Titans clashed in the server this week! Across the regions the top teams of each group vied for a flawless 3-0 start, while others battled to avoid the flipside - a dreaded third loss. The gravity of the situation was not lost on the teams this week, with some of the closest match-ups we have seen so far, and certainly the most overtimes!
There's a lot to get through this week, so please do check out the quick recap video if you want the headlines - and feel free to jump down to the bottom of the blog for the must win games going into Week 4!
Europe
NIP and Entropiq Queens set the tone for the week in an explosive best of three. With both teams yet to pick up a win, the loser of this match-up would be put in the unfortunate scenario of having to win all of their remaining matches, including against Nigma Galaxy. NIP started will on Mirage, the map pick of Entropiq, getting off to a clean 7-0 start. Entropiq found their footing though, and were able to draw it back to an 8:7 half, with Olkaa leading the charge for the Queens. The back and forth would continue, with NIP finding map point first, before Entropiq pushed it to overtime. Heroics from Minnie (who wracked up an impressive 41 kills!) would force a second OT, where Entropiq were finally able to close out their map pick.
The excitement wouldn't end on Inferno, where once again NIP established an early lead, this time on the T side with a 10:5 half. A rough start of the defence allowed Entropiq to start their comeback, and NIP conceded more rounds than they gained. At 14:12 the Ninjas began to sweat under the pressure, with Entropiq reaching map point first. With it all on the line in the final round of regulation, ASTRA pulled off a 1v1 clutch on the retake that had everyone on the edge of their seat - with the defuse coming through at the last millisecond! Once in OT, ASTRA decided she had had enough, and NIP closed it out with ease.
The decider map of Overpass looked to be a similar affair, with an 8:7 half barely dividing the two teams, but as soon as NIP switched to the CT side the winds changed, and they closed out the series without dropping a further round.
It was a similar scenario in Group B, where Astralis and MostValuablePlayers vied for their first win of the season. Astralis started out strong on their map pick of Overpass, picking up the pistol and following it up with the next two rounds, helped by a great 1v2 from spike against the second round force. Unfortunately, that's where the good times would end for Astralis. Off the back of a 1v1 from manka, MVP steamrolled through the rest of the half, with a godlike performance from the aforementioned rifler - an incredible 25 kills in the half! With MVP finding map point easily on the T side, Astralis put up a raun of consecutive clutches to stay in the game, but the writing was already on the wall.
Moving to Mirage, MVP continued their streak with 6 rounds to open up the T side. A 1v1 from RachelFR gave Astralis an opening to find a few consecutive rounds, but 5 was all they could total by the half. We again got to see some of the potential of the individuals of Astralis, with kezziwOw taking over the fragging duties from spike in map 2. Aimamama and f6tal put in the legwork for MVP, and they only dropped one CT round on their way to the 2-0 victory.
The big (no pun intended) match-up of the week in Europe was BIG Equipa versus NAVI Javelins. Both teams had been flawless until this point, and there was no clear favourite going into the match. For BIG Equipa, this would put their changes to the test - and find them their revenge from ESL Impact Valencia. For NAVI Javelins, a clean win would help solidify their place as one of the best in Europe. For both teams, that first place in the groups is a lifeline to avoid Nigma Galaxy in the playoffs.
The veto would start us out on Dust II, where BIG Equipa got off to a fantastic start on the T side of their map pick. Five in a row to kick things off, the new addition of Mariam shone brilliantly in the opening rounds with a second round anti-eco ace, followed by an incredible 3K entry into the gun round against M4's, armed just with her MAC-10 and a USP-S. The T side would slow significantly from this point, as NAVI settled into their regimented, unbreakable defence. A shift at the half saw BIG bring it back to a single round difference between the teams, but that would be all they would muster, with Hanka and Danuu combining for 50 kills for a comfortable win.
Moving to Vertigo, NAVI started well with a great pistol round 1v2 clutch from Liina, and converted against the round 2 eco. BIG fought back once the guns came out, and a slew of rounds for both teams would bring the score to 7:6 favouring NAVI. Two back to back clutches from the Javelins would find them the last two rounds of the half, including a remarkable 1v3 from Danuu. BIG Equipa were quick to try and equalise on their T side pushing the score to 11:10, but NAVI always seemed a step ahead, and those 10 would be all BIG would get, as NAVI closed the series 2-0.
The last match-up of Europe saw NOFEAR5 take on the champs of Nigma Galaxy. It was uncertain earlier in the week if vilga, IGL of NGX, would be playing due to a hand injury, but she got the last minute go ahead to hop into the server. NOFEAR5 on the other hand (too soon?) have surprised many with their start to the season, picking up wins against both Entropiq Queens and NIP. This game would be the true test for this roster.
