I
I
I
It's all coming down to this.
Focus. Breathe.
Believe.
This is where history is written.
Everything we read though, it's like here.
Only one will rise.
Clues?
There's an idea.
Greetings Counter-Strike fans and welcome to the first playoffs of PGL's Global Tour
of 2026.
And let me tell you, boy, does it feel good to be back in Clues.
Damn right.
I am looking forward to this one.
I'm sure you are too.
And I am your host, Richard Lewis, honored and privileged to be here.
Joining me on the desk, two of North America's finest, of course, two of the finest minds
in the world to break down this tournament and set up our pre-show.
It is, of course, Maui Snake.
It is, of course, Duss Meray.
Welcome back.
It's fantastic to be here. I'm surprised that we've got so many fans.
Yeah. What is this? Not 30 in the morning?
Thanks for coming back, guys. We love you.
Let me tell you what. We came back after 10 years of a drought.
One of the majors did take place in this very location.
This is a rich history of Counter-Strike in this location.
And the one thing I got asked when we came back last year is,
will you be back? Then the crowd was so incredible that we did come back.
We're so happy to be back here in Clues. Thank you so much for tuning in.
Absolutely. And let's talk about it. Let's talk about some history.
This is a prestige event on the calendar now. The big teams are here.
So why don't we talk about what happened back in 2015? It was Cluj's major.
It was, for me, one of the most slept on majors of all time.
All the greats were there. And some of those greats came back to this one too.
You can see Envious were the winners. A guy you might have heard of playing on that team called Apex.
We obviously had the Navi team. Navi, you're in the house.
She's going to get your inner a little bit later on today looking forward to that one blade was a player
Includes I would look at that. Who's stacked?
We're in the same suits. It seems that's young Nico
He's moved on to bigger and better things it seems and then of course obviously we had the birth the pinnacle of French counter strike
It was a wonderful thing to participate in and obviously I don't know. We you there. Are you watching? I was watching
Yeah, I did just go back through the highlights to see and relive through some of the memories there
I mean you had prime Ken a yes and those kinds of moments that dude could do absolutely anything he wanted with the AWP
We've got a couple guys that are trying to replicate the sort of impact that he had in the server with the weapon
And I just hope that we have even a longer highlight reel because I think it was a 15 minute highlight reel that HLTV put together
Yeah after that event let's get a 20 minute one. Yeah, absolutely and obviously last year
We had miles pick up the trophy reigning champions. It was a kind of like watershed moment for their team Falcons runner runners up
They're looking to go one better today
We can look at the Swiss bracket now and talk about how we got here to this stage because some big names did fall by the wayside
Face fans. They don't know what's going on
Yeah, they're not eating really good right now. It's a tough days over there
Obviously, we were talking about the past care again, of course leading TSM at that major at Clues
But unfortunately, he will not be a part of it this time around as they are still working through some some real struggles here
But I have to say I think we definitely got the teams we expected, you know
Obviously Vitality Falcons 3-0 those are definitely teams we thought were capable of doing so they cashed in mouse models and fury came in
Shortly thereafter and really the only team I feel like we kind of missed out on was maybe G2
But they had to go up against Navi first and obviously the romance was in the air because Navi had to make sure they were in this stadium
for Ema and for this crowd and they did do that.
Yeah, had to get some local representation for sure.
I was a little surprised by the fact that Mongols were able to turn up after a horrific
crack-out that was right prior to this event for them to show up for Cobra Zera to be making
a name for himself already and on top of that to see on a Aurora team that was actually also
having some difficulties I'd say through the season thus far with their inclusion of Soulfly
And yeah, I think that there's a couple teams now that are really left scratching their heads for starting out with a poor crack out
a poor colluge, a strawless G2 phase, they're all going to go back to the drawing board.
So, why don't we look at the playoffs? This is what we've got for you here in the stadium.
We're starting big. We've got Falkens versus Paravish, and that one's going to be monumental.
After that, Maus versus Navi, a rematch, you know, but one of those things, these teams keep bumping into each other.
Vitality versus Aurora, and closing out the day,
Furia versus Mongols.
Furia have climbed up to that second best team in the world,
status, but obviously always tough opponents
when you get to the stage of the tournament.
Yeah, I mean, it's kind of crazy to think that
the way that this bracket's likely going to play out
is that semi-finals could be grand finals and other tournaments.
I mean, the fact that Vitality and Furia
are probably the favorites to meet each other in that next round,
obviously, you could see Falcons make it through here
and play against, you know, either Maus or Navi and what quality of a game that would
be. So really, that's what we're looking forward to. Goaded format, goaded teams. We're gonna
have a good time.
All in all, just completely stacked. I mean, seven of those teams are in the top 10 of
HLTV's list right now. And the only odd man out Aurora is a team that's also no stranger
to playoffs.
Yeah. And look, we've got a couple of minutes before we get into way. I'll just preface
it. I had a vision. It's it's Vulcans left in the trophy. It came to me last night.
What what were you doing before that dream richie some might ask drinking heavily?
No, I listen I looked at the numbers I looked at everything
I know vitality a heavy favorites, but I actually think the activation Q2K, which we'll talk a little bit about later on
I think it's given them that extra oomph that extra edge
I'll tell you this Falcons the way that they're situated in this bracket
They have no excuses not to make this grand final
You know we may give them a pass on bounty because they were using nucleons as a stand-in
We'll give them a pass maybe a little bit at crack out because they had that close game against mouse sports
And it was their first event with their full five of the year
But now you have no excuse because your top two players on the squad are in the top three of the whole entire tournament the amount of
Production that is being put out by two of the hardest roles in the game your primary opportunity entry fragger
And they're the best of the business right now in this tournament
They are in such hot form and I expected to be pulverizing pair vision a little bit later
Yeah, absolutely anything what's up? Oh without a doubt
I mean the fact that Kiyosuke is in this kind of form after missing the opening events of the year
I mean, I think that he is constantly developing his game and that is where a lot of Falcon ceiling lies that the fact that Niko
Went away from some of those best positions to give this guy all the room that he wants in the world
And maybe he's still playing catch-up in a couple different aspects
Maybe his late rounds could be ironed out here and there but when it comes to just brute force
Buttery aim, there's no one smoother right now. Right. Well, there might be I think you might be on the stage
We're going over to James Banks
Thank you very much Richard
Oh, guys, I have missed you and I have missed this, so I've got one thing to say to you.
It's nice and early.
Good morning, Cluj!
Last year we returned to Cluj-Napoca after a decade away from this city and you guys
in Romania showed us exactly why you deserve great counter-strike.
But with all of that, we saw Maus lifting a trophy in an arena, despite the Falcons putting
up a good performance and Nico grabbing the MVP.
But last year, we were missing a few good teams, but this year, all the Giants are here.
There are teams now that can compete for the very best, the best in the world, looking
to take fight in this arena for this trophy and to become champions of PGL
Cluj-Napoca 2026 no excuses no doubts at the end of this tournament at the end
of this week I know you guys will have this arena shaking so Cluj are you
ready
Well, let's start bringing our teams onto the stage.
The Falcons certainly took flight here in Cluj-Napoca, going 3-0 in the groups and looking
strong.
Cluj, we got some Falcons fans in the house!
I know you liked them last year.
Now, they're opponent already lifting an S tier trophy this year, but some of these players are not so used to the big stage.
This is something they have dreamed about and they've played all the maps, all the rounds.
So let's bring ParaVision onto the stage.
Not the warmest of welcomes there, Cluj. Come on. Some of these paravision players have
never been on the stage please guys make some noise for Parisian that's a bit
better all right Bell should not come up here kick son come with me to rest you
can sit down
Okay, you told me at the beginning of this whole tournament, you were tired already.
Then you played all the maps, all the over times.
What's the energy like today?
We'll see.
We'll see.
Did you get much rest?
Did you feel like you could now get a good chance to live out this dream that you told
me about?
To play on a stage, to play in an arena?
Yeah, for sure.
For sure.
And what have you guys talked about?
Because three of you have never played on a stage, right, played in this situation.
What does that change?
Honestly, nothing.
We didn't talk about this.
We just will play our game and that's it.
Alright, well, a lot of people expect Falcons to win this.
They come in as the favourites, but you did beat them last time.
what do you want to say to those people? Be careful with your thoughts. I like that,
I like that. Kixxan, three are in the groups, three days off, did you reset, did you rest
or was it full grind? It was a mix of both I would say, first we took a day off and then
the last two days we just practiced, tried to fix some of the mistakes that we had in the previous
games and yeah. Now last time you faced Paravizion it wasn't the full team I
know it was a grand final it didn't go your way but how much does it change now
Kiosk is back you ready to dominate? Yeah I think we are ready obviously last time
we played them it was it was standing and they deserved the win back then but
now it's a different situation different now it's in arena let's say we have the
full team so I think we're ready. Now you guys are the favorites but we've seen
favourites lose before so what are you doing to make sure you don't get upset today mate?
We will try to not throw some easy rounds. Yeah I mean I think we will just try to play our game
and hopefully just make sure we don't make too many easy mistakes let's say and hopefully we
can close out the game. Fingers crossed that doesn't happen guys shake hands thank you very much take
your seats. Well clues your energy already for 10 o'clock in the morning is great. So
let me just find out right now. Have we got some Falcon's Files in the house?
And now you can give me the honesty. What do we think about? Paravision. Alright, well,
one final time, guys. Everyone in this arena, keep this energy high. Make some noise! Richard,
Yes, thanks James. It's good to be back talking about this one. What a spicy little setup we've got right out of the gate.
We have the big spenders clashing with the min-maxes to make a biblical dare I say, a David versus Goliath.
And just like in the good book, of course, last time they played, it was David that one.
It was indeed game time last time they absolutely pulverized the Falcons
It was a 3-0 and it was pretty damn convincing but Falcons was flying with a broken wing in that one
They were using a stand-in in place of Kiyosuke one of their major star players and let's be honest in that game
When you look through some of the footage
They were trying to bully nucleons and kicks in as much as possible to exploit the weakness that they had because they didn't have their
Full five but now this is Falcons moment
They've been more fierce than ever this event and they have their full standing lineup and it's looking absolutely fantastic
Without a doubt it on top of that that was a studio environment
And I know that the ParaVision guys are gonna feel a lot more comfortable when they're sitting in a chair with practically
No audience versus being against a hostile crowd now that is clearly on the Falcon side
Yeah, I mean it's it's tough and obviously, you know, we kind of know why eliminated another one of the hometown heroes
So that's one of those things they don't forgive here inclusion
They don't forget but Vulcans will be wanting to forget 2025 pretty much a lot of failure. Yes
It was PGL bootcrest. I've got them that one trophy of the year
They have higher expectations than that and they should I mean for me right now just on form
I think they're just behind vitality. Honestly. I mean this has been a consistent top five force for some time
I mean their opening event like Kiyosuke at Cologne was disappointing
But they placed top four, five events in a row leading up to the Budapest major,
but then fell in the quarterfinals there.
Again, rough start to this year with the stand-in situation,
with crackout not going where they hoped.
They nearly beat Malph.
They should have made those playoffs against Malph sports.
They weren't quite able to do it.
But as you can see, this is a consistent team.
I mean, outside of Vitality, Fury, and Malph, this is the next team that's always in that top four,
always making playoffs for the most part.
And we know that they have so much talent, it's about realizing it in the heat of the moment.
When the goal gets tough and the rubber hits the road and you're losing five on
3s and 5 on 2s. You're losing anti-ecos. How can you have the resilience to come back from that?
That's what we have to watch out for in this series.
You say consistent. The only thing they're consistently doing is burning money, okay?
This is the highest-paid team by far in the tier 1 space.
And so doing anything other than lifting a trophy at every single event is a failure, and they should be laughed at for it.
If people want to clown them for spending that much money and to not lift trophies at the end of the day, they should have that right.
So Falcons, they have a huge target on their back in this sort of tournament, and that's why Kicksand brings it up to James Banks.
The fact that he says he just doesn't want to lose man advantage or easy rounds because so frequently that pressure is sitting in the back of their mind.
Sure.
It's constantly there. The fact that if they don't bring a trophy home, they know that everybody's on the hot seat.
Meanwhile, on the other side, their opponents, one of the youngest teams in the tournament, the youngest team left in the tournament average 18 year olds, 20 year olds, you know, and they're under the wing of Jane.
He is literally min-maxing finding players without big game experience. And you know ashton an amazing video on it covering their meteoric rise
I urge everybody to go watch it to really understand what para vision of a cheap from 84th in the world to winning a trophy a tier one
Trophy inside of a year. That's unprecedented. Yeah, I mean this is the team that popped up, you know at their local land winning a big event over
BB team, but then they had that crazy run to Budapest major
They went all the way from stage one all the way to the very end and made a good accounting of themselves and then this year
They kicked it up a notch
They won a tier one tournament as you said winning bounty and beating some of the best teams to do it
They beat spirit they beat fear and they beat falcons
I mean you're beating three top five teams the world the hoist of trophy and yeah
You can add the caveats of fox hunting to stand in and spirit, you know embedding a new in game leader with magic
Returning to the roster, but the fury of wins legit
There's no masters on that one and in general they just look really good
The issue is they want to prove that that was not a one hit wonder moment for them, right?
We saw at crack how they were not able to hit the same heights and if we're honest as we saw their journey to this playoffs was a
Little bit rough around the edges. It took them to playing all the games
But they did finally get here as we get into this veto and I'm not expecting any surprises here
Mali I think we're gonna see the overpass ban and then at this point
It's just you know who wants to pick dust two are they gonna go a different direction?
Yeah, we'll see if
Paravision go with it. I feel like for okay. Yeah, we get the dust two immediately out last time these two teams
face off against each other. It was in fact para vision that got the better of
Falcons on the Falcon side kind of felt like they would feel out of mirage here
myself. I feel like there's it's a map that obviously they are gonna have a lot
more strength on with Kyosuke in tow as opposed to nucleons who was a bit of a
liability that time around. So what are you thinking about the cider though
does? I think it could very well be anubis. I think that's what I'm kind of
feeling right now. I feel like if your para vision it it wasn't really your
a recipe for success in the past.
And so we're going to be going to ancient in fact.
Not a bad call.
It's a map that they've had a lot of success
with in terms of integrating his way.
He just controls that entire B side so well.
And obviously, he's been a guy to really kind of jump
paravision in the rankings in terms of just bringing
a little bit more expertise, a little bit more experience
in these kind of big stages.
Yeah, very excited that this does two pick.
Because realistically, it is one of Falcon's best maps
as well.
Whenever we see Paravision play it, they take their opponents to deep waters.
It's like overtime is almost a guarantee.
And then what happens?
Jane tosses a coin and all bets are off.
So it's kind of crazy to me to see it come up and it is going to largely dictate this series.
I think this is where Paravision have to like hold their own.
They've got to pick that up.
Yeah, I mean, look, both these teams definitely have a comfortable track record on this map.
They're going to feel confident about where they're playing, you know, Falcons winning
their last six out of nine games on this map.
And all their losses have been incredibly close.
You think about the really damning overtime loss
at Crack-O, or some of the games where they feel like they
should be when they should have a way higher win rate.
And look, Paravision have a solid record too.
The difference being this, when Paravision played Falcons
at Bounty, literally all they did
was dominate on the T side in the first half
by quite literally just popping B every round
or doing a mid B split and just trying to bully kicks
in a nucleon as much as possible.
Guess what?
That ain't happening today, boys,
because we got Kiyosuke in the server this time around,
playing that rotator position on that side of the map.
And so if the game plan from Jane,
is to try to rinse and repeat what he did at bounding,
it's not going to work.
This is a very dynamic Falcons defense.
When they have their full five on the server,
they are so dangerous to deal with.
One thing I do like about this pick from Jane,
even disregarding the most previous result,
is the way that he himself likes to get activated
on both the T and CT side.
This isn't really the same, Jane.
You're used to seeing back in the VP days,
back in the outsider days,
where he's just extremely passive.
He's going to run it down mid sometimes.
He's going to run up mid sometimes.
He's going to make sure that he is an imposing force with the AWP,
recognizing its power on this map.
Yeah, it's a situation where a lot of people
will look at Jay and they'll think, super slow paced,
gamble stacks on the CT side, a lot of saving.
The Jayne time means.
But while he himself may not be the most activated oper,
this team does play a more explosive play style
because he tries to do simpler things and quicker pace plays
because he knows he has inexperienced players
in the mid-round situations.
And so it's really going to come down to me for Zelo and Noda.
When this team was making their major run and when they were doing all that
bounties because our two aggressive rifles are putting up big numbers.
It hasn't been happening so far for him here at Clues.
They've really been struggling to produce the same level of production.
Meanwhile, you flipped the script and Kiyosuke and Monosie are in the top three
players of the entire tournament.
They're exactly what you expect them to be.
And it's going to be brutal of Noda and Zelo having to go up against those two
rifles today.
I'll back to Yellow to turn the corner though, for sure.
I mean, he showed me a lot in a real short period of time.
Obviously, he's not rubbing shoulders with the guys
on your screens right now.
You can see who has performed at this tournament.
But he has been quiet.
And now, you know, look, when you get to a playoffs,
forget about group stages.
It doesn't matter.
It's what you do here on the stage, in front of a crowd.
And Paravision, I thought right from the interview,
it's supremely confident.
You wouldn't think this was like the first time
in this kind of environment.
I don't know if I could say that.
I don't know you don't buy it don't you knock walked off the stage the wrong way when James Banks was supposed to interview him
That's just aura. That's aura. He missed his stage cue. She'll never done that before sure aura
We've had a cue. Well, listen here. Listen here Richard
I might be all fine and Danny now when things were nice and calm and all you had to worry about is listen to Jane
Feed them some questions and he get the you know put his mask on and get those confident answers
But I have this feeling
Richard that once Falcon start putting some rounds on the board once they're going to stuff and once this crowd
That way you have here is so wonderful gets behind Falcons, which we clearly saw
Yeah, I think it's gonna be a little bit different of an environment for that squad over there
Yeah, I mean obviously as well, you know, I I've got to say the Niko factor is gonna be at play
I know he puts so much on his shoulders
Which are usually broad enough to take it but of late there have been some stumbles to have been some fun
Bulls he's relying on you know, money seemed to see Kate to get things done
But still such a vitally important play at this falcons lineup
I don't think that he always needs to actually bear the full burden of being the guy on this team
I mean yeah, he's taken a little bit of a step back
I'm not gonna say a huge one at that still plays a handful of great spots still has a massive amount of impact still know him as a
Secondary voice for Ross or that often needs a little bit more veteran presence, but I'd say this year
He's already shaping up to be one of the 15 best players in the world. I think he's having a bounce back
Yeah, it immediately. I mean the bounty was fancy
Oh, what is that?
They've shrimped him.
No, saved that for the majors.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
They've shrimped him out nowhere.
Look, I mean, he starts on shrimp behavior.
No, I mean, he's a top 10 player in the tournament right now.
I mean, yeah, obviously, he's kind of
getting overshadowed by just the monstrous numbers
at Kyosuke, and honestly, you're putting up.
But again, this is a guy who we've always
discussed throughout CS's history as one of the most
versatile rifers in the world.
There are very few players that can claim it.
They can play all the different roles on the server
as well as this guy can.
You know, he's done some in-game leading.
He's done entry fragging.
He's been more of a lurker. He's done anchoring jobs. He's been a star CT player
He's really been able to facilitate a fantastic career by just being malleable and finding where he best fits on the squad and
For the time he was the frontrunner
But once Kiyosuke came in this team made sure that they prioritize their two star players or two young guns and made sure that
They were in the best positions possible and Niko has been able to still thrive
You know, maybe he's not in the main, you know control group or the main front man
But he can be a great extremity attacker when you need him to be he can be a guy who makes big moments still happen
And so this is why we praise Falcon so much because they just have so much talent to work with another man there
Who's been under a lot of scrutiny Sonic the legend, you know
The coach is really coming to sharp focus when you're looking again that extra 5% that extra 10%
Be the difference between a silver medal or a gold medal and you know
It's crazy to think that the guy with like five rings is the guy that people are questioning
I'm the guy questioning him. I sure if Sonic doesn't lift a trophy in this season for me
He's on the hot seat. I know that they the joke is always to bring in one more superstar
I just need a more tactical coach. I need a coach that's gonna put his foot down
I mean you do watch the Falcons vlogs and the way he approaches the situations
I mean Cassatt had a point. Okay, then this
Sometimes it's a little bit too much about like I think we should do this
I kind of hope we do this because he doesn't want to ruffle any feathers
But I feel like you need to get a little dirtier
You need to put your foot down a bit more and not just to tell one guy that he should stop switching his mice
Yeah
Waking up earlier. I I think this is the start of something big for thoughts. I really do I I sense they've turned the corner
And I think the key thing that we've talked about is obviously
Activating Q2k getting him to understand you're the man now getting the code understand
You're not the man now and just simply playing out the game plan and making this few mistakes as possible
Kicks and knows that right so anyway, it's time to get into the action
I set this one up as a battle of the big spenders and the min maxes
So now I'm going to throw you over to two commentators who are always cash money and always give it their all two of the best ever
Do it please show your appreciation for sponge and machine
So lovely intro and it should be a lovely day counter strike today a cold morning inclusion a pop out the year
2026 and we have got a lot of big names stepping on to that stage stage
Yeah, it should be a fun one right four games and especially people turning out this early
You've had a lot of counter strike coming your way
Hopefully we get all the maps the bonus rounds fingers cross save as a time it yeah
No, I'm actually really hardly anticipating some of the head-to-heads and I can't believe it was starting with such a big bang
I think the desk has definitely framed it perfectly
We've coming into a 1.25 million dollar tournament start with a we're about to chop that in half and sure falcons paravision
That's a conversation of what's even more exciting is the conclusion of Parker. We're gonna be watching counter strike
Dust 2 as well to start. Paravision on the attack, but Nico's the one that's trying to bring the fight.
Oh, all right. Blocking that one. Not so well away. Still got the line. Good info.
He'll be walking out long. Tessus is giving up control, so he'll be playing for a little bit of info on the jiggles.
Honestly, in lower tunnels, Zello has a bit of a problem.
Trying to clear him out while Tessus calls contact in a moment's time.
Head to head and Ziello put to bed.
It's quick from RSC.
Calls B clear.
Now accelerating towards the outside.
You can't get past the spam of Kiyosuke.
Already those two starting early.
Pushing through.
They're actually going to be very disruptive for Tessus.
Falca, that is vicious.
to the right. It's a good
start. Honestly, clearing out
the yellow removes any of the
threats. They let the bomb go
down shore. So this force
coming through all the
potential of that is still a
little bit scary, but this is
the second worst pistol team in
the tournament. Power vision
and. In spite of that, they're
still here. Now also when you've
got three players having their
first stage game, the sooner
they get on the board, the
better Falcons have just kept
them completely empty hand. Yeah,
run and come with the USP. That one comes very easy, but it's like Kiyosuke getting going early.
If it's just going to be this Stoic James unit, and we all remember outside is back at Rio.
Fresh faces is, you do get underway and it will be the eco. So not going to take the force.
Despite the plant, is that not a little an orthodox?
Well, we know that James likes to get a gun sound. It's not going to bother wrestling for control.
and you can see how much damage they can do.
Bochnock on this map against 4 with a P250.
Was that true?
A bit of a soul crush up.
Get to see the standard CT setup in play right now.
Tess, as long anchor, he kept rotating rifle at,
at, honestly, the orb.
QCK mid B and QCK to lock down the B site.
Now, just a couple of flashes, they've got this short control.
I'm trying to rough into A, sitting in the bomb down again, so one Q2 from Monocene, here they come.
Yeah, he propones their commitment. The flashes will connect and advancing is Belchinox, yellow leading the pack.
They've managed to close the gap for another plant. This is their mission and they accomplished it.
Sure, okay, you've got one kill, one kill to your name, but you've got back-to-back bomb plants.
We always talk about the finances, para-vision. They play their own game. Penny pinching.
Back to back bomb plants, but back to back rounds for Falcons.
Now, well, this one can be scary now. There's the odd possibility, you know,
they can drop that one across to James if they want to get it going,
or he can buy one himself with the 4850.
Something will be getting deployed across.
So, James, we'll be equipped with the AWP early.
Not the same for Monosy.
Monosy and Kyusuke have been a driving force of massive success in these 3-0, but mainly
in terms of opening exchanges, they're the best in the tournament.
In terms of opening kill output, there's just discussing as well back at Bounty, the exploitation
of big tricks that with Nucleon swamps Kyusuke here now, turns a cross on this line, he'll
be careful back side.
I haven't used anything to block them early and Molly no smoke just on the jiggle
So it is going to be important for Falcons to water away any mid to be or be pops in these early stages
They're gonna walled sing
Jen is scorting them there's that first block smoke they're gonna be ahead of
the timing though Dixon. Oh loses his head! 3 cracks open the site and good night
Falcons! Fast gun round and a clean execution or walk I should say into that
B bomb site. Yeah just the timing there that block smoke comes in it didn't use
anything to stall them out early they were holding off trying to really look
as much time out of their nades as possible still get caught so that one's
going to be fresh in this B defense to hold on. So will they be tackled again early? Hold
on to these, get the drops into the next. Keep the rifles out, but there you have it. Simple
stuff from ParaVision.
Nice to see his way. He's brought his A game.
He's the one with the second most experience next to Jamie in this roster.
I see a level of comfort in this one.
There's the stage up.
And Kettle of Fish for you.
Yellow as you know it, there's your belchnox.
Yeah, a lot of attention on this young man.
Yellow seems to be somewhat of a win condition.
His 300 largest underperformances being their three lowest results.
So keep your eyes on his performance today.
I'm sure Falcons want to prove themselves that the absence of a full five-man roster
means the result will be different today.
Well, the fact they even made it to that final at Bounty was a surprise in itself at once today.
Woo! See you there, Kiyosuke!
James, give some of that early man advantage and that's exactly what you're looking for.
Now, you're going to claw this back down. Niko has already rotated it back to mid-doors.
I need a group up to look for a fight. It's gonna be hard to hold them at the door on your own.
You can see him decision from honesty. Does he need help? Nico says no.
It's just tough on us too to think, okay, where are we gonna pair up and look for the fight? If you haven't started short.
Yeah, and they've got his way holding for the long push. You consider that.
Already grouping up for the short finish.
You're in a position now where you can start poking a lot earlier to bait out this U-Tilt.
You get info on that. How good are his eyes? Tessus was spotted, fires out a couple of bullets,
an audible reload and a re-block on mid.
When he lied on in the Yuto department a couple of incendiaries flushes and they cheese to work with
And they're essentially playing now to dispel this mid to B
Three-man setup of honestly Niko and kicks him close doors
He's hoping they try and waltz out because about to be flushed back with this one
Not finished by order for they haven't understanding the setup now
Now, I'm definitely setting up this B split, and honestly, Niko now behind that CT smoke, it's all on Kixson.
Yeah, Niko knows he's got to try and maintain that control, trying to get across the sideline,
does manage to flash and send the area in combination with Monosy,
pulls it into the 4-on-4, Kixson touched on Briggs, support is there, Monosy chipping in, Kixson, Monosy,
STOLWAR on the site!
Doesn't matter, you got the pick of the opening, James Frag, the only thing to celebrate for Paravision.
And that's the key. The fact that you hold onto a 4v5 in that situation.
Good understanding. Again, they're trying to hit this B bomb site.
Rotation there. Happy to take the fights necessary to take those fights.
Here's the opener.
It's a little bit late. Right there on the cross.
Whiskey is 2k.
No doors smoke, and, uh, honestly,
Han Kixson putting up a fantastic defense.
Yeah, you just think with a bit of the B pressure,
that you're hopefully going to have those players draw into the site.
It's a corner on the way out.
And Paravision will take an early timeout.
This is something Dustin does a lot before the finance is a bleak
So wants to get one in early before the financial control is taken back and then they have to take a partial
Strolls into B found two entries they get one on the cross they try them into B split in the 4v5 number advantage
It's got to be important to just show that you can hold that B site early otherwise paravision they do have a tendency of bullying
picking a site and really making the anchor suffer.
Look at the AWP out again.
Can't be more of the same.
Jam heading over to Woodsby once more.
He had a suicide boat right outside of Long.
Why was he starting short this time though?
How's the AWP?
Oh, I do love some aggressive AWPing.
Niko is going to be escorted early.
Push, belching off to receive him.
Barrel perhaps potentially going to be poking out of the edge of that smoke.
Masked for now.
Niko's aggressions have been noted.
He's covered. Who moves first? Who has more patience? Oh, you never believe it's game!
Of course! Down goes Monosy and the AWP head to head and Avon guard collision from lower
to short. So left to back, Jame open it. Yeah, and this is it, right? Can I hold on to it
again? So downstairs either called the double down. That boys, we really want to condition
this side of the map early, but no, that's not the case.
Into the den right now, Tess has up close and personal,
a lot on the plate.
Yeah, he's got to be able to get some output here.
AK-47, shadowing.
Farting!
It's only the one!
Trade's so good, so proficient from Nota.
But nobody moving from the B defense right now.
Niko will trundle down to B to see if there's anything
to sniff out, sticking to this call, paravision.
If, if U.K. finds the way, he's found him,
but he hasn't got the kill.
But now you react long.
So do they want to risk this in terms of the number of disadvantage retake?
You need to deal with this way as well.
You can't clear him out.
Oh, they're trying, but they're failing.
Zway gets another, finds Niko.
And that's got to be the end of the round, surely.
I think you use the resources right now to just take out Zway, so you're able to save.
Otherwise you are going to be, yeah, having to worry about that potential flank throughout this.
They can get back this AWP for monosy.
Now you need to get away, Jametop middle, isn't it?
Gonna get there in time, so just need to hold onto this in the tunnel.
The fights are coming, the flashes are there, kicks in nose.
802, so the orb has been scavenged back.
Skull will read 3-2.
It's a tough fight for Nico's weight as well.
It's a plenty of cash, nothing to really worry about here.
Honestly, you can drop a rifle across, you can get the AWP back and everybody should
be all good in the hood right now for a reinvest.
So we get to have the back and forth nature with this flow around, so three straight and
no consecutive.
He's going to break Cerf first.
Dochnok and Xelo, you have to get going, but still very early stages in this one.
There are two of the names.
We want to keep our eyes on in terms of stage games.
This time, you gained early in the game.
Full D-Pot spread in display.
This way we'll be up a ton, Xelo to work through lower,
to the top mid, Dochnok outside long, but already something to move it back to again.
This is very telling of what is B to help him with, okay?
Yeah, it's Yellow, he's been punished, Kiyosuke is ready for that.
Very brave to try it, but there's another example of the Noja Traits, this time, honestly,
he manages to keep it flowing.
him down. Another empty-handed round for the yellow.
It looks like he wants to hold the rotations mid-dolls. This is classic, Jame here. It's
where I'm belching onto a plait of pressure walking out dry. Niko didn't spot him. He's
out now. And that's a shot there in with the bomb.
See, Niko belching on. Hands in the free haircut. There's one back from Tessus. Dink sim.
Remember, Jame has the rotation.
Yeah, kicks it, and, honestly, if they do want to be a part of this,
they're going to have to get past that scope.
Potential headshot! Wow, it's way as looking sharp.
Paws it into the 2-on-2.
They have made it past James Sniper,
but if you want to go short, he is ready for you.
Honesty, leg shot.
Jame has secured the round.
Looks like, honestly, he was on retreat.
Okay, okay, I'm on a C-Finding number two.
Well, this one was a C-Tecide entry, but I think at that opening kill over towards middle,
he's still catching them off guard, being close doors.
Paravigions are a very annoying team to play against.
You know that they're always going to be worrying about that mid-dial cross with James Ford,
but maybe he's the faster triangle pass, but this one comes down to Nico, or Belchinoff.
He walks out dry with the bomb and he's back knowing he needs to make a play.
And he's able to pip that gap, so I think he's getting deleted, leads to the third round now, and we're all tied up.
But it is good to see Falcons taking saves, right? That situation, if they go into it, maybe in another moment, they'll be a bit more stubborn and lose everything.
We have some long spawn, so now might be the time to change things up.
Now we've all paced into the mix.
Might be the time for Zelo to get himself started.
First big stage game.
Oh, they're not playing for long on the CT side.
We'll get out.
Let's speak for free.
So this is tough, what's up with...
Defense, they out for it, they use the smokes to block, they take map control, well yeah
Kyosuke's starting to pipe his way up middle very early on this too.
Cover some space, they don't know that upper tunnels is clear, Kixing can still activate
for that but Kyosuke with the support on Lonexie and Nika has the mid control, they're ahead
of the timing, it's just Tessus here.
Yeah, there is only Tessus and he's going to have to try and find at least one and dip
away Belchnock about to...
Drop it, Tessus does well, drops off, plays his life.
Hamstrings the attack, now supported by the monosy ore from the shore side.
Ports away by the flame.
Get a room for no to its way.
Tessus, fool you, down to 12-8-p in a missed shot from the sniper of monosy.
Bomb's still not across though.
C.L.A. throws it across now.
Yasuke for the late long arrival, James' responsibility kicks in, only an XM.
Could be decent at disrupting this plant.
He goes for it.
Oh! Oh, Dave!
It's exceptional!
No two with a quick tap.
He talked about the saves.
Will this be another one of those?
Nico doesn't think so.
He's gonna go looking.
Looking to make an incision into this post-plant.
Find a way back in.
Tipping ahead, tapped away!
Look at Nico cracking!
Craniums!
Still needs another.
It's Yellow and Jayman, but absolutely none of that.
And they lose it all.
The highlights there, but the key note for me is QC gets flanked, getting nothing done.
Niko gets two kills, that's meant to allow the perfect timing for the kid on the screen
right now to be able to come in and win the round.
Jayme ready for it, and as soon as he's removed that pincer, they can all just focus fire.
So this is massive, the hangtime there on Kixson, really good shooting from Niko, making
out for what happened in the previous, but before they get into the site, one of the
keys from Paravision just how well they use their utility display short bank short bank
another chain opener he's been very active with the adbp early that's going to be number
three so far
there's an eagle of monosy looks like it's going to get caught through the doors there's
yellow
now on the board for three
forward of the play nika has that opportunity it's a bit sketchy on the five seven and
nothing to report
The hope of Falcons was to be threatening and they are the opposite.
So this is a nice stabilizing round right now for Power Invasion.
Last couple of big tanks is, I do scoop him, but Yellow and Jane will take down the final
two.
Now with the 2900 loss bonus, there's enough money to drop an AWP across the monosy.
Kisuke can hook him up.
No pistol and five T rounds.
Comfortable start.
Yeah, the timeout taken from Zonik here.
a couple of moments that Falcons probably feel they should have been correcting.
Now, it was the 3-0 sprint to the playoffs, taking down Fury up in a battle.
You had a bit of a hiccup against FaZe, and, well, you walked past 3D Max to get here.
You had a couple of extra days off, and you've got an early start for the first game, 10am.
Saw them at breakfast. They looked pretty lively.
Now, it can't be an excuse, but it can be a reason that they need to get this one going.
It's a three to five, it's only a two round gap at the moment, but right now it is four consecutive form-paravision.
James gonna take the AWP suicide again.
There's a mile on the head to head here. Ooh, it's Fred.
He's got the clash and James had his boots knocked off. Marcy's Sniper.
He's connected for the opening, but he still gets to operate with James.
Staying dynamic as always.
Repons over to what's short on the AWP, so they really want to make sure that we aren't
able to default with aids.
They've also got so many aids left.
Could be a good time about HE, not too bad. Flak doesn't find Zelo.
This could be back below the B-square, chance of all up in tunnels.
Looks like no tough to join Zelo as they trundle down mid.
Tryna make it feel like a hip to beat.
That's my B, CT smoked.
Yeah, Molly here. They're ahead of this.
Monosy and Niko, they're ready to disrupt.
This seems like a perfect setup.
It's with Beyond High Alert, nobody's actually taking the space off of that.
Now as Falcons that take this space, this could be very perfect.
As far as the timing goes, James lining up Nades.
You're not expecting this.
Oh my god, he's behind the whole squad!
Niko strikes.
Monosy reveals, two pushing the short side, but the kick's in gone now.
They start to accelerate into Kiyosuke's B site.
Hectic, Yellow trying to contain any rotations. It's Kiyosuke on high alert.
The man must deliver something here and in combination with Tassas, he's doing it up and over from Zwei.
He's lost his teammate. He doesn't have the bomb.
Monosy gets it. Quick flick up. Solid from Falcon. Some pro activity on the defense.
That's a pretty meditative setup though, isn't it? Understand that Mollie comes in if you don't swing
around the corner, likely to be the mid to B, they take the timing and they cause so much chaos.
The comms in that moment for paravision become mental. All right, they're behind our shot,
we need to go mid to B, times against us. We have the Pip there showing his way,
trying to put pressure on upper tunnels, to draw the attention to Kiyosuke,
as these boys are coming out mid to B. A good support there from Tess S, and they break the
street. Oh, another one on the all-pads ahead! Paints the wall with James Skull, more as well,
Well, the fact he's stuck around.
Yeah, still fighting into low-up.
This is disruptive now.
And if he fires the shot,
Kiyosuke's hit to Halb.
There will be Util thrown out.
Turns that flashbang, still maintains vision.
There's the cover. Kiyosuke and Monosik!
A partnership of lethality.
Five alive for Falcons.
Things are flowing and they are disrupting that paratrooper's default.
Alright, don't stop him, though.
What knife do you get out of this?
Still got a minute and 15 left on the clock.
It's gone beyond these situations where you're probably hoping to save, but look at Monocy
filling himself now, taking so much space.
Should have another one here on the plate.
Yes he does.
Alright, well they're turning the screws.
I'm going to let you hold on to anything.
Final man noted and the rest of the Falcons will now sprint into action to take this away.
There it is.
Awesome board.
All five stand, a lifetime things up and more than the Bash Brothers.
Kiyosuke and Monocy.
Love getting stuck in and when they're playing in this form you love to see it
So keep it up some of that group stage play. Honestly
Time out from Zastar. It's gonna be tough down the stretch
I'm sure you now to bring out a couple of AK's maybe a galil and then something a little bit lighter or take a partial
Fall by into the next and try and tie things up 6-6, which seems to be James' favourite
number at the half.
Now remember, they have a tough time with the pistols, second worst in the tournament.
In spite of that, 15 maps of play and they're still here at the battle through on the final
date.
Every single map.
Yeah, and you look at the other side, it was eight plays for Falcons, so a couple of games
that went to a map.
It's the phase one, it's the one which on the record, but here's that old thing up close
and personal.
Impact format for Monosir. This is the form you want to see for the kid.
Alright, watch the marshal. There's one AK to keep it interesting.
This was for the rest, and you tilt to give them some room.
It's gonna be X-box and mid-door smoke.
Just stop the ability to break that open, and get some easy picks,
and also, going a lot of vision early.
Playing for B right now. You've got two players, again, Kiyosuke and Kixen.
So this is them expecting the potential of a B-pop.
Good restraint from Kixson. Hold on to that HE. With Kisuke pressing his ear to the wall.
It needs to become a theme against a team like Paravishon, right? If you give away too
much and they don't actually have to be imposing. Now, when these rounds come in late, you're
not going to have anything to block. If you can block Paravishon in the last 30 seconds,
It's gonna make your life so much easier
It smells a little bit scuffed there
Well, I'm it to be against the partial you have to hold on to this one because got a HG to break this
He's gonna have to lend
Accelerate you to gay and kicks sir passing the test
Solid has a rock not a single blemish on the record
6-5. Back-to-back flawless round, Steph.
What can be made in the last two, four paravision.
Remember that was just the lighter of the investments. Now come out the guns,
and it's still going to be a little bit scattered in terms of what's available.
And Kengarab Yopagany has been a bit of a menace with the openings.
But all in all, in terms of the kill count on the paravision side of the server,
it's relatively low. That's been helped out by the saves of falcons.
falcons. So, James, to the south, makes the shot. Nothing gained from that one.
See this from Niko before that? Sometimes Noda goes for this part where he just walks up, cat.
Fear factor of James Orb keeps the... aggressive move away.
Oh, now it hasn't landed perfectly. Unforced error there.
