Welcome back to another weekly recap article! We're keeping it hot and heavy in here with four weeks now under our belts, which means the stakes have never been higher. And well, the games certainly delivered this week!
Europe
It was an absolute banger to kick off Europe, with Ninjas in Pyjamas and Astralis taking to the server. Two huge names that yet to clash within ESL Impact, anticipation was high as the series got under way.
NIP picked into Anubis, and like it's namesake, they looked like they were guiding Astralis to the underworld in a quick fashion. Their attacking side was relentless, with Nayomy and pauliiee putting up absurd numbers (20-5, 17-7 respectively) to lead to a 12-3 half. After picking up the pistol, it looked to be a quick finish for NIP. Well, not quite... Finding themselves 13-3 down, Astralis showed just how good their T side can be, dropping just a single round on their 13 round comeback to take the map 16:14!
Onto Inferno and it started just as action packed - with ASTRA providing us perhaps the highlight of the season (though kudos to kezziwow for her efforts!)
NIP once again found themselves in the lead at the half, with ASTRA continuing to be the contributing factor. This time around they found themselves map point early after a flawless start to the T side, dropping just a handful to take the map 16:9. Moving onto the decider of Overpass and ASTRA did not slow down, finding 20 kills on their double digit T side, and giving NIP a comfortable position to close the series out and continue their winning streak.
Perhaps the most anticipated match of the week was that between BIG EQUIPA and Nigma Galaxy. The stakes were high, as a win for BIG EQUIPA would both lock them in for a Top 2 finish, and deny Nigma Galaxy the same - meaning for the first time Nigma Galaxy would be unable to make LAN!
BIG exploded out the gate, with a strong T side championed by Zana. A fumble against a half buy from Nigma Galaxy that saw Kat pick up an ace gave the defenders a way back in, but it was still a solid 10 round half from BIG. The CT side proved to be an issue, with every element of the NGX squad striking true. ANa was undeniable, with Kat not far behind, giving Nigma Galaxy the map 16:13.
Inferno has been a constant in the pocket of NGX, and they showed their prowess immediately, with a blistering attacking side. Zana continued to put up her best efforts to slow down the raging tides, but there was only so much the AWPer could do against the storm that is ANa, who wracked up a 2.30 rating on the T side. It was a bit more back and forth when the sides switched, but the damage had been done and Nigma Galaxy had no issues taking the series - and staying in contention for playoffs.
The other two games of the week were a double header for Flames Shieldmaidens, who were looking for their first wins of the season. Their first match saw them up against GUILD, who picked Ancient, where Emerald shone for the Flames in a dominant defence. Inferno went the full distance thanks to ramziiN putting up 33 kills but it wasn't enough as the Norwegian core of GUILD were resolute. Finally, on Overpass the Flames could not be put out and found themselves their first win.
Next up on the block were VP Angels, who have impressed in their prior games despite lacking a win themselves. It was again ramziiN who led the Shieldmaidens to success on the Angels pick of Overpass, while on Ancient the whole team chimed in to dismantle VP 16-3. Off the back of these two wins, the Flames Shieldmaidens just about hang in for playoffs!
North America
Let's head over to North America, where CLG Red continued their run against Saints, who have unfortunately been looking worse for wear since their run at the ESL Impact Katowice qualifiers and subsequent LAN. The Saints picked into Vertigo, where they were absolutely decimated by the international imports of CLG Red in BiBiAhn and Kaoday. Mirage, the pick of CLG Red, proved a closer affair, with Saints starting strong on a 7 round CT run, led by sckrafft and olya, and even secured double digits by the half. Unfortunately for them, CLG Red's defence proved just as impenetrable, with uhKelsie joining BiBiAhn in forming the rock solid hold and winning out the series.
The fiercest and most exciting new rivalry developing in NA is without a doubt between EG Gold and Detonate SparX. EG came into this week on the backfoot having lost when these teams first matched, and still fielding 7licious from Europe (though not a factor that slowed down Kaoday and CLG Red last season).
EG Gold picked into old faithful Overpass, and started their T side strong, just about winning out the half with a strong showing across the team. Detonate definitely didn't make it easy though, with Andrea and Kionetta keeping it competitive. They translated this well to their attacking side, and while Andrea topped the board, Chowdzz impact and opening kills were superb in chasing the win.
Momentum looked to be with the SparX, as they got off to a fantastic 8 round run on their T side of Ancient. PiggyKiki helped in slowing this down in the tail end of the half, but the damage as done. Despite her and 7licious efforts when the sides switched, the mountain was simply too high to climb, and Detonate SparX took the victory - their second now against EG Gold.
With EG Gold losing out, Starfish and Factor Ruby still have plenty to play for, making their clash all the more important. Anubis proved each team was hungry for the win, with strong attacking sides from both leading to an OT, but Factor Ruby were able to close their pick - thanks to Reef and katalyyst posting 33 kills each. On Overpass their defence was unmoving, and Reef unstoppable on the T side, to secure Factor Ruby their first win of the season.