Dust II has long been the favoured playground of NOFEAR5, and it was no different here against Nigma Galaxy. The injury did not seem to slow down vilga, who had no difficulty leading her team to an 8:7 half, topping the scoreboard on her side, and only matched by ksu for NF5. An unusually quiet game from the AWP of Victoria was offset by the triple threat of ksu, Elizabeth, and Stormy taking the fight to Nigma Galaxy on all fronts. Nigma Galaxy were able to force the overtime - twice - but NOFEAR5 would do the impossible, and close out the first map 26-25. This is the first map loss for Nigma Galaxy against women's teams since the Season 1 finals! 😱
Heading into Inferno, Nigma Galaxy looked ready to prove a point. It took 11 straight rounds on the T side before NOFEAR5 could get their first, but they at least managed to get on a good run - finding the next 6 before Nigma Galaxy responded. Victoria found her form on the T side, and NOFEAR5 almost looked like they could stage a comeback, but a 1v1 from vilga in round 28 would be enough to take the map 16:12. By the time the decider of Overpass came around, the Nigma Galaxy squad had warmed up and were ready to close. Two great 1v2s from ksu and a 1v3 from Elizabeth would get NOFEAR5 to 5 rounds on their T side, but once the half switched the aggression from Nigma Galaxy was too much to handle, and they took the map decisively to finish the series 2-1.
South America
Moving across to South America, the fight for second place in Group A continued between w7m esports and Black Dragons. Both teams recovering from losses against FURIA, and sporting wins against Parabellum, this match-up would put one team a step closer to the top spot.
Inferno started the series, the map pick of w7m, which saw them get off to a good start with the opening three rounds on the T side. Black Dragons countered once the rifles came out, and found their way to a reasonable 9:6 lead at the half. As soon as the swap to the defence came through, w7m found their stride, evening up the score before a 1v1 cAmyy got BD their first T round. It wouldn't be enough to slow down w7m however, who were able to take the map 16:12 with all members contributing.
Onto Black Dragon's pick of Mirage and it was a much more difficult affair for w7m. Yodinha2k got their first round with a 1v2 in round 3, but the Dragons set w7m aflame with a blistering T side. This time around it was only the AWP of yodinha2k finding the mark for w7m, and Black Dragons looked much more comfortable, getting themselves a solid 16:8 win and Le^ adding a 1v3 ace clutch highlight to her catalogue.
The decider of Dust II flipped the script once again, this time with w7m esports setting the pace on the CT side. An 11:4 half came off the back of a series of consecutive retake clutches, and picking up the first two rounds on their T side set a score that would prove too much for Black Dragons to come back from.
In Group B another critical game played out between EndGame and INDEPENDENCE, with both teams looking for their first win of the season. Par for the course we started out on Dust II, where EndGame won out the half with a solid 9:6 CT side. Swapping to the attack, they looked flawless, dropping just one round on the T side, and with Tata head and shoulders above everyone in the server.
Onto map 2, EndGame's pick of Vertigo, and the story looked much the same. A nice 1v2 from Akela on the CT pistol and a great response on the force in round 3 set the stage for a competitive half. However, INDEPENDENCE would find just one further round in the half, and once again Tata - along with AWPer Luhflickzz - stole the show, giving EndGame their first win of the season.
It was a similar scene between FURIA and Parabellum, with the top of Group A taking on the bottom. Parabellum took a gamble in picking Vertigo, one which unfortunately did no pay off, as the defence of FURIA was unbreakable. It was no surprise to see izaa and OLGA performing well, but it was Mari that topped the scoreboard for the big cats of SA. In a surprising change of scenery, FURIA picked into Nuke, where they had a field day on the T side. They dropped just 2 rounds in the late stages of the half, which would be all they would concede all map in a dominant 2-0 victory.
Perhaps the most exciting match of South America this week was the brawl between MIBR and B4 Esports. Much like the European Group B, this saw the two teams with 2-0 face off for the top spot. MIBR's pick of Dust II started strong, with an early back and forth giving MIBR the lead at the half - supported significantly by four separate 1vX clutches - three won out by LyttleZ. The back and forth ended as soon as the CT side started, with LyttleZ and Arkynha putting on a masterclass.
B4 Esports bit back on Ancient, where their proficiency on the T side never allowed MIBR to feel comfortable, with the defenders only finding 5 rounds on a map considered quite CT sided. Once again we got to witness Poppins pop off, leading the charge for the B4 squad, though Nani was not far behind her. The B4 CT side started just as strong as their T side, and though MIBR showed some fight - with another patented 1v2 from LyttleZ in the mix - it was far too late, and B4 took the map 16:8.
The decider of Nuke looked to be a banger, and MIBR took the knife round to start CT side. But even with the advantage with them, B4's momentum from Ancient continued, putting up an incredible 11 round T side, heralded in by julih and goddess. Their CT side was just as potent, and MIBR were unable to find any further rounds. The confidence of B4 in this series was clearly warranted, as they now sit happily at the top of their group.