Gives vision for Monosy and that's a mistake that he will punish immediately.
Now Kiyosuke will activate, making moves, confirms tunnels clear, or at least the upper.
Couldn't have backs turned in, this is nice proactive, great play from Kiyosuke.
Taps the back of Zwei's head, job done.
Peace out now, it's Yellow trying to recover.
on the half for Falcons on
ParaVision's map choice. Great half there for Monosie.
We'll tie things up in the opening dual exchanges with
Jane, 3-1.
And it's a story of the Orbs fighting incisions,
but not always confirming the rounds. We will just
in a moment to get Zello back into the server and then
get things underway.
Yeah, biggest takeaway, Monosie, in this kind of
form, is one to be feared.
When I'm talking about it being an early morning,
the two players I would be the most concerned about
would be your Monosie's Nikiya Sukes.
No issues at all.
Especially seeing him pushing like that as well. Kyosuke does seem like Falcons do seem like unburdened with this fear factor from Paravision
They're not scared of you. They're happy to take these fights. Yes, and the confidence not on display
We know just how much these kids can output
That's why I think for many you're expecting these boys to get a whole lot done now
I wouldn't say they have an easy side of the bracket, but I would say they have the easier side of the bracket
Okay, the other side
I tell you, if you're in a lion weight, they're going to have to eliminate one another on-round to that final.
Whereas for Falcons, yeah, you're looking at it, you're going to see you in plenty of grand finals,
and you're going to lift that trophy, and will Cluj be the one?
I mean, you heard the discussion on the desk, the discussion in the community as a whole. It is,
you know, you spend this much money, you build a roster for Silverware. Surely 2026 has to be where
but the cabinet starts getting filled up.
And there's obviously the caveat
of living in the vitality era,
but this is it.
Someone's gonna have to change that.
Someone's gonna have to start being a contender to it.
Furia look like that was the case late last year.
They're also still in the pitch up.
As we chop and change sides,
can take a look at what the CT set up
is gonna be for Paravid and Pochnock,
your B anchor. Zella will be supporting him. So similar job as what you just saw from Kixin
and Kiyosuke. Obviously, Jame on the AWP. No, it will be your A rotating right flop.
There to anchor down long as we're ready to get this one back underway. Freestyle on the screen.
Pissed around second half. It's been a uterus in the mix. Niko with a P250. He's been dropped.
That one has a normal with it. A couple of smokes as well. Jill Brothers for Belchnock and a smoke.
classic B defense. So he just might be in line on my tessus. Can see he's got to play
tunnels. Can see Nico panned up top mid and kicks him a suicide. So now I'm going to get
this room. You can see Raid Art, no CTs, close to Loa, nothing close short. We're giving
in this space. Maybe two for two in the pistol department for Falcons.
You're going to have to be able to get past the USP of Sway at the GOA.
Well, I think I'm into B, right? They're going to be able to run into space quite quickly.
Notice back plaid. This is great. Info from Zello.
Oh, better than info. He's removed. Tess S just avert his gaze.
Now let's start to accelerate. Jamie in response, though.
Watch the doors with that smoke. The need to be so tough now. You're gonna have to go through a window
Or you run through a smoke and James shoots you in the back of the head. He's pushing through
Nice cover from Nico's B250. Oh, Kiyosuke, he catches no through the back of the site. Paravision's B site has been completely flattened
Zyallo and Zwei limping at 15 points of health. Kiyosuke, he's got the jaw barrettas. You push through this
You have to hit the first bullet because Kiyosuke will do the same
Another pistol
That shot to backplat. That's the round winner. Long-range glock. Yeah, Niko dealing with that push to the smoke of James Shaw.
But it's all about that shot from Kiyosuke backplat.
Notic gets to delay them, gets to take a kill or two with him. This push is great, right?
But at this moment, Falcons, they have to erupt as they commit to B.
Oh, Niko catching it just before the flash and then Kiyosuke onto notes up. So much pressure on Belchock.
Think about it. Notic stays alive dealing with tunnels. Now Belchock just do a career that gets to farm and come in a window.
So I alleviate so much pressure and it will be the eco now as the scoreline reads 8 to 5.
It should become 9 in a moment's time to make the light work of this one easy.
18 years of age, no doubt. First stage game.
These are one of the two teams I think we're going to be keeping our eyes on throughout 2026,
down in the bounce of champs these boys and foot. It feels a bit different when
there's thousands of fans watching you early in the morning.
Yeah, at least probing into the stack for the moment's time. Everybody from
paravision clustered up and now coming forward.
A couple of USP headshots are hit. That'll happen in the blink of an eye. Alright, rapid stuff.
There's the ninth with a bit of damage done.
Haven't found this morning.
Turn out for a Friday morning. Bright and early.
Yeah. Bright-eyed and bushy tailed the clues.
We've got a long day of Counter-Strike ahead of us.
Four best of threes. The playoffs have begun.
Himmer up next.
Himmer up next.
James orbs out early. He's been able to do it.
That's the first rifle round to bring out the AWP.
I think he's going to maintain for a short period of time, so...
Can they make it count? Well, honestly, he does not have his.
Dambling towards AR paravision.
There's a lot of pressure on belching off the anchor right now.
This is one before.
Zelo playing as that unknown element on the ramp.
This is one of the things you do your prep against ParaVision.
You understand the basics, the nameplate counter show what the tendencies are.
But because this team likes to gamble, they like to take those risks.
Take nothing as a certainty.
Make sure you're clearing all the nooks and crannies, right?
Don't run in after you kill that A defender and just make that assumption.
Because that could cost you.
It's my active.
Yes, a proactivity.
Tessus.
Ooh, the crouch clear not enough.
Tessus bests him.
Keep James' attention drawn.
There's the power ahead, Armour.
Don't forget to buy your helmets.
I learned how to take this space up.
He's going to free James up to at least provide the all cover for the game.
Commit.
Also, knowing Tessus got dinged, surely he could just take this fight.
Oh, you'd think!
You would think!
Tessus, Rene Madsen's done well, finally pulls him across, but now
Noates is the one to step up, two committing through. Nice back from
Monteseek, low HP on Noates, a gift of the year, put down Monteseek, hitting every shot he spots
your toes, that's all he needs to see. Monteseek in form, another victim of the yellow flash.
A couple of punches thrown there, but Tessus getting two, especially on that low HP.
It's gonna be fantastic.
That's it.
That's it.
See him?
Romanians will get a Romanian in the building.
So I can't wait to get this one underweighed a little bit later.
He was just sitting to our right hand side last time with Jaxie.
It's ten to five.
It's gonna spell now just a partial buy.
Final tactical timeout call from Daston and this is getting away from you quick.
A provision, traditionally one of those teams you can never really count out but I think
in this environment, maybe, just maybe it'll be a little bit different. They've done a good job of
limiting expectations. Hey, we had a good result to start the year, but we're still a young team.
We saw them in the major in Budapest being able to put some of that form on display to put them in
the sharp window. I mean, this form from Monossey is just, it's going to be too much for them to
handle. I mean, so much to be able to match this output. And when you've got Tessus delivering
impact like that, Monossey steps up on the rifle. Oh, and it's so quick with it.
I think what I'm liking as well as it's not hero plays that is going for it's part of the team-based rounds
It all makes sense
This fight to Kiyosuke's got a lot of options here lots of bodies behind that long corner smoke
What about pit Molly goes in?
Cautious must be fading in the moment time the pit called clear
Control gained they've given it up so
Blocked them at the pass.
They do have Niko waiting at the top of middle to catch any short aggress.
It's a perfect lurk spot, should be good for at least one.
Walking up on the close wall, he has company.
Yeah, how good you are, James, trying to flush him out.
Straight on down, Meltian Arc does very well.
Wow, 5-7, brings down Niko.
Yellow's D will not so lucky get caught out by Geassuke, double on the spray, last pull it finds the head of his way.
Honestly, it's where the AWP wants to work with the rifle for this one. Understandable.
Belchenok trying to tap the heads and hard to track.
Oh, no! Not for Belchenok!
Quick on it! Lethal! Quad kill in the round, saves power-o-vision, they need it around now and Belchenok delivers.
He was sitting there one kill before that round taking down Nico you think it's a bit of a non-issue
But he had a couple of absolute bangers there on the way and this is it drops off you the alright
Yeah, that's not gonna cost you too much
That's a showstopper right there. Oh, I thought he'd lost control, but he's stabilized
Okay, and right now you can stabilize the finances against Falcons. They're down to a brittle by D. Google L
They could be peeing in the mix, you win this one, you break up in the bank balance, you're back in it.
That's a huge round. That one keeps the game alive.
Niko's AK used against them.
It didn't feel like it was going to cost them too much in that moment, honestly.
It's probably something. Holly comes in, confirms, no suspicions.
You can't let this one get away from you, you can't let those frustrations play in.
play in.
And you peek in to Jame.
The Flash forces him away.
Ted's book from Jame.
Well, you want to react quickly now.
I think Kixson wants the boys to get up short.
I put pressure on A. The orb is currently on B.
We need to take this space and now.
That's exactly what they're doing.
You can see there's an error of urgency to the Falcons'
D-side approach.
Niko and Kiyosuke are going to try and crack into this site.
Nota supported by Sway.
They're closing the gap now.
Tessa's noted on the long side.
Keep Sway busy.
He labels Nota to take these fights on his own terms.
to get in the head and it's just
run with him the whole great
game. But look at that spree of
rounds. Yeah, Falcons are able
to accrue and that's where it
starts on a low by revision
back into it. You forced them
down to an eco and they're
going to be able to get into
the next round. And that's where
they're going to be able to get
into the next round. They're
going to be able to get into the
next round. They're going to be
able to get into the next round.
and down to an eco and it should become a two-round game because we're a full
control up until that moment
how bad can this get
he's got a lot on his plate immediate headshots hit by the glocks so that's
gonna put a rifle down no two and jim reacts they know what's up
should be able to feast and does so double kill see you later good confidence
You know you're up against the eco and it continues.
You're not going to give them a moment to breathe, right?
In that situation, if you let them play out the 5v4 with the rifle,
maybe they'll pick up another one and just go,
okay, well, they were here, let's swing out, let's mow them down
when we have the advantages.
I like what I'm seeing from ParaVision is they've all bowled down.
That's us.
It's the never give up nature of a game team.
And that's promising signs.
I mean, you talk about their absence of pistol rounds
still rounds and how they're, you know, what second worst in the tournament as far as pistol
starts go, but all ParaVision games seem to get close.
Yeah, this is it.
They're doing it on hard mode, Chad.
It's a bit of an added to this point, but it's not how quick you can get to 13.
You just got to get there, right?
And I think one of the keys with game teams historically is how they're, even in ML 15,
they're way even better at it, right?
Because you had more opportunities with those saves to build up that loss bonus, but being
able to grind out games with the proficiency of the economy and they're having those
rifles and making the small ones counters. The Parisian have no timeouts left. Now it's
Sonic's turn to call them and it's going to give Duston more chances. So no AWP for Monocy into this.
There'll be two Galils, one for Kixson, one for Tessus. You have to take a look at the spawns as
well and they aren't good for long. So that's going to eliminate an option available to make a faster
call for Kixson. He's going to have to do this the hard way. This means they're going to have to go
go through the motions, right? Take the map control. Push back the orb. Orbs. We saw this
as well, didn't we? Jamons yellow. And then there was a moment where it's way with secondary
open so they kept that very dynamic it's hard to read
control established
I'm trying to be too trying to the default to play the response with the nades.
So Jane posted up, it's away with a lot of space on long right now, head to head with
the other side of those doors.
The yellow also has a very forward line up a tunnel.
So good amount of information at the moment for power vision.
This way is where it's just playful.
The multi-pressure is not going to be caught out.
He's done so well in that head-to-head.
Look at this space.
His suitcase walking out.
Yeah, the smoke break, not gonna catch him either.
Misthrown by Jame, now feeling pressure from both sides.
Could catch Jasses on the clear.
Does so, James Dorknout, triangulated.
That smoke, terrible smoke.
Yeah, he's gonna have a gap to work when he can punish you on the cross.
Throws the bomb across, okay, Nico.
Find safety, Kiyosuke, one undone.
Nota on the trade once more.
James didn't limbo.
No man's land.
Made lands perfectly.
Right on the backpack of Kixson.
Flash, D&J, going to be doing some combat, all-pin policies, ready to receive a double
or three take. It's not supposed to work! And it won't!
T-Mace from Falcons! Tessus opens up the account and every single member chips in.
Yeah, good work from Tessus. Like, this long anchor position on the T or the CT side, it's
never going to be easy.
They're starting a representation, coming up later this year at the PGL circuit.
That's going to be a big one.
Oh well, there isn't enough to break them.
It's not enough just to get the game done over in that moment,
but a nice round with the credit to Tassus finding that opener.
Put so much pressure.
Jamie mentioned he's in limbo.
He's still got pretty good output considering the circumstances,
but not the round.
out. You lose this money is a problem, but James kept enough cash in the coffers to
get another AWP with the hospital. He's sticking around here. This time they do want to be
jarred of the default flash.
I think you're ready. So thank you. Yeah,
counter flash. You see, he's not
flying tracks the first removes no
to with no trade available. Jane did
kick set. Oh, and the name from Sway is
perfect. Belchnock, you need to hang on
back away. The yellow in support as well.
Trying to apply pressure. Hoping Sway
wasn't looking. Tessus gets caught.
They have really good response from
Tessus for the space, but just not
ready for that now push. Now Tannos
delivers again. Just run it at him.
All right, monocies 1v4.
This is going to be a tough battle down in Stretcher Falcons. These rounds will not come easy.
First half was monocies playground. You can see his kill total testament to that.
Looks like he's going to have a clash with Jane.
Another one in that head-to-head. Jane will take one back.
There's one more zoning time out, but I'm not sure if you want to take it just yet.
4.3, 2.7, 2.8, that's the high end.
Something I'm going to go all in with this.
And they do have long spawn, so they'll be wanting to try and mix up the pace themselves.
Ends all starting middle.
I'm going to head to Hepper. We'll get a lot of space. James actually pushed into lower tunnels with the AWP.
They're out long. Interesting looks like he wants to fight great flashback work
And he thrives
You've taken down Kiyosuke and Niko to star. That's insane. He's done that on his time
Yep, right one player being able to shut that down. That's huge from Zwei the self flash double
Bit of redemption of the way test this has had his number these last few you got no money up this one
I think you'll have to take a save and then Paravigio could tie things up
the
team.
Such a resilient team.
Paravision.
The environment not seeming to
bother them too much now is it?
It's an absolute stunner of a
round.
That's what started this.
Since then, just throwing on
round after round.
moments. So it has definitely shifted the tide of battle.
I also just love the way Paravision, you know, they don't mince words.
This is not about the power of friendship and all we're a family.
This is all about results. God, those results have been flowing.
That's highlighting that climb.
They're going to erupt onto A. It's just James here.
There's the smoke. There's the flashes and here's the go.
Climbed and readies, James. Takes another one in that monosie, James head-to-head.
Bomb trying to make it across.
Stouching up will activate.
Quick to it. Perfect placement of the bullet.
It's denies it all.
Things are flowing for paravision.
Who needs pistols when you can win gun rounds?
That's the D.E.K.
Next round you'll see the zoning time out.
It'll come in next round.
We'll just be talking down the stretch.
the pattern arounds we've had sure the loss bonus is going to be in the favor of falcons
sure the money will not be a problem for paravision now monesties had a great game kiosk you guys
had some moments tessa that leads some important kills is jane going again yeah this is what
i've been talking about even against pistols he's got the audacity to go for this aggressive
maneuver a little bit of short support right okay there's that infamous deagle short support
what doesn't matter anymore.
Could have another one here.
Ooh, a chance on Timota whistles one past the ear.
This way, a risk on the jump.
They are testing Nico's destiny.
And now an AWP has found his way into Monosie's grasp.
They just blew that straight to them.
Didn't have to work for it at all.
Could change everything.
Look how vulnerable Belchnock is.
They don't ever hate you to break, so that smoke nice and deep as well.
But look its way.
He's still playing aggressively.
Oh, wait.
Oh.
Ooh, lucky to be alive as Belchinov.
But his way is really just shrunk the map.
Yeah, you're right.
Belchinov's the only man here still.
The rotation is up.
Watch your guard, Kiyosuke!
And Niko, one of you guys has a shot!
Just Belchinov, hold it up!
Finally, Tessus brings him down with the rotations here.
It's yellow.
In a position.
Monocly slipping on the bricks.
And that's a threatening smoke,
enabled him to just push through.
Tessus gonna have his work cut out for them fake on the plant,
hoping to try and separate this into a two on two.
Try and get a pick off pre-plan.
35s, Yellow's cooking.
That's one jump to stop him.
Sway comes in from Tan.
Test us down.
It's another ParaVision round.
Frightening.
Certainly threatening.
Niko made sure of that.
Yeah, this Belchano impact in these rounds
where we wouldn't expect it.
This one shouldn't have been tough.
Jane playing into lower tunnels with an AWP against an eco
gives them a way into that round.
But Belchano locks it down.
It's a great shot, isn't it?
That's a lot of pressure, these aren't the hardest skills in the world, but in the circumstances and the frustrations of Falcons, a familiar scene as...
He just, he knows, you kill Belchanox, you've got a real shot of the round.
There's that time-out from Zonic, so final conversation to be had with the boys before.
They're on their own for the next two rounds of play.
We know that ParaVision and Dust2 are synonymous with overtime.
They get it done in regulation.
They run to close things now and lock it in that bomb down.
If they prioritized that plant,
we'd give them a little bit more to work with in this one.
It's here for right now, taking some space.
It's here to get some chances.
He's going to have James Orb to contend with
if he does try and force the issue short side.
James Heldnery flick on the jump spot lower
Yes, UK waits for his captain's call Molotov and he progresses
Trade of flame and send the area to a place and they could do very well plays gear suitcase avoids
James retreats right now. They're playing from it speed with the defense right no
and yellow both closed doors and both CT side so they're really trying to stuff
this mid to v play if that's the option and they're even gonna gamble no doubt
yellow transition across the plate for the B hold that one hurts I think in a
execute they have to get past the AWP but then it's gonna be a very winnable
round at that point kicks in with the smoke a couple of flashes you have to
get past James relatively cleanly we know Parisian are very strong on the
fundamentals with the retake.
That's her.
Yep, they know Long's occupied.
James is going to be in prime position,
but he didn't catch Kiyosuke's drop.
Inter CT's going to really limit your options.
And now, James, he could be caught out by this.
Kaches kicks in the trade available.
5 HP gets away.
Bomb can go down.
They certainly have access to the side.
And again, Tessus in that head-to-head.
He removes way.
James on the clean.
He's got another.
Massive from Tessus.
Three quick up CT.
They're not messing about here, taking the space.
Surely, monocle from the shore side is good for a tap here.
It's yellow, primed and ready.
These AKs, that one-shop potential goes both ways.
Out, bell, wrong.
Belchnok's M4 to next.
Kiyosuke, get an active.
Belchnok down.
Trading out.
Looking good for the Falcons.
You've just got to put Noter down,
and that clock is ticking in the Falcons' favor.
Jumping up, his position noted.
Now, a nice head-shopper, surely not.
Oh, it is.
Tessus is all but missed the shot.
It just said to defuse.
This is it! An 11-11!
He can't hit the nose-coach!
And Noca's clutched up!
You're the chance to win.
Oh, all of that hard work from Tessus!
Kiyosuke Nimbo into CT, Niko's contribution, all for nothing!
Nota, 18 years of age and clutching on the big stage.
As soon as he noticed this was a short plan, he's sitting there diffused every day of the week.
Tessus noted that he was low, long HP, at long, and the game ships away with that one.
This is beautiful, Tessa's in that some amazing rounds.
He's being reduced at home doors.
The shot onto Monacy!
Oof!
Not playing before the bomb and now he's gonna cost them.
Remember, no timeouts left, we're straight back into things.
Oh, that could be the backbreaker you talked about over time.
If that rounds living in Falcon's head rent free, this could very well end in regulation.
It's either the long control, it's going up the tunnels, the way out.
Eyes on Belchinox, right? No pressure being felt, which means as soon as he feels any form of a play or chance that it could be B, he can block.
He's got the smoke, he's got the molly. There's everything he needs to buy time, and he has been great in terms of multi-kill output in this second half.
Lot of faith they've put into Belchinox B hold here.
They're grouped up. They're gonna have to extinguish if they want to go through.
Here they go!
Here they come. It's February 3rd.
Traded by Kiyosuke. A crucial trade has given them access.
Another cross. Yeah. Door smoke in.
Yeah, but what's the yellow reaction immediately? Dribbles one of his own design.
Quick reactions. They're gonna flash. They're gonna be played disruptive.
Jay flashes them in.
Through the smoke, he explodes. Looking for action.
So many bodies on the site. Flay from the window. Site-5-2. Kiyosuke can't transfer.
And it's surely Paravision's cross.
No! Kixon denies!
A quick flick up to the window!
Bonus rounds required!
Map number one of the playoffs are ready to delivering.
Right down to the wire, a couple of clutches.
Holy!
Didn't even give him a minute to breathe.
That's not an easy one. Kixon makes it look so.
Oh, me!
Still trying to piece together what's happened in that trade.
It's off the trade. They've come in quick, but we're back under way.
Clutches on clutches.
MR3.
First to 16.
Took a chance with the AWP. Pick long.
Settle into this one now.
Double AWP's left to regulation for paravision.
It's all dispelled, pushed away.
Still playing for BR Power Vision.
We've seen them go for this gamble a couple of times.
Third man on the site, normally the A-Rifle Noter.
It's worth talking about during regulation.
You can definitely play nameplate counter-strap, but when you're going into the sites against
Power Vision, you can't assume anything's clear.
James done a good job of always pipping one at the post when playing this standard setup,
What is it? Contact? Be crazy to contact you at the first round of O2 with all these nades.
Just a quick explosion, James was not on the line so too much progression. He's trying to catch you on the cross of course he's good for it, kicks him down.
Niko, big on the rotations, taps off two, a third asking too much but massive from Niko, great output, bomb down, James off noted as well.
Got to be cleaner on the post-plat this time.
As a mercy.
Kiyosuke wants to try and rock that clock.
Monosy to provide some cover on that cross.
Great flash.
They get Monosy down, flay hits the headshot.
Kiyosuke can't do it either!
Massive from Zwei!
Tessus has been brilliant, all he has to do is stop that defuse.
All he has to do was stop that defuse.
Are they got it?
I don't think they got it.
A one versus three from Tessus.
Down to the wire.
That one got tense.
Just a little slow on that.
A little slow.
That flash, honestly, was perfect, wasn't it?
He gets taken off the line.
Kiyosuke is low HP.
Goose, that's not an easy fight.
But they still snatch away the round.
So it's getting tense now.
It's high octane counter strike, isn't it?
Yeah, mom, she's called, hasn't he?
Who needs an energy drink or a coffee when you've got counter strike to wake up to?
Well, we go again.
I need to stay there if they lose this one, Paravision, to buy going into the final round of this OT.
It's going to be rough around the edges. They're going out long.
All right, this is quick. Yeah, Tess, this has to be leading the pack, leading the charge.
He gets flashed off, drips, drops into a bit, trades out on some notes.
So the second is tough. Yellow's already rung his belt.
Surely he's a dead man.
You'd think so. Swayze's even got an aid, Nip didn't tap his head, not far off.
not far off. Goes for another bite and gets way low.
Now they're going to pressure B, they're going to walk in on contact,
might see a Niko. No, not contact.
Oh, they throw out the nades.
That's in that presence, he's just not snuck here.
Miles away from any cavalry, he is alone and concedes the sight.
Retake on this one, or is he?
Or is he?
Staying around those smokes, spotted out, Niko.
Crucial frag provided should enable the Falcon's plant.
Tough retake, his way already had too much damage inflicted by Tess S.
It looks like they're backing away.
Get that JMAWP, get out of there.
Saving it over time.
You never love to save.
The money restraints, put them in this position.
It feels like since the final round of regulation,
the game's gone up a gear in terms of the tempo,
and it feels like Paravision has been drawn into it.
I'm sure they were stalled out there
with the 3v3 on the retake,
but Niko killing two on the rotation.
That's a massive round for him.
Having some impact, making things a whole lot tougher for Paravision.
If you let them default, if you let them retake,
with the fundamentals in play,
You can see how polished they are.
All that 14.
Not be the finance available for a JMAWP.
That's not going to take his bonus time out. He wants something before they swap sides.
I think this is a real big hit to the defense right now of Paravij not having the ult.
Because think about all the times they've been getting up short and then Jame will get
the first kill and no matter what, the flashes, the smokes, the scaling there, but Jame would
to be able to find that opening in 6-3 in that department.
Sure, it's not a crazy stat, but considering the amount of times
they've been able to get that space, it's been a good output from James.
I mean, the key takeaway from me is that Kixon with what?
Nine frags total.
His clutch, we wouldn't be in overtime if it wasn't for Kixon's one versus two
in the last round of regulation.
Tessus as well, a name that's not often discussed as...
I mean, it played a crucial role.
Not pulling the trigger whatsoever, the HE obscures the cross.
KSUK going through low up.
Stay down the back pocket, KSUK drawn to 45, KSUK lands now.
On the break.
Yes, 2k down.
Open and kill.
The back of the Dastan time-out.
He wanted something to work with when the sides do swap.
Now Harkins have to take themselves out of trouble.
Flash for Niko, no one home.
This is a stand-by match.
Pull the monotone out with the lurk smoke. You've got one of your own.
Hold on, look at this.
Oh, shit. This is huge from him. He's gonna have a back turn.
Oh!
It doesn't matter if you've got low HP if you hit that first bullet.
Tiena's got the Clippers out.
Have to go B now, 20 seconds.
Oh, no, no, just looked away. Niko.
That's a jab!
Gonna provide the count for that! That's a double entry out of Niko!
Bombsnook gonna get to the side right now.
It's going to get there. It's going to get there.
I think with a second to spare, you have to get past Nota.
Spokes out there.
The boss is not going to make it across this time.
You need the kills. It's not going to happen.
Power vision taken around.
Oh, I thought they could make it across.
Nota denies with just a little bit of a connection.
Puts him into the mud, slows them down sufficiently.
Yeah, I think they're not assuming they're getting into that side at all.
Long flank comes in. I think at that point,
they think it's going to be a stack.
I still think they're getting a double kill, they're already rotating away and then rotating back, there was just no time.
Frustrating round for Nico after he does manage to break in, I think time, obviously they're great, his enemy there.
Well Nicole was made, he was meant to sell that and keep the B-Players playing, he's not meant to kill them both, or give the years.
He's meant to go down differently, he just kept on fighting.
Okay, they get what they wanted, paravision off the back of their one time out.
Get that one round as we swap sides to the T side then.
There's a real safe nature about this B cross.
They were so late to get over, they didn't want to give away a pick or any damage.
It's in this setup before with Nico and Monosie ahead.
That bricks Molly.
This is where Paravigian can take back over the tone of the game.
They can slow it right down, go through the motions, back to the bread and butter of the default.
Back to these B splits.
There's the tension of overtime.
They make this...
Kisuke and Kixin defense a little bit more brittle.
We go through this same flow. Flash comes in, pops up his head.
Gotta get out of there, monasy.
Take of the flame herd, information relayed and a nade.
Solid connection to ZLO.
Second one with that cake truck. Ouch!
He found output on the low HP before.
Well, he accomplished the mission, which was to force them back off short.
them back off short to make them into the easier they're quite quick into this
as well Nico doesn't have a smoke from it to break yes okay
top of the fight on to belchin oh I can't handle it now
he's in trouble he's in so much trouble still with the miss Molly he gets a
chance a frag onto jame doesn't feel like enough Nico quickly tending to this
Tess has found a flash. There is a way back in now.
I need a save option. I know you don't want to see it, but...
They're still doing a lot of talking.
They're just being given a monocie. The two rifles will attempt to get back in.
Everybody low on paravisioners.
Let's see if I can ride off. Are they going to go for this late?
Make them think it's a save and then try and pipe in.
Let's see if someone misplays.
Start to hear the sounds of an exit. Here comes that little flash.
Pop.
And the first way, catches the window aggress.
Paravision have broken in, and Modesty's going to lose it all as well.
Brutal.
Last round of that half. First round of this one.
We're going to go over this one.
14 all.
Already an hour into this one
first back of the day.
All best of threes and we know
when Paravisioner in the server
long old series.
So next turn on the time out
wants to make sure he gets this
one under the belt to guarantee
double OT before they're the one
with the financial woes.
They decided to go for that three
They're hoping the Paravigian start to leave the site and they can catch a timing, but
his way here ain't going anywhere.
Absolutely rocking that position.
Crazy to see him top ADR with such a poor opening death statistic.
He's managed to keep himself at the top of the tables, regardless of a couple of opening
deaths.
Look at the long points here if they wanted to use them for the Paravigian site.
It looks like they will.
Tessus as the long anchor has the worst longspawn possible
So is the yellows all gonna be able to get early info the long is unoccupied
You have to just wait for the smoke down here. You can't take the corner to the blue
Tessus
Lucky to be alive
Early utl for a beat as look at Kiyosuke's aggressions James ready for this
He's so ready. He hears you. Oh, no, this is a shot uncharacteristic miss from James lucky to be alive
This is Kiyosuke, and those assumptions being made when the P5 is off long that
there can't be one and up a tunnels.
Tentacalcans early that they do to fight on within the round. Niko on the jiggles.
Molly's down to CT.
Still good restraint on some key pieces of utility right now as Smokes are thrown out to block mid-doors.
Got two Smokes, two incendiaries, couple flashes of HE's left to continue to defend and
about to hit that 45 second mark.
This is gonna be a big chest for Monosik.
Can he avoid the flashbangs? No, he can't.
Posed away. Second phase. Second wave. Again, connects to his face. Now they're on the site.
Bomb to be planted. Yellow tasked with that short plant.
Three channeled through CT for the retake. They still have the orb that's going to deny any access on the site.
The key for me, there's still one smoke in play right now, and a molly for the defense.
Smoke break.
Look at the angle. No, it's a broad down. Great outflip from Kix, and he's found input.
He's found impact.
Vel'jinok, good on that AK. Just the one. Kiyosuke on the trade.
Odyssey not looking sway. Later rival on the long side.
Oh, Parabizion have done it.
Access to the A site.
Map. Point.
Well, it took Kicks and Clutch to get us here.
He's going to be able to get them out of this now.
The CT side after...
Using a tough patch of rounds is in hot water.
It is going to be a scout for Monosy.
There's a few M4s and I feel like they have to play this round
a little bit more aggressively.
They have to take a chance. They have to make a play.
How about head-to-head with a scout?
Honestly, he is going to be playing a bit more audacious into this one, trying to insert himself into the play, trying to be a disruptive force.
Oh, he's actually hit that!
And no scope through the door, the smoke, and into Notus Kevlar!
At least usually important here, it's just smokes.
Blanc with Nico.
Forward position.
He's round the corner, low flash required, catches him, line enough nades, no tickets away, trade from Kiyosuke.
Yes, the double!
Massive spray from Kiyosuke!
James still lows way up at Tunnels.
They are so segregated.
Two players on either end of the map, one with the bomb and five points of health and the other.
Still just trying to maintain some control.
With the gaps right now, there's a mid-to-be possibility that Kixson will have to worry about, and Long is also open.
There's a few problems in the Falcons defense at the moment, but you have to take a couple of chances when you're strung out like this.
Pick up.
And then joining his way over towards B, starting to activate on short. Tess is in one answers. Kixen needs to get at least one.
It's just an MP9.
Kixen, as you highlighted, he previously secured overtime with the 1 vs 2. Now it is 1 vs 2 on B.
No teammates will help you here.
Sway has an AK-47, reveals his presence with the grenades.
Flash to deal with, turns it, Sway up and over, opens the site.
Test us, straight through it, straight through it!
Sway's there to deny!
It comes down to the monosy clutch.
James has five points of health, but Sway has done so much.
The hard work to get that bomb planted now, it's monosy task with something special.
What have you got? What can you do?
Time sensitive.
He starts to make his move, Jim, cowering behind the bricks.
And Sway confirms his presence.
Monacee, loud about this.
J-Mon crouches. He knows where you are.
Monacee's worked it out.
Gonna have to throw the slope onto the bomb.
What a 10-seconder.
Surely he's a dead man. Surely this is para-vision.
It's been all Sway, and he secures it.
Dust 2 in the bag. New addition, Sway closes it.
He said she loves you, but she can't love me!
But I love you!
I won't play Rindu anymore.
What's going on?
Play your role, one next back.
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I don't know what's going on here, but I'm going to show you what's going on here, and
what's going on here.
Yes, welcome back.
First map of the playoffs is done.
What an absolute banger.
Great way to start us off.
You will get value for money when para vision play.
I tell people this.
I don't know when people are going to start paying attention to this team because they
say it every time.
It doesn't matter who you are, they will find a way to be competitive against you.
They are mandated, divinely, good scenes to get 10 rounds every map they play minimum
and if they go to OT, toss a coin.
Yeah, I mean, you got to respect how persistent this team is.
I mean, even throughout this game, they had cold starts and both halves losing both pistols,
not being able to get off on the right foot.
They always found a way to fight their way back into the game.
And like you said, Paravision's value for money right now,
if you're a ticket holder at this event, because they've played
every map you possibly can so far.
I mean, they played all three maps, all the group stage games,
multiple games went to overtime.
And this was no exception.
I think this is the fourth time this team's going to overtime.
Yes.
It's their fifth map of overtime at this event.
Yeah, it's like crazy.
I mean, this is just also a catastrophe in terms of finish
for the Falcon side.
I mean, you have this one ready right for the taking.
Paravision, yeah, they bounce back, they fight back.
You get a couple little heroic performances
from individuals.
Belchunak had a really nice couple multi-fract situations,
even though Falcons felt like they
had their foot on the throat.
This is a huge surprise and a huge shock to Falcons,
one where, I must just say, get the screenshots out again.
Some of the rounds that they lost in this one
just felt completely unloosable, which is exactly what
Kixon said is the one they needed to avoid.
Yeah, it's one of those things where, if we're just kind of
looking at on average what to place.
I mean, when you're comparing the T sides
to both of these teams, it seemed like Paravision really
had no trouble implementing their game plan,
whether they wanted to go for the mid-to-be splits,
or they wanted to go for their pop plays.
But in particular, just simple stuff like crossing cat,
they were so effective at flashing monosy off the angle,
allowing themselves to get onto the platform,
get bomb plants.
When you saw Falcon's T side, that just didn't happen.
I thought they were never able to unseat James AWP.
Anytime they went A, it felt like Jane got one freebie
as they were crossing cat, and always put them,
the man behind it kind of took heroics
to steal the rounds of what they did get.
So, you know, it was very alarming
to just see them not be able to have the basics
down some of their takes.
And if you are a Falcons fan,
or maybe Yanko chilling in the hotel,
look away now, because it's happening again.
It's Wei coming back to haunt them.
I mean, what a fantastic performance.
Let's be clear, Wei was deemed
surplus to requirements on Spirit.
He had that major where he finally showed something
in one series was still cut anyway.
James was there to swoop down, gather him up,
give him this second chance,
and since he's joined, it's been a redemption arc.
It's been extremely impressive.
I feel like map to map,
you don't know what you're gonna always get,
but I think Dust2 is one that James outlined
that he can have his way as his right hand man.
When he's controlling on T side, this entire B area,
just left to his own devices on the lurch,
he is usually good for at least one,
and you could see kind of towards the tail end of this game,
how some of that stage experience really does come into the fact that he is extremely clutched that he doesn't let his
Let the game move too quickly for him
He's able to slow the situations down and even when falcons are trying to apply all the pressure
He was able to stand up. Yeah, really good anchoring from so a
Throughout the entirety of the CT side really the only time that it fumbled is when they try to get a little bit too aggressive
And tests were just sitting back waiting was able to catch a couple of kills that way
But when they played a little bit more standard it didn't get a little bit too forward
It just again, it seemed like Falcons were never really able to you know
Get those clean a splits that you want being able to get that space or get that key entry
They're always fighting from the back foot and then as we'll discuss here in a moment
It's those critical rounds that you have to win to be able to either win the game regulation or at least stay alive
And they just crumble it happens oh so often and I mean it's just you know kind of happen here again this one
Why don't we take a look at some of those rounds? We've highlighted one here
It really goes to show count strike is such a uniquely cruel esport
I mean round 23 is just eat your heart out if you're a hater. I mean this these are the exact kind of moments where we
Frequently are left scratching our heads as to how could you be this good?
But also this bad three on one situation and everything from here on out is inexcusable
Okay, Nico pops his head back up knowing that the last player is there in no time
I would say sure maybe monocy could have traded but the bomb is planted for short and monocy is taking the fight
against a note who has not tapped the bomb and it leaves test is in an unwinnable situation, okay?
I know everybody's made the jumping off look like it's possible. It's not so what this leaves kicks
And to have to win a 1v2 here, but really I think round 23 is just the epitome of what it is to be a falcons
Watcher that you know that they can put all of the parts of a round together
One I mean everything starts to finish except for actually just breaking the finish line tape
It's like at that singular moment, they find new ways to stumble.
Yeah, I mean, again, I think that one of the things we've praised Poppins for is the fact that they have actually found a way to balance the roles on this team despite maybe some of the players not being a natural fit.
I think we have seen progress on how they handle early round situations, how they, you know, open up rounds, their different default variations, you know, how they like to play.
But again, in this game, I felt like there was time until they got stalled out and really couldn't get off the blocks.
I think there were rounds again where they were just giving freebie kills on the first god that was entering.
And then you know you have a round like that one where you finally do do everything you're supposed to do to win the round and then
You somehow find a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory like I just don't know how you do those things
I mean we talk about all the time 5v2's and 5v3's that happen to him at mouse at crackdown
It's happening to him again here, and this wasn't the only example
There was one other big one that we saw in overtime. Yeah, I mean we can take a look at it
If you know if you do want to think we got the this way around the final round of the game with 2v3
James on red HP the way that is way
I just want to say commend. I want to commend his way for using all of his utility one by one by one
Smokes the door molly's the window nades out gets the kill on a test is right there
It just looks so composed and even the way that he obviously plays it against monest
He doesn't does he's not too wide in this kind of moment
And so I think it's also a nightmare situation for Falcons
We're the one guy that just destroyed you on spirit at the quarterfinals of Budapest is now he has your number again
I just like they can't avoid this guy. Yeah, absolutely
I think the other big issue is do you do you think that one test has pushed in there and died to the need to wait me to double up?
Absolutely
You should never put yourself in the line of danger whenever you're still waiting for your teammates to get there to retake with you
We know that the B bombsite retake on dust 2 is one of the hardest retakes in the game
You have to make sure you have everything at your disposal to take over around like that
So the fact that test has put himself in harm's way by being in a door smoke that you know is probably gonna get spammed
You know as you're still waiting for your teammates to get positioned to retake together as a unit
You've now taken an opportunity away from everyone because now they have to play, you know, from a man disadvantage or an equal situation
They don't really have the info and so again
It's just critical rounds that this team loses whether it's anti-ecos whether it's tense rounds like that one with all the
Pressures on the line. This is where Falcons really start to fumble. Hmm. What about
The overall sprawl of the tactics. I mean, we haven't talked about it with James so much
I feel across the tournament. We are talking about a major winning idea
I feel like he has had to go back to the drawing board quite a bit though
I feel like the the one mistake that you may make about James is think that it's going to be this slow
default constricting play that
Chokes you out of the round and makes and plays to punish you
But given that he has a bunch of youngsters beside him
he's gotten a little bit more punchy a little bit more pacey and
Sometimes I think that that's kind of what you have to do when you're playing with the younger crew
I think sometimes that nowadays I see a little bit more defaulting than I did maybe at the major
But it's not necessarily like they're that same just they're trying to put that choke hold on the map as they did a couple years ago
I think they're trying to develop a foundation right?
