6. No Mercy (nm) 
+
+From Japan, AREA CUP has revealed all six teams attending: 
+
+1. Zest  
+2. Utopia  
+3. 07 Quartet  
+4. EmpEror  
+5. swing  
+6. ISM rhythm
+
+EmpEror, a newly-announced addition to Japan’s GG Finals team, is composed of Lobster and Naegora, two champions from Splat World Series 2025’s \#1 team The Invincible Fleet Rei Maru, along with Neespa and Chiaki. 
+
+Speaking of The Invincible Fleet Rei Maru, their player Reimaru is competing as part of ‘swing’, a group made up of Momo and Norishio from last SWS’s team DragonReX, Reimaru, and Streamer Sena. Momo recently played in the SendouQ Season 10 Finale last month on Flow Dragons, with Black Lotus’s captain, Noctis, and took the second place silver, next to PxG’s first place gold. 
+
+The last-announced team, revealed one day before the Finals take place, ISM rhythm, has the final player from The Invincible Fleet Rei Maru, Grandroll, playing with new teammates Livia, Yocchan Ika, and Goyame. 
+
+Following the Splat World Series last year, the West has made a strong showing of taking part in more Japanese events, such as AREA CUP, or just meeting together for scrims. The Global Gauntlets, created as a warm up to prepare both sides for the Splat World Series, will give players much to strategize over after the premiere Finals event.
+
+Last time teams of this caliber met, only PxG walked away with a win over a Japanese team. How has the West used their time to close the gap? 
+
+Be there on April 24th to find out\! 
+
+Original Posting Date: April 23, 2026 at [Splatoon Stronghold](https://www.splatoonstronghold.com/news/sws26-recap-gg1-q2).
+
+Written and formatted for publication by [YELLOW](https://bsky.app/profile/great-hero-yellow.bsky.social).