After an action packed week of Counterstrike, the FACEIT London Major drew to a close in emphatic fashion as world leaders Astralis took on second place Na'Vi in a clash that would see either S1mple or Magisk take their first Major title. Between the Danes' tactical brilliance and the Ukranians' raw firepower, few could choose a clear favourite to lift the trophy as the fixture divided both the community polls and casting panel alike.
Astralis doubled down on Nuke, a map which had become quite the stomping ground for them in 2018. In 14 games the Danes had amassed a K/D difference of +471, more than thrice the amount of their Ukrainian counterparts.
Flamie on the other hand, clearly cared little for statistics as he ruthlessly cut through Astralis with a 3-k in the opening round. Na'Vi went 3:0 up before their opponents responded with aplomb, turning the T-side on their heads, Astralis' first buy up was the start of nine consecutive round wins. Electronic briefly came to Na'Vis' aid with a 3 vs 1 clutch but the Danes, aided by a considerable team economy, took the last two rounds of the half to lead 11:4.
There was a glimmer of hope for the Ukrainians as they took the second pistol by storm. However, armed with CZ75-Autos, Astralis' force buy on CT crippled Na'Vi from close quarters. Not to be outdone, the T-side retaliated with a force buy of their own and snatched a round back from the map leaders. Nuke had one last twist in the tail for Na'Vi, Astralis' efforts to delay the offensive push succeeded and ultimately left the T-side unable to plant. The Danes' economy advantage saw them rake in the three remaining rounds that they needed to take first blood in the BO3 fixture.
Na'Vis' choice of Overpass had favoured them in the quarter finals when they overturned MIBR and they desperately needed it to do so again if they were to stand any chance of taking Astralis to map three and keeping their title hopes alive.
Dupreeh had been a consistent asset throughout the Major and showed his worth yet again, maintaining his composure to take a well earned 3-k and see Astralis take the first pistol round. Na'Vi looked short of answers as they frantically tried to rally a comeback, the Scandinavians stood strong, but Flamie and Edward's persistence paid off as the Ukrainians steadily pulled their way back. Astralis steeled themselves and dug deep on the CT-side, Xyp9x and Magisk went huge, both nabbing 3-k holds respectively to deny Na'Vis' unrelenting pushes and seal the first half with a 9:6 lead.
There was no let up from the Danes as Device and Dupreeh took the second pistol round by storm taking four kills between them, in game leader Gla1ve and Magisk picked up where their teammates left off with a series of offensive pushes that took them up to a 14:6 advantage. Na'Vi were looking down the barrel, in a last ditch attempt they pulled three rounds back from their opposition, but it wasn't to be, Astralis proved to be too versed in their practice, taking the penultimate round and then the title as Xyp9x cut down both Flamie and S1mple in quick succession.
The end result saw the astronomic rise of a Counterstrike roster which has utterly dominated the world rankings in 2018, Astralis have been tactically outstanding in their field, producing results that few would have considered to be replicable. As the curtain closes on a successful London Major, it is fair to say that the Danes will be surefire favourites going forward.
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| Original photo |
Astralis doubled down on Nuke, a map which had become quite the stomping ground for them in 2018. In 14 games the Danes had amassed a K/D difference of +471, more than thrice the amount of their Ukrainian counterparts.
Flamie on the other hand, clearly cared little for statistics as he ruthlessly cut through Astralis with a 3-k in the opening round. Na'Vi went 3:0 up before their opponents responded with aplomb, turning the T-side on their heads, Astralis' first buy up was the start of nine consecutive round wins. Electronic briefly came to Na'Vis' aid with a 3 vs 1 clutch but the Danes, aided by a considerable team economy, took the last two rounds of the half to lead 11:4.
There was a glimmer of hope for the Ukrainians as they took the second pistol by storm. However, armed with CZ75-Autos, Astralis' force buy on CT crippled Na'Vi from close quarters. Not to be outdone, the T-side retaliated with a force buy of their own and snatched a round back from the map leaders. Nuke had one last twist in the tail for Na'Vi, Astralis' efforts to delay the offensive push succeeded and ultimately left the T-side unable to plant. The Danes' economy advantage saw them rake in the three remaining rounds that they needed to take first blood in the BO3 fixture.
 |
| Original photo |
Na'Vis' choice of Overpass had favoured them in the quarter finals when they overturned MIBR and they desperately needed it to do so again if they were to stand any chance of taking Astralis to map three and keeping their title hopes alive.
Dupreeh had been a consistent asset throughout the Major and showed his worth yet again, maintaining his composure to take a well earned 3-k and see Astralis take the first pistol round. Na'Vi looked short of answers as they frantically tried to rally a comeback, the Scandinavians stood strong, but Flamie and Edward's persistence paid off as the Ukrainians steadily pulled their way back. Astralis steeled themselves and dug deep on the CT-side, Xyp9x and Magisk went huge, both nabbing 3-k holds respectively to deny Na'Vis' unrelenting pushes and seal the first half with a 9:6 lead.
There was no let up from the Danes as Device and Dupreeh took the second pistol round by storm taking four kills between them, in game leader Gla1ve and Magisk picked up where their teammates left off with a series of offensive pushes that took them up to a 14:6 advantage. Na'Vi were looking down the barrel, in a last ditch attempt they pulled three rounds back from their opposition, but it wasn't to be, Astralis proved to be too versed in their practice, taking the penultimate round and then the title as Xyp9x cut down both Flamie and S1mple in quick succession.
 |
| Original photo |
The end result saw the astronomic rise of a Counterstrike roster which has utterly dominated the world rankings in 2018, Astralis have been tactically outstanding in their field, producing results that few would have considered to be replicable. As the curtain closes on a successful London Major, it is fair to say that the Danes will be surefire favourites going forward.
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