Sorry, Italian newbies, you lose this round. But only just.

There was almost a huge upset as our pizza hopefuls were cut down from the Round of 32 to the Sweet 16, with major contender Tube Station narrowly averting their earliest exit ever, nearly falling to newcomer La Villa.

Lievito were also taken out but demonstrated a strong showing in their first ever Pizza Cup. That leaves Pizza Saporita, Bottega, and La Pizza to carry the bright Italian flame into the following rounds.

Elsewhere, in the battle of the international megabrands, Papa John's eliminated Domino's, whereas local deep-dish heroes Yummy Box sent Pizza Hut to an early grave.

In the closest match of the round, Haidian pizza slingers Pyro Pizza, a #3 seed, was almost knocked aside by Dongzhimen powerhouse Paddy O'Shea's, seeded 6.

That means after a gnarly duel, only these 16 remain to battle it out till the end:

• Gung Ho! ousted Legend Beer
• Pie Squared bested Lievito
• Great Leap bested Mao Mao Chong
• Pizza Saporita edged Pizza Marzano
• Bottega won out over Nbeer Pub
• Annie's minced The Veggie Table
• Pyro Pizza squeaked by Paddy O'Shea's
• Papa John's showed Domino's who's their daddy
• Tube Station narrowly survived a scare from La Villa
• Q Mex handily put down Lakers
• Kro's Nest won out over Tiago
• The Local bested Xian
• La Pizza flattened Tavola
• Eatalia roasted Tribe
• Ramo overcame Lily's American Diner
• Yummy Box sent Pizza Hut packing

Interesting matchups in the Sweet 16 to look out for

Can Bottega stop the onslaught from the only remaining megabrand left in the contest, Papa John's? Will Yummy Box's Chicago deep-dish pizzas be deep enough to overcome the homegrown traditional Neopolitan pies served by La Pizza? Does last year's champ Pie Squared still have the power to overcome downtown juggernaut Great Leap Brewing? Only your vote can decide – so, get in there and cast a ballot in the Sweet 16!

Scan the QR Code below with WeChat to Vote in
2018's Pizza Cup Sweet 16 Ballot!

Official Sweet 16 matchups

Stats breakdown

Our panel’s knowledge of some of Italy’s most iconic food and beverage brands leaves a lot of room for branding for these Italian companies. Only two (S.Pellegrino and Lavazza) were known by more than half the voters; meanwhile Italy’s largest pasta manufacturer Barilla is only known by one in three, and the country’s largest beer brand, Birra Moretti, was recognized by only 32 percent.

• S.Pellegrino (67 percent)
• Lavazza: 53 percent
• Illy: 44 percent
• San Benedetto: 35 percent
• Barilla: 33 percent
• Birra Moretti: 32 percent
• Acqua Panna: 29 percent
• Cinzano: 26 percent
• Parmalat: 21 percent

In the epic battle of crusts, thick varieties won out over thin 45 percent to 30 percent (while the remaining 25 percent of you preferred whack-job crusts such as bagel, pita, or French bread).

Likewise, our panel was solidly divided on veggie pizza, with the plant-eaters winning out 54 percent to 46 percent.

Meat lovers responded with a barrage of negative comments, characterizing veggie pizzas as boring, bland, disgusting, soggy, weak, and generally not worth eating. Some even went to so far as to say it was a complete waste of pizza and really only suitable for losers. Strong words. 

Meanwhile, veggie lovers sang loudly about pizza sans meat, saying they were delicious, healthy, and fresh, with a taste that is “off the hook” (an interesting analogy for an herbivore).

With that, let the showdown begin in this round of Sweet 16, due to close at midday on Friday!

Knockout round schedule

The Sweet 16 closes Fri, Oct 26
The Elite Eight is announced Fri, Oct 26 and closes Tue, Oct 30
The Final Four is announced Tue, Oct 30 and closes Fri, Nov 2
The Championship round is announced Fri, Nov 2 and closes Mon, Nov 5

This year's winner of Beijing's Best Pizza 2018 will be crowned on Monday, Nov 5!

Rankings so far

33. Pizza Factory 
34. Stuff'd 
35. VSports 
36. Luga's Villa 
37. Eudora Station 
38. The Rug 
39. Fellas 
40. Grandma's Kitchen 
41. Le Fromager de Pékin 
42. Tim's Texas BBQ 
43. Bocca Della Verita 
44. Nasca Cafe 
45. Mrs Shanen's / Green Cow Cafe 
46. Pizza by LMPlus 
47. Mio, Four Seasons Hotel 
48. 1st Floor 
49. Scott's Family Ristorante Italiano 
50. Andy’s 
51. Joe’s Bar & Kitchen 
52. QS 
53. Mr Pizza 
54. Assaggi 
55. Pizza Buona 
56. Flypizza & Hoodakdak Chicken 
57. Peter Pan 
58. Panda Brew 
59. Nine Road Pizzeria 
60. Buddy Bar 
61. PBD Pizza Bar 
62. Fratelli Fresh 
63. Via Roma, Kempinski Hotel 
64. 789 (A-Life) 
65. Radici 
66. Peiping Machine 
67. Pizza Now 
68. Bene 
69. Uno Bar & Grill 
70. Passby Bar 
71. Red Rose 
72. Charlie's 
73. Max Pizza 
74. Mix's Italian Grill 
75. Four Ace 
76. Botany 
77. Leos Pizza 
78. Elisa's 
79. Jazz-Ya 
80. Prego, Westin Financial Street 
81. Casalingo 
82. Kitchen Igosso 
83. Agrilandia 
84. Hisewel Brew-pub 
85. Pizzagram 
86. Loft Eatalicious 
87. Yun Brew 
88. Blufish 
89. Pinvita 
90. Whale's Pizza 
91. Miss Pizza 
92. Byone 
93. Jushi Pizza Just in Time! 
94. Atta BJ 
95. Ebeiguo 
96. BK's Tavern 
97. Pomona 

Photos: the Beijinger