I mean again this team is one that does play a little bit more explosive
They try to cater to Zelo and no no because look whenever you're playing fast-paced execs and just let those two guys go forward
It's not a whole lot of thinking that has to take place
You give them supportive utility and you're telling them to go send it and they're very confident going for those duels
But as you said sometimes in the mid-round they can still you know get back into you know really passive like milk
the clock down, but that just frustrates teams. You know, when you're used to a guy
hitting you over and over again really quickly, then they all of a sudden change it up and
they don't give you any information or any early battles. You're like, what the heck's
going on here? It also, look, James still good for a good gamble stack somewhere on the
CTSI. He still has some of his old trademarks, but it's definitely not the same game of
the past.
And here's the problem, right? We go to Mirage. It is Vulcan's pick. They're very good on
the map. They're very good on every map. Of course they are with the roster that they
But I've seen paravision dust up some teams on mirage as well. I've seen them at one point pick this map
I think paravision is gonna be sitting pretty feeling pretty comfortable coming into this one. I'm not so sure Richard
They've lost all four mirage games. They've played at this tournament meanwhile. You look at Falcons
They've won the last eight out of eleven games
There are nine and five overall and four of those five losses are from fury and most of them were in overtime
So I think you know, they are a really good poise my mirage
And the one thing I want to point out is something that I noticed in their game against fury
Niko has changed his position on the T side.
When they brought Kiyosuke in the squad,
they had made Niko more interested in A Lurker
to allow Kiyosuke to be an entry fragger B
in the main control group.
But now they've moved Niko over to the B side of the map
and put Tessus at A.
And I think this is a calculated maneuver
to try to get Niko a little bit more involved
in helping them take mid control from underpass,
being a little bit more on the pocket trading
and things of that nature.
I think it just makes their mid control
a little bit more dangerous.
And they still can't go back to some of their trademark,
you know, fast-paced executes and things
that nature would need to be.
The right decision to give Kiyosuke
the positions over Nico. I would say so a lot of teams are using that spot that
Nico is now occupying as their star player. I mean I think K-Sorado takes
up the same role for Furia for example just gets to be a more of a late round
player gets to help with the midtake in general but oftentimes is not the first
point of entry not the first guy fighting in the con or up the short side
so he gets to pick and choose his spots a little bit more carefully whereas
Kyosuke just has to be that first in guy he's getting set up by kicks in if he's
able to get the entry. That's great. Niko can work behind that. But even if Niko has
to be that contingency option, he can fill in.
I think the other big thing to think about is Monosy on this map. He was phenomenal on
Dust2 on average. Yeah, he had that one mistake on the post round that we pointed out, but
there was a highlight reel to be had throughout the rest of the game for 100% honest. And
he's no backline bozo. This guy's a forward-facing oper. He's going to be in your face throughout,
you know, very dynamic defensively on Mirage. He's going to go for opening picks on the
T-side. He's not going to be like Jayne, who kind of just holds angles and plays more
supportive. He's going to be really broad with Kiyosuke and he and Kiyosuke have done
a phenomenal job throughout this tournament of just really showing you the strength that
they have in those early round situations and in their openers. Their success rate in
these opening duels at the start of rounds is very, very high and that's going to hopefully
create a lot of opportunities for Falcons. It's just more about making sure you don't
fumble and bottle those really clutched hits rounds.
Yeah. Here's the problem as I see it though. You know, we joke, column P, vision, all of
that stuff. There is a P word that's coming in there and it's pressure. You know, James
said in an interview before this he said he has no expectations that we're just a
young team we're gonna make mistakes we make the type of mistakes that mean we
can't win tournaments that's what he said having already won one of course and
so I think it's in Falcon's head right now that oh my god it's happening again
on stage at a tournament at the start of the year. I mean to echo the sentiments
of James was Daston immediately after the blast bounty he did something that I've
never felt a coach do before which is that immediately after they won that
event. He came into the talent
green room to tell all of us guys.
Please don't put any expectations on.
Don't go telling everybody that we're going to win every event or beat all the top teams.
We just think this is a good run now and we'll be happy to make playoffs.
Well, someone I always have high expectations on is of course our commentators.
We now go back to sponge a machine.
Thank you very much, Richard. Yes.
What kind of a start to the day could be a long day if each game goes like that one.
Well, always with the Paravision game, that's what we're doing this one first.
Kind of set the limitations for the rest of the day, but how's this ice?
I was just taking a look. In the first 15 rounds of that game,
honestly, he had 22 kills. He ended the game with 26.
So in the next 15 rounds of play, he only managed four frags.
Yeah, no, that's, I mean, ice cold. Ice cold. They're not in a good way.
Yeah, no, that was an absence, a notable absence,
and Dust2 going the way of Paravision puts us into this territory.
The desk is set to scene. Anything you want to build onto that?
I just want to illustrate last of the ring that we should be seeing this one go to the distance.
Okay, the distance potentially
Cluj is filled out nicely you guys have had your breakfast
Now we're ready for some more Counter Strike a snack
again, just a reminder about the provision pistol stats, so
Even if they don't get it not the end of the world on a mirage might go a long way to getting things down to zero
They gambling a nobody beep just Xelo playing short
Mentory underpass two on top mid first exchange found
Power smoke nobody home and yellow information in markets. Oh more than information bloodshed
Kier's so gay down doesn't get to play the pistol round. Well, they're splitting B
So this is still good position for Falcons regardless of the opening death
Unless yellow doesn't know one of those
And he hasn't hit that first bullet on the block.
In honestly, he does manage to ring his bell.
Blockhead shot running at him.
Can't finish him off.
Finally, last bullet of the block pulls us into the 4-on-4.
B site accessed.
Got Belcher knocking the back of the site.
Nico puts out Jame, and there's a nice one back.
Honestly, Double kills.
Sway is kicking up a fuss.
The arch enemy.
Sway versus the Falcons.
He's a big reason they've got that first map under their belt.
now notaring a clutch with a kid on sight. Will he have a look? Will Monacy leave with
more than three? Another hot star for Illy the Kid.
Pistol's haven't been a problem though. Yeah, and look, that's great to see Monacy shake
off the Mars 15 rounds right and start very strong here on the pistol. It's almost exactly
how the Dust 2 pistol went. Zero push long, gets an opening pick, enter at 45, then it's
just split into B and now it's just walked away with it. So we get this eco again out
of paravision. Turned into Falcons to get the 2-0 start. Limiting casualties will be
end of the game in this one. I'm calling his team into a B-scan this time round on the
eco as all those D-Gull sounds off. There's a little spicy little investments
right now from Paravision if the gamble is correct. There's two Zeus's.
I do love a cheeky game plan. And so one if they scale out the balcony, the other if
they jump out the window. This falls apart quite quickly if they are able to make
way up short. If you call into the stack, fine, but your teammates need to be able to
brawl out a bit. You've also got Tessus who likely will be able to relay that very little
resistance being felt on A depends on who goes first. Now this is one of those things,
right? You know that you need something to start probing, but I think the pack should
take contact first. Then if they find too much resistance then Tessus plays. But how
are they smoke actually gonna make things cheeky for the pistols to play
around yeah a bomb still not committed it's our monosies back coming in from
short side Kixens Mac 10 trying to scout but he hasn't found any resistance yet
it's bad info there's a spot the tickets up as well as a fine to a push
adjustment from the Mac 10 $1200 to his back account and now the positions are
the headshots are fast. Okay.
And they always had a way out,
right? That bomb floating.
Kisuke close connector. Yeah,
and Tessus in palace. So, as
soon as they established it was
the stack, that one was going to
be all good as we do now find
the guns, which may WP for this
one.
I think the game completely
changed after that belch not
It's okay to have the chance to get back into things and the pressure mount for falcons.
So you can make sure you're keeping them at arm's length.
You get a good start and you continue.
Well those H.E.s not landing in the window, but then they're done too much in any way.
Don't you limit control motions.
Oh my goodness.
Three missed nades from Falcons on the first gun.
Kiyosuke's still gonna try and make his move. He's been set up to succeed.
Oh, he's being held.
Wow, Kiyosuke gets in, gets his, gets out!
Opening kill for the Falcons. Regardless of missed utile.
Back to a B finish now.
Now to playing ahead of this.
Zella here is rough.
There's actually three on the side.
And these jame gambles.
They come B.
You can win.
Here they come.
Ways in the right place.
Tracks the drop.
Ways in the right place. Tracks the drop, confirmed to there.
Yasuke solid. Those yellow. How's he got three?
Kixen coming in from the short side, but you're not ready for Noca.
Monosy unprepared. He's got his back turned. No covering fire.
Easy jump scare. Noca swings on outputs. Monosy on his ass.
Just Kixen in that close. Belton Ots rotated through nine seconds.
He hasn't got the time for this. He hasn't got the time.
gets the head shot just has to run at him. Where's he going? What's the plan? Okay, Paravision will take it.
Kixon survives and upgrades, but the job is done. The round is won.
Okay, this is gonna be a tough buy now for Paravision to come back in with the ball completely wiped.
It's yellow because of those kills can get on M4. It's gonna be a couple more available as well,
but they're gonna be light on with the U-Tilt. So that one is still a good opportunity for Falcons
is to reset ParaVision in the early stages of this.
Stack is in the right place, notes up.
You've got exactly what you had to do about doing this.
Third unknown element to confirm the round.
Three is crazy for Yellow.
You're going to be kicking yourself out of your Falcons
that you don't get the job done on that one.
And you get that opening pick thanks to Kiyosuke,
and then you walk into the stack.
Now, this is always the case,
and this is what I'm talking about,
is you can't make assumptions
when you're going into these bomb sites against ParaVision.
You have to clear everything.
But when the time's not on your side,
the pressure is there, the comms are chaotic.
Sometimes you're going to overlook this as again. It feels like Dastan saying every game
I'm going to take your time at about the fourth or fifth round
To credit where it's due as well to notice or not over playing right. He knew that he's been overlooked
Just by delaying
catches monosie planting
It's just understanding the expectation saying the provision to do very well and then it's a burning on the other side
mid-biff, mid-biff flashing. How they scale quickly. They want to take some fights. They're
hoping that Paravision offer up some mid-control. They want to, hey, you want to fight from
shore, you want to jump our window, that's okay. We've got the better guns in this one.
P7, they plant us around the M4s. Slow emissions. Alpkins 2 kicks in.
Option N4 gets in with a Mach 10.
Next wave of mid-control utility being lobbed in.
So tough for me again, literally if you keep walking into the stacks, the mind games feel
like he's in your head.
He's absolutely reading you.
This time, this is a very eccentric defense.
They aren't playing retake though, man. Two towards ticket, and two essentially jungle
and window, so they are giving you the A site if you wanted to execute. They don't have
any Hs to break. Do a look at it on belch not for the retake. It's okay, with bank control.
Still found out now. Forty seconds and we'll have to start making a move.
Kicks an interview of answers.
Kicks a call by no time.
Porten from Kiyosuke.
Base split.
Keep some levels way.
Tux in.
Here's the commitment of Kiyosuke.
Surely Kiyosuke wins this.
Still headshot exchange.
Massive from Kiyosuke finds the unguarded B bomb site now.
Jay rounding the corner.
But Fum's Kiyosuke should have him dead.
It's the LR.
Wasn't ready for the professions of Niko.
That's not loud about this test.
is working on that flank. He's gone nearly went down to that farm house. Nico and Kiyosuke
round.
No, no, yes, I believe it will be the jam time. Okay, well, look, he had a little style
of move there within the midround as this would be, he makes the window jump to short.
That's why it was so quick on that flank. Man, he was very fast to get behind them there
in that motion. That's up. This is Falcon's essentially resetting power vision because
Because with that round that they won, their lost corners went back down to only 1900, and they had to rebuy everything.
So they didn't have a whole lot of extra cash to be working with, but they do.
Hold on to this gen. to every wall.
They can take the eco behind this, and they can get a gunny out into the next, so...
I'm sure it's going to be waylaying this AWP.
In the outcome of these kills, that could be changed in the conversation.
So Dustun took a timeout, wanted to make sure they set them up for the biggest part of the success.
It's a very important trait.
I think that Kixxen's stairs, notar, just slightly narrowly exposed to that long range angle through ladder.
But I want to kind of point down here the way that Barthens approached that round.
They were searching for the staff.
And they're essentially setting Kixxen up to take the room to understand what setup they're dealing with.
There wasn't anybody else committing with him, it was just Tessus through the halo.
just info gathering
so as long as they're diligent with their U2
they are going to be able to get away with moves like that
where they can slink in and try and get the best information possible
J-men 4 the only real threat over towards B
something gone a bit of a walk, Nico waiting for this
that's a really nice start, just removing Sway
potentially overlooking James forward position as well though
he's all spotted him
the jig is up
hard to set high expectations for Zelo's noose as well you don't need to rush this even though
you know where the m4 is just like the weapon you two advantage just to clear this yeah he's
not going to you think the molly's gonna jump oh no electrocuted that's two rifles now yeah
this one's starting to get a walk with further falcons james m4 now joined by Zelo's hard
earned and Rinkard with
collage. It's no top con.
Really night on time chat.
Oh, big find. Really important.
That was going to be yellow
unless they can't find Jame.
15 seconds, how is it?
Come here, Nico, it's all looking!
Modesty trades!
Just in time for the plant.
Just in time for the round.
The worst win.
Keep it tense.
You can see Nico there.
Oh, that one got down close regardless.
So four to one.
They deal with the easy one, and now we get the guns out.
Fair play to Zello.
Fair play.
Finds a safe haven.
Like, his immediate reaction to that Molotov.
Climbing the ladder stops the spread.
No tick of flame kicks and overlooks, but it is an important find from Kyosuke keeping him humble
Otherwise he would have been back, you know in that crossfire with Jane that could have been
He thought
I think the kills here would help Jim get out there to be a P ever so slightly so
Last half of the mix. It's all taken over towards A
Fight coming his way. Not too close
Wow he's quick isn't he?
Return to same pre-AIM
He's going to be very vulnerable and susceptible to this.
I think he gets the info.
He has swapped the tip of the head.
He is surrounded from both sides.
Those are one side's way, the other.
He'll left, right, goodnight.
Everyone's here.
Peek at your own carol.
Oh, Tessus!
As he jumps, Jait pulls the trigger.
I missed shot from both.
A smoke is threatening that second one dribbled forward by the CTs now Niko will activate catches the backstab here
They come though they want to fight for Niko take back control of middle with the site is lost and the bomb is ticking
This way he's backing up for saving already. Yeah, this one's over
Not gonna risk if don't lose the orb don't have a kit and they're gonna be holding on to a falcons 5 to 1
Again, a moment they got sketchy, good info and survivability from Kiyosuke, saying okay,
they're short, they're con.
Response time from Paravision was swift, and they know that the reaction to the noted mid
controller is going to be the waltz into a site that they were dead and he's threatening
to throw everything in the kitchen seeing their way.
This is a common theme when we have Paravision in the server, you need to put him away quickly,
You can't give them a chance to work back into the game.
So this is a good start short.
T side, five rounds to the good.
I think one of the boon that you have for Falcons right now
is Proudvision have lost four straight Mirages
and they've all been here in Cluj.
Those sails with the lost bonus
do mean they're not threatening by.
So things really come too easily for Falcons so far.
Oh, well, you know, just as Marci dismounts, it does advance towards the rampside, no
I need damage to report.
It's timed on the flash, doesn't dissuade Kisuke, still takes the space.
If he's blind they should be too.
We'll see Johnson kicks in top mid. Niko applies a little bit of pressure to beat.
He flushes out vent.
Oh, he's got something on the window side here, Kixson.
He'll catch him.
They're going for the boost.
Quick reaction, they just try and clamp down on middle.
Kixson's managed to find double kill.
He's coming back from Falcon's captain here and Zwey wants his head, but Modesty the
top of mid provides cover.
With Zwey gone already, the hopes of ParaVision's second round, they start to wane.
Tess has already borrowed deep into dark.
you'll be calling it clear, especially if you find this headshot onto yellow. Job done.
Alright now, do you want to hunt? Do you want to transcend AWP away, James?
And up close and personal, cutting off at the pass is Nico.
The bomb goes down, so 40 seconds on the clock.
And that clock is Jametime.
He loves this mini-game, holding onto his AWP.
the
The adage goes when playing against Para vision or playing against a team with Jane just imagine he's always got one
It's gonna find him it costs him his life
Okay, well, uh, James gonna push a close-up to the site to try and hold on to this for now
With the loss bonus and the residual cash he has he can buy a to be p into the next and it's getting ever closer
I'm they gonna be able to find him because clearing out market
He might be getting away with this, so...
Tess is going to be able to get here in time.
He doesn't miss these.
Oh, but he does like he's flashed!
Light of a vicar time!
Well, he's not going to be bad in fight.
I mentioned that he still had the money for it all,
and he's just bought one immediately.
Gaston's going to take the time out right now,
so maybe he doesn't want that to be the play,
but there is enough money to justify a buy
without all the bells and whistles.
Because of that timer, does mean that Zonic gets a chance on the mic.
Is he astute enough?
Is he got the abacus out enough to warn his boys that perhaps there was misinformation?
If you're going to be sitting there saying there's no wallpiss around, you are wrong.
I think you also touched upon it, right, against this team.
You always expect that, right?
Yes.
You just assume that they're miracle workers and they got more money
than taking it under the counter.
Yeah.
So, you know you're likely up against something still threatening.
They've got opening from kicks and say,
No, they're just getting involved into that smoke important one back there as well
And this is where it's way could have really taken some liberties bit of a clunky mid-crunch, wasn't it?
Yeah, it's obviously no to going down before
You're now having to trade back in and you need the multi to capitalize
Where you could go with the tea psyche
to keep it simple.
Oh, whoosh.
Oh, oh, oh.
A stupid method of group up and execute, and to take, I'm going to worry about any of those
threats that have been raised to go through your motions, right, your farming.
It's actually a ramp right now.
Nobody...
This is going to stay close to
have with the MVP.
Ms. Belchock is going to have to worry about potential Palace League, but very slow.
What information do you have if you have thousands?
Nothing so far.
really know what you're up against at this point. I'm sure you can make the assumption
that it is a full gun round. But you haven't seen it in a while. You're not informed on
the setup. You don't know where any of this lies. And now it's getting a little time
sensitive. Kisuke and Niko panna up, bomb on the back of Kixen with them. Last of their
smokes. James Orms been found. Stunning from Tessus. He's just too quick on the trigger.
James doesn't even pull his and already access to the A site granted. Is that enough from
Paravision?
I think despite that result on Dust2 and now you're seeing a shot like that at Tessus,
you have to give the tip of the hat right. This is the guy that's taking over these extremity
positions on the CT and the T-Sides, having to change up, obviously, to allow room, the
instruction of Kiyosuke and Niko changing up some of his spots as well. And he's getting
good output today, right? I know they didn't win Dust2, but his fights he was taking along
on the T-Side, instrumental into a couple of key moments. Now he gets the opening incision,
which secures the seventh and Falcons are running away with this.
And on to James Orton, no less, no saving.
And this time it will not be possible.
10-0. I want a 3400 coming in.
T-R-A-S-T-WIN.
to the same round, just with no AWP. So, we're still on that MP7 and away we go. Can there
be any resistance on this or is
Mirage a massive hole in
provisions map or. Okay, no
time. Looks like he does want
to be disruptive. Early midfights
straight across. He's got
nothing to say nothing to
report. Some of the jokers on
it's way to be anchor. So they
knock. Traditional a defender will be trying to take contact first. I'm just curious if
Tessus can do it again. Not this time. It's way best, Simp. Maintains palace control,
scoops up and upgrade. Good info. Does Nico try and take space on me? They're still searching,
eh? They're in a U-tail belt knock. Unusual position up on the box. Throws out that Tetris
block smoke. That's enough. Nico's taking a gap right now. James in market. He's already
pass that line of sight. Honestly, it gives the attention drawn on A. The bomb is starting
to retreat. Niko has seized the sight. He needs this one! Needs this one! Good God, Niko!
Nearly let it slip! It's a long rotation back though. Do you want to commit to this?
Cielo's made the jump. Kiyosuke kills out Belchin off on A. Where's that bomb going?
Kiyosuke should keep searching, right? In this situation, he needs to keep fighting.
He's actually dropping all the way back. So if they do finish B, James here.
James in the right place, he could be a stabilizing force, a two on four that Falcons cannot afford to give up.
It could be a way back in.
Oh, good pass. Catches, kicks, serve, can't find the head.
That's round. Safe and sounds yellow in the World Four.
It looks so dicey, right? The fact that he's got a little bit of rough aim from Nico there on that first fight.
as the site Kiyosuke is still kicking up a fast on A, but if Jane gets that kill, Niko's short pillar low HP and
Monosie has the AWP up in apartments. So the bomb's down with about 20 seconds left on the clock and that could have become a whole lot more
threatening, a whole lot more chaotic, but keeping it clean. Valgo is just one round against them as
third and final tactical timeout call from Dastan.
Go Chenok. Another rough go of things. He started very slow on Dast too, then he had a massive 4k round and that's where the game
really sounded for paravision. 0-8 at the moment.
Yeah, he's one of the players in paravision whose rating has been slipping downwards as the quality of the competition they're playing has gone up.
The opposite is yellow.
Different round if Niko fumbles that.
Probably a different Niko for the rest of this world battle.
And we'll be remiss with that one. I knew we had a chance, but they're back in.
The Lost Burners to save, since that's where they keep having guns, but they don't have any rounds.
That's where this game needs to shift.
Three straight to salvage four. It's yellow.
Short player, sandwiched, so always a loose piece.
We're going to walk on short to get mid info.
I'm opening. James is on the short side. James Horpe is really struggling to insert himself.
A swing and a miss.
Everyone's finding openings for Falcons on this T half. It's not just one man. Red is a team effort in that regard.
This one, delivering in the same way Dust2 was. The game at this point, especially if they convert this with a man advantage,
He's gotten away from paravision.
They're playing for info.
Belchinov rotating back to his sides.
Yellow tucked in as the loose piece.
This time no longer sandwich.
Another one.
Just like that, it falls into place.
It's casual at this point.
It certainly is.
Look at Belchinov.
He gets himself that first one.
Yes, he can.
Position noted.
Now they're gonna crunch palace,
activating as well.
Yellow hiding on the back of site.
Beltrunk vs. Tess S forced to turn that flash. I think he caught a whiff of him.
Tipper the head spotted. Tess removes the threat but are they going to overlook Zelo on that low HP?
Yes they are. Back to turn. He's the multi. Does he provide? Combination is where it's all come down to Tess S.
Away back in for paravision and he's just been flanked up by the USP. A massive round out of Zelo.
Is that just a blemish on the radar, or is that the start of something more?
Always a loose piece, something to worry about.
No, it's not a 5-7 into a pick-up AK into a crazy couple of taps, but it is a round that could cause some frustrations.
It's not going to have any dramas with the boys in the next two. That's the opener. So Orp noted short.
Where's Yellow? I haven't seen him around the entire round.
Butch, not Low, so I have to go find Surgeon, Great Shopper, not cleared, and the Multi-Kill on 12 HP.
They Naded that spot.
It just didn't clear it. Didn't have confirmation.
The Lifeline, the Power Vision, we're looking for.
It has to be paid for if this conversation is going to keep going.
And it has to be the Crystal.
Yes.
This window, Smoke.
I've been getting the opening. It doesn't feel like the calls to at least start the rounds
have to change. Just say you finished, right? Mollied and dated. Solid. Forced to extinguish
as well. So forces out the smoke relatively early. Speaking into Jane, if he's not careful,
Could be jame getting that all a first frag
That is crazy
Niko profits and this one comes tumbling down
Yeah
Niko has played on the stages
That's the great way to reset.
It's noted they'll go plant over towards B
and that's the power vision that's going to start you feeling a little bit hard done by.
That's where the reality of weather is going to settle in.
Not to look at the retainers, but they've already found out across the map to remove it.
You've got that killer, they know where you were
and they're trying to work out and they're going to do where you are.
So, uh, to the moment, it's
time. I think I'm dragging.
They're going to be able to buy
next round anyway. That's going
to make sure you don't have
a good race for the AK.
Right around now of the half.
Definitely a few M fours
available, three equips playing
with the seven again. You can
find good success on that earlier
in the piece, but. This is
about that. And then even with the forward, the pistol, which is never a given just with
how rough that department has been for Paravision, it was always going to be a way back up.
Ancient, good decider of this one. Right now for very biffy.
Hooking up there, stuck a note up. I think he's fed up with this one.
Yeah, he's been caught through smokes. A few rounds in this half. This time a more forward
starts. Takes him responsible for containing midi grass.
You take this map, this is what you couldn't do back at bounty, it was a 3-0.
Sure you had the standing on the team, but paravision.
Once they're relatively unknown, but especially at that level of competition.
I think when the expectations changed, the Falcons, they became the favourite when they were going up into Paravigia, regardless of nucleons.
That's when we started to see the regular form.
But right now, let's pick this one up and to remind yourself, hey, Dust2 should have been ours.
It could have been a Dust2, but we can still take this, not out of it just yet.
Here's Dust2.
Mp7 again, it's as foul as hell!
Oh, it's way!
Mp7!
There's more than a third.
Something to work with.
Sway with the maddest of 3Ks
of the back of the newly-buffed SMG.
He's done that a couple times, hasn't he?
So, great output.
But really, it's probably too late in this one.
from three in the Pistol department so far in the series, I think if anything, it's just
going to give us way a bit more confidence in that Tessus head to head. I think he might
have rocked his world a bit on Dust2. Tessus has the way his number. So yeah, definitely
kind of writing the ship a bit in that respect, but it does feel too far gone. Paravision
haven't shown they can win a pistol. Yeah, in that half as well, then we got five opening
kills so the rest were falling in the fave up of Falcons.
They didn't give away anything consecutive either so they were never in financial troubles.
There was a little bit of pressure in some of the rounds but all in all when you get
a run of six in the mid-patch, you're going to have confidence going into your pistols.
Inspiring generations. Inspiring generations. At this point we're a long way down, are we?
Well, let's get this one underway, shall we?
Second half.
We'll be flawless with the pistols, down kids on the defence, and we're starting over towards window 2B.
A site's vacant.
Man, well they...
I'd have a kit for the retake.
So this is the best opportunity yet for a PowerVision pistol.
When you hear the U2 land...
Consider that bomb planted.
And as you highlighted, it's not going to be easy to get back in. Never mind defuse.
A must-win pistol for PowerVision and the A site is there.
So that's all their nades gone. They don't have anything for a second wave.
Bomb has been planted.
We're flooding in through CT, it's yellow.
It's work, it's out from Magic City, it doesn't want to take that fight.
Monocene, the signature, remove silence, still silence is yellow.
Falling apart for Para-Vision, needs something back.
Meltzernok can't hit a shot, yes it can!
And it's five alive for Falcons!
Fucking a bit of retake than that, can ya?
Look at the smile on the face of Sonic, coach, very happy with that.
The reason I point out there's no extra neutral for a second wave,
you're not expecting them to play retake if you're not keeping a flash, right?
Or that smoke that we see teams trickle deep in towards CT to constrict that.
You're hoping to get the jewels and be able to put yourself in a mid-round scenario with the bomb down where it's tough.
That is a five-man retake, the flash was there, they pushed in, a shot wet.
Mostly gets his bell rung but still gets the frag and at that point it all falls apart, so we could be running away with Mirage.
This is the time Paravish and will fly for their ride at least before tonight.
They had a spawn so this call maybe a little bit more on the fly.
Didn't have the good graces of a timeout to talk it through and if they don't get anything down here it would just be forced buying out the game.
So riding on the wall at the moment.
Takes some monocity on the A site. Niko able to chip in from connector quickly and Kiyosuke can pick up the loose cap that could be mid-crawls under past lurks.
The boat loader so it's locked out mid now you have been ahead of this in calm
Respect and give the space but two on a
Just looking good, but I have to come through
Flying tech nine get away in and now another headshot hit
Honestly tucked on triple Peltier not blow need someone it's Nico that arrived just in time
I'm all we'll just see more of the same.
Take an eco now, you give them 12 and then you have to win 9 straight of your own and
let's see the buys coming together.
Look like they're shoving all in.
It looks like they're actually keeping a relatively restrained so fair enough I guess but to believe
you can run back nine straight rounds on the T side of Mirage, and maybe you've
lost four straight in the last week in a bit. That's gonna be tough. Now that right
there is a blocked window smoke by Nico. He's giving himself a gap to work around.
They're gonna try Tess as over towards B. This UK would be to support him quickly
from the short side. Smoke at a handful of flashes and then catch a timing.
The start to unload gets absolutely nothing into the site.
Reaction from Kiyosuke Delay, the bomb's already getting planted.
They surge and spread into the B-bomb site.
Headshot from Belgium out back of Bench.
Uncomfortable, five on three.
A partial investment, trying to be a bit of a fire starter.
Could this be the catalyst to more?
Mr. Nade.
Well, he's ended up even cells there.
And the Nade missed as well.
Smoking kid, time is ticking.
Gibson and Niko investigating.
More headshots from Belcherdott.
Makes that take nine work.
Throws the M4 to the healthy.
Jay, man, he puts it to great use.
Triple out of Jay.
Peace site collapses.
A little hot under the collar for Tess S.
And you see the Niko reaction there.
So does it begin already?
That was their chance to get 12.
Make sure overtime was guaranteed.
You lose that one and it looks ugly.
He's had a bunch of these this tournament. Yeah, he's had a rough barrage as well. So that's immediate like crazy fire starter impact.
There it is. It seems a whole lot like Dust2 doesn't it? Right? It was one and something. Four kills per round. They're back in it. Yeah.
So, he has a tough role. He plays the extremities. He plays anchoring on the sides. Doesn't get the key positions of getting to play connector or short. You're reacting to things a lot of the time as opposed to setting the tone.
So they're coming in with a force with only the 1400, they've decided to take the eco.
1900 loss bonus coming into the next to get out of the guns, monocies AWP will be possible.
That's easily walking into what will be the fifth round.
So if this happens again, you question whether it was the inexperience of foot.
and then ends up losing the series and Paravigian locked himself in.
To do it to Falcons, experience some same conversation, but the mental definitely is.
You won't pass this one, and you won't see Falcons bother doing anything too crazy in this, right?
If you can hang around to get an exit, get yourself an upgrade, that's what you're going to be looking for, right?
You know that you'll find the next rat is going to have some omissions for a couple key players.
I don't know what it is.
It's just one of the T side with
4M4s. So, uh, I mean, robbery
in the previous is set them up
pretty now. It's not working
back into things. And what should
have been an open and shut case
like this. They're not just
going to exit short. They don't
know what traps. I don't want to
give away these guns playing
about the book. This is not the
most glamorous side of
All five stayed alive for the key and not giving a gun over.
As long as he can or.
They decided to set the save for this purpose. Niko can come in with the M4, Famous for Kixson, and it's going to be the Tessester, Bianca and MP7.
This can get out of control pretty quickly with the buying pattern they've chosen.
They lose this one, it's only 2400 going into the next. It has to be...
Partial and even if they get the saves you're not gonna be able to drop the guns in the same way if you do
We're talking pharmacists and SMG so let's see how quick our vision can work back into things
As a fumble against some black pistols really cost Falcons a quick game
Well monosy had more luck than Jane on the CT side with his AWP
Gets it in his hands
But will it fill the feed?
James Sachin catches the king subjiggle, that's a punishing opening kill.
Falken's off kilter.
Didn't even get to throw out his smoke.
There's three straight opening kills now for Panavision.
Sure, one was against the eco, but one was an eco of their own.
James peeking in.
Honestly, finds it.
Removes his rifle.
Top of the con smoke.
Oh, no, the smoke break actually sets up Seattle and down goes two of them, catches the Kiyosuke
reaction, it's up to Monosy, if he can catch this round play, he just looked away, Belchinov
distracts, enables the push from Zwei, gets himself up onto the stairs, a quick flick,
removes Zwei, they're committing, throwing the HE at him, puts him down low, flames forcing
by the back, and Ashley brought down.
Brought down by the Belchinov Monotov.
Job done, sixth round imminent.
All right, Tess, that's where you can hold on to this show.
But as mentioned, money's still going to be tough.
A vision should be looking pretty to get
their seventh after this one.
And that point is just a four-round game.
So we are back underway with this.
The dominant half it was.
Eight-one at one point.
One three to end the half and
Pissed around I think and this one's closed. Yeah, I think Falcons did too. I
Think clues did too. I think in our situation
That's just like we here's the Gears and just starts prefire in the smoke and that ended up costing it
Yeah, it's kind of it both had one round exactly and that's it if you're gonna play off of what's available
You make a bad assumption
We'll just carry through the M4.
James will get his AWP back and just going through the motions.
Another day of grinding out Counter Strike under the James and Dustin Tudelich.
Good amount so far for Nico, 17 kills, but I'm honestly called in that first map, first
15 rounds to play at 22 kills, the second 15 he had 4.
Now we honestly put in a lot of heavy lifting to get them to such a lead.
Just know to here, even if he goes down, the rest of the team can still capitalise information
given.
It's just playing a little bit more of a core position in this round.
Not condemned to anchor bait.
Lost the spark.
That's big.
It's going to enable them to kind of play off of Niko's contact, swing up the stairs.
They do choose to push through, which they will.
Niko high alert.
Damage already inflicted.
A pistol.
Headshot.
Puts the yellow down to just a scrap of health and they retreat.
They're just recalculating. Yeah, they're definitely darting back now. They've seen enough to finish now over to what's big is UK playing from market.
And he's not in a key position to do an awful lot of damage right now. There's no smoke for this, but as soon as they strafe past, James can take that line.
And the rotation. It's only really monisy. You can make a move to help him. The only way that's been up. It has to be a crazy first headshot.
Oh, kind of like that!
Nails, Jane, doesn't matter, the trade immediate!
So you just want to go there, I'm going to buy into the next.
So how much more can you get out of this?
Honestly, does hear Belchnock arriving in absent?
He's got a window for the flank. Tessus rounds the corner.
M4 Prime is ready, not anymore!
See, I was low.
I think you can see the tip of the barrel.
Oh Seattle is ready for you.
Oh he's in through the wall. Does at least put him down on extra 300 bucks for Monosy.
There's that seventh round.
It's not like an insurmountable score line, no longer does.
All consecutive.
It was 8-1. It was 9-2. Half goes 9-3. You win the pistol. You win the second round.
And you put them on eco. And you put them on eco. And then Paravision go on a four round
run that has not only Clues in the pocket but everyone watching at home in disbelief.
this can't really be happening right?
Falcons it definitely can.
This is a team who we, yeah,
it's the unthinkable happen to more often than not.
What do you reckon Cluj?
Are we going to map three?
Couple of thousand Romanians disagree with you Jack?
Well they're fully board up so they're going to see Opad again.
This time everyone's got the rifles, there's kits, there's the utile.
I'm going to talk to him, see if he gets yellow with him.
No pressure on middle at all, they throw the window smoke top cap, they Molly calm.
Look at the setup from Fountain, they've done a million for themselves and they're playing
The box right now.
Ooh, Jen got a reaction out of that.
Throughout the mod, he wasn't looking for anything else, but confirms it.
There was no one playing tucked, and it's forced out of B because...
No.
The question is, would he be playing on the balcony on his own?
Right at that mid-prong of Kiyosuke and Niko?
Honestly, we're all trying to climb down.
He's actually gonna jump back up and...
...restore the position of the balcony.
Niko cheats over to make it three-strong on B.
He's pushing.
He is. Tass is trying to get some answers, but he needs to find a kill on this.
kill on this. Kiyosuke positions himself ready to provide the trade.
Tielo primed and ready, swing from Tashas. Kiyosuke finds himself the double kill.
Jay peaks in, digs for Nocted, Jay finds it, lights the scope in time.
Sway trying to accelerate. Sway down to Niko's M4. Falcon stabilizing.
Kiyosuke providing that one-two punch of Niko Kiyosuke. Too much to handle.
Resurrects hope for the close I like that right there's a lot put into pushing tests
that's away and they say all right when I'll back it down we're gonna take the fight we're
gonna win the Jaws or we're gonna get the space and well they got both and the Niko cheats
over in time so this is a really strong round for Falcons because it's a team-based response
there isn't hero moves going on where it's one individual trying to take the game into
his own hands to close it. Right. That right there fills you with confidence that yeah we
can make that third map of ancient.
Oh he is taking some risky moves.
Oh both of the orbs are active.
Kingston surges into the space taken upon the death of Ziello.
Bramp called clear the bombs in T spawn chat he might find it.
I'm just going to try and stop that.
Or actually, it's Belchinoff is in the palace.
Nice fight from Nico.
Going through ladder.
Catches, notes up.
There's an easy one.
Tway just walking into the cross-hairs.
Fallen flat.
Kicks if you catch it.
Bombs gone.
Ancient books.
A ticket to map three.
First quarter final.
And believe it or not, in a game with paravision in the server,
all three maps are required.
They want to go every single map possible.
They're enjoying their time in Clues, but Falcons like that,
that's five straight losses on Mirage and in the Visionaries.
She said she loves you.
But she can't love me.
But I love you.
I won't play with you anymore.
The
The human body was built to move.
Not to have to test in one singular posture for 12 hours a day.
It's time your chair evolved.
This is Secret Lab Titan Eva.
Ergonomically engineered for you, gamers, hybrid workers, artists.
Back in your every move.
The story of the game is very interesting.
The story of the game is very interesting.
Yes, welcome back to PGL Clues in the Poker.
We've got a tight series here in the first quarter final playing here. Falcons coming
back on their map pick of Mirage and in fine style. One of the wider gaps we've seen Para
vision lose by. So hands up, I was wrong. I thought it would be competitive. It wasn't
not the first time I'll be wrong. Not the last. I can live with it. Deal with it. You
said that Falcons were going to win the tournament. So I suppose all according to your plan,
you have to kind of operate on several levels when you were desk coast. You wouldn't understand.
I try to make takes in multiple directions so that I never really be wrong.
I mean, try as Zway and Jane did in this one.
Falcons looked like the comprehensively better team.
I mean, I think a lot of the T side in terms of their approaches, it's almost
like they could choose practically anything.
But in general, I'd say the mid crunches and they were frequently taking that space.
Paragusion didn't really have the answers.
Occasionally you would get an extremity player that makes a move to find some sort
of incision, but through and through, I think that Falcons, if you even looked at it
on a heat map of where they were for many of these rounds, they just had so much more space.
Absolutely did. And this is where Falcons fans can feast a little bit because it's Falcons at
their fives. This is what we know that they're capable of. You know, again, we talk about how
the theory crafting seems to be good, usually good openers, good diversity and how they play.
It's all about the execution. Are you able to play out those game plans correctly? Are you able
to close out the rounds where you have the advantage? Are you able to avoid choking in, you know,
pressure situations? And when they are able to handle those issues and make sure those fires
never get created they're able to do big things on both sides of the map and I think you know just
the phenomenal T side they had complete control of the game the entire way one pistol second half
sure there was a little faint comeback I guess you could say there for paravision there in the
middle but it never got out of control it never got out of control though let's let's be honest
like it never got they never spiraled oh yeah I didn't even believe I've been the biggest
proselytizer for paravision this tournament and I didn't really believe they were gonna get back
into this one. I mean, they made the scoreline semi-respectable, but this is what we're talking
about. You know, there's so much depth on the Falcons roster. And of course, it's that
guy. Now the old man, you know, had his 29th birthday, he experienced the veteran, showed
all of his veteran smarts in this one. Also, on top of that, I mean, not a bad debut for
a new mouse. Okay, Nico looking extremely sharp in this one. As you can see, a lot of
it is towards the wonder of he'll be on telegram blaming it.
We'll see.
Better not.
Better not.
Okay, there's too much writing on that one.
Yeah.
And I think that he actually was driving in the new spot that he
played.
I mean, towards the B side of the map, especially on the T side,
we talked about in the pregame, I mean, does brought it up that
it's a position swap for him, but he was doing a great job of
taking space there.
It's somewhat constricting, obviously, when you're making your
way towards the B apartments, but he could just handles all of
these sorts of situations.
And it kind of reminded me more of Niko Sports era, where he's just kind of on that side
doing handling his business and just taking space ever one single step at a time.
Yeah.
I mean, again, I think it's conditional swap for Falcons was smart.
After crack out, they decided to pivot test expect to be over to the A side and put Niko
in that position.