North America
At the other end of the Americas, Evil Geniuses made a statement against Hot Flash in Group B. It is always risky to pick into a frag heavy map like Dust II when you are the underdogs, and the risk did not pay off for Hot Flash. EG's defence was almost flawless, dropping a single round on their CT side. And indeed, that would be the only round they would lose in the opening map, and going into their pick of Overpass it would be much the same story. A scattering of rounds on the CT side would not be enough for Hot Flash, especially with PiggyKiKi in carry mode, ending the game on 25 kills and just 6 deaths, and putting EG in top place of the group.
It was the reverse in Group A, where Reversal and Saints had a very close affair. Though sitting at 2-0 and 0-2 respectively going into this match-up, the fight between these two teams could not have been closer. Reversal's pick of Vertigo started well for them, picking up the first 4 rounds with relative ease. It was neck and neck for the rest of the half, with Reversal just edging ahead by a round. It was much the same in the second half, with the clutch power of Reversal keeping them in it, with 6 1vX scenarios in regulation, including a 1v2 ninja defuse from MamaAlien to secure map point at 15:14. Saints equalised to push OT, where they finally put to rest the Reversal run to take the map 19:15.
Mirage looked like it was going to be where Reversal would find their revenge, at one stage sitting 9:1 on their CT side. Saints would kick things up a gear however, clawing back the final 5 rounds of the T side, and equalising early on the CT side. Reversal found map point first once more - and again at 14:15 - but a 1v1 clutch from paula saved Saints, who once again had a flawless OT to take the map 19:15.
An important match-up in Group B saw Please Send Bocks taking on ECHO, both teams sitting 1-1 going into the week. This group still remains wide open, but a win here was necessary if either team hopes to top the group - an important place to be if CLG Red continues their run in Group A. ECHO's pick of Nuke started well for them, winning the force buy after losing pistol and then building a nice run of rounds for an early 4:2 lead. At this point the tides shifted, and the Bocks showed they knew what was on the line, not dropping another round on the CT side. A pistol and a handful of gun rounds were not enough for ECHO, and Please Send Bocks were led to victory by fantastic performances from Kimmy and Senna.
Overpass would prove a more competitive affair. The Bocks started strong on their pick, getting a 6:1 lead early. Solid teamplay from ECHO allowed them a path back in, and once they had their foot in the door they stood strong, taking an 8:7 lead at the half. The pistol and conversion went the way of ECHO, and though the Bocks bounced back with one, a fantastic 1v2 from Cirrus kept the ball in ECHO's court. However, it wouldn't be enough, and despite Cirrus putting up 31 kills in total, Kimmy was able to match her, and Please Send Bocks staged a strong late game CT side comeback to close the series 2-0.
The final match-up of NA was between CLG Red and Valkyries. Already a strong contender in Group A, a win here for Valkyries would throw the group into chaos. A great start on Dust II gave Valkyries a 3:0 lead on the T side before a 1v1 from Goosebreeder turned things back in favour of CLG. The half would see the favourites leading 9:6, and after they took the first 3 rounds on their T side it looked like it was going to be a typical CLG Red sweep. That was, until Blender decided Dust II was her domain, posting 32 kills - 19 of which with the AWP - and helping to push the score from 12:6 to 15:13. After conceding 5 rounds while on map point, CLG Red decided enough was enough, and ended the game with a fast mid-B split play.
The fight looked to be completely knocked out of the Valkyries going into Overpass, with CLG Red putting up an impressive 12:3 half on the T side. Valkyries picked up the first 3 rounds on the T side, but another comeback didn't look to be on the cards, as CLG Red effortlessly closed the map 16:6. At the very least, Valkyries can take solace in being the only team in NA this season to get double digits against CLG Red - an important stat if the head to heads come into play when playoffs approach.
Path to playoffs
At the halfway point the path to playoffs looks clear for some teams - and for others, it is a dark and treacherous one. Interestingly, every single group across all regions has the exact same win distributions, with a team on 3-0, 2-1, 1-2, and 0-3 in each! At this stage there are still many scenarios that can play out, so rather than overload with all the possibilities, here are the must-win match-ups next week.
In Europe, Entropiq Queens must beat NOFEAR5 to stay in contention. The same applies for Astralis, who must beat BIG Equipa in their rematch this week. NIP and MostValuablePlayers can both concede a game and make playoffs, but the margins of error become nil going into the final 2 weeks.
In South America, Parabellum and INDEPENDENCE will need to win against w7m esports and MIBR respectively to keep their chances alive, while Black Dragons and EndGame have some wiggle room.
North America will have Reversal and Hot Flash in the same position, with their opponents of Valkyries and ECHO potentially able to continue if they wear the loss.
It'll be an exciting week for sure, with so many tournament lives on the line! The match-ups for this coming week are as follows:
