Recap: London Spitfire crowned Stage 1 Overwatch League champions after thrilling reverse sweep

Dom Sacco, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 14/02/2018

London Spitfire emerged as victors of Overwatch League Stage 1 a few days ago after beating New York Excelsior 3-2 in the final.
It’s fantastic to see London’s team get off to a flying start in the Overwatch League, and to instil such resilience and determination to turn it around after being down 2-0 to New York.
While Spitfire defeated Houston Outlaws 3-1 in the semi-final, they had a tougher start against New York in the final.
 

“We rallied back and won a game. After that, we were like: ‘Hey, it’s 2-1, might as well.’ So we made it 2-2. So then we said: ‘It’s too close to let go, so we have to win.’
Gesture, London Spitfire

 
New York picked up the first two games on Junkertown and Oasis with relative ease, and Spitfire had their backs against the wall.
“We were all very exhausted and tired, and that’s why we weren’t able to perform that well, and dropped the first two maps,” said London tank Jae-Hui “Gesture” Hong, as reported on the Overwatch League website.
“After losing the first two maps, we thought: ‘Hey, we can’t let it end like this.’
“So we rallied back and won a game. After that, we were like: ‘Hey, it’s 2-1, might as well.’ So we made it 2-2. So then we said: ‘It’s too close to let go, so we have to win.’
“And we ended up winning.”

When you and your buddies become Stage 1 Champions. #OWL2018 pic.twitter.com/VkWhsMkymb

— Overwatch League (@overwatchleague) February 11, 2018

Picking up wins on Horizon Lunar Colony and Numbani, Spitfire put in an incredible defense on Dorado in game five, to make them the worthy winners.
London Spitfire took home $100,000 for winning and head to Stage 2 with confidence and spirits high.
That man Birdring was deservedly named the player of the finals.

Player of the Finals is @Birdring! #AcesHigh?? pic.twitter.com/8rRn5GgeXs

— London Spitfire (@Spitfire) February 11, 2018

Over the past few months, London Spitfire and Cloud9 have taken some criticism from some pockets of the UK esports community for not having any UK players in the first team, or many ties to the UK.
The criticism, for us, is now negligible. The players have really embraced the British spirit, thanks to the team at Code Red and streamer Stylosa providing coverage and support. The community are beginning the rally more strongly around Spitfire.

Huge amount of support for @Spitfire tonight, and a fantastic defence by the team to kick things off.

London is behind you, Spitfire. #AcesHigh pic.twitter.com/LBGqjtvNQF
— Meltdown London (@MeltdownLondon) February 10, 2018

I asked Paul Chaloner from Code Red a few weeks back about Spitfire having an all-Korean team with no UK players, and the criticism they’re receiving around that.
He said he just wants London Spitfire to win.
And now they have.
You can’t argue with that.

FOR THE QUEEN! ??? #OWL2018 pic.twitter.com/j20TQsAmI6

— London Spitfire (@Spitfire) February 10, 2018

You can check out the full VoD of the Stage 1 final here.
 
Image source: London Spitfire Twitter

Dom Sacco, Senior Editor

Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He has almost two decades of experience in journalism, and left Esports News UK in June 2025. As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late '80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He also previously worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation.

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