And what I think it allowed him to do was multiple things.
It allows him to come underpass and be more active and then control gives you an extra
body for trading and entering.
But what it also does is situations like that one where you stick them inside the B apartment.
So you let him just use his experience that he has a wealth of to figure out really good timings to backstab to get information
Sometimes just getting plain entries and given his team an option to just rotate the bomb all the way back to his side of the map
Once things may be quiet down at the A side
So really good diversity there and I'll stay with you just because we want to highlight this on round 11
This is something we picked out right? Yeah, exactly again after a lot of mid control
Niko started trying to go for timing plays in the B apartments, you know really keeping them on edge and look
This is kind of a funky situation.
You're both playing inside of the smoke.
Niko gets behind his way.
It's very awkward.
You don't know what's going to happen.
But Niko, just having the mind to realize, hey,
there could be someone behind me.
I should watch out for that.
Finds it.
But it's really the second entry.
I think that was really the big impactful moment in that one.
And again, he did this time and time again throughout the game.
And it really allowed Falcons to pivot that bomb to his side
and map if they felt like it wasn't working out
in the early round.
I don't know if I would call it presence of mind.
Because in a studio or an online situation,
he's not turning around.
He turned around in that moment because the crowd
erupted. There was a third person perspective and everybody here was just going nuclear.
I mean, those kind of moments also are based off of experience where you know that, okay,
there's a reason I'm in a smoke, the crowd is going crazy for some reason or another.
So he just dead stared at his way's off angle position.
Yeah, I mean, obviously, we've talked about experience. Part of that is using the different
environments and, you know, it's something that's never going to weigh in the game.
And Nico, well, he's too smart in that situation.
Were there any bright spots for ParaVision there on Mirage?
Anything that made you think they might, you know,
make something of it?
I think it's a pattern we've just seen with ParaVision
throughout this tournament, unfortunately,
is that they just not had the same consistency
that we saw at Bounty or even throughout their major run.
Their star, Ryfler, Zedal, and Noda
are not able to consistently output
what they've been able to do in some of the situations
where ParaVision's been successful.
And that's really a big problem
because you need those guys to facilitate something.
because yeah, James an experienced veteran,
but he's a backline guy, he's passive,
he'll be able to support you,
he'll be able to hold angles,
but he's not the guy that's gonna take space for you.
And so Zelo and Notre are gonna have to find a way
to be those aggressive riflers
that did have so much impact
in pair with his previous success.
Unfortunately, it's a tall order
when you're going up against guys like Kiyosuke
and Manasi, time and time again.
Yeah, and we highlighted both of them,
we said the aggressive riflers really need
to come alive in this series.
Do we feel they've done that Maui?
I don't, yeah, I think that, well,
Kiyosuke didn't necessarily have the sickest map,
That was a lot of the Niko show there.
Monasy kept up a lot of the form that we build for him.
I feel like most people on Falcons
had at least some moment here on one of the first two maps
to at least say that's why they're
in this sort of position on a roster that
is as bloated as it is.
I don't really think that I need to necessarily say
that any individual needs to step over the hit.
They haven't throughout the series.
I guess you would want more from Kyosuke going into Ancient
here, but I mean, I think he's been doing just fine.
Yeah, it's kind of a weird one because it
I just feel that there was a huge golfing class going all the way back to Dust 2.
It felt like probably for 90% of that map that Falcons were the better team,
but then they just lost one or two maps and we highlighted Munisee in that one,
making a critical mistake, but more than that, I think like you went from something like 24 and 4 to like 26 and 12.
I think the issue I always have with Falcons why it's hard to believe in them
so sometimes is that they do have these like
Streaky moments and they have these off moments and they have these little
mentality crumbles
Very inconvenient times and even the best players see to do that. Yeah, it's always tough right because want to see for a
Long time it's been a top five player in the world
Usually kind of ranked third below zealot and dock for many and he does so for good reason
I mean the guy has an incredible amount of impact
He's probably the most aggressive opera out there besides he was far as going for openings trying to make things happen
And he's fantastic in those early to mid round situations
It's just like you said those sometimes and those five on three five on four things been the crack
I think he's gonna be really important on this map as well
You know, this is a map where you know op ink and sometimes be limited
Some people try to just be like an a anchor with the op and really let their riflers drive in middle
Well, he's one of the best rifles in the world
Exactly that's what I was getting to like he's really good at defensive rifling when he needs to be but he's one of the rare
Oppers who is going to be a little bit more dynamic for me on ancient on the CT side
And I think for me we were talking about Zelo and notar earlier
These are the two guys are gonna have to be dealing with that mid control
Which the big part of Paravid's game plan on ancient is to control middle as often as possible
And I think it's gonna be up to Kiyosuke and Niko and monosie to try to stop that from happening
I think Maui pointed things out correctly like Kiyosuke hasn't had the same series so far that we've seen throughout the rest of this
Tournament and what we know he's capable of he has a critical role on this team playing mid both ways
and he needs to have success to make sure that paravision don't get control and start, you know,
bringing this one into contention. I guess the thing about paravision is that it is a little
bit daunting to run into Niko, Monosy, and Kyosuke, but frequently they just love to group up and go
for their side execs. So they can actually dodge that trifecta of Falcon's death that is so waiting
them in the middle of the map. And for me, that's going to come down to some of the other guys.
I mean, I think that's way on this map oftentimes plays a very pivotal role towards the B side of
of things I did notice in the foot game that they just played before this that he kind of moved away from that area. But watching him when he was first getting integrated onto the scene frequently he was always getting a chance in the middle of the round if they had a more extended default to prod towards that side of the map. And I think that's way is a more talented player than kick sand and frequently
So if he gets those opportunities to just try to hunt them in those mid rounds, it can create a wind condition here for
Paravision, I think Paravision is the one condition that was so reliant on this
Execute you're talking about. I think they're mid-round. It can be very weak at times
I think if they get denied access to mid control in the early round
They sometimes kind of fumble and industry lie on you know plays out of spawn or they have a utility execs
But there's good anchoring across the board for Falcons and again with monastic just being so mobile
The op you never know what he's gonna be to try to pick you apart before you can really get rolling
and they can be very disruptive,
as I guess it's what I'm getting at,
which you saw a lot of on Mirage there.
I think for us though, it's like,
what version of Falcon shows up?
Is it the Falcons that we just saw on Mirage,
that's one of the finest teams in the world,
or is it the failing one?
The one that can't get it done in the big moments,
the one that can't convert the big pressure rounds,
the one that crumbles under the pressure,
as we kind of alluded to earlier.
Yes, the pressure's on Paribish,
and too a lot of young guys with no stage experience,
but Falcons with all the experience
still sometimes fail to deliver on it.
So, I mean, that's something to watch out for.
I think to your point about pressure for Paribish,
I think the pressure, if you want to use the word, is localised.
Yes, you're under pressure in the here and now, but the minute the game ends,
if you lose, you walk off the stage and everyone says,
well done for making it to playoffs.
No one has any expectations.
You've still achieved something phenomenal.
Meanwhile, for Falcons, they've kind of leaked through 2025,
being a weaker version of themselves,
and it looks like they should be on paper.
They're aware of this.
They know they've got up until the major to really rack up some trophies
and maybe even get that major win, get that major win for Nico.
There is a big narrative at work here that they believe this is their time
and it starts here. It starts with this competition.
If you're Falcons and you walk away from this season with a bunch of semifinal
finishes, you make a bunch of playoffs, no one's really, no one's going to applaud you.
No one's going to be happy about that. You don't spend this much money to just be
a rich man's mouse, literally.
All right, guys, we're about to find out
if Falcons will take the first step
to realizing their dreams for 2026.
I will throw you back over to Sponge and Machine.
Thank you very much, Richard.
Yes, this is time for map three.
Going the distance, no surprises
when ParaVision are in the server,
but a couple of surprises in the discussion of the desk
suggesting that this has got to go Falcons,
where you got to justify that pace somehow.
Yeah, I think the community has that same sense of it, right?
They want to see Falcons do well or not really depends on which side of the fence
Yeah, the expectation is for them to do well, but look at the revenge from that bounty final kiss who goes in the server
We set now. It's just one map down to ancient. Let's get this one underway
We shall fight on the big green map for that third and final
We'll be locking in the first semi-finalist occlusion of Parker after this one. This was that again. Yes, please Falcons 4 and 0
Thank you
The vision can get sent ago and if they find Niko early, you go search in a main and find an awful lot of info.
They have bait and switch set up here, hoping they just run into Monosy, jump on his on the tree, will he go overlook Niko to take contact?
Okay, I like the setup.
Oh, the flash of the diligence, still Monosy gets vision and it fades to black for two members, Yellow and Mota are caught.
He drops off and a third out of Monosy!
Five and zero in pistols.
It seems like a likely herd is just gonna be one man a bomb and a dream
Good luck to Zwei and this one
So cheeky 4k and I'm honestly seems to be quite a pistol win factory. I give them a little bit of room right now
Spotted there
You're gonna want to find it out to have we have
Turning tail I like that right if they play too passing to let him get away
This time they just get the info to get the kill to get around done. I have to simmer in it for too long
You get to bask in the glory of monosy. It's absolutely nailing that one
So beautiful work the and switch setup couldn't have been better and that was even with a flash that I'm honestly late to this
Wow, it gets those two as well. They just line up on the last couple and no surprise it is gonna be a par vision with the eco
to the right. There will be
the air defender case. Okay,
middle. You see those two
paired up from time to time
based on what monies he has
to assess cave kicks in. I'm
going to deal with belong and
they're monies floating around
here there and everywhere. I've
had this sentiment a couple of
times, but it's. Positive for
Falcons to not see individuals
just trying to win the game on
their own, right? They've
definitely been connected. I
like the ideas that we're
seeing. Yes, okay. How many
How efficient he can be about this one.
Ooh, he commits to a little crouch there.
Touching the key, at least.
Niko, well placed.
He's got significant damage to the unarmored T's.
Wow, nice goosh.
I got the second.
These gloves are getting killed.
They're very low.
Should be fine.
James' toes are exposed.
They're deep.
They're doing significant damage.
Oh no, and then Ziello arrives.
Oh, and Niko was.
Niko!
He can save him. He can save him.
USP Bouchrom's got them four though.
No head armor. Just got to hit that one click.
Nico, Rouser.
The precision!
A collapse from the Falcons!
Yasuki, Yasuke, go down.
You think, OK, no problem.
Nico's there.
And then slowly, methodically, these block headshots
are scavenged them for, and they collapse.
Can't be losing that one.
Oh, no, you can't.
OK.
Add another one into the mix.
So now you've got the five-seven round from Dust2.
attack 9 round from Mirage and now you've got the Glock round from Ancient.
Oh my...
That's ugly.
Yeah, but Monocy still has it all.
Of course he does, yes.
Well that's what happens when you're just bringing the drill barrettas and they were
setting him up for this regardless.
So this one will be tough to work past pure ParaVision.
They're playing against the ParaVision looking by.
Exactly.
It's like a reward to be.
I'm honestly boosted up to try and find an opening incision.
Tess S forward in cave, announcing his presence
with a bit of a spam back there.
PENALT SCRATCHING
Made it.
There's no one.
The mark of the molly.
PENALT SCRATCHING
This might force them to have to start searching down the ramp
behind the AWP with the space that it's giving them.
P-bombsite feeling small now that you've lost cave.
At least stage one. Tess is playing on the jiggle.
PENALT SCRATCHING
How come they've got their pieces in the right place?
It's not a great setup if they're able to get these smokes down now and they can focus side-side.
Yeah, Honesty's going to try and lend a hand. The block smoke though, just as he made that decision.
So now, limited contributions from the war.
That's why he went back to spawn just to make sure that they weren't being flanked the long way around.
It does look very likely to be the B finish. Sure, they can always pivot.
When you're in trash this far with the Mk10 and you've still got smokes and flashes for the finish
It's a nice save well placed by Kixson
Flash into cave and clear him out Skylar, start this round!
He's done very well staying dynamic with the Mk10 now hunting down the ramp
Honestly quick flick onto the yellow needed something there need more
A whole lot more.
Flaps star pulls the trigger, they're into the side, they flood in.
Modesty's trying to be stubborn about this, tries to line up, but belching off.
A little unusual with the Orthodox.
Climbs an angle that's fit safe from the spam, and now Modesty's going to lose it all.
Take it away from the.
Jain gets himself a free upgrade.
Paravision not only with the Glock eco, but a conversion of the following.
Yeah, the desk was discussing the slow starts on these maps and these sides for that of Paravision.
and the last two they've been able to get underway early because of lighter buys now they can establish control of the finances
And this is gonna be Falcons in the most important map of the series playing from behind
Seattle double kill with the M4 Belchinock winning the 1v1 versus Niko
Belchino likes to do his best work when they're very highly equipped
So he turned out no flashes to make this interesting. It is just gonna be the USP's attempting to
Deliver from Doughnut and when you watch a lot of these perversion games
James does also keep it simple, but
Nice to meet you to pressure V
V executes in the mix
And this is conditioning in the early stages
It's gonna be Tess's and Kixon's job to hold that side with the support of
Probably monocie is the third man
Try to get up silently and I'll spot it
Bit of a gap
The head, modesty by the falchion, on the rifleing contributions.
Kicks his ass.
0.94, forced into the fight, flushed out by the flames.
Wing closed.
Not gonna be making the same mistake Falcons did.
That little gap exploded there, but, uh, they bite.
Alright, determined look from one side of the stage.
Falcons gonna try and dig themselves out of trouble.
Honestly, not going for the glass cannon. He's going to come in with the A1S.
I thought this would be the point where he does not take a timeout if the skull arm was reflected the other way.
Maybe even with that all in the mix, but either way,
mid-control.
Double mollies, elbow smoke.
You don't want to make sure they can get that, right? You get the elbow smoking in the molly,
We get a lot of teams edging. That's where the flash work comes in
Slow about this learn the CTs to go through their block you too
Hey, wow
Just a timing spray for these yellows actually giving them the go-killing kill tasks
Around that forward smoke now off the round this way
In and out not full committing but definitely a lot of threats and rotating in multiple players with faculty to deal with this
They're gonna be down put from all of them.
They go through the short smoke.
James picked off Kia Suke.
The boost onto the box.
Now's the way out to Pate.
He's falling into place.
Oh, he just pieces them out.
Zenn from Sway.
Shoot him there, isn't it? Okay.
Now look at the save, his monosy.
This is tough already.
four to one, T side, ancient.
It's so agonizing, they're like extracting teeth.
They're so slow, their nades keep getting layered on top.
You never get comfortable on that bomb site.
They poke, they probe, steps are heard, nades are thrown.
It all comes up, Paravision.
This is where, losing that second round.
Oh yeah.
Really comes home to roost, right?
This is making it harder themselves,
losing a Glock eco.
Unforgivable top level account, especially in a match like this.
Sure, you went 3-0 in Swiss.
Walk past 3D Max, you have a hiccup against FaZe.
You have a battle against Furia.
But now, all those lives that you had from Swiss,
they don't count.
You don't carry those three.
You don't get another opportunity.
Failed to put themself in it.
It's half the spot now as Jayme is just ready for that, being exposed and his way of delivering.
He's cleaning there as everything was removed.
Oh yeah.
Frustrating rounds to lose, Falco's gonna have to shake that off.
An armoured 5'7 might be a different maker.
Fight on mid, rather I should say a boost on mid.
5'7's not there to see much.
Oh, oh, they are hitting a lot of bullets!
How's no one dead?
Notar and Belchanoch barely hanging on by a thread!
This would be a fire starter. This would get Falcons back in their groove.
They've already lost Niko on A.
He was called by his way. Now Zyelo starts to search.
Honestly, just go past that sight line.
Get's up close. This is a lethal range for the 5-7.
Tessus gets spotted.
Presses noted. Not able to track the head!
You've noted at least two players. You don't go into this, at least not with any hurry.
Yeah, but Tessus is immediately going to be trying to get himself into a powerful position.
He's not going to be able to get across the way main in time.
He's going to be on this site. He hears them coming.
Does Jame expect this?
Covered by Elginoff. Visiting the on-shot. Nice pivot from Tessus.
Rotation to you now.
Isolated Jame, now supported by his comrades. Another headshot to Yellow low.
Still stands his ground as a solid spray, double kill, Paravision.
They got 40 seconds, there is no hurry here.
Don't forget the health, don't forget how much damage was done on that early mid-piff.
Kixen profits off of it, softened up for his P250 headshot.
Now, we see movement out of monosy.
Kixen caught crouching.
Nables way to go for the plant.
No, she's not read this. He's read you like a book.
Jiggle out does nothing.
nothing. Paravision will close
it down this way. What a valuable
asset. What a pickup this young
talent is. Slots in so quickly,
so nicely into the Paravision
ranks. You lost your x-ray
privileges. Did you see if they
come back? But in that situation
there, honestly, audible running
away. Jerry says no, no, no.
He's going to be flushed out. He's committed to this corner. Borrows into the cub. He's
He's got a full belt of utils, so lucky to be alive, gives them a conversation starter
of pluring their way back into this.
Kick some old tug, Tess is contact.
Okay, do you ever look, Tess is on the off angle, he'll be safe from all the time.
Oh, how's he done that?
Clears out the cave on his own.
Yasuke gets into the site in time, here's the audible.
Switch on out. He needs to win that!
No, to denies!
Look at the health!
Again!
Hanging on by a thread.
40 points of health between the remaining three.
Monosy and Niko with 200.
Good to get past this all.
Monosy's not going to allow it. There's no way he bounce it off!
He gets another in the cave!
He's the cave troll!
Niko's here on this.
Defends it all!
He knows.
He's on the first flank and all that HE is tantalising.
Yeah, as you've heard. Yep.
Belchinov knows. Belchinov rounds the corner going to play that time.
Take a toy with him now. This is a team captain by the time, Lord.
They know how to play with space and time. Okay.
Caught from the backstab. Belchinov's had a round there. Impact again from Belchinov.
Impact again from Belchinoch.
It's fallen through their fingers now. This has happened rapidly.
KSUK 0 and 6.
What advantage? You got two straight out of the gates.
Yeah, nothing feels winnable at the moment.
You've had those two backs to back rounds.
Understand one for the 5-7.
But we can see just how low those players are,
and they don't stay connected.
What it was praising Falcons 4 during the previous two maps,
even with the Bumble and Dust 2, seems like it's no longer the case.
They're defaulting back to visual plays.
They're being as connected as they need to be,
are now there in a whole lot of trouble. Kiyosuke's had a bit of a soft one. Multiple instances
where you'd think it would be casual. Hasn't been able to get himself started.
Sound the goose egg into round eight
whilst he trying to be disruptive for the hello confirms the orbs location with
a jiggle test that's why it's gonna stay alive he can't handle it notes attracts
him another opening for power vision
Searching down the ramp is Monosy, he's trying to incite himself, trying to find that equalising
frag.
Can you see an AWP collision here?
How's Jeng gonna play this one?
Oh, he was trying to stay on his teammates head, dodging off, no!
Oh, his play doesn't go down!
Saved by the corner of the box!
I'm going to buy a lot of time, they might be forced to pivot now. Another cave smoke
and work 30 seconds roughly on the clock. James trying to search your way onto A. Keebson
has to make a play. He has made one hell of a play. Not ready for that. Traded by Ciello
and the wrap. Kiyosuke again left wanting. He no monosie was here. 15. They have to commit
into the oar. There is no other option. You have to get past Modesty and his AWP to a quick succession.
What this and it could cost him? Covered from Nico and there's just no time. Running away is Nico!
Oh, he nearly hit it through the wall. A sigh of relief. A moment of joy in what's been a miserable half.
If I see anything, there was an incendiary as well, they're meant for ramp that's been misthrown.
There's just some old people there, let's just play it for a bit.
No one's going to be able to capitalize.
Honestly, Paul, they've got an incendiary right there.
It's one ramp, what's going on with them?
It's so lucky.
Very late play coming in.
As they get them started now.
They're starting to tank the tack.
But at least another by maybe two after this
He should get still yet to get going zero and seven opening kills lacking
This has six out of the eight so far in favor of Paravish
And one of the keys in the group stage of success was the fact that Kiyosuke and monosin
You could the two of us hybrid players in tournament of opening so what?
But then getting dictated to at the moment
I also want to point out it's been so big century up into this sure
There's been some late pivots into a when they've been blocked, but this quiz where you could change it
You can really change the flow you could go for something a bit more pasty awards a
Looks like more of the same
Although it's way James over towards me. No the outfield
Spam from Nico can't find him. He does get away unscathed up the ramp
Now you'll play, catches a bullet from the Kixen M4,
an attempted trade, denied Kixen solid on his site.
Kixen...
Oh, robotic from Belchanoch!
Alright, notice back. I know this player was middle.
They already had a tosser with him, he was out for smoke,
they spammed him and noticed, already returned.
1v3, have to close this.
There should be no question that this is the Falcons' third.
Nico's worried about A, and he was just having a glance at CT spawn.
He's gonna pivot over they're going to try and lock down this bomb
Yeah, I'm not sure what's going on here. Maybe they didn't know it was loose
I know that has an opportunity to head over and pick that up if you'd like
Surely and then the rounds does open back up
Can't believe his luck he's through picks it up
Now if he wants to pivot he definitely can
But also the seeds of doubt will be served for Falcons
Eventually, they're going to have to go in 10-8.
Niko's starting to cheat away, 10-9 forward.
What's going on? Where did it go? Where did it go?
You let him pass. You let him pass.
You let him leave. You let him leave.
He takes the head shot.
He won't click, yes, okay.
Now he's going to peek out.
Oh! Dead bow! Of course!
Now Niko has to save the Falcons from the Nota.
One versus three.
Niko's coming!
He's got to be ready, Niko's solid.
Oh, that got dangerously close.
Balkans are making this so hard on themselves.
They're not playing like the team we saw on Dust2.
They're going back and spamming the body.
They're not playing like the team we saw on Mirage,
but still trying to work their way back into this
in really stressful moments.
Why are we smoking the bar for entertainment value?
Maybe it wasn't 100% confirmed.
I don't know. Either way, there's been some physical utero in the last couple of Falcons.
Shout out to Kixson. He's the only man fighting opening exchanges.
When you see that start of the highlight package, you wonder how it ended like this.
It should never look like this because he's still yet to get a kill.
He's playing forward for that fight as well.
Still himself with some confidence right now, but this is still tough.
obviously starts the all over the wall zayn, so you guys start on B with Kixin and Tessess
Diko blocks mid but he's out that the red smoke is a possibility, don't know
that red is out they're able to cross, that will have to be picked up by Kixin or Kiyosuke
someone has to worry about the red slip, so they go back as a unit and clear it together
looks like it, this is a classic response but if jam gets a little bit of info on
this. You can just pipe it to be again. It's just Tessus right now.
Oh, that's cheeky. Can I throw a smoke that's going to force them to feel like it is even
more so?
Commit to the other side of the smoke. Now, who is it on the side? Just Tessus.
Tessus has to play retake. Just a flash. Nothing to block.
Again on this B-side. Paravision. Just abusing it.
Tessus ready himself for battle.
Veljano crossing, no gun out, no trade potential, swings into Nota and his partners, but there's Kiyosuke, takes his place for two!
Announces his presence, it took him ten rounds to get going, but a double kill to secure, it's necessary for...
Cielo's only got two HP, gonna have to be more from Nota here.
He got 30 seconds to throw a piece of it together, swings on in, Kiyosuke number three, Martyrdom 4-1, and there's Connoissee.
There's gonna see.
Okay, Falcon, just about shaking off the shapiest of starts.
They're going now.
It's about recovering what should have been a strong start.
It's a sketchy isn't it?
That says getting the first in a few seconds.
He's out, not ready for this one.
And then he starts to heat up.
I don't need more of that.
Finance is still here for Jame and Co.
Perfect buy, but it's more than serviceable, especially when you win a block, Niko's.
Oh, oh, the flash is a supreme!
Niko's blind, and Belchenok kicks a couple of blinders!
He's really hit his stride.
Tess is taking a gamble on a little swing through mid.
Jame's got jumping up, doesn't find the finish.
No, hey G to punish. Honestly, don't know
Skewered splitting a think jam will play through this smoke on the contact of his a main players
Oh, he's playing it like such the tactician. He is I
Don't have any you till right. There's no smoke. There's a Molly from his way sure
But where you meant to use that has to be contact. He's more through
to monosy, drawing attention from the AMA players.
And that's Jay putting it down.
Test of sports to start this round.
Get the flames down off the wand.
Combination of hot lead.
And the flame bomb going down thanks to Jay.
13 points of health.
See if he's unlucky.
I heard him now.
Running at it.
Running at it.
Cover is there.
Dwayne, solid on the hold, gets it.
Saves his captain and secures seven.
And this is where I said the money was so good for that.
of Jayman Co. Well, it's not the same.
We rough around the edges on this final round at the start.
Not taken from Zonic. He needs the fifth.
What kind of clothes?
It feels like the fifth necessity.
It's tough there. You get that opening kill,
but you bang on about those flashes.
It's so suppressive.
The two players, they're playing forward.
When you have the Paravision team constantly playing over towards B,
they're not really playing through heaven in the same way.
It's not the old matter of, all right, let's come out heaven. Let's come up middle at the same time
Just so many flashes set up notes up. I need to be able to go one for two in Falcons favor. That ain't good enough
Look at the composure not a bullet wasted from Valchenok
This is going to be a very important round for Falcons in their campaign back in map 3, first quarter final of the day.
It's still 5 out of 6 in the pistol department, so if they can press the morals and make it 6 from 6, the conversation stays open.
Noter, the second timing. These are those flashes we were talking about. Get Snowtor out.
Yasuke, behind the red smoke. They've lost all info mid. As far as they know, it's fully occupied.
Jane acting bigger than he is.
Look at this defence from Niko, right? He's on the jiggle with the incendiary.
So as soon as he takes contact, he needs to drop that and stay alive.
He's just got his gun out.
Yeah, he's going looking.
Peaks on in. He does manage to isolate and spotted the bomb on the back of his way.
The dream starts at the round for Falcons.
The activity now looks like they want to have them to be.
Yellow's very forward in Donut and undetected.
A world of possibility, but Jay, he draws a level.
That jiggle out of Tess has punished.
No other team plays like that.
An AWP holding for the cave jiggle as four players try and play safe.
Niko kicks him up, there's that trade.
Modesty provides him at what cost.
He's gone down to Nocher and the Donut side.
Kiyosuke, this is his moment, a very quiet half of play, three frags in total, he needs to shut this down.
Famas headshot to start, Sway comes swinging in, Jane doesn't finish him off, Kiyosuke's double!
Bit of a game changer!
Sway trying to pivot.
He's got time for this.
How does he go through red? Not if he hits the shift key.
I think he's not considering this, is he?
He's out.
He will now.
Tux on in, Sway with his back turned, and that's Kessanic profits!
The necessary fifth foul, and it comes down to that 1v1.
OK, well, you can count this.
2K kills with one hand, but both of them helping turn into rounds.
Yes.
And in terms of what you want from him, you definitely needed more.
But when he did deliver, they were able to convert.
So returning to the pistol stack, can they make it six from six?
In clean so far, this map started with a monosy 4K.
Minus jam time in stall.
Paravision announced their presence to the world back at the major Budapest.
Find some solid CS.
A bunch of kids he took from the street, he said,
putting him into contenders in 2026.
Already have a trophy.
Sure, defined bounty as you want,
but for Paravision to break through that early now,
just trying to control the expectations.
A stage game against Falcons.
One half away.
Winning the opening quarter final.
What has been a couple of tough back-to-back maps dust to want to remember?
Raj wants to forget but ancient
Could be it's not all memory for jamming the boys
Look at that round history tells the story starts with a block eco loss
It's the rounds that falters just keep on losing around that late should never lose
out me at on a tiny Jane probing.
Oh, made a step.
I'll be relayed.
Honestly, not committing yet.
Okay, that could be the cue they're waiting for.
Jane to party middle.
Not sold, but it's going to be anywhere else.
But now he's pulled away by the Utah selling the fake.
The Nathan Kicks have pulled the entire party away.
Open runway opens up. It's just gonna be bell Chinook
hanging out
Parthing into him would be at your own peril
Well times smoke no opportunities for him to find anything
pre-planned
There's still a kicks and lurk in all of this and need to hold them at bay look at Nico's ankle with his PC
It's 45 until kicks and gets here. It's perfect. He's gonna be there
to flanking, especially Niko taps her head here on the temple exit.
Gorsi will, Niko just gets out of the guillotine.
Joss off two, where you looking? Belting on sideline.
Six out of six pistols jab.
That's not been the problem.
Niko, Niko, Niko, Niko, Niko, Niko.
a pistol to save their life.
You'd love to have the luxury of an extra time out here if you're only just to take it to stabilise
them for this one. It is a USB e-coper.
I think you just played with a bit more caught, like less caution, right?
Yeah.
Like, Nico's going to run up the ramp.
Exactly. That's what you want to see when you have these players. Obviously, there's
a fine line. And when it goes wrong, it goes wrong quick, but nothing too cagey.
The
Head of the Donut Smite
Yes, okay again tasked with defending itself against the ego get some support from gets to this time
910 to shred him through the unarmored T's for CT's excuse me
It's what you want to see
Come the guns James, I'm gonna finance the AWP
Paul's look like, you can have to get past the defensive belchnock on 8-0 to middle.
Telly Caven's weight be with Jane floating around.
The two SMGs still in the mix.
Two sets of head armor on the other side.
SMGs.
Let's do shred these heads.
You can stay lane control, kicks in to watch the ground and take a little bit of damage
He's over, this is the space they need to connect to mid control.
Mid control seems like a certainty now, there's a responsibility for the donor play up and the damage doesn't matter.
Over on B.
Lost red control.
What do they want to tend to this? This guy is going to play active on a lurk?
Or does he wait for his teammates to try and pull the rotation? James is quite noisy there but...
He's heard a jump. Kiyosuke's heard that mouth just moved.
Oh, head to head. Kouta should have him.
Yeah. Right, monosie on the smoke crawl.
May have spotted out the two of them though, and now Kiyosuke does get active.
Perfect. Jay, not ready for that is Kiyosuke.
Just sitting in spawn right where he started.
Now, if Tess is going down, it seems like it's a guarantee they're just partnered up.
That's good a pattern there, isn't it? One at a time.
It falls into place so easily.
Enco versus Nota.
Oh my God, reloading in the opening. He lost his life for that.
I'm trying to do this feeling already done and dusted.
Do they want to just hold on to this?
Doesn't feel like the most glamorous way to spend the next 30 seconds,
especially if they go down after time,
but you can see a way that they can win this one
and with the bombs starting to peter back towards spawn.
We'll call it 8-7 in favour of paravision.
That one came in. Not much friction.
And this is it. Honestly, this time in that cross behind the smoke, exposed in the open.
Kixson going down after time. There's still a possibility right now. Two in the temple.
They might be carving out, so he could get caught.
He's gonna run for Kixson. Good damage.
Surely dead.
Surely dead.
Now they have to hold onto the rifles. The CT side too. A lot of casualties there. Good output from Kixson.
Just something when you'd expect nothing.
I think. Okay. All right. Well that is going to make things a little bit trickier for the CTs. Some drops will be required
and they've kept the financial pressure on, not letting all five stay alive. So the best of both worlds. You hold on to their guns, you take a couple of players and you don't really get
huge sludge for that. Monosin wins the ball. He's got a good scorn. We know the kid likes to go for some of these fast big picks.
Is he going for one of them right now? Looks like he will. This is the Falcon's signature move.
Honestly, go kill, backs away, you're too strong.
He's died heavy there.
Don't drop standing away. Wow, he has suitcase done very well.
Really wants to push on this.
Synchronizes with nothing. There was no flash, no support, just a solo maneuver.
That advantage shortly.
They're shallownades as well. They had a good idea that there was a swing available.
Now Kixon has to call them into this 4v4.
A couple of smokes flash Molly hates you to work with. Just a little decent amount of U-Tilt.
Smokes being on Momosia and Niko, they're over towards B. Tessus lurking aim main.
There's nobody home right now, murder jumping up Heaven, has a jewel, and kicks no take if at a gorilla range.
Okay, makes it even harder now.
But that's a mid defender. A defender and mid defender down. Tessus takes the space off that knowledge.
Kicks some probes in. This is looking like Mirage, where they were able to canvas the map
and then make a calculated decision. It's a long rotation back through spawn.
He's always very risky.
Jane tending to the potential.
They've passed far enough away.
Does Jane catch a sound cue?
Not at all.
He has now.
Oh, he has.
Rotational be that.
He knows what's up.
Already can see the pieces start to move.
It's yellow in his way.
Band in the site.
He's trying to time this flank just right.
Kixon, he's in a hurry.
They are getting the door locked on them.
Oh, no, they already arrived.
Everyone hits their shots. Yellow arrives on the site for the double kill.
Just Nico in the clutch now. It is falling through their fingers in real time.
Ben's coming. He shot him in the backstab.
Nico still banting. Power of vision.
Piled off. An advantage. Splandid.
I think that's one of the worst rotations you can do.
I think it's such a fool's errand, right?
When you think, OK, we have A-space,
and then you're going to rotate back and you don't have time to go quietly.
You don't have that control of lane.
I think winning the fight against Nota is what gives them the assumption that nobody will still be far forward on middle.
And it feels so good. Oh, we already have a nest egg on A.
We just need Tessus to hold the space. It will come on in, but you use your smoke. You use your neutral for the B-play.
If anything, let Tessus keep working on the lurk. Come in and crunch the B-side together.
Another one fumble for Valkyrie.
This is where they're hoping that the Desert Eagle of Marcy and Niko give them a Niko round
win at their own.
Eagle sounds off.
I'm a one long side but I'm gonna cost them. He's not the now.
You guys can be peeking into this. James got this sniper primed and ready.
is okay. We'll be in front of the shot. You're okay. I'm able to find that head shot.
comfortable for paravision. Oh, a collateral for good measure. Thumbs up the east. There's
one on the D.
KSWK.
Doesn't get it onto the motor.
Just three more rounds now.
Sure, that was the coat.
The gun's coming again.
It's wound up losing a series after you've won
every single pistol.
I think it's going to be good.
I think it's going to be good.
I think it's going to be good.
I think it's going to be good.
I think it's going to be good.
I think it's going to be good.
Not what you want to remember.
I think what would be more impressive or preferential framing would be Paravision potentially taking
the series without winning one.
Yeah, well, I'm sure their pistols that now would make them worst in the tournament.
Yes.
I've been second worst coming into this one now, not winning a single.
No, the old that came second place includes last year, I lost to Maus in the final.
Falka's roster looked a whole lot different then, and Dexter in the team, well, you've
got Monosit and Kiyosuke, you'd say they're upgrades every day of the week, but you might
be getting eliminated in the quarterfinals by ParaVision.
You had the 3-0 in the Swiss stage, you got here as quick as you'd like, you gave yourself
days off, more time to practice, less time to show the tape, ParaVision have played every
single map possible to get to this point.
Yeah, this is hard work and grit versus a big bank balance, and hard work is prevailing!
Small and cool. Play fast down mid, you get the first bit to come back the other way.
That's not the first time we've seen that happen.
You'd be the first with them on the T side, sure, but now it's Niko.
It's Monosy, it's Tessus to piece this one together.
Such synergy, such unity on display from the batter vision CT side.
You could have dismissed it back at Bounty to say, yeah, we had a stand and we would have taken you with our full roster.
What do you say now?
We shouldn't be losing economical rounds, perhaps?
That was way perfectly timed push.
No, he's got a back turn. That's a dead Niko.
A frustrated Niko, no doubt.
Plenching his fist as he watches this two-on-four transpire.
I'm not sure what's going on.
Tess, this has bailed them out on a couple of tough situations.
He's got his work cut out from towards Red Room.
They're so ready for this.
It's so hard to just get an easy one-on-one duel.
There's always two of them.
He just swatched to his knife!
Knife to a gunfight!
Alright, Manassee. One of you four.
35 on the clock.
What is this kid capable of?
25.
Safe.
At the back of the sights, yellow jiggles, catches a whiff.
Now the scopes have been heard, now he just has to plant.
I hope he doesn't just get one ahead of the plate.
Oh, he can't even get one!
Denied!
Set to the Shadow Realm, 11 to 7.
And the part of the same's now.
Money broken, spirits broken.
Power of vision
Just have to dispel right now the partial to lock in 12 to guarantee overtime on map number three
This is a team they are disrupting the status quo right now
Conversations of vitality
fury
spirit
Falcons
and they've beaten the majority of them already.
Nothing middle, nothing B lane.
Right, so there are late B doors pop while they're going A.
You have so much information right now as ParaVision to be able to
rejig the setup and prepare for this.
Over towards middle, they're playing anti-
waiting if there is a bit of a flash-pump through.
Congregating right now there is three.
So if you sell the A fake then try and walk out middle while they're being
very restrained with their U-Tilt.
Coach knock on the jiggles.
As soon as he spots this, he'll throw that in and he'll stall them out.
Yep, rock the clock further.
They've already got full lane info.
As you said, now Util's landing on A.
Flash catch is no chance, commits to the spray, still gets out, but a missed shot from the
James Sniper and now a catch from Tessus.
The yellow and missed step, belching off, picks up the pieces and puts it back together
in favour of paravision.
of the side, Technon at range, can't handle it, can't kick it, Niko's deep, audible,
Sway loses his head, bounce it up down, oh no, it was so close to a Niko round.
Oh what a beautiful attempt.
He's going to be at the conference tonight, he's going to be coming up next,
the man himself. Oh, he's
frustrated. It has to be five
straight for overtime. Order
Paragush have them right here
right now. Grand final for the
first tournament of the season.
What a final this time round.
Kiss, okay? With empty hands goes
winning out on that mid-fight Falcons have to do this with a man down they
started these mid-fights round after round with the rifles out trying to take
the space he's found some successes but then traded and now he doesn't get the
open and now they have to operate in the 4v5 disadvantage this is
Paravision set up to convert while we talk about Falcons giving these rounds
away I don't think we do the same with Paravision with a game team the
The excuses are running dry, you've got your full roster this time.
It's not an easy bracket, but it's the easiest side.
There's the hard way back into this map.
James has built this roster
with the help of Dastan.
Niko transfers onto the two push-ups.
That's what you need, you need individuals stepping up to the plate
and they're going to need a whole lot more of that.
Okay, one of the five, thanks to Nico,
picking up where he left off in the previous round.
Coach Knoll and Jane will operate on the save.
But that's it.
Against Power Vision, you need to be able to get the two.
It has to be, especially right there
with them being the number disadvantage early.
The money, the reason the save comes in,
their lost bonus bottom of the barrel.
Sure, they've won five straight rounds,
But a couple of them have been close.
It's not a stack of cash.
Now they just need one round, sure.
But if you're able to break them,
that's where you can get back in.
Game sounds off the yaw.
Get away from the bomb.
They're saying, oh my, the drop available for QZ now.
You dare take any chances in the middle again.
We're going to see the weekend started.
Time out call. This is Darsson on the mic.
He ushered them into the close with some wise words or just the opportunity to talk things through.
This is tense, this would be counter-booting combat for thousands.
This is the team who would love to get away with one of their own sweet stories of revenge.
The start of the year.
We did a phone tournament where, pretty deep in February, the counter strike just keeps on coming.
This is an opportunity for Calcutta to make a deep run,
There's now one of the five four more in a row required
Big change
So we're spending a lot of utility to get this space second wave monocycus who can come through Elba Nico out heaven
What adjustments has Dastan been barking at them? Well, this is the one not to fight for the mid-control
We're playing a bit more. We'll give them enough rope to hang themselves essentially.
Don't give them a chance to find those tracks. Just use our U2 play for info.
Nota's getting so much info for free off his jump spot.
Monosy's been unable to catch him.
Significant damage from the HE and that's all they have to report.
Oh, kicks and slips off. Commits to that. Nota confirmed his commitment.
God, he's so irritating for Falcons. They just can't seem to catch him.
I'm going to be there in time keyword with 44 on the clock shadows forced away by the
flame but we'll try and throw out something of his own suboptimal Nico's been spotted
out doesn't go down dropped into mid again notice gonna be under pressure 28 the
time pressures on falcons belchinok reveals back a donut Nico an attempted
trade they can't find him hiding out the back of donut pivot into one but
belching up to kickster's gonna buy the cover is yellow really gonna be audacity
the audacity pushes on through kicks it to save the falcons all to play for in
the clutch! James got it! And the falcon plucks out of the quarter finals! Wings
flipped by Paravision! The giant killer has been assembled!
Yeah, oh, you've got full roster and it doesn't matter! Paravision is starting to semi-finals!
Truly outstanding individuals. I mean, Belcherock stands out not free. Impact on those lesser weapons.
just go back to the first after you're losing to a block eco and then going around of six straight rounds falcons did this to
Themself the gimmies the rounds. They must convert. They made it hard
This is a series where they won all six pistols and para vision make light work
This is a 13 to 8 score line
I debut in front of an arena as well your first time in front of so many people so many faces and they're chanting
against you and you thrive and Falcons did all the hard work. They went 3-0 in the
Swiss. They put themselves on the opposite side of the bracket of vitality. This was
their side to run and Paravision with the upset to start the day and they back up the bounty final.
That's going to be a frustrating one but we're going to hear from them now.
power vision pull off the upset and they look damn good while doing it you guys
can do all you like but they demand your respect with this one Belcher knock you
told me a couple of events ago you wanted to be an arena you won't be
playing on these stages you got a big win and you took down the Falcons again
just tell me what did that whole experience feel like to you it's it's
It was my dream to play a round in a big arena, you know.
And I'm so happy we did it.
It was important being how it was tough games.
They played really, really well on Mirage.
They just destroyed us. It was a really good comeback on Dust2.
And on Ancient I think we just was better.
You definitely were. You proved you were better as well.
Zwei, what was it like? You have the experience now, right?
You had your time on Spirit to play in these stages, to lift trophies.
But what did you think of your teammates and how they performed in this situation, especially with this arena booing so much?
I can just say that
the electronic is insane
He definitely was he played insane and what does this do for the team's confidence getting another win over Falcons full team
No standings on a stage
Can I just help him guys? I like it
He is used to it guys come on be fair be nice. You've done enough for him
give them some applause. Paravision off through to the semifinals.
Yeah listen, I would say this, you buy a ticket, you have the right to boo. I'm a
believer in that, but I'm also telling you this, Paravision do not give a fuck.
Not a single solitary one Richard. They've done it again. All the caveats in the first time
that they beat Falcons at bounty where the nucleons were standing in for Kiyosuke.
It didn't matter today did a dickhead they were still able to get it done
And it's just the same old Falcons man, but before we talk about Falcons
I do want to give Paravigian their flowers a lot of people thought they were a one-hit wonder after mountain now all of a sudden
You have to start thinking to yourself. Maybe this team does actually have a really good stay in play
Paravigian and obviously you're always gonna feel a little off-kilter when you play against a jame-led team
Even if he's modernized some of his style, he still does have a couple tricks up his sleeve
But no, I'm bringing it back to the Falcons man. This is this is a catastrophe one after another
I mean to I'd say the biggest pass they have now of the first three tournaments is the bounty where they lost in the Grand
Final Supervision this crack now no excuses this event should be even less excuses
You're playing a team that you face them already in the past and now you have your full five man lineup
But oh my gosh, I mean it's I don't I think that you might have even had a better time with nucleons in this one
Then Kiosk gave like that that start you have was good to what the difference maker was when I said I was visited in a dream
That you know Falcons were gonna lift this trophy that was contingent on Kisuke maintaining that group stage form and on this map in
Particular it took him so long to get going. There was a huge pop from the crowd when it's zero and eight
I think it was like a double kill with it for Mars, you know, he didn't get his first kill to round 10
Yeah, round 10 and you're playing one of the most important see the positions on the map middle
You know trying to stop and slow down the opposition leave them with less options
But he wasn't able to do that. But look, I'm not gonna pin it all on him
I think this is a systemic failure for Falcons that we've seen for some time
And it is the fact that again, they lose a full eco in round two like how in the world are you doing that?
They lost another round man advantage is it's all the same stories
It's going to be more screenshots or credit of many maps of this team not being able to win critical rounds
What it matters most and they just fell way too flat again
They talked about in the casting desk you won all six pistols in this series and yet you're still unable to come up with victories
They were getting hot starts to haves, but they weren't able to build off of them
And in some cases like in this game
They weren't able to win the second round and convert and it happens so often I see this team went lose anti-ecos
You know lose 5v3s lose 5v2s like it's I don't understand it doesn't make any sense
Well, you know who was the first to die to the Glocks? Kyosuke, just wide in the open by himself.
I mean, just to stop you there, we might be able to get some insight into what happened because I believe James Banks is with Nico now.
That's correct Richard. I do have Nico here from the Falcons and...
Certainly a fan favorite here, Nico, but I've got to stop by looking at this game for you guys.
You looked really good throughout the group stage. You're coming against Paravision again.
You started off the game well, I would say, but on this Dust 2, it slipped away, goes into overtime.
What is still happening in these situations? Why has the Dust 2 fallen off like it has?
I have no idea. I don't know what happened. It's like your disappointment losing in that profession.
I mean, we knew that they can be tough things to play against, no matter how well we are prepared for them.
for them and even if you knew what they are doing they are still for some reason very tough opponents
to go up against but we are just bad I would say we are not winning the rounds that we are supposed
to win and if you give them the rounds this often this is the result and it's just hurting us and
it's hurting us the result wise but also the confidence wise when we start playing so it's
It's really frustrating and no use, to be honest with you, it's very, very frustrating about how you play.
When you're talking about the conference, when these games start to slip away, when this starts to happen,
do you notice a difference in the server? Do you see the mentality changing amongst yourself and the other players?
I think we obviously see some of the decisions that we make in the rounds,
the decisions that we usually don't do, or we do way less than what we do.
I think we know that we have players that are aggressive, they like to peek,
but we have to minimize those things to minimum if we want to win.
And as I said, we have the team to afford the mistakes,
and it's fine that it happens once, maybe, per game,
but it happens so often, it's really embarrassing.
And yeah, I think it is noticeable that we are just making wrong steps.
Sometimes we want to finish the round too soon, take a duel too soon.
Sometimes we don't take the duel when we are supposed to take a duel.
I don't know, it's a very hard situation to tackle right now.
Obviously, we don't have the right answer.
It's something that we have to look deep into this,
and we know that it's been five disappointing seasons so far,
and we know that we have to do better.
I really thought that this event could be the one where we go the next step.
And just lastly, this crowd does love you. They loved you last year as well.
And if you want to say to everyone inside the arena, they're the fans at home.
As I said, I know it's been a rough season, so we know that you are disimportant,
disappointing but we are more disappointing than you trust me on that and I know it's easy to say
that we will you know go back and work hard but we need results and we know it and hopefully it
will come and yeah for the crowd here I know that you guys are amazing you have been amazing last
year as well and I'm really excited we're not gonna get to play another match in front of you
but I hope you do stay and they enjoyed the rest of the show. Thank you very much Niko.
Blues, makes some noise, Niko and the Falcons kill the respect they deserve.
That's it, that's all.
Thanks a lot, James.
I feel it is something I've just seen so much now,
the despondent Niko exit interview, the ah.
You look, I love the guy. I want him to get his major.
I want him to get his many trophies.
He's been such a great ambassador for the game, an iconic player.
He's really clawed his way of seeing the hard way to be where he is right now, but he's right.
Unfortunately, Falkens, I don't know what it is. I don't know if you're a curse team.
There is something wrong within that roster. Too many mistakes at critical moments.
It's a lack of accountability for all the players on the team. I mean, the amount of times that
Kiyosuke and Mana see, despite the fact that they pop off on a scoreboard, but then leave
you in a dire position in a late round tense moment where the going gets tough
pressures all all the way dialed up and then they just make with ridiculous
inexcusable individual plays individual peaks and I think that's the problem that
this this team has that's why I put Zonic on the hot seat because Zonic has
had incredible success when he's had stars that are easy to work with think
of the Astralis team that he had I mean those are five guys that were all able
to just mix and match you know they can take up a role when it's needed you
know what you could ask to pre to clutch sometimes you can ask Zipmix if he
He needs to lock down a bomb site.
All of these guys were able to fill their role.
But everybody on Falcons wants to go above and beyond their role.
They all want to be the star in so many of these moments.
And so we also even saw him work with one of the easiest
going superstars ever in Zywoo.
That's not a mistake.
That's Onik won a major with him as well.
But when he's addressing this team,
it's clear that something is not getting through to them.
They cannot in 3v1 situations with a guy with no chance
to win, give up a post-blank, give up a retake at that.
But it happens all too frequently.
And I find that it is such a consistent factor in their losses that no one seemingly can take accountability for like it's a team thing.
No, you got to sack up and say that was my fault.
That was this one was his fault.
If you can't point the finger that nobody will absolve themselves of playing.
It's so tough because Falcons are so fantastic in so many ways.
Like they have such great pieces.
You can see some of the potential and some of the theory that they're doing in some of these rounds,
but then they become just so frustrating because then they hit a wall at some point.
It's inevitable, you know, in this game it was round two, you know, losing an eco.
But at other times it could be their way out in front, they start losing man advantage situations.
And this one, I think the big one for me was, you know, when you go to the second half, you're
watching Kiyosuke, he's getting the initial peak middle and getting a kill, getting advantage,
but then there's like no supportive utility. And then he swings out for a second one.
He keeps going. That's what I'm saying. Always keeps going.
Exactly. And either he can't do that, or you need to make sure that someone is supporting him
with good utility to allow him to have that extra duel, to get that extra mile, and they just don't
get it often enough and as far as accountability yeah I just don't know
because like you can look at different teams that are having issues in this
scene you can maybe say ah they need to change this player for another player
they need to maybe change their coach they need to do this at this point
Falco's need a freaking exorcist dude like I just don't see what is going to
help this team out like there there might just be some demon in them that
needs to be cast away you mentioned being curse richer
I mean I just don't see what you can do here I might know that demons name but
it's not my place to say why don't we talk about a player who played like a
team in Belchnock over on ParaVision, one of these young guns that James is molding.
This was a fantastic map from him and probably, you know, James was the standout player coming
into the playoffs, but I still felt there was enough out of Belchnock that prior to
this, I think he was like the second best player statistically on the roster, he is
the guy that's been making plays more so than Jello, more so than Lote, he's the one stepping
up and he really did a great job there. Even said, you know, don't feel the pressure. It's fine. Like,
you can boo me, whatever. I'm just playing my game. Belchanak was a standout in this one because he
just lit Falcons up. Every time it was Paravision that were on the back foot, three versus five
situation, I think that's another one of the rounds that Falcons are going to look back at. The fact
that he solo clears two guys in cave with no help whatsoever. And yeah, he doesn't really get a lot
of resources on this team. You're right. It is to set up Zelo. It is to set up No to a little bit
bit more frequently. So in Belchanoch has a pop off. That's just a luxury. That's just
a late round guy that's able to overperform through adversity. And yeah, he did walk
the wrong way. Did Mrs. Q when we started? Yeah, you want to make sure we have no alright
take to tune. He definitely take up for the stage by the end of the series. Just just
before we go to break paravision, they knocked out one of the favorites for the tournament.
A lot of people's picked to win it. Can paravision go all the way? It's very possible. We get
past the semi-final at the very least, right? I think they've shown really good resilience.
I think we've seen them now play every map possible you could play in this tournament.
We've seen them go the extra miles, the extra rounds. We've seen them come from behind in
every single game. They lost every single pistol and still find a way to come back and
win two maps to make it to the semi-final. So I think you do have to start kind of reconsidering
how you frame paravision away from a one hit wonder. It may be true, always playoff contender.
Thanks a lot, guys. We're going to take a quick break. When we come back, the king is
in the building. Navi, we're taking our mouse. We'll see you in a moment.
To the right, to the right.
Nice, nice.
Bro, fucking Deco, I thought it's him shooting. Fuck's sake.
Yeah, fuck it.
We can help?
She said she loves you, but she can't love me.
But I love you!
I'm a crazy man, I gotta listen to my little farm plays
When you gotta get out of my face
I'm a crazy man, don't look back in the day
You turn off the music
I won't play window anymore
What's going on?
Play your role, one X-Fat
On to the next
Not trapped at a desk in one singular posture for 12 hours a day.
It's time your chair evolved.
This is Secret Lab Titan Evo.
Ergonomically engineered for use.
Gamers.
Hybrid workers.
Artists.
Back in your every move.
I'm not gonna stop you!
Astana!
Are you ready?
Get out of my way!
We're playing Mystery Player here at PGL, Cluj de Poca, and I got a very special guest.
It's the first time.
It's the Mongols.
Co-Brizere.
Got Fuzi with me from Astralis.
I've got Maus's Yim Fat with me, Payne's NQZ.
What we're going to do within this game for you is we're going to show you some team logos
and you need to guess which player we are talking about.
some of it's going back a little bit in time, but let's test how well your CS
knowledge is across the years. Here, let's see. Let's do it. All right, so the first one,
let's see what we've got on here. You have Movistar riders, Ents and Falcons.
Movistar riders, so I guess it's gonna be a Spanish guy. This one is easy. His current
team if we show that is G2.
Sanpaez.
Sanpaez, there we go.
Good.
I was thinking like, what's he name, so.
Yeah, yeah, see.
And then ends as well.
I mean, that fits.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, that fits Sanpaez.
I'm not sure if it was a Falcons, was it?
I'm going to get Sanpaez, anyway.
You're going to go Sanpaez?
Boom.
Boom.
There we go.
Movistar.
Sanpaez.
Sanpeis, has to be Sanpeis.
And look at that.
Sanpeis.
No problem at all.
My boy from Espana.
All right, this next one, this could be the tough one.
Hellracer's mouse Cloud9, is it?
This is like kind of like, if I look at your profile,
this would be the same kind of confusion I would have.
Who is in this tournament?
It has to be an old player.
I mean, Hellracer's, they had a lot of CIS players,
well, right, and I know Hobbit was on Cloud9,
But I don't think he was in mouse correct correct
All right, let's go for a hint. His current team is Aurora. What someone was playing pilot. Yeah, it's crazy, right?
Aurora, oh shit
Oh
So it's it's boxy. Yes. It's a boxy. It's a boxy. Yes
Yes.
Yeah.
Woxic.
Woxic.
Yeah, correct.
There we go.
Okay, this is Woxic.
I hope it's Woxic, but I think...
Yeah, it's Woxic.
What made you get Woxic straight away?
How did you understand this?
Because Caroline, some people can think of Marikas, you know.
HellRaisers.
As I said to you, I'm a nerd.
Yeah, you're a real nerd in this one.
Yeah, because HellRaisers, I remember the line-up like with Issa.
Yeah.
Who's the other guy something with that fox that boy now remember walks in from there
Oh, yeah, he went straight to mouseports, and I think he played his best. He has there
Yeah, like 12 in the world or something like that there. We have the the famous
Can I call it dream team cloud nine?
Yes, Alex Alex was there Alex walk stick
As a tag as a tag and maybe the last one was kill shimmer if I was taking
I don't remember the fifth one.
I'm gonna trust you because your knowledge seems really good.
So you're killing it.
Final one for you.
You've done pretty damn well so far.
SK, Team Liquid and Imperial.
Can I have a hint?
That's too much.
You love these hints.
I like you, Kopa Zero, so you can have another hint.
He's on Furia.
Is this Fallen?
Did he ever play in Imperial?
Is this Fallen?
Fallen?
Yeah, there we go. I think I know this one. Yeah, is it fallen? Boom. Okay
I think maybe this is simple though
It's falling
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah, so welcome back to PGL Clues in the Poga.
The second quarterfinal about to get underway.
Maus versus Narvi.
We're going to be breaking it down on the desk.
There's lots of time to talk about this one while the teams get ready, guys.
So let's start by talking about Maus.
I mean, it's easy to forget.
They are the reigning champions of this event.
Don't lift a lot of trophies.
Come in for a lot of criticism for not lifting trophies.
Beat Falkens here in this arena to lift a trophy that
represented a real landmark milestone for that team.
Yeah, I mean, it was their debut event with Spinks.
It was this addition of new firepower,
moving Brolin into the IGL slot to just kind of make the team
a little bit more well-rounded skill-wise.
And that was a trophy lifted right away,
But that's been the only one, right?
You know, since then they've become a consistent top five team in the world.
They've had 12 top four finishes since they won that trophy, but no more titles in the cabinet.
And so being here includes once again, they hope that that romance is in the air that they can repeat
because I think they are in desperately in need of showing us that they're capable of winning trophies.
But they have been fairly successful if you just want to talk about the consistency that this mouse team has.
obviously the fact that they haven't hoisted a trophy since then is going to
feel a little bit empty but to only miss two semi-finals in a year span of
time is a ridiculous feat with how competitive the scene is today.
Yeah so I'll toss this one out to you then because back in the group stages
you know Jacob Pimp he made a point about how like you know that's an
achievement in itself you know being a runner up all the time is actually good
I don't know if I necessarily agree. I think in eSports competitions, I think you get, you know, 30 attempts to lift a trophy.
If you fail all of them, that's, you know, I don't care about second place at that point.
I don't care about runners-up medals and participation trophies.
For me, it comes down to two quick things. One, it's a matter of perspective.
If you're a team like 3D Max or one of these others that are like kind of gatekeepers that are taught to him but barely a part of it themselves,
You'd love to be a mouse's position.
You'd love to be making consistent playoff appearances
and getting top fours and being a high wall drinking.
But when you're a team like Mouse Sports,
and you've been elite for so long,
you've been at the top of the pecking order for so long,
you can't put a trophy in the cabinet,
it becomes a problem, right?
Because yeah, I respect the consistency of them placing
top four, you know, 12 times since they won Cluj.
That's a fantastic achievement.
But the issue is I've seen other teams sneak in
and get wins when they haven't been able to.
G2 pulled off a crazy win in London,
and the best of five against Vitality.
You had Furia win four titles last season,
including three in a row going into the Major.
So they have watched other teams pass them by and collect titles
while they've not been able to do themselves.
And with such a longstanding roster
and with such well-rounded talent, you just expect more.
An addendum to that take also is that Pimp was saying
that we're celebrating athletes at the Olympics
for getting onto the podium.
The Olympics happens once every four years
for these guys in this discipline.
There were a dozen opportunities for Malice
to lift at least one trophy.
Yeah, like just once a week.
A gold medal in the Olympics is slightly different
than having this many cracks at it and still falling short.
And also, it's the way that they fall short, the way that they crumble to a vitality team
at the crackout playoffs in a fashion that the group stage showed no signs of whatsoever,
where they were two owing, three consecutive teams, all very strong teams at that, and
then to just fall so completely flat where some of the star players that we always want
to build up, people like exertion, just show a shelf, they show to be a shell of themselves
when the lights get even a notch brighter.
Yeah, and you can see, we've talked about this before, this is the problem that any tournament
Maus has, you know, like it's the nightmare with the monster at the end and that monster's
name is Vitality because if they ever have to play them, this is what happens.
I mean, the statistical drop off is incredible.
I mean, they have played that team so many times now and the only like true win that
you can feel good about that they got was in Cologne.
They were able to win a playoff match against Vitality, fantastic.
Their only other win was against them at Chengdu in a seeding game and yet it's still a win
on land, the best of three against Vitality, fair enough, you couldn't do it the entire
entire first season where Vitality were wrapping all seven titles in a row, but it didn't mark
any difference in how they approached the stage environment and how they were able to
do it when it really mattered.
And here's the thing, the entire first season, sure, they played Little Brother the Vitality
the entire time.
They were getting beat in an error-defining moment for Vitality.
It's similar to what happened with Liquid whenever they were such a good team and they
were just getting pounced by Astralis time and time again in 2018 and 2019.
It's very reminiscent of that rivalry.
The issue becomes is, okay, I can maybe forget that a bit, but now all of a sudden you're
losing the spirit.
in the Falcons. You're losing to other teams. So it's not just vitality. It's now any other
top five team in the world can get your number when it comes to the semifinals. So again,
it's about proving that you can actually take this platform that you've built and launch
it into victories as opposed to just, you know, a bronze medal.
Well, we'll talk about some of the individuals in a moment, but now let's talk about their
opponents, the man they call Rajele, is in the building. Emma, everyone's favorite player.
Yeah, I learned that for you guys.
Maybe not repeating the case, I messed it up again.
But anyway, the point is, obviously, they're the home team here, Navi.
And that's my worry for Maus in this game, because Navi limped through the groove stage.
Navi did not look good. G2 essentially just let them come to the stadium
by not winning a single round in the second half.
that are two games as you can see here on your screen.
And that is, you know, almost unforgivable for G2,
but for Navi now, different story
because you're the home team, crowd's going to be behind you,
everyone else is going to be feeling the pressure
when they play you, probably the exception of italics,
you should you get so far.
I mean, when you look at this Navi team
and the teams that they lost to,
it's a mouset of Mongols
that also were able to qualify for the finals.
What's concerning about their run in the group stages,
is how poor they were at winning their own mappings,
poor at assessing their own strengths.
And I feel like Blades obviously talked about the fact
that he thinks that this team can be a contender.
I am actually, I actually feel like there's a chance.
I don't think that it's a likely chance.
I don't think that if I had them in a head-to-head
versus a Vitality in a BO5,
that they're probably gonna take that.
But they are showing, to me,
visually signs of improvement.
Mikaze, as an individual, is figuring out some of the maps
that he had more difficulty with
when he was first joining this team.
And occasionally you see certain players returning to form.
People like Bid having a lot more impact in this group stage.
But the main concern for a lot of people when it comes to Navi though is,
is there really the star power when you're going toe-to-toe with those big dogs?
Oh, come on. I'll say it for you. It's the wonderful question.
Can Wonderful be an elite offer?
Yes. Well, I mean, he's proven yes. That's already been answered.
He was in the HLTV Top 10. You know, he's been there before.
I think there's this insane amount of pressure on him and look you can see from the stats
He's not at his peak at the moment. He's not at the top of his game. That's very true
I mean, this is a team that we got excited about the end of last year because they started making some moves
They started having some good finishes and they won a smaller tournament
They did really well at another one
They had that run at the Budapest major and we were hoping that that could transfer in the all-season because they elected to keep the same line
Up thinking that they had the potential to still be a title contender without making any adjustments
And obviously their debut event didn't go so well.
They're hoping to rewrite that here.
And yeah, wonderful is certainly a part of it.
But I can really say the same thing
about the entire lineup.
I mean, look, Navi prodded themselves in 2024
when they were the team of the year.
And they had their major.
And they had those runs of all those wins.
They were a team that was better than some of their parts.
But the fact of the matter was, is that even though they
didn't have necessarily one of the best players in the world,
Bit and JL were top 10 players in the world.
Like, they did their roles very, very well.
Now, all of a sudden, it's not quite the same on really
any front up until this tournament.
I have seen Bit turn things around a little bit here.
And, you know, he's the number six player on the tournament.
I mean, let's be real.
Bit has been the driving force for this Navi lineup.
Really roll back the years.
I mean, look, I'll also give everyone a little bit of inside baseball
that were talked behind the scene
that maybe he might not be on the Navi roster for this season.
We all know it in the biz.
These are the kinds of things that get talked about.
That move was shut down for whatever reason.
Everyone seems to be happy with that.
You wouldn't know it from Bit's performance.
He's absolutely back to who he was like a year ago to kick off the year. There definitely seemed to be some
Discontent that was remaining for bit
But he definitely is locked in as a consummate professional does seem like he has figured out that you can't really just drag his fee
Through these games with Navi still has to keep his stock
I still has to try to win trophies for this organization that really gave him his chance as a star player
You know when he was given the call-up as the sixth man for the team back in the day
And yeah, the pieces around him today may not feel like they're as title contending as some of the rosters
He's had in the past, you know, obviously the boomage simple lineup or even the 2024 lineup
But he can still show the world that he is any elite extremity player elite anchor
Well, I got a pair to the crowd a little bit Richard
Yeah, I have to because there is one other man on this team who has looked pretty solid in recent times
So I think we can maybe highlight this a bit of course
It is indeed the man himself from Romania
Ema who has been having a hell of a time lately. So let's throw him up on screen
As he is right title of him so much. I imported his hat
You did a great job at that too. You did an absolutely fantastic job
He's got the hair and he's got the swagger as well putting up really good numbers his tournament
And one of the numbers that's not gonna be on the screen that I do want to point out that is critically important
Is while Macaulay's kind of the driving force of this team when it comes to creating openings and being an entry fragger
That was Ima's old identity before they made the roster change to bring Mikaze in and Ima still acts as a very good secondary
entry fragger. His entry stats are actually up there with some of the elite entries in the world.
Yeah, he's not taking as many attempts anymore because he's had to kind of adjust his role to make room for Mikaze.
But when his number has been called to make something happen on an extremity or to lead and execute, the guy's still putting up great numbers.
And yesterday, when it was all on or two days ago, it was all on the line and he needed to win a series to get to this stadium because remember guys,
Ema was here last year. This whole crowd knows it. He sat in the stadium and he got to see this crowd and he got to go do
Autographs he got to go hang out, you know what the co-streamers and he got to see what could have been
But now he didn't attend this event and so he didn't get to compete
But now he does now he gets this chance in front this crowd
We know how romantic it was for Malago and Astana last year to be able to have the opportunity to play from his home crowd
And what a magical story that was I bet you this crowd hopes that the same thing happens for Ema today here in Romania
Well, I mean that's a great point and I'll tell you you know him as usually a player that plays within himself
You know not really a big emotional guy. You don't always seem screening. You punched the table in joy
It's just if you didn't punch things in joy
I don't know but just at the prospect of getting through and playing in the playoffs
And that's how much it meant to him to be here and to have that opportunity
opportunity. My worry is that, I don't know if we can bring it up again, but if you look at the
Navi journey here, there's something off with the Vitos. I do need to telegraph this for everyone
at home. We all love Blade. Blade is one of the greatest coaches of all time, if not the greatest.
But if you look at them at picks in some of these series, they lost them. And it was kind of crazy
that that was happening. I think it was four series or three of the last four series that they
lost their picks. I mean they lost a mirage to an Aurora team even after taking them down on their
home app of Anubis. I mean they beat Mongols on their pick of Inferno, but then Navi picking Nuke
out, lose that one as well. Obviously versus Mao's getting two-woed. Yeah, there's three examples
right there of the veto not going the way that they were also getting batted on ancient by G2.
And it wasn't until the second half where things started to click for them. And it's like my worry
here is against Mr. Consistency, that is, mouse. If your veto is even slightly off, you're
going to get punished. There's no, no room to hide in a playoffs.
Yeah, two things with that. I mean, one, I think this is the ripple effects of them attempting
a seven map pool last year, never really making that work. And I think they were also incredibly
harmed by train being removed, because I felt like that was really what they were going to
hope for to be kind of the hall map for the squad. Now they've started to permaband overpass.
So now it forces you to be extra focused on those other six maps in the pool and while we have seen them do
You know pretty well on ancient other than obviously the almost g2 disaster that you were mentioning generally speaking pretty good on ancient
I think their dust who's been alright the big problem for me is the mirage has completely fell off
But they won the last seven games that they played last year and that major run a lot of it was through mirage
It's been absent through a lot of this year so far for me
They've also really struggled on inferno lately
They've struggled on nuke lately where they're losing like their last seven out of ten games apiece
But they're gonna have to find something in this series that for sure and that's what the crowd is hoping for as well
Yeah, absolutely
So we can also talk a little bit about miles and some of their problems because you know
I want to ask you Maui where do we apportion the blame for why did not lift the more trophies it?
What looked really good was when Shuhei wends and Brolan came in we were like maybe you just don't need IGLs and CS
That was the big debate. I'm right one year ago. Maybe you just have more firepower your play sensibly and they all came out
You know, they were like, this is the guy. This is the IGL for us
And since then not only if they're not one another trophy his individual performance has kind of fallen off a cliff and pray it
So is the broland question the question to be asking about mouse? I mean from the group stage
That's who I would have put on the hot seat regarding mouths
I feel like you're getting enough out of all of your other four players
You're getting Torsi's a completely commendable rifler
I mean our upper that is Spinks is obviously buying for being a top 10 player in the world every single year that he's on a team and
Yimpat even though we've talked about some of the fall off that he had from grace
He still is one of the best anchors that you could ask for and exertion
Yeah, the big moments get to him, but he's still a very sharp tool
So for me when I'm looking at mouse, I'm only looking really up rolling because yeah
The rating for this tournament has been really solid for this man for him and this mouse team
But I just don't think that you're getting really the fragging numbers that you wanted or you saw in the opening tournament with him
And also I don't think that the mid rounding is nearly as strong as they believe it to be with this guy
So if there is an IGL on the market that they could possibly float out
Or maybe they even swap the role again to somebody else's they once again try to improve their fragging then there are options that are
out there. Yeah, I mean I think it's a combination of the fact that while they
do have a lot of talented players there's no one true superstar on this
team either right. I mean Spinks is probably the closest that you got as you
mentioned he was a top 10 player last year I think that's fair. He's a great
star CT player, great trade fragger, but I think the other guys can sometimes get
a little bit flaky. Like you can see Zershin be one of the best entry
fraggers in the world. He was the Volka last year but guess what? The tail in the
last year and into this year. His entry has been way below standard for you
know an entry fragger and elite level team. You know I think Torsi can sometimes
crack with the off. I do think Jimmy is not the same guy that was a superstar in 2024.
You know, I think you can point a lot of those things, but the other thing you can really
point to and we've kind of, you know, I guess hinted at it with what you were talking about
with midrouting is their tea size are awful on some of these maps. Like let's just be honest,
but they're either totally reliant upon fast paced plays and just trading and banging
with their talent. But yeah, their midrouting struggles. I don't know if it's a brawl and
not developing as an IGL. If it's a too many cooks in the kitchen, too many voices or what
it is, but they just have not been able to flesh out their attacking side on some key
maps which holds them back because they have such good dynamic defense is to put them in
winning positions. Even when you listen to the comms videos from Mao's that they release
after a handful of tournaments or games, you almost rarely hear Brolin making some kind
of executive decision in the middle of the round. So much more frequently you get people
like Xershin or Torsi chiming it, or Sphinx calling a setup before the round even starts.
They're willingly highlighting this on their own YouTube channel that other people are
calling over Brolin a pre-game segments or in right in the free time. So that is a huge
concerned for me because after a while I began to ask what does he even do?
It is it's a valid question but you know might prove you wrong at this tournament.
We'll see. It is a rematch I want to remind everybody at home they've already played at
this very competition so we can take a look at that and how it went and you can see for
yourself that it was a 2-0 to Maus and ultimately one that was relatively comfortable. I mean
this was kind of when we were raising eyebrows about where Narvi kind of were at and
if you look at the scoreboard itself it's kind of like yeah you know the people you would want
fragging for Narvi are doing the problems are obviously more systemic and that's why we have a
couple of round examples which we'll go into over this series that can really demonstrate
how just more polished and smooth through transitional moments mouths are in this kind of
around here, exertion with just a jiggle peak towards the connector is able to spot out one of
the players from Navi encroaching and immediately you get these reactions out of them. Immediately
you get Maus players who recognize that there is space available or that they need to cut off one
prong of an attack and you get Brolin making a proactive play. You get Spinks making a proactive
play and this is why throughout the tail end of last year the main talk about Maus's consistency
was their CT side. Cyclone says on frequently just to hype the team up and I believe him he says that
They got the best CT side in the world on a multitude of maps.
They are so just the clever with the way that individuals don't always need to the perfect flash set up
They just recognize in a macro sense what's available and what they should be taking
Yeah, I agree with you. I think their dynamic defense has always been their strength
The fact that they're willing to be proactive that they have guys who can be active
Torsi can be an offer who's gonna go for stuff not just hold angles
They're able to respond very nicely with their team play the flip of the script is we're looking at Mirage
We'll be just highlight how good their CT side is 38% went right on the T side for the last six months
Well, you're not gonna win games with that, right?
I mean you can be
Fantastic as you want to be on the CT side
You got to be able to either open and give yourself a little bit of cushion on the T side or at least be able to close it
Once you get a big CT half and that's been a real issue for them on a consistent basis
I mean, that's the other thing I think I believe in now be to experiment and tinker and find
Strange tactics and strange new ways to beat opponents because blades been doing that his entire career as a coach
Meanwhile, over a mouse, it's not that I don't rate cyclone.
I think cyclone is one of the most slept-on coaches in World Counter-Strike,
but they don't seem to change enough tournament to tournament.
I always feel I get a very known quantity when I watch mouse play.
When I'm watching mouse play, I almost feel like sometimes I'm just watching a vitality that has less gears.
They can run the poppy plays that vitality do.
I mean, a lot of the teams kind of shuffle and share the same sort of strap hook,
But then when you get a round that's kind of based off of some lurking piece, someone that's say, a Ropps equivalent on the Mao's side,
you would probably look to Yim Pat, and occasionally lately, he's popped off with little kills out of, say, halls on Inferno,
but it's not nearly as frequent that he's just holding space safely, which can then lead to Brolin going back and forth in the middle of a round.
It seems very map dependent. You know, like, I feel like on certain maps, they do have it together where they're able to gather up and trade efficiently.
They scale properly the spacing is really good, but again
It's not a widespread enough throughout the rest of the pool to be have enough maps to win particularly best of five
And a grand final but even in some best of three spin on who you're up against you may not have an opportunity to you know
Pull out your trump car which is overpass which is like one of the maps besides inferno that they are really that's a long a consistent basis
So it is just a situation where?
They they contrast so much from game to game. It's just not consistent enough in my opinion
Yeah, and look at the other big question about miles up, you know, we kind of alluded to throughout it's a similar issue to Falcons for me
I think that when it's a group stage, it's fine unless it's vitality
Of course in which case all bets are off for that one
But generally even if they play theoretically better opposition in the group stage then you know
It's okay. You get into the stadium. You get you get the crowd behind you
They're gonna go up against the hometown favorite now where you know mouse might even get booed
I mean, like who even know what's going on?
So it's like the mentality, that's the issue for me.
Like, I think you have to be able to walk into places like this,
though I don't care.
Like I'm here to win, I'm here to ball out, I'm going to do that.
When I boil it down to individuals on the team
and who that could really, you could lie the blame to,
it's to me exertion frequently.
I would say that watching him as he was progressing on mouse
in the beginning the first couple of years,
so frequently you're getting a guy that's just going
to run an entry route till he dies.
And he's not exercising any sort of judgment nor sort of nor caution about if there's any kind of roadblock
Does he need to slow down? Does he need to rethink moments?
And even the way that they lost to vitality say a crack out multiple rounds where they lost
Anti-ecos was just down to exertion really dropping the ball or being part of a clear
Communication pair that wasn't on the same page. So this guy for me. I think he'll handle Navi actually pretty admirably
But when it comes to the high-pressure moments, I think he's a little bit too frequently on just auto
pilot and trying to run a strap to a tee and not actually addressing the new
information that's coming in around. Yeah I'll never know if it's the cause or
the effect but Zershin's entry power has just declined rapidly over the last six
months. You know again I'm not sure if it's an effect of a poor system or if
he's the one actually causing the system to falter because they usually haven't
been able to rely upon him to be able to take the space and convert some
entries and set up some trading. I mean again this team is most dangerous when
they're able to get Zershin out there as an entry and they get Spinks and
Company into space because that's whenever they can trade frag and feel
confident and be able to get the bomb down and do great things once they get to that point.
But there are certain maps where, you know, kind of as you were alluding to, it just seems like
the spacing is not quite there, the support of utility is not quite there, search is not quite
connecting in the same ways that you used to, and that makes the whole game harder whenever
you're not able to get that one clear foothold in a round, whether it be a man advantage or at
least some key map control, you're not having to bleed a lot of resources to get it, that that
could really hold them back in a lot of games for sure. Yeah, and the other question, all right,
is it all just means, Mali?
There is obviously something to the aura of the cultural impact
conversation, but that's more for the social media team
to decide, to figure out those kind of problems.
The problem is that they have good personality.
I mean, YMPAT has a great personality.
Torsi has a fantastic personality.
Especially by finished player standards, right?
They're usually very stoic, you know?
I mean, in one of the most recent vlogs
that they had for their team, I think
he was talking about playing against Alexi B,
and that he was going to clap his cheeks.
Like, whoa.
That's like that's a quote or as close as I could say he might even use a worse swear word there
But I you know I digress the old big hurt special a lot of people just like mounts for a variety different reasons
But really I think in some ways they're an extremely relatable team
They're a team of just five guys who just play counter strike really well
They're not trying to be bigger than life personalities
They're just trying to do their due diligence get through these games and play as well as they possibly can they do get fired up when they're intense
moments when they win big matches. But just so frequently they don't have that that bigger
than life personality. That superstar going to be the front page of a magazine sort of
face that's going to make you think that they deserve your respect. They need to earn it
for a month. And I don't think it's any coincidence that Navi were at their best when they had
JL on the roster. You know, you think about what he used to do. It was like he was oblivious
to a crowd. He didn't care. You want to boo him fine, cheer him fine. He's just going
to clutch out and win the game. And it's not really an equivalent in the mouse lineup.
I do think you need that guy. Yeah, I mean, I think it's true. I mean, yeah
You always have your tactical leader but having an emotional leader or someone who can rile the troops or someone who can set
The tone of the game is very important and look I think a lot of the reason going back to what you're talking about by
Monsters like ability is because of the underdog nature of their story
No, a lot of these guys were on mouse's academy team, right?
You know, they've had to come up through the trenches of tier two work the way up to a tier one level
And they've had steady progressions throughout that time
You know, they went from a team that wasn't really doing a whole lot to all of a sudden consistently placing
You know in the playoffs and in top fours winning a couple of small tournaments, but they just kind of been stuck in that same spot for a while
I mean, it's what was what we're seeing from foot today foot today is what mouse was two years ago
We're gonna be there with the old knob right in your team that kept kept kept together and are trying to build their way up
Mouse has already done that and they've gotten to a really good point again
There's a lot to be proud of to be able to say that hey we are top five in the world
We've been there for basically two years right but again
It's just about that extra edge to get some trophies in the cabinet
You don't want them all. You don't have to have a bot. How do you like errors streak or something like that?
But just put yourself in the mix a little bit prove that you actually can do it, right?
I mean, I think that's means as much defense it is to them themselves in their self-confidence
Hmm and obviously as well now we have an Academy player, you know kind of that they're developing
We didn't really talk about my cars even though I think statistically he's like just behind bit
I think in this event and he's a guy that like I don't know
I want to say he's raw talent is how I would describe it a little bit unrefined
But when he pops off his aim is that don't crack that's an extremely fair assessment because the way that they like to use him is to just be the spearhead
they frequently send him out on those sort of space taking sort of journeys and
Sometimes he doesn't always exercise the greatest level of discretion himself. Sometimes he's gonna fight to the death
Yes, he can pop off with a couple nice opening kills
And then you just win the round and you can wipe your hands of it clean
but if sometimes he's in a mid-late-round moment on especially the maps that to me require a little bit more utility
Patience recognizing how you need to swap up your own pacing say a map like inferno
He can get caught in the crossfire of a more well-rounded team that has tactically beat him down. All right
Well, good news. We're ready to see if all of those story lines come fruition as we throw over to the stage
Thank you very much Richard and hello clues
This is looking really good for a Friday, and I'm sure you are excited for this one.
But first of all, we need to look at the reigning champions of Cluj-Napoca.
Last year, Maus started off their story with Spinks, taking this trophy and looking strong.
Now they're more calculated, disciplined, but the question is, can they be dangerous?
because the trophies started to elude them.
This is a team that right now needs to raise themselves
above the noise and deliver in a big way.
So please welcome to the stage, Miles!
Well, Clues, you were loving these guys last year, but I can understand why.
The king is here and the king is home.
Navi are next to take to the stage.
And this is a team where it's not just about play-offs.
This is about doing it for Emma.
This is about delivering for their teammate on the stage
and reaching a height that has escaped them for so long.
Navi have had their struggles,
But you guys might be able to be the sixth man of the team.
So please welcome to the stage, it's Navi!