Another team that continues to impress this season has been Shimmer, who this week took to the server versus byte. The latter have struggled to find success so far, and this match would continue their woes. On Ancient, empathy had an absurd 29 kills across the 20 rounds played, and both her and vanessa speedran Overpass, picking up 50 kills between the two. This win sets up a highly anticipated re-match between Shimmer and CLG Red for next week - where Shimmer could even upset NA's top team.
South America
Here at ESL Impact we love a rivalry, and Group B of South America has a great one between B4 and Black Dragons. When the two met in the opening week it was a wash out, with B4 barely breaking a sweat. This time around, BD showed their colours on Nuke, a map they have been seriously grinding at. Indeed, recently they even took down Nigma Galaxy on LAN on this map! The only team to do so, thus far...
It didn't start too badly for the Dragons either, grabbing the pistol and 3 of the first 4 rounds. But that's where the fun stopped and all of B4 combined in an indestructible defence to secure 10 rounds in a row. Still, Black Dragons weren't out of it yet, and again started strong at the half. Picking up the first four, conceding a couple, then another run of four rounds to get themselves to 12-13 putting them tantalising close in evening up the score. Credit to Le for a 19-9 CT side where it's due! Sadly for BD, they could not stop the rampage that was nani and goddess who carried B4 across the line.
On B4's pick of Vertigo they were clearly the better team, with IGL goddess continuing to lead the team and the scoreboard, and poppins not that far behind.
A much closer match-up, and one that perhaps may surprise, took place between FURIA and MIBR. Coming into the season, there were plenty of questions to how FURIA would rebound off losing their star rifler, but they've quickly shown they have plenty of firepower still under the hood. MIBR on the other hand have been struggling since their roster overhaul, with just the one win this season.
Things looked to continue this way as MIBR started slow on their pick of Inferno, with scattered rounds on the T side and only ferzy coming out positive. They picked up the pistol and converted, but FURIA enjoyed a four round run to lead 14-7. Yet MIBR's clutch power could not be denied, and between yodinha2k, REGIANE and chjna they were unyielding, dropping a single round to push to 14-15. Unfortunately for MIBR, in the final round of play a fast B contact caught them, and a tempered retake saw them fall in the final 1v1. A massive credit to izaa for her consistent performance on both sides of the server.
Mirage was just as hotly contested, but GaBi was just doing GaBi things on the T side, and her heroics gave FURIA the lead at the half, where the rest of the team were able to step up. Ironically, MIBR's players ended the map higher rated across the board, and came out ahead in opening kills 18:10 - but at the end of the day, FURIA found enough rounds through defuses and forced saves that they were able to close out the series and stay undefeated.
LRV and ENDGAME also had their rematch, with ENDGAME desperate for their first win after many close calls. They showed their resolve with a domination on their pick of Vertigo, dropping only 5 rounds. Nuke was much closer, with lulitenz continuing to show her skill on the map, but it was n4mie for ENDGAME who was the star of the show, finding 35 kills to give ENDGAME their first season win.
Pontificating Playoffs
So, with all the action above, where does that leave us?
In Europe, it's still surprisingly open, with no team locked in - but the coming week will likely see at least a couple secure a spot at playoffs at the minimum.
Group A will be between BIG EQUIPA, Nigma Galaxy, NIP, and Astralis. Most scenarios will be favouring Nigma Galaxy and NIP, but if Astralis win both their remaining games - including the final game against NGX, they have a chance of sneaking through. NIP have yet to drop a game, and if they win against Spirit they'll be feeling confident going into the final week - where the match-up versus BIG EQUIPA may be the determining factor in who finishes top 2. This group will likely only be decided in the final week.
Group B has gotten extra exciting with the resurgence of Flames Shieldmaidens in the last week. The only team unable to make playoffs is now VP Angels, who despite very close games have yet to pick up a win. The only team that can lock themselves into top 2 this week are NAVI Javelins. This is due to the only other two teams being able to secure 4 wins being G2 Oya and 9 Pandas Fearless, who play each other in the opening game. So that'll be one to watch!
It may be a while off and rely on specific circumstances, but there's a real chance we get Nigma Galaxy versus G2 Oya for the final LAN spot... Now isn't that spicy!
North America's playoff teams will be decided in Week 5 as well. If Shimmer beat out CLG Red 2-0 they may well find themselves topping the group, while Detonate SparX have already done so in Group B. EG Gold look most likely to take the second spot there, but it's still possible for an upset to occur if they lose one or both of their remaining games.
South America have two playoff teams confirmed in FURIA and B4 Demons. However, it's still possible for w7m to even top Group A if they beat out FURIA 2-0 - but the circumstances are very specific. A win in either of their final games against FURIA or MIBR will at least secure playoffs, while MIBR rely on w7m losing. B4 top Group B regardless of outcomes as they come out ahead over Black Dragons in H2H. The second spot is completely up for grabs, though if Black Dragons and B4 both win their games in the coming week it will all be locked in. ENDGAME and LRV have to go flawless in their final two games to make playoffs.
