Day 1: Quarter Finals
Matches: EnvyUs vs Natus Vincere
Team Solomid vs Team Kinguin
Virtus Pro vs Ninjas in Pajamas
Fnatic vs Luminosity Gaming
Match 1: NV vs NTS
DE_Inferno 16-13 adv NV
DE_Mirage 16:10 adv NV
This series ended in a 2-0, as the rest of the quarterfinals that day happened. Na'Vi are considered by many to be a top team and some would go as far as to say a top 3 team. Envy, on the other hand are only picking their pace back up after the roster swap of SmithZZ and Shox for apEX and KennyS. So, when Envy took the first map (Inferno), many were suprised, even though it was quite a close game at 16:13. However, Envy made a second upset on Mirage, where they won convincingly 16:10. Personally, the highlight of this series is KennyS' knife kill onto Guardian in a 1 on 1 situation.
Match 2: TSM vs KGN
DE_Dust2 16-6 adv TSM
DE_Overpass 16-8 adv TSM
As mentioned above, this match was also a 2-0, in favour of TSM. Despite Kinguin being TSM's sister team, they did not hold back with both maps, Dust 2 and Overpass, ending 16-6 and 16-8 respectively. While it wasn't a complete stomp and Kinguin definitely having its moments of brilliance, the 'HLTV dream team' didn't stand a chance against the solidarity of TSM and the structured leadership of Karrigan. As for this series, seeing the underdog team go on a streak in overpass was quite exciting.
Match 3: VP vs NIP
DE_Train 16-14 adv VP
DE_Inferno 16-5 adv VP
This time, the tournament wasn't in Katowice, but despite Virtus Pro not having the home field advantage, it certainly felt like it. The Polish crowd showed up in full force during both of their games this tournament. Train was a back and forth spectacle, with VP winning overall, but the MVP being awarded to Allu, who nearly carried NIP to overtime, but just fell short, ending the game 16:14. Inferno, on the other hand, felt as if NIP couldn't get a hold on the game and with VP still carrying momentum from the last win, the game was a 16-5 domination from the side of Virtus Pro. If there was a map to watch from day 1, VP vs NIP on Train was certainly that.
Match 4: FNC vs LMS
DE_Train 16-5 adv FNC
DE_Mirage 16-14 adv FNC
Expectedly, Fnatic were favourites to win this match, with Luminosity, previously Keyd Stars, not having a solid performance since the last major at Katowice. Train went as predicted with Fnatic winning 16-5 in dominant fashion, and up to that point, Fnatic had lost a total of 9 rounds in the entire tournament. So it was a big surprise when Luminosity almost took them to overtime on Mirage, a map Fnatic is known to be strong on, just barely losing 16-14.
Day 2: Semi Finals and Grand Final
Matches: EnvyUs vs TSM
Virtus Pro vs Fnatic
EnvyUs vs Fnatic
Match 1: NV vs TSM
DE_Cache 16-12 adv NV
DE_Dust2 16-8 adv TSM
DE_Inferno 16-9 adv NV
This was the very first match to go to all 3 maps, ending in 2-1 in EnvyUs' favour. Cache was fairly close, with Envy winning 16-12. There were several clutch plays making rewatching this map worthwhile. Dust 2 is normally considered an Envy map but TSM managed to beat them 16-8. Inferno was the map to close out the series, with Envy finishing in a style reminiscent of IEM Gamescom. The final score was 16-9.
Match 2: VP vs FNC
DE_Mirage 16-6 adv VP
DE_Inferno 16-14 adv FNC
DE_Cbble 16-7 adv FNC
If the Polish crowd was strong on the first match, then this time, they were crazy. The whole stadium was filled with the signature Virtus Pro chant, and that is what drove VP to victory on the first map of a very close series. Admittedly, Mirage is VP's strongest map, but to see a 16-6 stomp was incredible, and considered by many to be impossible. Inferno went super close, with a tactical pause from Fnatic working wonders and letting them just edge ahead of VP, finishing 16-14. Cobblestone was the opposite of Mirage and we got to see the series swing from VP to FNC, with FNC closing 16-7, earning them a spot alongside Envy in the grand finals. This was THE series to watch in the tournament.
Match 3: NV vs FNC
DE_Dust2 19-15 6x6kOT1 adv FNC
DE_Cbble 16-7 adv FNC
Here it was, the match to end the tournament. Envy started strong on Dust 2with several strong rounds and a knife kill from NBK, but again, Fnatic's pauses seem to accomplish the impossible, with them making a comeback other teams could only dream of, winning 19-15 in the overtime. The second map, Cobblestone, went heavily in Fnatic's favour, and it seemed like envy was just crushed after losing the previous map, even despite winning the pistol. Several clutches made it seem like they would hang in there for that little bit longer, but in the end it was not to be, with Fnatic being the first team to win 3 majors and 2 majors in a row.
As always, I'm Metis Lee, feedback and reviews are greatly appreciated. A follow on Twitter would be nice so follow me @metis_lee to get news on all the latest articles.