Here man, come over here, Spinks!
Come on boys.
There'll be plenty of time for that later on.
But Sphinx, you have some good memories from here.
Last year was a great event for you guys when you first joined the team.
What's the feeling coming back to Clues?
Is this where things can finally change for you guys?
Maybe, maybe back to back.
I'm just happy I've interviewed him.
Because he's the same height as me, so it looks better than the camera.
I know you're worried about the height a little bit there, but...
Are you worried about Navi? You already beat them this tournament.
Of course, they're a good team.
But we are better.
We are better, confidently saying that.
And looking at that, the crowd isn't on your side,
but you don't get a home crowd in many situations.
So, it's just normal for you guys?
Yeah, well, of course, I will choose for Ime.
I understand them, no hard feelings.
But I hope they will be quiet today.
You might be the one to quiet them.
When you qualified for this arena, you said you weren't quite sure what it would feel like.
Tell me now!
I mean, I can't hear you.
Oh no, I was joking, I heard you, but yeah, it's amazing crowd.
I knew that it's going to be like this because, like I told you before, I knew what happened last year,
And now it's gonna be way different, but yeah, I love it
You do love it and they love you
But now they pushed you hard in the group. What have you done to change things this time?
I mean like you said six player in the team are you?
Now this is your arena your home crowd, what do you want to say to him?
Thank you very much for your support guys. You are amazing.
I just want for you to just to cheer for a good contest. Thank you very much.
Shake hands boys. Go take your seats. Good luck. Have fun.
Okay, I think I know how this might go. So let me just test it out. Are there any
any mouse fans in the house?
But there are some for Navi!
Now I was told that you guys have some chance for your Romanian king.
So let me hear it for him!
One final time.
Who's makes a noise?
There you have it.
I have to rename this venue to the Lions Den.
I don't remember the crowd being this spicy,
but they've absolutely brought the energy today.
They know who their favorites are,
and they are gonna absolutely shout that to the rooftops.
And so look, let's talk about Narvi.
Let's try and set this match up
with a bit more granularity than we did
in our big sweeping pre-match segment.
I hope for him to say,
Narvi had given a lot more behind the scenes
than relying on the sixth man today,
Because up until that point, they looked a bit flat.
The BOs have been questionable, and we're going into one now.
Yeah, no surprises here to see the Overpass Band.
We know Miles will also ban a new vegetable.
The interesting thing to see is what punish picks
do these teams feel like they might be able to pull out here?
I think the main thing for me is do Navi go to Mirage,
which was their best map of so many years,
or try Ancient Now.
And I do like the fact that they're going for Ancient Now.
They've had some more recent success on it.
Mirage has looked so much shakier.
And if I'm mouse, why would I flip the script?
Why would I change anything up? There could be a punish in Nuke,
but I think Inferno is a much safer haven for them
as they've shown that they are demonstrably better in the previous matchup.
My curiosity is, do one of these teams let Dust2 become map 3
when both teams have taken so much time off from playing it?
You know, Miles didn't play it the entire second season last year,
and yeah, they're like, we're not playing it here either, buddy.
Ah, yeah, and I feel like if you're Navi,
I think you just got to go back to Ole Reliable and go to Mirage here.
I think, yeah, the ban here looks to be Nuke,
and yeah, Mirage is, even though it's been a lot rockier for them lately,
and they weren't able to take down mouths the last time around,
at least that they've changed things enough
that they can get ancient, which seems to be building up
to be their new home map.
Unlike an agent for Navi, they've won their last nine
out of 10 games on this map.
This is one of the maps where they look the most composed.
Yes, they've had a couple of little banana peel slips
here and there, but for the most part,
when you look at them on average,
this is definitely a big strength for them.
And meanwhile, mouse sports have only won five
of their last 15 games on ancient.
You know, it used to be a strength for them,
but it hasn't been lately.
And it kind of goes back to something that we discussed often.
Their T sides just lack on this map at times.
Mmm.
And why is that?
Well, I mean, I feel like when it comes to Mao,
sometimes the midfights are not always going as well as they
would hope for.
And I think that that's also going to be the case today.
I think this is the one map where
Mikaze has actually looked stellar in a Navi jersey.
So if exertion is going to be fighting him on the head to heads,
I just find that it's so likely that this is the one time where
Mikaze can shine.
because he was actually an incredibly strong player
in the big arena playoffs that he had last year.
At Cologne, he was fantastic,
and also even at the major in taking down Furia,
he was a demon.
So this is a great opportunity for Navi
to really turn the scales in their favor
as they try to take down Maus,
who are definitely the favorites in this matchup.
Right, well, we're gonna find out if you're right.
Navi's motto is born to win.
Everyone is a winner today,
because you are about to hear from Scrony and Launders.
Thank you, Richard. Thank you, gentlemen, for your insights.
Thank you, Kalujnipoca, for setting a beautiful scene so far.
Obviously, the bookmakers' favorites may be Maus,
but I think the arena's favorites, Launders, it's clearly Navi.
It's always a special moment to be able to watch a player play in front of their home crowd,
and today it makes it even more special if they're going to be able to win,
because Maus have a good time when they play against Na'Vi.
But the question is, how good are they going to play today in playoffs
with the arena on Na'Vi's side?
We have seen games impressive enough from Na'Vi to show us
they could pick up this win.
And that's the thing, having to fight back into it
with this extra stack of pressure on top.
You do sometimes crowd, it's going to be a bit of your own game.
So rising to the occasion and rising in the decibels already,
I think it's about time we get the second quarter final on their way.
Maus and Navi duking it out on ancients,
and Navi looking to actually leave a mark this time around.
Yeah.
They've got their work cut out for them.
The crowd on their side.
They're looking to be prepared for G,
but a clean headshot to kick it off.
He tries to go in for a second one.
Will end up finding a wonderful towards top shelf instead.
And then McCausse's found the answer back.
The only kill so far for Navi,
That's going to open up a disengagement to wait for mid.
That's going to be the secret weapon for Navi on this T side.
We saw that, because they had this incredible stat in the last four
before their last ancient match of having almost 2.0 rating,
like, donk numbers on this map.
And it was split pretty evenly, actually, between T and CT side.
In their last game, their impact was neutered,
but he still got a lot of really impactful frags.
Kept moving the round forward.
The sole frag so far for Navi in the pistol, still.
It's a big reposition. Maus had passively just sat back for a second, but they also just get a little curious out towards middle.
They don't see anything and they don't want to stick around either.
They've got a very split defense.
There's a huge gap here because they've just abandoned a really important line.
The timing.
The moment that bit crosses it. He becomes dangerous.
Oh, Zershin though. Well-timed peek into cave, going to drop the bomb.
You know where this is going, but they still don't know about this.
And this deep position is good for one, but he hurt both players sprinting.
And so Torji able to get another one back. Three kills so far with that USP.
Ema in for the bomb plant. No way he pulls out a clutch in round one.
Despite this maybe being his house, it is Maus with the CT pistol kickoff.
It's a quick peek from inside of cave to make up for the fact that they dropped their line on Donut.
Those are the little details that make Maus so good.
They cover that option even though for me, I looked at that, I was like a three second gap.
You know, maybe you don't even worry about it.
Now they still got caught off guard by the lurk,
but they hadn't seen anybody on the map, so they wanted to make sure they had some information.
Great coverage to kick off the map from that one.
It's a wonderful desert eagle task with any kind of upsets here for round two, but a good
chance for mouths to maybe just cool their nerves.
It's one thing to walk into an arena where you're maybe not the favorites.
It's another one to hear your opponent's names chanted while you're doing your walkout.
You know, a little mental warfare to kick off this series.
Obviously, you know you're going to have to be the villains in this head to head.
And yet that still applies to the bigger picture with Maus as of late, right?
Never the fan favorites and yet still capable of playing playoffs worthy counter strike,
at least to get to those playoffs.
It's about tapping back into that.
And every time they make it here into top eight, we have to have this same damn conversation.
Well, eventually I think they're going to find that mantra, right?
That self-belief.
You just need that one big breakthrough.
And I think defeating Navi in a way is going to make them feel like badasses if they can
do it with the crowd against them as well.
So here we are at 45 seconds, round two,
D.G.G.L. about to hit this site,
really just banking on Torsi,
not winning with any sort of a strain.
He knows better than to overstate his welcome.
Heels back into the sidearm, into the support, really.
Bomb plant, hey, that's money.
Not bad for Navi, considering that you have Torsi
right there to stop it, so they just squeeze
a little more value out of this one.
Unlike a couple of other stories,
like the one we just saw in the last quarters,
for Maus, they get to playoffs,
they maybe win a game or two.
It doesn't often, though, feel like they lose because they got nervous.
It more so feels like they got outclassed a little bit.
They go up against one of their biggest rivals who just have more superstars than they do.
And they just get beaten, sort of, honestly.
And that's the interesting thing about the way that mouse fit into playoffs.
A team that is always scary.
And not a team that we expect to straight up choke a game out of this.
They also are used to being a team that's not cheered for in the arena.
That could harden you up if you have the right attitude.
Time to come at it with the rifles.
In through that bullet-tog.
It is with Posse.
Down to 13 health.
What a fine.
It's dropped by Jimmy.
Ema is actually the one there with the kill, so good support.
What?
At the same time, 15 that dropped right there after.
Man, advantage barely held onto is Torsi's taken down to 13 health.
Little pressure here inside of the cave.
Alexi really wanted in with something,
but Brolin's not going to offer over space for free.
He keeps an eye on that smoke and then peels back making sure that he can keep himself alive here
Jimmy goes for the jump spot red room then decides to disengage
He's got a lot of responsibility between middle and A site right now. This one's not gonna get spot
That's a great kill
No escape
SMG comes down to try to reclaim this but you know now bits gonna have support
Of course Tommy coming over to try to make something off of this and so Brolin tasker just come out
the same responsibility as Jimmy who is still sitting over on the opposite side
because they don't know right huge gap in middle since the start of this round
really for all Jimmy knows he's getting flanked and so Brolin peels back away
gives that space back over to Navi and they will find a real chance to put
footwork on this bomb site but Brolin could still interrupt it neither player
watch right before Brolin was about to try to get some kind of move so Navi in
In their first gun round, it's a hard-fought man advantage and a bomb plant over on B.
They get into that moment where it's all about timings and that's sometimes where Navi are the most reliable.
They know how to make you make the awkward move, but he gets just the wrong second when one second ago would have been fine.
So a quick response here for Navi, a great two kills from Bit, and if we're talking about players who could save the day, that aren't him.
Bit is definitely the guy on Navi who has been putting up a lot of his
Better individual moments a lot more clutches the clutches that we saw when it was your one bit on Navi
A lot of 1v1s and we're even talking about 1v3s won't be choose that we can remember
That's a wing calling for Navi
And so they waste no time.
He's going to be a challenge all day long, but one that he's not going to take, and one that this round, he picks up victoriously.
Over at Red Ledge, a third back as a back is turned to him, rolling.
Doesn't feel like you'll get away from this for free.
It's set in some utility, and it actually spings from within this corner.
The old 1-2 switcheroo here for Maus to bring this back by one.
You won't get chased.
They've got the bomb outside of A at the moment.
Jimmy, he's always so acutely aware of what's happening.
He also recognizes, as team recognizes, they need to help him out in a different way.
They're going to go for this push down to the ground.
Looking not to get caught by Bit yet again, and they will find it free for the taking.
Spanx catching a glimpse.
The moment because he turns around, he should be dead. He's so low on health.
Nine HP. Jimmy takes his position inside of Donut. That's going to forfeit the bomb site over.
They don't go for an immediate plant. They're coming to clear this.
Jimmy turns back and finds the tool, but wasn't really, I don't think, visualizing that happening.
So, Kana caught off guard ever so slightly.
They moved so far up into the site, we had that lurk just got killed out of Matate.
The information came just a touch too late and that worked out beautifully for Navi.
I like that they decide to, you know, not immediately go for a bomb plant there
because obviously a bomb plant attempt in the middle of that is going to put Jimmy on high alert.
And even though Jimmy was considering it, it just didn't seem like he really visualized it fully.
So Navi, slow burn, creeping crawl, in through that A bomb site.
We've got a tied game early days here for Navi's pick.
A shrewd anchor like Jimmy.
You have to make sure you just get him the least amount of information possible.
That's the best way to kill him because he almost always gets his first win.
Here, no trade for Fyre. He goes down and Donut.
Navi win this round with three alive.
I think Navi will be relieved that Macaulay was able to get out mid that round.
You know he's got such a difficult job all the time. I feel like all week long
We've been watching this guy get bombarded by utility trying to take over banana bombarded by utility trying to swing out mid
Even in that
First attempt he gets stuffed in the pistol so now
So, Alexi's got my fucking fucking fucking teammate.
And Alexi B keeping pressure on Caves, really.
To limit Maus' options now.
Oh, that's the last of your buddy, Maus.
It would have to be a tragedy to strike in this situation for Na'Vi.
They've got a big advantage.
Two players up.
Oh, of course, he gets shot at.
And they should actually know both players are here now.
I gave it with smokes.
The disc is happening a bit too far away to actually draw the reaction.
So that's what you get instead!
Maus, walk it down both sides of that attempted execute just waiting behind the smoke grenades.
An alternative option to the A bomb site being carved out by Alexi V but it is
Maus that just stand their ground instead. Alexi has to go for this. He's got
lots of time left over.
Trying to figure it out. Fire in front of him's gonna then take some of that time
off of the clock. There is a moment though where you can isolate a fight. He
knows he got one on the ramp. He's gonna look for timing spams. Alexi looking for
to kill, but Spinks wins that S3 in the round for Spinks.
Rock solid hold from inside of Cave.
Not the first time we've seen him catch them
with that same corner.
Previously being roped, doped in by Brolin's departure.
We had it in that head-to-head interview
on the tip of the stage.
Spinks said, I hope they'll be quiet today.
He is the first to silence Navi
in an advantageous position.
This four versus two was looking like a golden moment
for Navi to not only fall away with a lead,
But then from that point on, he has plenty of question for the mouse cam.
And he was in the midst of a recoil reset when he got that second kill too.
Brutal way to lose a round after that start.
First mistake made.
Round five, remember it.
Gives a chance for Maus to make sure they still have rifles to go up against those of Navi.
It was Majority alive in the round previous, so Navi's still able to afford but clearly here with limitations.
What a different world we would have been in if that 2v4 doesn't come through.
Jimmy here hurt early, tries to get out of that cutout, doesn't really want to stick around in case there's more utility to come his way.
And Alexi once more taking up a lot of responsibility here on Lane.
Navi doing a lot, focusing on mid a lot in these early rounds.
Jifat fell back was already at one more trailing AG grenade, and his day is ruined.
So look at themselves in a really reserved position.
A.K. Fine's contact, but it's still Navi to come out better for only a moment.
Spinks wasn't too far away.
Another critical juncture in around here for Spinks, and that was bomb dropped out in middle
as well, so you'd know damn well Navi have to come and fight for it, but you can see
the way Spinks concerned about his flank.
Once again, Navi could be anywhere as far as Maus are concerned, so they will remain
active and by pushing down that ramp they get the contact.
Now it's going to be Spinks to look for the bomb again, but if he's picked up and this confirms both bodies for Navi out-middle at the moment
If it would have ran over a smoke right here, Molly comes down first. This stops the rotation
He can smoke on top of it and plant the bomb. Feels like he's found safety. Brolin's gonna flash Spinks through the coverage
Up short! Spinks goes big yet again!
Another miracle from Spinks. At 2k when they desperately needed it. One trade in these last two rounds on Spinks
and it's a T-favorite situation.
He'll deny them again.
Last part about this round now for Navi is the bomb plant.
But I don't think we're going to see a buy.
I don't think they have the right trades to keep it going, but Spinks is sharp so far.
Are you guys impressed by Spinks?
Testos to try to molotov through now.
Cersh is fine with that.
He'll take a bit of damage supported by Jenny.
Oh, but it's Alexis Glock to the back that made it interesting for only about half a second.
Quick slaughter, as far as Maus are concerned, insertion even able to survive that push early.
So 5-2 up for Maus off the back of that one, and again, remember round five.
Oh, what could have been the 2v4 that has now allowed Maus to pull ahead with three rounds the difference?
It's even the last round. It's a 5-2, but again, Navi made two of those last three rounds very competitive.
I know they're still focused on making a good mark on this half.
Round eight, another buy comes in.
O'Malley on the lane faster one here for Nami, didn't see Sphinx seemingly.
But for Bitt to be able to take him down means good for Nami,
because he won't have that late round impact.
And Bitt continues on the fade away to find yet another.
All while there's this smoke play out into the A site, but Eman maybe rushes that, gets ahead of his teammates.
And so Mikaze has got a slow burn looking to maybe actually join forces with what will be that bomb carrier.
They still got decent control. Jimmy might get p'd, and he doesn't go down right away.
Wonderful's got that trade at least here for Navi. We go back to V2, another tool picked up.
It's Hit's turn to find a multi frag impact moment.
And so Torgie given a clutch and still just chasing ghosts towards that A site
because Navi yet again in one of these rounds with a minute on the clock or
nowhere to be found but just because they're not on A doesn't mean Torgie
won't hunt these guys down. Their only sin at this point would be playing it a
little bit too carefully. Torgie is the one who has it off. He needs them to make
a mistake and they're not looking to cross his scope. He's not really looking
to make a move to Brazen out towards middle
because he could have tried to catch a climbing on the climb up.
Doesn't.
And off of it, sucked safely into his back pocket.
And it's at this point we have officially got a good game.
Maus have won some really hard situations.
Two-pack getting two kills there was pretty miraculous.
That long-range play to start, the reaction kill into Donut as well,
and yet Navi still pulled the round win out.
Look at Bit go with another multi-kill.
Yeah, that's what you were looking for, right?
An individual moment from somebody over on Navi.
Well, for the most part, they've been quiet.
This is not a big impact hit from Bit, and it starts off with a double entry into the
B-bomb site.
Two separated 1B1s.
They want this jersey off.
Bit cutting for the quad now as he tries to chase down the Hungarian sniper.
who is fine to go into the next one with the big green.
So they'll have the game plan around the existence of this off,
but they also know that mouths have enough money.
They could have re-bought it anyways.
Tavi will still have some work to do to make an ATE go happen.
And in fact, with the casualties, they're on three golels.
It's sketchy, isn't it? Win a round.
It is. I'll say the way that they're playing it.
It might not matter that they don't have an op.
And also, with the mid control that takes place,
you could win off of SMGs.
It really comes down to flash timings more than anything else.
They have contact.
The latest flash, as I'd like to call it, when taking mid.
And that's not really an important part about stopping CTs from pushing down.
The question for me is, are mounds gonna come full strength, in the mid and fight them?
Now they are.
Yes, sir. Here to try to hold them back.
Oh, a late blast.
Nate jumped on.
Yeah, perfect call. Flashback, tucks out points.
And he met a tucks out a cover fly.
Then you get that cave response, because every time mounds fight,
tooth and nail for these ones.
There's always an additional layer here with mounds.
It's fist to cuffs so far.
And so that fallback allowed, as yet again, Maus will be split across this map, and Navi goes silent in the meantime.
Every time you can bring it to a 2 on 2, it's the CTs who are going to be scared.
You see, they're worlds apart right now.
They're the ones who are going to be pushing slowly, hoping for a timing where Navi have the advantage of grouping up.
Is there a world where Spinks gets away with this exact same angle again?
I think he might actually, his incentive I think will be to stay here and stop a cave cross.
If he wants to take a peek out to the ramp, he could do that,
but he also knows that they have a chance if he stays alive even if the bomb gets planted.
And if they walk up here, besides him going for a spam, there won't be a real way for them to stop this plant.
Yet again, not announcing it with Yutso. Check him out though. Spinks starts to get active.
Yeah, now Nobby, are they going to overthink? Right, thinking about this,
Going deep, making sure, because they have this inkling that somebody's on the bomb site.
And sure enough, they're not wrong about it.
Spinks about to strike a perfect timing!
Again!
Spinks is the undoer of Navi in these moments!
There's so many multi-kills here from Spinks.
Almost always by himself, by the way.
He's getting trades that he shouldn't get.
He's completely shifted the outcome of three rounds.
It's another bout of successful mid control again.
Cave overall has been a very valuable position in this map so far from us.
Back to the pistols, back to the drawing board, back into a test towards cave.
Zershin banks it off the backboard, 12 and 6 is Zershin. Make it 13 now as well, right?
We can talk about the sphinx, big individual impact moments, but quietly Zershin is topping the charts.
And as you'd anticipate here versus pistols, it is Mao's just cleaning up frags as they trickle into them one after another.
One by one, this T side getting nullified.
Dershin and Krakow was talking about how he's focused on being serious about winning and nothing else.
Last year reference, getting burnt out, having crowds against him, but trying not to hope is not happening.
Well, one kill here, bomb awkwardly on the other side of a molotov.
What?
Ooh!
However, he's got a lot of response.
Yeah.
Touristly, confident out there in the open, it's going to say, enough's enough.
Keep two alive here for Maus, but it's still that four-round lead secured.
That's in a lost round.
It can still be impactful, but we're nearing the end of the half now.
You could actually make the argument early and mid-round that it's not going to be you
who have more control.
More kills.
Yeah, 100% and it's it's really cows that have had to save themselves over and over again and they have
You know the last six rounds. It's five of them to come up mouse for those five rounds
You're looking at three deaths on the side of mouse and usually
It feels for at least a moment that Navi have footing in each and every one of these
But it's those late-round moments right now that are just eluding Navi
Those are the moments that are valuable because they're worth of round wins
Mounds are going to be very comfortable, very confident with what they've achieved so far.
Welcome to the big leagues.
The score line might look daunting, but I think there's still a lot of game left in Navi from the way they've started a lot of situations.
The play will be quite happy with the game plan and disappointed with the micro.
He uses that second timeout coming into this round. We'll see if they're able to
convert anything off his roll and test in the smokes again. It is him through the
cave. Massive. When at times, Navi are looking towards Red Room towards the top
of middle to get that first duel. At times, it's Jimmy or Cersei tucked into the
corners. And now with Cave just having a chance to extend it, blindsides Navi,
Torsi clipping E-MAT on his climb up. Now this is the best start so far from
Totally dominating in mid, showing us again what they can do with Kave.
Not everybody is pushing Kave these days, like it's kind of fallen out of meta to take a lot of the fights there.
There has been a lot of mid action, but there's less spans, less defaulting, where it's a cave guy versus a guy lurking outside of it.
But Navi have been extremely liberal with all of their peeks, they have not been shy about peeking out.
Mouses, excuse me, not shy at all.
Now as we get another instance of it, over and over again.
Navi, Navi's gonna give him real room to wiggle up this ramp.
Wonderful's got a valiant 1v5 effort ahead of him.
Hitting a utility to try to pull off the miracle, but it's not gonna happen.
Maus remain well tethered, Maus remain hyper focused on just dominating the CT side.
Gunning for a nine round CT half on Navi's map pick.
So again, I mean, Navi on this map, I don't think they're afraid to play either side.
It's more so about the fact that their history with mouse has been spotty the fact that they could have had far more rounds
In this one half and if they had one one or two more crucial situations
They could have had anti-eco's on the other side of it
So the volume of rounds isn't there for now if they end with four I think they'll still keep up five
We have tough goal with limited guns again
Low health off the charge here from E-man that early 2k hasn't been seen since
and down with nothing again as Brolin through the cave just continues to rack up frags
and continues to shove Navi deeper into this
trench of thought that you have been stuffed.
You had your opportunities, you squandered them.
That 4 vs 2 in round 5 set a tone
that Navi have tried to fight back from but unsuccessful for the most part.
One round win since that moment happened.
It is time to take a risk here, but...
Deagle chases through the red room.
That'll catch Zershin off.
But Mokaze has been so limited throughout this attack.
Seven frag right then and there.
Second chance at Spinks.
He knows these players!
We're side by side.
Saw them.
Jumbled up and trading grenades.
Now the temple challenge misses.
And it's good damage on the torsion as well.
You can't remember, but at the same time,
you've got to swap up into the B-bomb site.
Novi have to fight for everything they can.
And Brolin's here to rip your hopes from your hands.
Denied as a wonderful comes in from the back of that site.
We talk about McCauze's impact on Ancient,
and we have to wait an entire half to truly feel it.
A triple D kill.
And now with Jimmy Quach, that will be put off.
Navi's lifeline comes together in round 12.
12. Just like that a match is struck here in the BT arena. It was a difference between
a tragedy and some form of success. They get around they're not supposed to
finally. That has been the story of Maus all-game law. Such a big moment for
McCauze. We know who tries to go for Hitler's Constable.
I'm not a bad backdrop for a little counter-strike on a Friday afternoon and one that's hopefully
for Navi's sake, weaponizing the motivation.
Has anyone drunk yet?
Yeah!
Very responsible.
It is the weekend.
I'm surprised for a university town.
Well, if Navi make this comeback, it'll have to be studied.
They've got a CT side ahead of them.
But they end the last one on a good note.
Fast charge, that's what's happening.
Mows are just looking to set a tempo.
to be attacked. Duel Perettas of wonderfuls, regained visions and back turn to him. Yeah!
Jump down! In fact, a piece of it is total stoppage!
Navi were the chance to let loose a little, but again, no strangers to tragedy in some of these rounds already,
and there's nothing more tragic than giving this crowd hope only to lose in the next round.
This was very simplified by Maus, thinking they could just charge up straight into the B-Play,
and for a moment when Wonderful was blind, I thought, how do they find their space?
But he regains vision, and puts a stop to the wave.
Three round gap now, the investment comes through from Maus, despite no plan.
And I'll be expected this, they've only got one MP9.
They've really invested a lot.
It's going to be low on grenades.
Sun's out, guns out here with these M4s.
But honestly, the Tech 9's already given a bit of space, right?
You've at least sunk a tooth into some cave control.
If it is going to be the B-Play,
and Navi allow them to take all this space,
they've still got four here waiting.
It really comes down to if they believe in the stack or not.
It's just smoke grenades out.
Obviously, sometimes can completely cool off an attack.
at other times it kind of catches you awkwardly with timing.
Alexi won't waste an extra second.
Press of the MP9 against that smoke and finds first blood.
Second kill comes with it.
Three tech nines.
He jumps up and over the third and taps him out of the round.
We praised Brolin for his ability to hold back that aim.
Who now, Alexi B, is gonna put them in his back pocket
as he hangs on.
Burses before Spy,
putts into that lead quick as can be.
Getting him to run through smoke,
shutting him down before they get in.
No good trades here for Maus to speak of.
Just like that, they are cutting down the lead
and with that investment comes an even easier round.
How are Maus going to find the plant?
Three for three, back to the B bomb site out the gate.
Navi's pieces out middle,
given a lot of free space and hit.
Just giving it a jump spot.
Tonight, this plant, keep a bunch of bodies up,
and Navi's suddenly going to feel like they're
right back in this endeavor.
You could chalk up the first half.
It goes back to the first half.
Game plan from Blade was actually really good.
It was mostly about the trades that they couldn't get.
But so far, we've seen even on CC's side,
we know what mouths are going to go for.
It's been a repetition into the B site,
and Navi have been consistently ready here with multiple players.
Now, they're holding this cutout spot, which I log for, Macaulay plays.
And he's scared to play for a little bit of information,
even if the other team has help.
They're trying to slow him down to bleed the clock out.
And as long as Macaulay's here,
it doesn't matter about the late-round rotation back at Donut.
In fact, this is a cross-pipe.
Give it a little support check for P-Mats and maybe
read down his confidence.
A 5-on-11 scoreline, not what he was hoping for when he rolled out of bed today
with crowd advantage.
So McCall affects.
Gonna put a quick end to it.
That is exactly what we were talking about with Novics.
Three rounds in a row with zero kills for Maus.
That's a ton of cash in the coffers of the CT side.
Zero kills.
Zero kills.
And so it starts to feel real, but false hope is a cruel mistress.
First gun round comes through by Maus.
Let's see how hard they can fight to keep this lead.
Now we finally have a change out here for Maus.
They're looking to lean towards the other side of the map, and this will be his first test for Navi, who have given a lot of love over to B.
Are they going to finally be suspicious that this is the time an A-play happens?
Inman will be the first mover.
He's moving sluggishly still, because again, from the bottom of the scoreboard...
This comes down to Mikaze. How close to the top of Dona will he get?
He takes the peek onto the side post and dies. Both defenders die.
Just like that, Mao's given a chance to find kills, and then wonderful with the Hail Mary attempt out through the smoke.
Butterly denied this round, but Mao's fine gun rounds, and it is success instantly.
This is really intriguing for me. This makes me wonder what happens next.
Navi, we're in a spot where they could have closely got those kills, but when you see a vacant A site, we have no op playing in temple. It is the perfect time to hit it.
Now, unlike in these previous rounds where we had Mao's get no kills, now they get all of them.
Alexi's only got this Faumus left over, lonely over here in the back of CT.
So what do you do now if you're Navi? You kind of have the B site locked down,
but it's contingent on stacking and your mouse. Do you copy and paste? Do you assume that Navi
are going to go for a B stack again and ignore the fact that you did just try to take A once?
This is where it becomes a game of rock-paper-scissors.
See just how much knob you decide to bite down on the need to
maybe better defend that A site.
Reality is, you've got mouse right back on the doorstep with B.
And Navi haven't really pulled anything away from that usual start.
We still got Alexi looking for an early duel here, right on the corner, as Surtian nears him.
He will cut that down on the fallback with a second, and then again, this double-up inside of Pape.
It dawned a lot of success for Maus on their CT side, and Navi are able to tap into it in the fifth round of their defense.
Torsi has been able to surpass that.
Listen, we can sit here all day and cheer for Navi, but they need to be able to close these advantageous positions.
It is something they struggled to do in the first 12.
I feel confident calling this one done, Shirley.
With the way that they set up again,
it shows you they're totally in tune with Mous' ideas here.
It's another B-play.
Mous' do not get scared about the fact.
They do not fall for the conditioning attempt from Mous
to show how vulnerable that A-site was.
They believed it was going to be a B-default.
Once again, they're correct.
They went in the same way that Mous won in their first half,
which was the cave plays.
Alexi putting up two kills.
And because Malz had kept so many players alive last round,
they know if they save these guns,
they will have a chance to buy again.
It's a little late to be coming into mid,
so you have to wonder what the idea is.
Yeah, it's just to draw, keep their attention.
Right, yeah, yeah. Maybe keep them all their backs as well, right?
Make sure that nobody comes hunting.
If there's any threat that they could still play through donut,
yeah, no one's going to come check your spawn.
So Mao's just trying to ensure that they move these two guns
into the next one.
But this is a total shutdown by Alexi B.
It also encapsulates what's happened in both halves of the map.
It's whoever is playing CPCide Caves.
It is the most important position on the map
because of the amount of action they're getting.
Timeout's going to be called now for Mao's.
It's been nice to see though is that even though it's success from the same position, it's also success off of confident moves, right?
That's not Alexi just sitting in a corner setting up a crossfire with somebody else.
That's that's Alexi really prodding to the absolute limit of cave. You know one step too far
There's three players there you think Alexi's done for also too passive and they set up the double swing to get there
So right now so far Navi proving that they can find that same sweet spot that Brolin and Maus were able to back in the first 12 rounds
One round away from tying this game up.
Navi know themselves how tough it was to stomach these one round.
At this point, three first rounds in this half with no deaths.
Even though they lose this one round pretty one-sided, they have so much left over after that loss.
The time being, so are Maus.
Brolin's still hunting, yeah, finds that climb up from a cause.
Alexi B giving a little space over this time, not really pressuring that smoke and Brolin
finds just enough of vision around the side of it to get a man advantage established here
for Maus.
Maus really have the incentive to try to grind this one out slowly.
They need to make sure they keep players alive.
They need to make it to the ball and have it something that can take out the ball.
Oh my goodness.
And that is the kind of play that we aren't really getting lately.
Those spams have sort of fallen out of favor.
Alexi says I can still identify the exceptions.
Perfect time to sprinkle it in and you'd think some teams would just fall away from that
but seemingly, Navi won a little more.
Oh, and by stepping into that crosshair, Jimmy's gonna punish.
Pressure falls onto Wonderful, and he rattles that off off.
They know exactly what they're up against.
It's a quick reposition here from Wonderful
to try to get another chance, and he will do exactly that.
Strikes, Spinks down.
Alternates between these two lanes, yet again, at 30 seconds.
But the flashbangs continue to pressure him,
and it opens up that door for the drop.
Wall back attempt for Alexi, yet again,
but no kill off of this one.
And so, Wonderful retains control of lane, waiting for this piece of support to now be right alongside him.
Jimmy's got another chance, but he fucks that one.
And so, pressure onto Torshee, and he'll hit his headshot.
It's low health here for Wonderful, it's Alexi trying to fight his way out from that cake.
Still Wonderful, Vyfe won!
Torshee cuts it down, rocks it to the corner!
It's a slow sweep, but Naughty has taken this to the tie-break night all.
Shut out to the leader of Naughty for a great game as an individual fragger.
He can hear how low on ammo that last fight was.
And he doesn't mess it up.
Now, very small thing, but wonderful.
When he threw his ball back to Flashbang after taking his first shot, he did fully blind
three people, made the rotate around the short, and that set up a timing for a good hit.
He spent some rounds again, not a problem here for Navi.
They've still got Cash left over.
Ooh, dangerous game bit. They're gonna close the distance.
Malussey, that is enough of an opening.
Draws back the game player.
Alexi steps up to the bat again, and it's wonderful to come through.
Then the off returns the favor back from Torsi.
Little bit of vision over towards the long side.
Double walk up here on short.
Torsi continues to tear through,
and it's a good push here from Mikaze into the cover of the site.
Jimmy Dahl is back in it, and Noggi now leads.
Nabi get 10 rounds first.
Nabi, Nabi, Nabi, Nabi, Nabi, Nabi, Nabi, Nabi, Nabi.
From these rounds, electric.
A lot of moments where somebody has to step up.
A lot of moments where you have a decision to either make a play
or fade back into the shadows.
And right now, Navi want this spotlight.
And right now, Maus can't handle this smoke.
Because they could have shelled up,
but he decides to go big and swing and take control
of the situation, take control of the economy,
take control of this game.
And it feels like two names you never really
talk about together.
Wonderful and Alexi B have been pairing their frags
on almost every single hold.
Look at how much, in terms of stepping up,
like you say, wonderful has done here on the off.
That first half was consistently too expensive
to really ever see him get the gun.
This continuous lean back within the defense too, right?
They've been finding a lot of value from the lanes
Putting a smoke in front of the ramp if Mao's decide to try to pop through this
You've still got a laxity on both sides him and bid
Looking to tether yet again testing the side of the smoke. It's free real estate taken over by mouse
It's a second fry each of your defenders may have stepped up for one each
Now as chance, maybe in a round where he should have an advantage
Tech 9's gonna blindside Mikaze didn't anticipate the corner
Whoa, three inside the cave.
This is utility too, right?
Orton, never mind trying to clear back sight just to guarantee
that nobody's actually back there.
This is a rambunctious move.
Here from Maus, they wrap back down to the base of the ramp.
He is in the middle of it all.
A lot to be desired on some of these moments.
He's going to tap that bomb and try to fluster them
but goes down with nothing.
And so Maus' rebuttal comes through with ten nines.
They tear through the bomb site they previously
just couldn't chew through.
I know they're excited about that
because this half has not gone well.
They needed some kind of win in this way.
Again, it doesn't really put a dent in the overall economy of Navi.
So mentally, they shouldn't think about it too much.
But they know this is the freest route to victory.
But with Navi, it's never free.
It's another round though, Launders.
You can point at and say,
oh, you should have won that.
You should have won that.
How many times are we looking at it?
You know, an advantage in guns or in numbers or in map control
that just keeps slipping through your hands.
And how many times can that happen?
in a 10-10 game before it fully costs you.
Well, the first thing I'm telling Navi in this moment
is you're losing an eco.
You look at the rounds that you won in this half already.
Maus have not proved anything except for 1A rush and 1T9.
They have a wonderful right to work team.
They still have some proving to do.
And Torsi is always the guy to try to get them fired up.
They'll be him specifically to try to get this round rolling.
They open the smoke a couple of times, we get this front cave push.
They're not occupying it out of the gate, they're sending somebody seconds later.
Alexi B's gotten a lot of value so far from these positions, but this round is different.
In the 21st, he's the first to fall.
Now that kill takes a lot of wind out of mid. They have to back up a little bit.
There's a lot of pressure on Navi to make something happen now, but where do they find an opening?
Wonderful's passive.
But how passive can Navi be without letting Maus get too much for free? Goes back onto this line, utility soaring beyond him.
He knows he's playing in front of this. Wonderful knows that there's an opportunity at hand right here right now.
But he's missed the chance to fully chase them. That's interesting though because he's gonna see nothing.
They're a little bit lacking outside of B.
Bit? No.
Oh, there's info.
Yeah, caught a glimpse of that though.
However, it must have been one rotating over towards A.
They have the right idea.
The keeping options open.
They don't believe it.
You see one person lurking outside of the cave.
The Reads are here for Navi.
You've given a lot of space.
It's A main again as Maus gets ever closer.
This is the key spot.
Last time they found Navi unprepared to defend this golf site.
Cave player goes down.
One rotation back because Wonderful hold his ground.
He's got to, he's got to land this shot, he will.
That's an easy fadeback to the established 4B3.
Just like that, he went off and he met through that smoke,
gets his own extra round of battles.
I don't know how they read it, but they read it well.
Just seeing the shoulder go into cave,
they don't fully bite down on it.
In fact, it's the opposite.
And they get ahead of what was going
to be a heavy A site commitment.
That was massively impressive out of Navi.
They read that map beautifully off the back of attack pause.
We go into another one,
but I think Blade's got the edge over Cyclone right now.
Even in that first half, most of the rounds,
Navi the ones set up with an advantage,
had the right read on what site was gonna be taken.
The same is happening now in half number two.
So one round game, but I honestly think Navi
are actually that clearly better team at this point.
But now, the rubber is meeting the road where the trades are also coming with the good setups.
Pressure to maintain, the Torsi can't get out here, he's going to be given another chance though.
They keep popping this open house, and as they do...
You can't miss shots right now.
He's gonna be able to fight for his blood, Alexi B yet again,
remaining adamant about not allowing you through this smoke.
And there's a world where you could have just shelled up,
falling back into the cover, but instead,
Mikaze wants to make Maus worse.
And what's Mikaze-
Oh my goodness!
Why not, right?
Just keep that pressure up.
That's right.
Let the odds find the chances.
Take the 5v3.
We saw a little desperation in the peek there for Maus to get one back inside of Cabe.
Navi had Mikaze jump up to double up outside of Cabe.
They knew that Maus were going to stick around.
Now you've got the huge advantage in this five versus three that you can just play all options.
Starting to get a bit of donut presence here for Navi as well as they sense mid-play off that smoke.
Oh, this round is going to get late quickly for Maus if they don't make a move.
Cershin is freed up to come and join them.
Problem is, they can't get that.
Rotate over from the A site at this point.
They've got to hope that there's a failure to trade here.
We've seen good things come out of Maus when they blanket this bombsite with smoke,
and they're going to do that again.
This is how those tech nines were able to get through the defenders.
Will the corner be cleared?
Alexi B into it.
He's got the whole backfruitship.
It's all in on Raph now for Maus,
and Brolin's going to make it happen with the Khalil.
He's the little more still to fight for. He will connect the double. A two versus five, two kills into it, make it a third!
Oh!
Bowser in the middle of a robbery! And as Brolin finds the upgrade, now you have separated what remains of Navi.
I am making a big rotation around. They will identify Cave as a problem.
This moment tense, because it means a lot for Navi.
This one could get diffused right in the open.
Opposite side of Pillar.
They're gonna hold this.
He's gonna jump on top of it, and now they're gonna have to come right in the cow.
He needs to run his down and he's down!
Oh!
He takes their 12th on the brink of another heartbreak!
It's Amla deciding not to go deep and to go long.
A robbery in broad daylight.
This guy may be 7 and 15, but by God,
he just gave him that 12th round.
That's winning with your brain.
