London Spitfire beat Philadelphia Fusion 3-0 in the opening game of the Overwatch League playoffs. "The more things change, the more things stay the same," commentator Mitch Leslie exclaimed at the end of the storied game. The teams had been the finalists in the 2018 playoffs - even then London had won.

The match started with a balanced duel. Bawling their teeth, the Europeans chased the hesitant Philadelphia Fusion through Map Two at record speed. Philadelphia only seemed to be able to get the equalizer in the third round, but London Spitfire pulled out on the last meters for a coup de grace and secured the first playoff victory in four years.

The success was made possible by the same philosophy that London Spitfire followed in the regular season of the Overwatch League. "So many teams here feel the pressure that they absolutely have to win or reach the final. We just want to have fun," James "Backbone" O'Neill said in the post-match interview.

It continues for London Spitfire on Tuesday. Then the team meets Los Angeles Gladiators.