They said half as many kills as you want.
He's looking like an anchor in the frag department,
but it anchors what you need to just sit on top of bombs.
The bomb plant opposite side of the pillar to avoid getting spammed.
And then they double up in cave. They've done that a couple of times now.
Turtling has not paid off.
Still coming back into it though with all the hardware they could hope for.
Frag grenades going to soften up the cause.
It's a deep throw as well from Lane and around where we don't get as much of an extension out by Alexi.
Mikausse picks up that mantle instead.
He's also showing them that they have full control.
It makes it hard for Maus to go for a move right away.
Bombs not getting collected for the moment.
Maus desperately just want to make it a 5v4 first. They can't do that right now.
They just need to hold their nerve.
That's what they look to be doing here at a minute.
Setting themselves up in the aura of silence for that.
that and it's a missed opportunity. It's late to get a chance at that frag. We go past a minute
and because there's no op over here, we've got to push. Util lets them know that Zershin's out
here. He keeps that first kill clean. E-star headshot. E-man's able to get that trade back. Here it
comes. It's a flurry out of mouse to try to take down the B site. They get jumped up and bit. That's
It's gone ahead to Q this up.
It's half health though.
Very winnable clutch.
Cover for Torsi.
And nobody rushes him down.
Look at those health bars.
Torsi now hears the coming and he'll only find the one.
Four rounds.
Four rounds in the first half.
And still not be fight through in the face
of the challenge out of Maus.
A team they've not beat since 2024.
They strike first.
She said she loves you.
But she can't love me.
But I love you.
I won't play window anymore
What's going on?
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Yes, welcome back.
The fans wanted that one to deliver and they got their wish.
Went almost all of the way, an incredible opening map in the series and one that is strange
Defies recent history because of course now he came out on top guys. They did they didn't they did so from well behind right?
I mean we got classic mouseports in the first half, which is fantastic CT side
You almost always get them
That's one of the things that they pride themselves on it's the foundation in which they build any of the steps
They have is really what they're able to do defensively and yeah
I mean really from start to finish they dominated that half
You know Navi to their credit found a way to slip a couple in there give themselves a little bit of something to work with
but they really doused gasoline on that spark in the second half for sure.
Great moves from Maus to make sure that they had a dominant first half, but obviously it wasn't enough.
The holds from Navi turned out to be even stronger, and yeah, those little rounds that Navi kind of walked away with,
kind of snuck away with in fact, ended up being the difference maker and proving paramount to how close the scoreline got to the very end.
Yeah, look, we set it up, right? We set.
Mouse have these solid CTs as we literally said this is how it's gonna be. It's a win condition. Yes
It's a win condition and we kind of worried a little bit about you know, whether or not they were gonna be able to do it when they
know it's
Kind of as far ahead as you think they're gonna be able to close out with men. It just I don't know
The right was on the wall. Yeah, I mean
The two sides just have struggled for mouse across a lot of the map pullouts out of essentially inferno and overpass
And I mean, it's actually somewhat impressive, but also damning that Roland was probably their most critical component of being able to create openings on their t-sides.
I mean, there were so many mullets where Boiland would get an entry, get a double entry.
He even won a couple of crazy clutches and really kind of tried to drag his team across the line when they're really struggling to close out.
But it just wasn't enough that this is one of the examples right here from Roland where he was doing all the right things.
But then unfortunately, he still wants it being a Richard Diffuser, Ima, doing it in front of his home crowd in a big, big way.
And certainly getting the crowd pumped up.
I also want to give credit to two other guys from Mavi, Alexi B and Wonderful.
Those two clicked on so hard in the second half.
Alexi B, spam kills, big holds, wonderful hitting some beautiful off shots.
I mean, it really was a team effort to get them back out in front and ultimately win the game.
It was close though. I mean, even with Wonderful having, you know, a great game,
we sort of highlighted it. We talked about how which version of him was going to turn up potentially in this series.
There was still that moment there where you saw that diffuse where it's like,
like, you've got to hit the shot though, bro.
So, you know, but I guess it doesn't matter
because you're the ones that got to 13 rounds.
And ultimately as well, I have to say,
probably his best game of the tournament for me.
In terms of just the stakes, it's hard to disagree with that.
I think statistically, yeah, there's got to be a couple
of maps here and there that he definitely played better.
For me, actually, I was kind of surprised
that we went with him in some ways.
I guess I need a veto these a little faster
Because to me, I really liked Alexei.
I know Alexei on the CT side was the huge difference maker.
He got 14 kills on that defensive half.
He controlled cave all so well.
And I feel like this, with how frequently
Maus were really targeting that B bomb site,
it looked like they wanted to pick on a weakness there.
But Alexei having a map like that just kind of says that,
OK, there's a reason we went for this as our pick,
even if the T side didn't go quite as swimmingly
as we drew it up.
Yeah, I mean, if you were to tell me before the game that,
hey, this game's going to get determined in the second half
by who performs better between Brolin and Alexi B.
I've been like, what?
That's our win condition for this game.
But that really was the case.
Again, Mousa, again, continued to kind of fumble the ball
on T side.
Brolin tried to make some hurl.
It's happened.
Didn't quite always work.
Meanwhile, as you said, Alexi B,
playing a really pivotal position.
I mean, that DK position is so difficult, right?
When do I hold?
When do I fall back and try to help guard the B side?
When do I maybe push out a little bit further
and actually try to help control middle a little bit
with my teammates?
You know, it's a lot of decision making.
And Alexi B made the right call nine times out of 10
on that side had a lot of impact in, you know, just a good team effort.
And, you know, you kind of said this in the pregame and we'll echo it again.
Like this is one of the maps where Mikaze does seem like he's a little bit more comfortable.
He seems a little bit more bold, but not necessarily overdoing it.
You know, we definitely saw him have his moments as well throughout this game.
Yeah, definitely.
And look, I know you want to highlight some rounds, kind of talk about, you know,
some of the minutiae of the game.
So we'll get into that now.
I mean, well, rounds well to just show how Mikaze or actually the first couple here
that we actually get, are kind of telling the story
of why this was so dominant for Mao's actually.
The fact that Spinks would have been the man of this match,
had it not been for Alexi's heroics in the second half,
because he was just finding perfect incisions
in the mid-late round, where Mao's were on the back foot,
but then just kind of holding his ground in cave.
I think that this moment actually for Navi
was a little bit kind of wonky.
They had a lot of Molotovs.
They could easily-
Crowd is eerily quiet at this moment, I noticed as well.
They could have flushed him out of that position,
And also being flashed through in the following round in round six to be the hero.
It really felt like this was the guy we were going to build up.
And really, for me, when watching Maus throughout the entire time they've had this five man lineup,
Sphinx has been the reliable source of fragging output and even just calmness in the big stage moments,
even when they're facing against Vitality.
I don't think he's going to drop the ball, even when they're playing against opposition that they should be matching
or even just exceeding consistently.
Sphinx is usually doing his job.
He's the closest thing to a star player that they've got you know top 10 player last year a guy who again plays his star CT roles
Very effectively as you saw in that clip a guy that when you're able to create that initial space a very good trade fragger and closer for you
In the in the round but unfortunately just don't get to that point very often
You know they really struggle in the entry department and it's one of those things that it's just a dichotomy of maps
You know it's a team that has a lot of talent and team play and can play well CT side
But on T side, it's just not the same potency and now we can take a look at round 12
which of course is all about Mikase.
And we were billing him up, or I've just always liked what he's been providing for Navi in this map in particular,
taking the mid control, Flurry of opening picks go the way of Maus to kick this off, and you'd think,
man, this half is done in Dusty at 9-3, Mikase with just the deagle, but he was able to truly rise to the occasion,
the pressure that he exerted towards the red room. It really adds another dimension to Navi on regular gun rounds,
Even on an eco like this, where it's a 4-5 for the final round,
the pop-off that he had here, where he's still able to fight through,
just getting shot, you know, having multiple targets presented to him,
and chasing down Torzi, who was supposed to have an off, by the way,
allowing wonderful and also hits to find the post-plant.
I mean, that kind of moment was worth its weighted goal.
Just any more buffer room for him and Navi going into that second half,
instead of having that 9-3 just feel like you're so depleted after that.
So I'm glad that he was able to step up right when we needed him to look it doesn't always happen
But let's take a look at some of those highlights of a Lexi B. We can do it
Where we get a package for him. I know I know it's almost like the production like we can't waste this one
It's so right. Use it. It's the unicorn of CF but I mean look obviously not always amongst it with the frags
But he was he had huge impact here. Absolutely. I mean he dominated this K position
We talked about how well skinks played it. Yeah, he definitely did
and it's what really allowed Malice to be able to put up a good CT side.
But Alexi B, who's just always really good with his timings, you know,
when he would spam, when he would fall back,
when he would choose all those down here to spam, kill a force,
it's just, you know, having the awareness of the timings of where people could be
and how you can get away with some stuff for free here and there.
And I mean, look, he only had two rounds, the entire CT side, where he didn't get a kill.
And look at this heat map.
He is literally dominating B cave,
and that's one of the main entry routes to the site now taken away from mouseports.
They're going to have to fight that much harder to get any type of control onto that B side
get any type of comfortable plants and you just they really couldn't. I mean I also think it's
worth noting that he got all of those CT kills but not a single of them was even away from B. It was
also a fairly one-note approach from the mouse side that they just wanted to keep contesting him.
It was clear that that was their game plan in this one and sometimes that's been the problem with
mouse that they have these sort of one-note game plans these singular ideas and then unless
Cyclone calls successive timeouts it's sometimes hard for them to just break from the idea of
will we wrote this up in the pregame we wrote it last night so why are we going to change it now
but the hot hand was just consistently fed and Alexi just completely feasted on him.
Alright, speaking of heat, the next map, Inferno, obviously it's one of those classics, you know,
you always see it in a series, but again, both of these things, very familiar with it,
and I think this has another capacity to be a classic encounter.
Yeah, unlike some of the other maps in the pool, this is one of the maps where mouse do look a
little bit more balanced as far as where they can have their success in the game, obviously a
a strong CT team, but also a really good T side team.
I think a lot of it comes down to just how good they
are at split pressure.
Obviously, Zershin, Banana controls the big part.
But Jimmy is a guy who can be active in apartments
and look for timing.
Spinks is a good trader.
And in the last game, when mouse won,
it's because Navi were only able to come up with four CT
rounds.
And a lot of it was because they were unable to win
the exchanges in Banana because they
were getting bullied by Zershin and Roland.
And in the last one, when these two teams face off
against each other, what was so notable about mouse
is how good they were at trading.
Mouses for this year is the best trading team in the world.
And that was, they were no stranger to that
when they were here on Inferno.
And even though occasionally,
actually Navi very frequently got opening picks,
I think in five of these clips, they get the opening pick.
It's so frequently when we wanna talk about CS
and the winning team,
it's usually who gets the opener, who has the 5v4.
But Mouses almost made it so there weren't 5v4s.
It was almost all just 4v4s every single time
they were so willing to chase down those players. And I think Navi has to realize that there
is a pack mentality when it comes to Maus's T side. And that if they recognize that there
is a spot on the map that is being outlined as the target of Maus, maybe push the extremities,
get a little bit more aggressive in apartments, maybe push down a banana if it feels like
it's an early bracket play because there is room to flank Maus when they are so bunched
up like that. And I think Maus now are getting just, I mean, Navi that is, they're catching
up to speed with how Maus want to run those offensive halves.
In the bottom line of this, if you're going to contest
Bennett control, Alexi and Mikasa are going to have to be able to exchange better than
they did in their group stage game, where again, I felt like Zershin and Brolin, as you highlighted
very well, were always really good at trading.
Even at the opening pick, the follow-up was there, and then the rest of the team would
stream in.
But here, this is also a map where when you look at Na'Vi, I mean, Bit's supposed to
be the king of Pit, right?
You know, he's supposed to be that heavy A anchor, that guy who can make his own timing
plays out of apartments that came to a Jimmy to try to give his team more options.
We need to see a little bit of that, because again, he came into this playoffs, the sixth
ranked player in the tournament.
He had one of those performances that made you believe again that he could be that star.
And so just need to see that here.
And again, Ima, you know, kind of quiet, if we're honest, you know, it's a weird thing
when you're playing in front of a home crowd like this, because sometimes it brings you
fuel and it allows you to perform at a higher level than maybe you thought possible.
But it could also be a pressure on your shoulders because you want to perform for these guys.
You want to give them something to cheer for.
You want to live in this moment.
You don't want this chapter to be short.
You want to write it out longer.
You want to make it deep into playoffs.
You want to be able to feel this as much as possible.
And we know he's capable of it.
He's a great secondary opener on T side.
He's a great A rotator defensively on this map, usually for Navi.
It's going to come down to him being able to kind of shake that last one off and realize
his potential and show this crowd why he's here.
Yeah, obviously.
I've still got a little bit of a worry just about Navi.
I don't think they've been at 100% at this tournament.
Kind of almost like brute force their way through somehow, always finding a way to win.
Whether Maus though can come back from behind with a very loud partisan crowd.
I mean, that's just been one of the big question marks about them in general.
So we're really set up for a classic game.
It should be a really good one.
I mean, as we've seen, Navi stepping up
to the occasion here on the stage.
Maus have the history of winning in the past behind them.
But you've got to show up and you've got to,
I just say you've got to make sure
that all of your weapons are continuously
tested against Navi's defenses.
Because even last time when they played against each other,
guys that are a little bit more in the back of the pack,
people like Yimpat, even he won a round all by himself
by just lurking aggressively towards the holes
and just kind of limit testing.
So I actually just see the series extend to a 1-1.
I want to see that same sort of individual fire
from the mouse players and be willing to take
an individual risk if the initial game plans
aren't always going to a tee.
Yeah, I mean, here's the thing.
So far this year, Navi have looked good on Inferno
for the most part.
We saw them beat Fury and Krakow, a very ferocious team
to be able to get a win on.
They won it twice, including the group stage,
but the one team that did get them was Mousesports, right?
And this has been kind of Mousesports' home turf
outside of Overpass.
And so again, you're going to have to find ways to adjust.
And that's one of the things that blades always well known for right when you give them some time to look at some film and see
What happened the last time around to try to come up with solutions right him and Alexa be that brain trust being able to try to adapt
We need to do it now that they want to try to move on to that semi-final
All right then guys so we're going into inferno, so it's time to throw you back over to scrawny and launders
Thank you once more gentlemen got a question clues
I mean
Do you believe that this one could truly go to zero with the lopsided nature of this series with how often?
we've seen Navi struggle up against Maus and this map being so good on Maus I
just want to hear one time Kluge do you believe
well Alaya he mess said that they needed a sixth man that that was what was
gonna make the difference and Kluge did roar in that first map I think ancient
they give you more to be cheering about because this will be more difficult
Maus are no slouches on Inferno, and I felt this room when it got silent.
My anticipation is this game gets extended.
Maus to a T side of a map they are comfortable with.
Navi may have an uptick off of Ancient. Maybe they believe as well now.
There's a beautiful comeback in that second half. Credit where it's due.
But now it's Maus' chance to shine, and they will punish Mikaze on that ball.
Gimez-Paredes go down with nothing, Spinks is finding a quick move up through Banana into now.
The waiting hands of Alexi will only get this one.
Looking like a sight prime for the taking.
Yeah, they're totally clouded now. I mean, three players ready to hold another situation where Navi...
Ooh, they're right about where it's going. I mean, actually in a spot where Zershin's low, they don't maybe know it.
Pull back a bit.
CT is not even thinking about it.
If he wanted to run at this, there is not.
There was an outside chance that they could pull the win out,
but no kids on these two.
You go ahead and you keep your Kevlar,
and you chalk it up to inability and inability
to hang on to banana.
Mikaze just wanted to run.
Moe, he's not asking for too much.
Just wanted to get back into his bomb site.
Instead, track down, hunted.
And Mao's going to run with that momentum
into a pistol victory.
So be it that Zershin dies to the bomb, it's Maus with the first on Inferno.
Even when we look at the last map, I don't think Maus lost a map they were supposed to win.
I think Navi were the better team and ended up winning it.
So it's not something I expected before the series started.
I thought if Navi won, it would be by the barely got a pie, they got the clutches they needed to.
But even though the scoreline was quite close, I think that's only because Maus were the ones who were winning grounds they weren't supposed to.
This is a playoff fashion. That does make a difference when you've got a team like Navi.
That's smooth. Not gonna waste any time here, Mao's looking for the fast conversion, but Wonderful's gone unnoticed.
He's gonna just push that smoke and curiously drops the bomb carrier.
Bit's got a little bit of room to work with and he's gonna find that headshot.
Navi trying to bounce into this with the force by. He's got dorshing preoccupied.
Bomb still on the ground and here comes Macauze.
Through that smoke, Spinks to make the difference here.
He's gonna be able to disengage and now you've got the last guy in Alexi stuck on the wrong bomb site.
So I think they've got one gun inside of Halls.
Not sure what he's gonna try to upgrade to.
Should be that.
Fommas.
Yeah.
But he's really taking his time here.
I think he just thought that they...
The way he read it, he thought they weren't gonna expect him to be here.
Okay.
There's that Khalil.
It's already become a bit late to even really try this, so...
A narrow escape here on this ground where they have to abandon their plans on A, but now still pick it up.
Cost-effective out of Na'vi at least.
And I think again, another moment where like, wonderful and both kind of freed up to make a move.
It was within those CT sides as well, back on Ancient,
but they kind of kept up that same thing, right, prodding from Cabe, going down ramp,
never shelling up.
That's really been Na'Vi's flavor so far in this series.
I wonder if we're going to get two interesting maps in a row out of Alexi.
Now what happened that was interesting was we had, while Spinks was incredible,
Zershin actually climbed up in terms of kills, but I don't really remember those frags exactly.
Just looked at the scoreboard and he had tons of them.
And then on the other side of things, it was wonderful stepping up to the stage in a massive way,
but possibly got that one huge impact round.
Bits, volume of kills, matches his performances from the previous maps, and they didn't beat him already.
So he's waiting to get activated, that could be a secret weapon.
Hey, he stuck that defuse. He's got that going for him.
He did actually win that round, like his mind.
This man held one button, but it was a round winning hold.
Still waiting to kind of get the game going, we'll see if this Galil can find it much.
Continue to rack up a price tag versus Maus, and maybe you soften them up for when the
gun rounds do get going, but it's a free take of Banana.
It's a free bit of damage on Alexi.
He shoots one bullet around that corner, takes a shot to the helmet, and you'll have to just
fade back on his 35 HP.
Doesn't feel like Maus will be deterred from following through, even his B site, and that
is what they want.
I just saw a boost, so I don't know if it's three.
The question is really, is if Junavi,
leave the site or not,
now they're going to turn this one around.
We go, gets fresher, could have been the chance.
That would have been a gun in the apartments,
more titted looking mouse once they went for brackets knowing that the flank would be open
but instead they're just going to steamroll in through this bomb site and here you're
going to take the lay alone to the next round and not really think about it. This is well
earned here for mouse. It's a rotation but it's not desperate at all. They got enough info,
they were very careful about shoulder peeking before they peeked into banana. If they had
gone for the CT smoke off-handed without shouldering first maybe they died to a little of the boost
So avoiding two tactics here for Navi that should be good enough to win it into you go
Comes with a price tag towards the end you go in and get the game going sir should come in out of spawn. Yeah
Trolls crawling out of their caves to make sure that they can hang on to their weapons wonderful thinking about going in there, but
with this p250
Love to find an upgrade
Still a chance. Yeah, these late sec last second deaths. There could be another one right here
Yep, they get it Jimmy goes down and so a little extra cost to the round
But I think now is still relieved to just get that three zero kickoff
And then get that last gun upgrade but a couple's enough to be happy about that
before this round gets out of spot.
So the battle of the grenades begins.
A lot of discussion down in the desk about Mikaze's ability and willingness
to throw himself against this constant threat.
Right now he's just done a good job of dodging that utility.
He's going to try to go off the flash, Mikaze finding his,
and Versions got the answer, plus one.
That's huge catching Alexi trying to support it with that utility. Look at the health. He pulls that off with
Critical 2k bounce back here for Zershin. Yeah, the Zershin-Makase conversation was the you know
That's sort of the sinister of the entire deal of inferno the last time they played and
It was dust who said that you got to hope that Zershin is the one who ends up being better overall and he was
From the T side very good gels and you see a kill through a smoke. That's part of the game
You're gonna have to get some of those
Walk up from E-Met towards brackets with this close Jimmy set up
Now is departing though at the same time
They know what their target is and they're gonna hit that 3v1 on wonderful
So a bit of a honey pod here around Jimmy. He's happy to take these peaks out as long as it doesn't die
Keep them busy
Keep the numbers lower towards B. They now know at worst two defenders here. What can wonderful give us?
First shot's clean.
And a volley.
Falls back into it, gives himself a smoke grenade to work with as well.
He could buy valuable time here.
But Torsi's trying to go over the top of the oranges.
And that's going to win a wonderful down to 47 health.
But still, he clips a second.
It's the frag grenade that opens it up.
E-Meth, that gets vision.
Gawd denies for now!
Spray comes through!
Torsi's second kill is big here, and he has given himself a lot of time to work with.
It's a desperate run up from Bit, flanking around.
So he's going to walk over a kid. He has a Molly for a new box if he wants to use it
It's going to try to play it low-pro no nades, but the stops now Torsi knows exactly what's coming at him
He's thinking it's emo Molly's coming now. It's gonna flush towards you
You will find that headshot not waste this opportunity to get one wonderful on his own
He knows rotate and that smoke getting popped open that gives no be their chance to find one here in the fourth
It's delivering on all fronts a little more than you need from each person.
And a 1v1 from Bitt, that's kind of how you want to set him up every time.
All it takes is one to believe.
That's pretty huge considering that starts off with winning banana, Zershin 2-0.
Blade immediately getting involved.
Yeah, of course.
Is a scary one though with a clutch, right? One person surviving.
It is. It's just the opportunity at hand is so great now.
Now, you know, normally you wouldn't burn your timeouts on CT if you don't need to.
But if they win this, it's actually the mouse who will be broke.
Need the extra time even just to think about the buy to make sure everyone's got the utility they need.
There's no concessions. It's a utility heavy map. It's a banana-focused map.
Exertion is the man to catch.
This is an interesting spot.
Those are trying to keep this really simple.
I mean, it's Navi who do not have vision on B even though they're playing to the top
of car, but they aren't willing to rotate just yet.
utility starts to come through they'll see nothing this has got to be the hold
bit from the pit utility comes over top an early warning sign bits gonna need
something big here it's already puts on the ground mouse will emerge its immense
head with one and bits gonna go down with nothing wonderful at least catches
his tries to hold on to one side of the bomb site nice trade but it's a number
strong here by mouse and now because they spawn as quick to try to follow suit
that awk shot rings out and all the weights, Alexi's got the burn in the deep depth of the corner.
That is the bomb dropped and that is Alexi's chance to come back at this a single flash.
That M4, he saw it. He knows where both players are. He knows damn well where you're standing.
Alexi, aww spanks over top of the smoke for the headshot and mouses force.
Speaks had two health one bullet. He's dead. That's a 1v1 where you know
We're exactly where it's planted where that one player could be and off the back of the tack pause now
He lose this round
It eats the flash sitting in big pit and this leaves things up the chance
His job is trying to pick off a one guy jumping over the railing then he could talk
Go into someone's fallback utility and then they could try to make something happen
But when they got into mini and they had a guy coming out later the halls his one kill was best case situation
Now, the ramifications of a bit clutch in round four, Navi back to pistols, keeping some
money in the back pockets, but also a couple of tools for the job with this one, it's that
MP9 really going to get done.
We got three Navi players on that bomb site.
No contest for Banana.
And yet again taking over apartments our mouse and not doing it as well just on their own,
but two players in there making sure that if there are any pistols pushed up.
They're working really hard to try to draw rotations, but there's still three.
Careful these feaks.
Yeah, McConsey commits into the MP7 to throw a little best at him.
It's an interesting moment though. They block with the smoke, they still have two on A.
They have an arch rotation spot open.
Mousers are going to throw a bit of utility and they...
Navi and the Spots have been pretty good about reading exactly where Mousers are going to go,
but right now they're forfeiting the B site.
This is much better for Mousers when you compare it to Ancient, where they really weren't screaming Navi.
Yeah.
weren't ever really working the body just kind of headstrong and coming up
short. This time free B-bomb site outrotated. Let's see if Ema can hang
onto the gun because cash continues to be in question. Mao's going up 5-1 on
their G-side. That's that confidence I think Mao's will be able to tap into on
map that they have been making their home.
I don't think anybody really disappeared for mouse necessarily
last map.
Torsi did have a couple of off shots where
I wanted a bit more from them. Jimmy takes one out here in the
flank.
That would have been nice for the damage only one death so far
this round for mouse.
I could have found an AK upgrade.
Would have chipped away a mouse a little bit, but that's not
the case.
Dina down with nothing.
Single kill for Maus to have to stomach in stark contrast
to the round win that Navi have.
This is four players alive.
The most players alive so far for Maus.
So a chance to stabilize as we're now
beyond the halfway point and Maus comfortably 5-1.
So we have the mid-clutch, which is huge.
If Wonderful is going to impress us in this game,
it's going to be on CT side.
That's where we'll have a few chances to hop.
Otherwise, it's a bit of a nightmare hack for any offer.
It's another advantage to the T side,
but you just never have to buy it.
It keeps your economy really nice on the rounds you lose.
So many consumables used as well.
Always chipping away your savings.
Here's that wonderful lock.
Really, making him uncomfortable with the nades doesn't-
Clash is good.
Get a loud back in for the ankle,
and Brolin's going to make sure Mikaze goes down with just one.
But a missed chance here from Wonderful.
Alexi wants to be the hero.
Double kills, good.
Maintains an advantage for Navi.
Much needed moment there for Alexi B,
trying to tap back into the impact he had.
Only two rounds on the CT side of Ancient
where he didn't have a kill.
So much impact throughout.
The bomb is so...
What in the world?
The bomb is so far away.
I mean, this is a spot where they could blow this just by trying to retake too early.
Man, I think he left.
Man, Torsi.
Oh, if they think he left, he's going to walk out and see his ball, then gets them!
Oh, that's huge.
Now the bomb's going to be picked up, easy sprint over to the B site.
Torsi's patience.
Oh, this is weird.
But wait, wait, wait, the timing's good.
Yeah, it's huge.
If he goes mid.
Big if.
Well, he doesn't know what's happening.
And they're also wondering if he's going to be rotating over to B.
Could still catch it.
There's still some work to do here, but bomb gets spotted and now Ima has to act.
Torsi just rip Roar and his way up the scoreboard, 10-3 off this 2K.
I always would have to blow this, but Inna has a full kit of utility.
He's working with half his health bar.
Torsi is extremely low right now.
Still smoked off, that smoke at the halfway point, he has no diffuse kit, sure he's got the Util,
but what if he puts a smoke down on CT?
Or would he rather put it down on the bomb?
It would be like that cave round back on Ancient, sometimes.
T-Sides have a frag and Casey smokes it off, so I think instead, I'll try to pressure this.
They're hanging on to those frag grenades just in case. Goes for a deep angle. Nobody giving him a thread to pull on.
And so as he puts that smoke on top of the bomb, hoping maybe to just stick this, they are going to pop that open and expose him.
He looks for the fight! Oh my gosh! The line up, but again, no kit that entire time. So even Mao's don't know.
But this one was still a far gone attempt. Mao's up to the 6-1 score.
I was a close call and a nice try winning off of kills, but again, no defuse really makes the difference
It's a super solid half so far from mouse every trade they're looking for your map controls good
Torsi getting that 2k indeed. That's just one thing. You can't let go if you're not the now obviously
It's confusing for them. No plant comes in. They have the site
Why would anybody just be sitting quad waiting for this?
So it's actually an error for mouth the fact that they covered their tracks and used it to their advantage speech to how good
Oh, nice shot from the pistol. Very little to work with, but...
It's a big edge on Inferno.
This would really be one of Maus's biggest mistakes yet.
Full health, all's control.
Oh, bit... trying to disengage.
Yup, he knows Torchy's gotta run that over. Hit control gets taken. SMG goes down.
They're still trying to escort it in, and E-Mess strikes.
Still, trying to keep that pressure up, trying to keep this round electric.
Look at that bongo down on the side, it's getting planted now, Spinks has to stop this.
They're going to keep charging up the short side, Spinks looking to give that cover allows
for Torsey who's 12-3 to just tuck back into the corner, but now that smoke blocks them
off, Spinks is only able to get his one, and as a Torsey clutch needed, well Lexi feet
down and Mikaze is able to trade out, not the pitch out, Maus' biggest mistake yet
in this series.
was so good being able to separate that crossfire,
put so much pressure on Spinks to Malty,
and for both of them to get a Malty frag,
ultimately to win.
A clutch moment here for Navi.
One where they gain a slight tempo.
They had done that on a rifle and lost four.
X-Round would still be very expensive,
but now they'll get the full buy they're looking for.
You know, previously, we've seen Jimmy come into those apartments together as Maus's attack.
This time Jimmy goes in solo and that 5-7 finds his face.
This is the best hit of leverage they can ask for because otherwise I don't think wonderful
season off this round.
Nice to grab a tempo here for Navi.
That's going to happen on Inferno, man.
It's a very e-gouble nap, and you've got to take those on the chin sometimes.
Obviously, those are not hoping for it, but they were already up 6'1".
Still in the power position.
Wonderful starts to consider it.
Oh, he's going to catch this.
He's found the timing.
Yeah, perfection.
Shit. Second players just a little preoccupied with throwing out that utility and wonderful timing to a T.
They still got car control as well. They're going to run at this on A.
Ema's extending outwards. He's got the gun advantage over Brolin, but we'll see if he really presses the issue in.
Brolin tucked into the corner. Wonderful catch as a kill.
Still working.
Yeah, wonderful slotted. All three frags so far this round are his.
You can make this a highlight right now. Two guys in front of him.
Effectively slicing through them one after another. Quad killed the wonderful Agro!
Just like that! It's rounds back to back!
Full aggro here for Wonderful, not looking for any babysitters, no one here to trade him.
Every fight on his own turns, isolated every single goal, a perfect off performance.
And one that they caught because they won on an eagle wouldn't have seen that up otherwise.
And one that begins with his internal clock being perfect.
Slicing through those first two front runners as the second player is playing with grenades,
almost as the first terrorist is getting into that smoke to compromise Arch.
He's looking to catch Torsi who starts off 13 and 5, but Torsi really hasn't even had to get on the off yet.
That'll be in the second half for him.
Got a lot of discussion about wonderful trying to find form as this Novi roster's gone on.
With that ace, goes the money, but now it's got a one-galeel insertion.
Wonderful is turning heads back at Budapest and then with the start of 2026 we kind of
questioned whether he was going to be able to tap back into it.
You know how he plays at majors and this is the clues major.
Yeah, for Nabi it is.
3 rounds to try to rack up a tied score line.
That is what Navi now have in front of them, thanks to Wonderful.
It can be scary when a T-side comes knocking on the door of this B-bomb site with little to lose,
and that is the state that Maus find themselves in right now.
Solid amount of rounds, one rifle looking for the kill, looking for that thread,
which could damn well unravel this setup.
Macause first, you'll find his, then the Galil strikes.
We've already got Wonderful's rotation over,
he continues to rack up these frags now,
but they will jump beyond and they've lost their timing.
They've lost their timing, because of the set hold,
because Wonderful takes it from them.
You're lucky to even die there,
that could have been even more expensive.
It's three rounds consecutive out of Navi
when things were starting to feel bleak.
They got fatigued from all the choice they had,
giving up so much space on the map for that long,
and they just couldn't make the decision to go.
That was a guaranteed rotation and timing out of wonderful.
They didn't even have a CT smoke for that.
That's where it gets scary mentally for Mous,
because you see a round like that, you don't expect to win.
You're looking to get a phone plan,
but they actually couldn't even do that.
That's got bit bored.
Oh, sounds like Budapest in here.
Guess now we are on the new face.
The utility battle on banana, but it doesn't look like Maus wants to sign up for that first ballie.
Maus will put this one together, they're going to shell up a little bit.
It's already a nervous looking one.
It won't matter if it's just one.
being left in spawn once losing out to the clock and then it'd be the entire comeback this half so
time to hold the shot. Navi are running the old school Virtus Pro setup here.
Boost it up on porch. You do this so that you can see over top of a
harsh smoke or a lane smoke if it goes arch.
Sphinx approaching this solo. He's got a player behind him but him and Jimmy. Oh
it kind of freed up to go for that fight but you try to run at that because the Valley team now
Fit will remain at the bottom of Navi's scoreboard, and Maus have a man advantage now.
That's pretty good information here for Fouls. I don't know if they're gonna put together the setup.
Thanks for the job.
Navi haven't really been falling for a lot of things right now.
Wonderful speed up.
Yeah, he's gonna get more aggressive, but he misses.
Let's hit everything other than that, E-Met. Time to be the hero.
Also goes down with nothing. Three defenders on this short side. You will never expect the fourth, but oh boy!
Maus just tore through this bomb site with no hesitations every single kill comes to them swiftly
That was real beautiful actually out of Maus
I mean even speaks his personal awareness to watch for getting pushed in that moment
And you needed to kill him to stop the malty that was half the setup gone
And so it's actually, I think,
Cyclo talking right before this round goes live.
There is a heavy coach presence put into this match.
You know, with a setup like what Naby wanted,
with the three-player short side, the old DP stack,
that really is a setup that responds to the nades,
like you're saying, right?
But then when Bit decides to go into Boiler,
does that cost them being stuck in that setup?
Because it felt to me like three separate 1v1s,
one after another, you know?
You're kind of pushed to extend, obviously, nothing.
to extend. Obviously not the plan from the start. Maybe wonderful could have brought it back, but...
I think the calculation is less so if Bit dies and more so if Bit wins this frag. It's like the
round is sort of done. They can take over holes. If someone tries to refrag from middle, that guy dies
and so you just dominate it, but instead that first player going down, they see it as, well,
But we're still holding on to this. We have an extra guy here.
They tried to hold on, but Maus weren't having any of that.
Were they insta-kill after insta-kill for the four?
So Navi's dreams of tying up this half evaporate, and so will LaCause again.
As it is Maus to come up banana. You know, they've changed up their timings one round ago.
Very much passive, letting those nades come out. This time it's that sudden pounce,
It feels like now they're kind of giving different flavors over to Na'Vi
so they can't quite put their finger on it.
Make a very hasty rotation.
Around 12 stack.
The mouse wisely are walking away from it.
Impressive about the rotations from Na'Vi.
A site looking prime for the taking now.
Zershin's going to continue to rack up costs here.
Na'Vi down to a 3 versus 5 even with Zershin on such low health.
He'll just bring up the rear four miles.
He can hold off for any potential banana flags.
And the A site will soon be found free for the taking.
The firepower is here, man.
Yeah, there it is.
Oh, Zershin.
Just going to put this one on ice
and go 8-4 on the half.
So that little bit of a resurgence from Navi short-lived.
Could have absolutely been a comeback.
But what can you say?
It was a masterfully one round towards A.
right there on round 11.
Now we see the score line back on ancient,
but it's different now.
It's different now because the better team
is clearly in the lead.
They got the half they were looking for.
They did great off of the tack pauses
with Cyclone getting involved.
And as we switch over, we know they're excited about it.
Right.
Round of applause for the mayor of Clues, Nipoca.
Wow.
Thanks for hosting.
Not just hosting, but showing up, it's hard to ignore.
We've got a stacked BT arena, and it's only Friday.
Maybe a much needed pistol here for this one.
Torsi's not wasting his opportunity to leave a mark on this game.
14 and 6 in that first half. Takes over to the CC side.
So you can hold your breath for the Navi ability to close 2-0, but again, they have not been able to get a series.
Organization versus organization since 2024.
It's a damning head-to-head.
HALO BOMB!
HALO BOMB!
Mirage awaits, if Maus can push this.
Here it's set up right now from Maus on this pistol.
It's desertion still? It's really not.
It falls back, but he's just around the corners.
Smoke comes out, you at least get that out of Maus, right?
Burn some utility and fluster them to rotate over.
There's not a lot of utility as a pistol round, so that's kind of a small win here for Navi.
How interesting they're going to go up arch aren't they because they've still got two players. Oh
They're falling back out of brackets. Noffi is this a grand plan or are they just not getting the info that they're looking for?
Because there are still three players here ready to defend
It's all wild red is stay posted on the boosts
Tees around that corner with no nades other than the flash, but it finds its mark
Spinks comes out from Newbox, just got gushed.
Nobby needs this pistol, and it's a hard-fought hold from Spinks.
They're going to try to chase down Brolin, and he will put them on ice.
Great opportunity for Maus to shut down MAP too swiftly.
Excellent headshots out of Brolin, and yeah, they don't split pistols this time.
Clean shots from Spinks, clean shots from Brolin.
An effective flashbang to unravel that boosted-up set of Beretta's,
and still the bomb site holds strong.
They just look so composed in every situation.
He is just a wall sometimes.
It's gonna take more than a good idea to find a round win victory right here.
They have almost nothing to work with.
We see a Mikaze.
You could just see the aim elevate here for Mao on this map too.
So much comfort.
Jimmy just had a jet scare moment, but not too much to be afraid of.
Where's Ima's gun?
Wanted to extend in, find the upgrade.
He didn't want to bore us with an attempt on a pistol like that.
Felt like death was just an inch away, and sure enough, he rounds the corner, falls out.
We go 10-4 up for Maus.
Surely there has to be one person in here who's excited about Maus on 10.
One guy?
I heard him like just for a second.
We'll protect you!
Not an easy day to be a mouse fan, but hey, the Counter-Strike speaks for itself.
And Map 2 is a whole new beast for Navi to have to handle.
Surtian quickly down into the cutouts of Banana, finding a secured spot on the CT side,
and no real contest offered his way from Navi.
You've got it entirely open, you've got triple arch setup.
arch setup. This is for a second a very dangerous place to be for mouse. Now they
always keep moving so I wouldn't be surprised if they re-expand here. Navi
known to take their time but even if one guy gets over it's still a good site to
go to. Especially with this re-smoke starting off. This could come down to a
spam fight here.
Trying to find an angle but there's nothing here. It's gonna hold them here
when he doesn't see anything. Yeah three holes play. Now sticking around for the
time being this brolin mp7 in the bomb site will it be the limitation fast
flooddown speaks at back finds his second and it is clean shots and at the
CTs that very quickly just push the fight into them. Alexi V can't manage
anything as he tries to go over top and Mikaze down with just this one. Rock solid
defense out of mouse. I'm gonna use a weird word here but it's a very lubricated
defense. They're moving really nicely even though if it looks like
they're uncomfortable for a second they don't see it they have two guys tied up
inside of Arch. They're spotting over it. They don't see anything inside of brackets.
They still have another guy moving on to the site. They end up with four there to defend the A.
And we saw it twenty seconds before that. If Nabi had just run through the halls,
the site would be open. But Mao's going exactly where to give up space to still keep them not feeling protected.
Ooh, again, early damage. You've got that prying set of eyes on Torji towards middle as well.
There is no safety net, Navi. There is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.
In the face of Maus's comfort, here on Inferno, it's a whole other beast.
then you just walk through that smoke one-on-one trying to find a crack looking for a chance to prevail and it comes in late
Wonderful finding a frag in the two versus five situation as Surtian goes big with the multi-frag
And it's gonna be torsion to just continue to rack up these kills
Mouses 12th round comes with ease
And Navi's hopes of the 2-0 have gone up in smoke
And that's Torsi. 18 and 7, Sphinx continuing on from his great performance back on ancient.
Star of the show for sure for Maus.
You know, the main reason ancient even got close in the first place.
What a better map this has been.
Right now working with...
Wish you the best of luck, you're wonderful.
Yeah, he's got a chance at the bombsite. He's got a smoke.
If he blocks off CT, then it's just Brolin 64 health.
Yeah, he can kind of terrorize Brolin if he smokes out CT.
Otherwise, it is going to be a tough crossfire.
Let's see where he takes the duel.
Tries to go for it unannounced.
Ooh, there we go.
Still 20 health to work with.
He'll smoke off the rotate.
Ooh, the eagle, my goodness.
Yeah, knows better.
Swaps back to the right, with, of course, new box position.
You're never going to get that swing.
Brolin waits for the teammate's flashbang,
and now wonderful.
Picked against the wall, dealt with.
So two deaths on the side of Maus.
Winning ways continue to flow here on Inferno.
And measly four round count for Navi.
Navi had a chance to make some kind of comeback happen
in the first half, but they didn't capitalize
on that opportunity.
And I don't even know if it would matter at this point.
There's not a round loss so far here for Maus.
They looked just as good on this half of the map
as they did in the first.
Not even a bomb plant throughout these four rounds.
Wonderful has tried to beat a difference maker, but it's just too few for the rest of Navi.
Safe to say Zershin has won that fat battle in Banana that the analysts were trying to
hype up.
Yeah, consistent feature.
Really good play out of him and that'll actually make a good series for him overall too, despite
losing the first map.
All right, it's a big comeback here at Navi.
It would be very impressive to make it back to 12.
We have seen a few of those at this event.
You know, we've also seen as Navi being able to kind of have a flat first half
and then just totally rebound in the follow-up.
They dismantled G2 with that twice in the game to qualify for playoffs.
But it doesn't seem like they got that magic in them here tonight.
At least not on the second one.
Torsi has been so solid throughout this map.
20 and 8 is the score he could end with as its man advantage secured here by Maus
From their offer once again
Bomb possession given over wonderful still with a bit of fight left in him takes the double kill
Picks up that bomb and will run it over to the B site
But if you think it's free for the taking you've just met your maker spinks locks this in I thought that was desperation
But it was actually because they had an extra player to rotating quickly through arch and now it's gonna be Macaulay chasing
Ghosts he's got to go get the bomb back within vision of quad of
of second player that he hasn't found yet. Both full on HP, lots of grenades to work with.
Eat your heart out.
You can try to play out these 50 seconds, but the reality of this second map is that you're going up against the mows
that are mainstays of playoffs and sometimes short.
They fall short versus the top dogs. Vitality absolutely thrashes them.
Yes, they've got that devil on their shoulder whispering their shortcomings.
Reminders constant that mouse can't seem to lift trophies, but versus a Navi here on map to they showed you the counter strike
They play mouse will silence the BT arena
It's a golf clap as now this game goes to a third
Mirage is where Navi will need to rebound
She said she loves you, but she can't love me, but I love you
I won't play window anymore
The human body was built to move, not frowned at a desk in one single posture for 12 hours
a day.
It's time your chair evolved.
This is Secret Lab Titan Levo.
ergonomically engineered for you.
Gamers.
Hybrid workers.
Officers.
But in your every move.
I
I
Yes, welcome back a bit of deja vu. We've tied up a series and silenced the crowd. I haven't
heard of that quite since Maui announced his day rights.
Okay, no. Any Spinks fans?
Yeah, no. No. Just crickets.
Just crickets.
No, it's actually crazy. But I'll tell you what, if all the joke can aside, I mean, we
You might have said, mouths are an oral esteem or whatever, but I mean, under such duress
and attention and stress, silence the crowd.
Really have.
I mean, unfortunately, for the fans of Na'Vi, that was basically a serenity repeat of what
we saw on the group stage on the same map.
I mean, you know, we critique in mouseports for not having the best tee size across their
map pool, but Inferno is one of those ones where they just have a little bit more comfortability.
And just like last time they faced off, they were able to find eight rounds in the first
have on that T side, which just gives them so much breathing room when you know how good
they are defensively.
And it was kind of a little bit different though, and since when Niles beat Navi in
the group, it was really predicated on dominating Banana and just kind of bullying the opposition
where, you know, Mikaze and Lexi B weren't really able to quite land up against Zershin
and Brolin, but this time it was like, Torzion, honestly, with the AK-47 was really off and
off and having a lot of impact.
Well, we've said that before down in the years, but Maus, I always feel it's going to be someone.
might be, you know, the biggest person in terms of output, but in terms of the pressure
of LAN environment, the pressure of being in front of a crowd, you know, usually it
is technology that kind of steps up and seems to be a bit immune to those types of pressures.
He's unfortunately, I'd say, even though Torsi is a great player that you can root for because
he's shown so much emotion, oftentimes I'd say on the T side he doesn't get it done,
Which is why this Math was such a welcome surprise that he was a great rifler.
I think he ended the game with sub 5, under 5 AWP kills.
I know that for sure.
I'm pretty sure almost the entire T side was predicated on just being a trading rifler.
And honestly, this was one of the better rifling showcases I've seen for Torsi this year.
Because I'd say frequently almost all of what he does in terms of kill count is predicated entirely on a CT side.
Like I remember in the group stage, I'm pretty sure he had a zero kill T side half on one of the maps that they even picked.
So for him to come up with this, it's really, really special for him.
Absolutely. I have to agree. I mean, usually that kind of spinks us wrong.
This team is to be that kind of trader in the slot or you're getting you're relying on search and to create the space for you.
But it was him finding times. He was kind of doing it all over the place.
Like whether he was helping straight frag up banana, whether he was able to fight at brackets.
There was even a couple of times like you're going to see in this clip or perhaps the next one where he's getting timings out of balcony.
Just like catching a couple of entries. Here it is right here.
You know, then she'd expect Jimmy to do basically in a situation like this
He's finding ways to do it
And so it was just really cool to kind of see him wreak havoc all across the map and nobby so limited
I mean if it wasn't for the fact that wonderful had an op ace
They won eco and then wonderful have like another big 3k op round
They would have had nothing in that first half at all to work with I mean it was a very dominant first half for mouth
Sports and they didn't take any time closing really. Yeah, no doubt. We even highlighted bits, you know, they'd be like
Oh, yeah, and the principal is here. He's gonna do it totally up. He got bigger
Nothing really he was born the coffins on the other side of the back. Yeah for real
So it was just one of those I mean this has been the story of Nabi's tournament
I get it. Everyone's willing it because you know hometown hero and all of that stuff
But they haven't looked clean going through these round through these stages in the tournament and their vetoes remain still
I mean, I think that's a little
strange and fascinating. At
least they were able to win
their pick in this one. I'll
say the CT side just never
really came together for them.
I mean, they tried a couple
different looks. I mean, I
think around round 11 or so we
saw them be like putting
together a more a centric
defense, but everybody's just
dying one by one by one.
Unfortunately, they weren't
able to find the kind of
crossfires that they want to
assemble. And that's such a
shame because we have in fact
out of the boiler room and it tries to challenge him recognizing that he's going to be separated from the team through that Molly
But then you're going to see there's three players still on the sports side. Yeah, they're just watch them all die one by one by one
Exertions holding for the peak here from wonderful
It's not a terrible move to go for an off pick right there
But then you see that he dies jiggle peak and I think the double peak comes out to take down Ema as well
And then Alexi who is responsible with holding the halls dies by himself
It seems ridiculous to me that you can run a four man or a three man with a rotation set up and you never are taking two fights at the same time
You're never putting anybody in a cross. I think what's interesting with that clip as well
I obviously I think you would have molly to anyway, you know, you make sense
But the I think that he heard the crowd maybe thought might something so might I like worked against them in that incident
It seemed to be he was very assured that there was maybe more than one person there
So, you know, these things do go back and forth in the, in a long environment.
But again, it's one of those performances from Navi where people just didn't show up.
Absolutely.
And I mean, I think it was always going to be an uphill battle on Inferno.
We know this is, you know, Mouse's other kind of home map besides Overpass,
where they typically are able to do their most work.
And we knew that this is a map that Navi haven't necessarily had the best luck on.
Now, Marash is just a total wild card for me, Malli.
I'm not even sure how to think about it, because when Mouse entered this tournament
The last six months, they had only one, three of their last nine games.
Their T sides were below 40%.
It was just awful, but they've actually looked a little bit better.
And, you know, they beat Navi.
They beat Foot.
They've seemingly made some improvements.
But Navi, for a team that was so good last year on this map
that helped propel them to the Budapest major to that top four finish
and help give them some hope.
It hasn't been there for them this year.
They've played it six times and only have one win to show for it.
I mean, I feel like everybody just understands
how Navi want to go through the motions on Mirage now.
try to constrict the middle with Ema coming from underpass,
Makaze from top mid with Alexi B,
but then they just love their A crunches so much.
And I feel like at this point, teams understand how to deal with it.
I mean, even when Maus played them in the group stage,
you had Brolin making individual plays against Bid.
You had people like Spinks making individual pushes.
And when you have all these players that just feel so empowered
because they've gone through these motions before,
they've basically been playing the same skeleton framework
of a garage mid control or against Navi's met marriage good mid control for two years now. It doesn't really feel like it's gotten
Really changed all much and I feel like blade right now needs to come up with something here
I think there needs to be a little a slightly different emphasis on a side of the map because they they can go for their B
plays they can sometimes do B crunches, but I feel like when
70% roughly of your whole game is just predicated on take mid into a crunch teams are just too used to it
Especially whenever you're going up against the likes of you know, someone like Zershin who's gonna be very comfortable on the a connector
Spinks a very good V rotator. I mean, that's the thing about mouse and they're gonna get to start on the CT side
They have such a dynamic defense. So you illustrated it pre series, you know, they're a team that's gonna be very proactive
They're gonna fight you in connector. They're gonna push the extremities. They're gonna move towards these off around
They're gonna disrupt you because that's where Navi's most comfortable
You know when they're able to lay down their platform and kind of you know pick and choose their battles and kind of just run their strats
Yeah, they can do really good things. They have good scaling. They have good utility
But mouse aren't gonna let you have that space for free
They're gonna find off-time ins to peek you from window or swing you from cat and really just make it hard for you to
Feel comfortable in the round to set up your execs and you're right
You know for a team that usually is spreaded for having a deep playbook
They sometimes are a little bit to rely on the mid control and if you're gonna do that
You're gonna have to see even Mikase step up because those are your two-point men
And they're going up against talented players who are very good defending those areas
Well, let's talk about that stepping up because a lot of talk about Emma obviously the hometown hero
We've highlighted him. I'm gonna highlight him and now we're gonna bring up his stats in the series and take a look at how
He's been doing because I know I think we are gonna do that. They're gonna hate us for that. I don't care
They're gonna tear us apart. I'm a keeper. I'm a keeper real
Like this is this is kind of where we're at right, you know, this is
Yeah, guys like, you know, they cheered for the image, but then they read this. Yeah, exactly. And then they got sad real quick and they should be because, you know, look, we've talked about different types of pressure that players can come under.
Yeah, Emma really wants this, obviously, really wants to get into, you know, those later stages, get to the final, you know, do right by a home crowd. But obviously, I think he's been, you know, a little bit in his own head this game.
He hasn't had that fluidity and that this is part of it
You know like you want to deliver for your people you want to deliver for your fans
But sometimes it works against it can it goes both ways right?
I mean again
We saw Maladoy really rise to the occasion in Astana when he was put in a similar situation as a rookie from obscurity that was playing against
You know really high competition on really his first big land stage and there's a romance in the air about being able to do something like that
I think for Ema it meant a lot to get to this point and now he finally got here again
He didn't get to compete in this arena last year
He had to sign autographs and watch other people compete,
knowing what could have been if he could have been here
on the stage.
And then they went through the group stages, and they went,
and they fought hard, and they won some, lost some.
It was a very late route.
I bet he's signing autographs right now, man.
He's getting his head ripped off.
Absolutely.
But he'd love to be doing it in the victory circle,
rather than being knocked out of the tournament, right?
And this is your last chance to keep this run rolling
and stay in this arena for as long as possible.
And look, he's the star of this team,
in the sense that he's the other guy like Mikasa,
who's going to be taking space.
And he plays the A connector on CT side,
is the most vital piece of the map in a spot that most stars are going to play. And he's
going to have a hard time defending what has been a pretty potent, you know, offense from
Al sport so far this tournament. So this would be the moment of any to make something happen.
I mean, I don't think Navi and Ema are really strangers to playing as the hometown favorites.
Wherever Navi go, they usually have a very sizable fan base. So I feel like this is where
it just change banks. It is. He helps that without a doubt. But it's also just the fact
I mean, he's been in these kinds of big moments. I mean that he's this guy's one a major with a lot of people cheering for him
Not through every single stage of the playoffs, but many of the events that they won in 24
There were huge fan bases that were cheering them on
So I have faith that he's gonna at least be able to correct the ship enough to make this extremely competitive
And even though mouths are still the favorites in this one. I have not be playing them extremely close
I don't think there is like a crazy clear favorite in the sense that it's not like this is a map that either team has particularly shown
good form on recently for 100% honest. I think, I mean, Navi have more of an identity on this map.
They have a little bit of a history they can look back upon as being successful, but you're right.
It's about adapting. People have kind of figured you out. They kind of understand how you want to
operate. It's about bringing something new to the table. And for mouseports for therein, it's like,
just do what you normally do. You're always so good on CT side. Just make sure you cash in on
that again. And then just kind of show us the T size we showed earlier in this tournament to be
able to close things out. But yeah, this is last chance to loan for Navi. Otherwise, this may be
maybe the last time Anima gets to play up the crowd for a while.
Yeah, you can see the feeling of stress there.
Yeah, come on, wake up.
Wakey, wakey, there he is.
Yeah, look, obviously, as well, it's Mirage Mountain.
I mean, there's a million iterations
of how a player does map.
It's been done to death.
You know, it's going to come down
with a few individual moments.
Who's going to step up when the pressure's on?
Well, thankfully, I feel like, for Malzah's sake,
Torsi is just revved up and ready to go.
I mean, yes, we saw more of it on the rifle
in the previous map, but on CT's side here,
I feel like he can be also fairly dynamic with how
wants to help out in terms of fighting off that kind of mid control. But also I think
if I'm going to just look for an X factor player here, I'm actually going to go back
to the well on bit. I feel like the way he's able to activate from Palace and be a contingency
plan if the mid control goes awry, that's a huge win condition for a Navi team that
seems to be struggling to find an in on some of their rounds where the map where the teamwork
isn't always there for them where the game plan out the gates isn't but bit has just
shown as an individual, so I want to see if he can take the fight to that A defender.
Yeah, hit the f... how good?
Well, you guys here, we'll have to get into the action on the decider for this one.
So I will throw you back over to Scrony and Launders.
One more map between Navi and Maus, one last chance to try to upset the trend
and to buck the repetition of loss after loss.
Maus on the big stage, sometimes people write them off,
but today versus Navi, and particularly there on that second map,
things looking much better, Launders.
I mean, the way I see it, Navi got a win out of the way in this series,
and now it would be coming to Mirage, so a little bit more even.
So, it's almost the most exciting way we could have the series end.
I, like us, can't really tell you right now who's supposed to win this game.
I think we did see sort of Navi swinging forward out of their shoes back on ancient
to make sure they close that 13-10.
I can very well see that happening again.
Yeah, I think, I like what Maui brings up about a bit,
you know, kind of tapping into the well for him to maybe bring something to the table,
will always be a fan of Bit when it comes to playing pallet.
Bit always trying to leave a mark on that A bomb site.
We'll see what it comes down to, because it's a T-side from Navi
to kick this off.
One map between them and the Senes,
and Maus stand in their way on the defense.
Both these teams have their T-side struggles.
Maus a little bit more than Navi.
So when you think about Maus having more success recently,
I know they're looking for that 8-4 half again.
It's the fresh start that Navi most certainly need.
Would have loved to have been a fly on the wall in the team talk in between these maps
because at no point back on Inferno did they feel in that game.
And sometimes those could be some of the hardest spots to rebound from.
Barely have time to think about it though, right back into the action.
And to a map that Navi have, you know, shown affinity for, picking.
He must have been a rough series right now, but Mirage is one of his best maps.
We see what he can do on this in the past, so it will have to be him.
This will be his final chance to leave a mark on the BT Arena.
Torsi and Brolin gonna catch headshots first.
Oh, what is that?
Speak of bit, he strikes early.
And now as he looks for another one inside of the B site, he's got a teammate to come up through the catwalk.
E-Meh is able to strike one down off window, and so for a moment, Navi had an advantage,
but then Jimmy comes in quickly, puts that bomb down, and Wonderful's gonna have to scoop it up soon,
but with players still breathing down his mech, E-Meh has run in with these picked-up Burettas,
and it's actually wonderful to connect the headshot. Jimmy into the clutch, 15 onto the clock.
Plant's gonna be difficult, they kinda have to go wide and shoot him off, and it's E-Meh to find his.
Oh, from mid-window to the run-up catwalk, to bailing out his teammate who was just looking for a set of helping hands.
Every kill there was really impressive, but I gotta say, bit second frag stole the show.
I should fucking fight for Mishka, guys.
Out to a deep ball here for Navi.
They know the force-up is coming for Maus.
Hold fast out here, lots of CCs here, first kill to them.
Careful now, careful, don't spoil this good start.
Navi down to the 3v5.
This is something that was glaringly obvious.
Back on ancient.
Oh they won it, so desperately to end this round quickly.
up fast into that A site. Two great responses here from Maus. Full control of the situation.
Now, full control. Navi still have middle. How they get their next kill is everything.
Right now it feels like E-Mai could try to be the hero. He's the one that has the most
amount of space. Difficult to get this double through the palace. Yeah, it's like a guaranteed
trade position sort of. Especially while Spinks sits there tucked into the corner the whole
entire time. So here we are on board with Emeh, because they and Bit start to inch this one forward,
but we also get out of the ramp. All of a sudden the ticket scout finds its damage.
This is still looking for the kill back and Torsi's not having any of it. Now with Emeh dead,
all you have are the two players in Palace and they won't even be given a chance to truly take
a step out into this bomb site. Naughty have flubbed the opportunity at early round wins.
They went for the fast eight play. It's a perfect call for Maus to stack it. They were
maybe just a bit too worried to go for its default and risk getting picked up by the
scout while it happened anyway. You go running out that ramp, you meet your
maier in the form of 5-7s. The damage just coming through on the sides of those smokes
There's no guarantee that you didn't get to hang on to what's left
Now is one and all and so that little down for the count after time insult to injury
That's pure pain the instant by cut buys come out here for Navi
That is a brutal way to start
This game is a lot about money because money gives you chances
So just as Maus pulled out the ego versus Navi, they'll have to respond with their own.
Be wonderful with the scout this time around.
It's got to be one hell of a call, a great eagle shot, a couple of scout tags, and no
mistakes in between.
Might be too much to ask for.
But you can't only be on the receiving end of these kinds of rounds and still hope to
walk away with the series.
You manage to survive it back on Ancient.
You switch sides and fought back.
Here we are in the decider with one player down on Underpass.
Top mid swing goes wide.
Just trying to get that scousy to the mix.
You may find one with the Deagle and you've effectively pushed them back, not to mention
Damage on the player hiding in the window
Forze is barely alive here just stuck inside that puppy
Galil given a chance to retreat back and that's at least space earned here by Navi
They are scared to take these duels
Even though there isn't much of Emma orbit left over
Smoke's gonna fade but still for the six within that corner Jimmy
Oh, so much dad just as close to death
You've got two CTs with a combined health of five and still Torshe's then freed up to just take the duel to Alexi
And that's gonna drop the bomb in middle. The middle bomb that was hoping to join forces with this ramp push
Could have been a chance at a split into this round still wonderful
Yeah, it's a late opportunity to leave his mark on this but despite the best efforts despite the damage having to be stomach
It is still Maus to do what Navi couldn't and convert
I honestly can't even remember the last time that this happened
You get the ego, and then you also get the death after time in the same rounds.
It's beyond tragic in terms of the way to start.
Yeah, that's the kind of face that they're making right now.
You know you have to wait this out.
Now your gun rounds are coming.
You will have more chances.
Yeah, you just have to mentally put yourself there now.
We're now you'll be sitting on these pistols just having to stomach a tough start.
It's a roller coaster going from a pistol way to this.
Right now Navi are asking ourselves is today our day.
We both get revenge versus mouths who have been an amazing formidable opponent versus
consistently beating us with IMA here in Cluj on stage.
Torsey about to make a whole bunch of money if he can control it.
Yeah, two kills as the three-player pack pushes wide.
So no bomb plant here for Navi.
They were looking for slim pickings, but they'll find nothing.
Five up, four mouse.
It's another strong start for the defense.
That's money made.
Three players moving into this round with over $7,000.
Navi have given Maus the best chance to just stomp out this T-side earlier.
They're already so fantastic on CT.
If you want to look at their round history on this map.
Worst part is, wonderful doesn't have that up.
You put an ace together back on inferno.
It'll in fact only have a Galil.
Torzie again, right back to the angles, just lights out over on Inferno and he is looking
to piece together two strong showings in this series now.
We're looking to challenge that smoke, it'll cost him.
He has got the answer back.
For now, even though, again.
It's actually interesting.
Wonderful still alive.
The op is out in the open on Cat.
It's actually very possible to go with the crab.
You can establish map control, take that at the same time,
and make this 4v4 a lot more challenging for Malus to figure out.
Mkaze still had to double back, though.
He'll scoop up that bomb.
He's cautious about the apartment's push,
but it's not the B site that actually pushed beyond.
It's A instead.
That's really wonderful, Nani.
Wait, don't get there.
I'll hook it up now.
Grabs his trusty observation peeling away from this fund,
but now...
It's perfect, actually. Wonderful made a little presence,
They immediately ran away from A.
Hold one back, but the question still is Brolin.
He's gone unnoticed, so we'll see what Navi
has to do with an eventual fallback from him.
There's that up.
Zershin trying to stay alive.
Oh, there's that up.
Yeah, wonderful.
He puts his hands on it, gives the cover over.
And so just when you think Brolin's
going to find a chance to disrupt that A bomb site,
instead it is wonderful to make a difference.
He pushed here for B now.
The guy who got it started in middle
at the start of this round, Zershin has two kills.
And all he wants is to grab this up
and get the hell out of here before that bomb pop, but no free exits!
Gaby with a slow squeeze, but wonderful find that up out catwalk.
And again, Torsi, strong start, good showing on Inferno, nice beginnings here on Mirage,
but still toppled, and his weapon in the hands of wonderful costs Maus a round.
And this is the impact that you want to see ultimately.
He goes against the top down, and he's playing really well around it again.
Torsi in this spot, he had no one to trade, no one to check back on.
And wonderful does the perfect thing shooting a couple of times in a beat that pulls a rotation picks up the op he turns it into the plate around
It's such a massive find a beat up for all the money they lost what there we go back to reality
You met instead of opening death sir should ran through to health as he gets back to the top of the nectar safely
Damn near 4v4 on the fallback instead. That's a body
Ema enters this third map with a 0.75 rating on the series.
But he's got a round to be proud of.
And you'll have to battle that mental struggle.
Now we did see Spinks actually just slinking to ladder room.
Ops on the line.
Oh, but they might not be worried about it.
Oh, shot missed from Portia.
Now Spinks is going to come down the ladder to potentially blindside that off.
Yeah, he walks out, but the office falling back loud and wonderful
Spinks is gonna keep trying this timing and they don't know exactly about this
They've really ruined his play here the bombs actually
Like shot another shot miss no Macaulay
Gets cleaned up by Jimmy again. The bomb is going yep
But they still don't know about Spinks who is indeed following them slowly
But surely Spinks will get behind this, but we've got a flank from both teams who times this to perfection
Alexi B, he's been found out.
Zershin turns around that to health
that he fell back through the connector with,
actually winds up being critical for them to win this round.
Maus, just every single corner,
and lo and behold, win the round because of it.
It's a very, very difficult situation to navigate.
And Maus do an incredible job.
So no momentum gets built off that.
The only thing that Navi have to look forward to is a bit of loss bonus.
But they've got to do something about that opening duel, going the way of mouse inside of middle.
And Torsi did give him a chance to miss dog shots, one like one miss.
That one's all about Spinks using his break.
Yeah, such good timing.
And so confident in the hunt behind them in apartments for Zershin to even turn around
and catch a Lexi B. Like, that's how good their presence of mind was.
Never did they feel lost throughout that last round.
Now Zershin, Pistol's coming beyond him, he'll be fine to step up to the challenge.
It is meat to meat.
As Maus rocks all the defense, gives them five players up.
They are making money, and in all of the rounds, Maus win.
We're not even talking about Navi getting bomb plants.
Yeah, I mean, they know how to streak, man.
They know how to answer back on openings pretty safely.
It's been one mistake from Torsi that's got himself killed.
He's still got a handsome scoreline at the end of this seven rounds.
There are the ones who are solid on their anti-eat goes.
They hunted down Na'Vi when they were just trying to save on round two.
They know how to punish.
This is the kind of game that fills you to the brim with bitterness
if you're Na'Vi.
T-side's hard enough.
Now you don't even have that many chances to play.
As soon as Wonderful gets it off, he makes a highlight, and then the next round they lose it.
Now he's back on a belil. It's like Roundhog Day.
With a long winter ahead.
So it's some confident rounds that just continue to feed Maus more and more ability to go for
these opening moves, a quick glimpse down into the ramp sees nothing.
So it frees up a body to just kind of play closer towards middle instead.
But still nobody home.
Navi reeling back still despite being here with guns again.
And again we get this now sort of floating defense.
They stay active, they stay fluid.
Yes.
They got things covered and if they don't,
they'll be right back to watching them.
This is now is at their finest.
And one more to just get walked up on right now.
There's no one at the top of mid.
He's actually taking quite a big risk.
Oh, he forgets to kill.
Swings in, catches his one.
All while, Navi will find a vacant A-bomb site.
The numbers towards middle ends up giving over space.
And Alexi B can presence to just hold off on the flank and find Spinks for free.
So now a man advantage here for Navi.
Yeah, it's the speed that actually looks great.
They go into their next decision quickly.
But there's Torsi challenge.
He's over towards the ticket.
Surtian's just gonna challenge.
Around the side of that smoke and with the distraction that Zershin serves up suddenly Dorje's got his angle
But a missed opportunity to strike one down from that ramp slow burn here from wonderful
He'll be chopped down to size bit catches the back of Zershin
You still know about that off on the other side and what you don't know is where the hell is Jimmy and ten seconds
They need to plan tech nine goes through to challenge the bomb site
Cover it now down into the sandwich Jimmy late on arrival catches the trade back
And you know that the Bomb Plants are transit here inside the cover!
No!
That's it! Still good to hang on!
The only thought going through my mind is it's a must win 2v2.
Hard fought battle out of Navi.
And they will keep this a two round game.
And again, it's these little moments actually from him up.
That snow glands behind him inside a window.
They don't have anybody to escort him out of underpass from top mid.
He takes an early peek. It's a wide screen.
gets the kill, gets the information when the trade comes out,
they immediately say go for A because they identified their story again.
And we get this start contrast, Nobby, off to a different start in round nine.
Trying to remain fluid, trying to remain fresh.
He knows instant kill into connector last round had Mao's trying to play catch up this
time they'll strike first.
He does get there in eventual headshot tries the challenge into the cat push.
You've got Spinks locked into a fight for a second but they do afford him a world where
he can fall back.
Trying to strike down into the B site Jimmy under pressure.
Are you sure?
Oh, BIT!
Jumping Galil headshot into the window sill but it's not an open bomb site.
is still rolling to challenge.
And Bitt reads it like a book.
The audacity.
Operates on his own. The catwalk player down.
Spinks is doing a good job of at least keeping these numbers even.
Bitt is the reason this farm has been planted and now its mouse's retake needed.
Yeah, the total disrespect.
We've got Spinks going onto the op because of his health.
Bitt staying open, playing confident.
This lineup could be easy.
Bitt's gonna continue the spray.
Torsi into the retake on the brink of a third kill.
Kill, there's the challenge! What a shot!
Snaps it over, and will continue the track of what off-off he goes.
Oh, yeah, Darcy.
No surprises for him.
An excellent clutch to put him to the top of the board.
I cannot believe how brazen that play is from Bitt.
With the bomb, no one behind him jumps out of the window.
They don't even have a sight without it.
You almost never see that kind of play because it's irresponsible.
If you don't get the kill, you look like a fool.
Instead, he actually is almost a hero.
It's a second heartbreak moment for Navi's T-side to have to stomach.
You lose to the force by in round two.
Now, he won't lie.
So you can play on the inside of the get-right like that,
taking the opening fight towards the market.
Sure, he has a good angle.
They're not going to expect him there, but it does create a one-on-one.
It was a strong position over by Bench.
You'd think you'd get the advantage of kind of catching the pushoff card, but Torsey delivers
mechanically.
Oh, yeah.
We've had a lot of heartfelt moments from Torsey in the past, but today I think he knows
he needs to be the villain.
138 ADR for him in this ETSide so far.
back to back, strong performances out of Torji, all while his counterpart of
wonderful sits at the bottom of the board.
Navi may have found an opening in that last round because of bit sudden pop into
the B bombsite, but how many more of those moments are going to come your way?
Three rounds left to play out, but limited with pistols again.
This is a tale that Navi have become uncomfortably accustomed to.
Alright, looking to create tension on the board.
Slowly move into spots.
Get into the late round.
The CTs are actually doing a great job of folding utility in the spawn.
They have not tried to shut down any early rushes.
So they had a huge advantage even if they closed through a close-plant situation.
Right now, Brolin's taking some ticket with an M4, of course he's not there.
But he's on connector.
That's okay.
Okay, we'll let that one slide. He's having a good map after all.
And they seem to have put the clues together.
They've got the right defenders in position rolling down beneath but his support does take a headshot
Suddenly these tech nines look like they could careful Dorsey still push through Dorsey's down to for help
The gun goes dry here towards picket, but then there's Jimmy on the scene a little bit labored
And then the USP gets covered off by Zershin who's just gonna push the issue in through the bench with only the p250 in this post plant
No chance Navi
Effectively do rush them down and catch them off guard, but still they just can't get their kills
Yeah, and he did those 3 and 4 HP.
About as good as an attack, you could hope you got the Molly under Belf, you separated Duel there, you dinked the ticket guy.
But it's really just becoming about the bomb plants.
A couple of close rounds, sure, but close doesn't count this late.
And Mirage for both these teams is a total numbers game.
They just need the rounds on T side.
They don't really care how it happens.
Here's the moment where you can actually
take some pressure off the pistol.
If Navi leads these last two, or if not,
it's going to be all about that switch over.
And that stress is not what they want to have to deal with.
Both maps versus G2, they were able to win
these last two rounds.
Navi know how to fight hard for these.
They've proven it in the group stage.
He's not going to waste a moment catching Dorsey out on catwalk.
Ooh, is he going to read this?
He got the smoke out from Zershin.
It's a strong play, but it does preoccupy the support
that could have otherwise been added to that A site.
It's a tricky way to actually become a B player here.
Zershin's going to cut off everything that could rotate over.
Oh, my god, he follows.
Wow, I miss it.
I was, no, no, I think he knows, actually.
I was wondering, he saw that fat smoke.
What was going on?
No.
And he just let it be for a second,
Now coming up to clear it, awkward part is if he doesn't know which way Zershin wins,
then this puts the A players in jeopardy. Zershin's gonna clear and see nothing, but he's still getting followed.
This is all while Navi starts to get it going.
Inma's starting to speed up on this flank.
Still, you need to be able to get through the bomb site.
You must still try to catch it, but he's...
Ah, he's right there for it!
You found it?
Oh, God!
He gets away with it!
Now, all of a sudden, Navi have to remember that that's because this A site's probably stacked.
Obviously, Mao's had an idea as to what was coming.
Ima's gonna try to get into the mix again. He's here off-cat.
Just trying to divert back over towards middle.
You get Mao starting to second-guess things because it's a slow burn here out of Navi.
You have pulled the support away, but Spinks has shown he can win rounds on his own tonight.
He bit Mike Clear as well.
Oh, no way! Down through the ladder, and they still don't see him. I mean, that is unbelievable.
There's Emma.
They'll get away with it.
I mean, how do they get away with it?
Or do they?
Brolin's still at 27 health.
I mean, the health left over is one thing.
It's interesting where their money lies right now.
Brolin in a one-on-two, 27 HP.
It'd have to be an absolute miracle.
Walking it out of Lexi, 76 health.
Oh, but the head shot!
And so Brolin's here to rip it from their hands again.
And that is an AWP hiding in the corner.
Wonderful, you cannot afford to miss this.
He doesn't think he's here.
Oh, my god.
No idea.
He gets stuck.
He's gone.
Oh, but he whiffs.
Oh, and the jump right next to it.
Rollin.
It's heartbreak as he jumps right back on top of that bomb
and robs it from Navi.
Oh, my.
Counter-terrorist win.
The off-shot gets missed.
Alexi takes that fight exactly how he wants to and dies.
Roland has no HP. That could have been a pistol swing for wonderful.
And after him on getting three kills in this round from three completely different positions, it should have been a done deal.
How big gets down that ladder and doesn't see Spinks? I will never know.
I thought for sure. When he turned around, he was getting cleared.
Mouse operating with plot armor.
Heartbreak after heartbreak for Navi, but they will still continue to fight for these.
Just a reminder of how many more rounds they could have got this half.
Another successful opening off-cat, this time paired with one in connector.
If they win this match, they might be in tears.
that has gone wrong. You could have never expected.
Oh, timing there as well, pushing through. That goes their way.
Bomb still gonna follow through into the only remaining mouse player.
Oh, careful! As he jumps back into the cover that frees up the bomb to depart.
But if he gets this kill on Arch, then he's also free to sprint over to the other side.
No, sir, not on Wonderful's watch, but it's one for the road from Navi.
A hard-fought battle across these first 12 rounds for one-off round wins.
The least stressed Navi fans right here are just proud as they get through a half,
not a small round in a row, they get to pistol and can't convert,
and they could have easily won that last one.
Boom, all you want, Torgie is putting on a show this evening.
Yeah, those are full focus.
Crying your hardest to the Paris top, you know, on this stage.
And maybe they'll have fans at the next game.
We saw them here last year.
The crowd was on Vow's side.
Okay, it'll be obvious.
He has to absolutely have one good match and this was actually a great happen.
The unfortunate part is some of his impact in these rounds didn't actually result in
a win.
I'm gonna say it point blank, not his fault.
These were thrown positions.
The round 11 point blank opt shot on a diffusing roll in high
There for the taking
Final half of this quarter final. Let's hear it Cluj
Win or lose Navi it's been a hard fought battle. It's been heartbreak in a lot of these rounds
But now's know what it's like to win in this arena
But to do it on the T side of Mirage is the challenge at hand.
Was four rounds the quota.
Mikaze with a chance to strike first, eventually gets there.
No cap presence coming through for Maus. It's a flood out through the apartments.
Mikaze's got a second. And then off of the reload.
And we get the wide swing. Alexi over 20.
The ball dropped, the top, the ball dropped.
He's down.
So the pistol's down.
But don't forget, they won it in the first half,
and the fourth by silenced the room.
Navi, no strangers to heartbreak in this quarter final.
With the score at the top of the screen,
up ticks by one off LaCausse's efforts.
A member of the army that is on the ground.
An inspiring way to win the pistol.
The conversion, as you just pointed out, will mean so much more.
I've already seen that, that's not guaranteed.
for a mistake and mistakes have been made in the past.
Alexi choosing a new way to jump spot.
They know he likes to jump on that corner.
Wisely changing it up.
Call out Grenade off rolling.
Just while Alexi's changing his own minute moves.
He's a hard guy to catch.
You don't really get him for free inside a beat,
no matter what gun he has.
He's going to have to be an unbelievable shot.
He's also had a strong individual.
Nice.
You know, you go back to ancient.
It was Alexi B, rock solid on that CT side.
If he can get back into it here for Mirage,
that could be another driving factor
for the potential Navi comeback.
There's also a lot of talk about Ema over on that A site, trying to be a critical part of this defense.
And the defense on Mirage is something Novi Novi can tap into.
But you've got to do it under the bright lights.
You've got to do it in the face of mistakes.
You've got to do it with the added pressure of being the hometown hero.
Two rounds to gap.
At first I was doubtful that Ema really liked that pressure, but now that we see his rounds on Mirage,
He's starting to get some clarity back, focus on being good.
Avi do know how to close this game out from CT side.
There's just as much pressure on Maus now.
See what the first gun round looks like, how much of a challenge.
Avi will have to stomach.
as they continue to play catch-up with a limitation in Alexi's MP9 towards B.
As have already seen him, we've gone and looked for him, trying to punish that fan, jumped up when they're only working pistols.
Gun round is a different look, but still, Zershin will try to catch you.
Alexi B has to be careful every single round.
You have to do that dangerous thing where you don't play for information, you lose.
play for information, you can give up the round.
Stopping.
You can see the A-split taking formation here from Maus.
But with the bomb, going ramp,
you've got a left side set up, there's no one in ticket.
Fast rotations is what Nobby will have.
This is the kind of ground where smoke spans
going to be speed. Finally, Alexi B makes his way around the ticket.
It's looking for refuge, but he'll be fully blocked out of this.
Cat plays coming and Mikaze times it to perfection.
Now they know.
Alexi, don't focus towards the balcony.
Bit down with nothing but damage.
Alexi right there for the taking.
And yet he's only able to get that one.
So little health for the three remaining players,
but who stands in front of them?
It is Eme.
With just this MP9.
Trying to find a way to unravel it all, they will just simply sprint from him.
Not wanting to give him that opening.
And yet he's been able to find the AK first, and because they split up suddenly,
if he clears this corner, or if the corner comes to him, there's the ticket challenge.
Remember, it's low HP.
And so, suddenly, he met down to the 20 bullets in that mag,
sprints this down into the site.
No smoke to work with.
But he's got the kit.
Oh, and it's Spam out from Zershin. Zershin so elusive in that 3v1, wrapping around in through the flank and making sure that Maus' first gun round hits the scoreboard.
Answer up really quickly. Hard trades to get, absolutely. First kill comes down for Navi. That's not enough. Blade will take this into a timeout.
We've got shades of ancient here. Maus are trying to close this game out. They started with a lead.
but a second pistol can really change the complexion of the second half.
And that one's actually pretty expensive for everybody.
This is going to be a strappy round, a little bit low on utility,
not the best guns, no off in play.
It's unlikely that this ends in dominant fashion.
This could very well be a clutch,
And it could be a clutch for two if everyone's broke on the next.
Perfect time to call the time out.
But who's was more effective?
It's a full idea here from mouse.
And it's looking pretty zesty in terms of the timings.
This is going to catch him off.
Defense not quite ready for it.
It looking back in takes a bit of chip damage in the middle of that.
And then the challenge goes over the stairs.
You know, the first to fall, Ben's able to at least line up,
but Spinks with the instant headshot.
McCosey's got another, he's got another.
Don't like that staircase, belongs to Maus.
And now what you know is that Spinks is hard dedicated
to the CT spot.
They'll swing, and into his spray, they'll go.
They'll fall.
Jimmy's clutch queued up.
Navi's players, side by side, having to face with lesser
health, and the utility already comes out.
But that utility tells me, they think maybe he's still
inside this bomb site.
They got that Molly off.
Jimmy lets them inch forward.
Cuts down to cause it.
Oh!
Raising through them both at a late game.
Jimmy clutched to go back to back.
Round wins, Malish.
He had zero suspicion that he got off of the site.
But after a quick error on the sandwich,
thought he was hiding there within the smoke or on default,
even though they had Molly in it.
And it's such an important 1v2.
Look at the money now for Navi.
That's why the tack pause was just called and now it will be paired with another
Bells on their second how do they make bad go to worse
How slick was that change up in the time in could be the critical moment yeah, I mean but then when mccasey started getting the trades it's
Back to anybody's round surprised they didn't assume
that Jimmy could have got to A-Ramp.
Right.
This kind of is the only place that he could have did.
You know, unless that was going to be CT,
but after the double-swinging CT,
you'd think you'd be worried about that.
Especially when the utility didn't really shake anybody out.
Yeah.
But I guess maybe that smoke was making things nervous,
and who knows?
It's a round to the wayside,
and one on the mouse board.
Mikaze freed up to get Frisky top-middle,
but he'll need the flashbang,
Torsi supporting Brolin for an opening kill and Jimmy looking to just lean back let them come to him
Obviously the squeeze right now is on Navi to get something done in a round like this
But they haven't been the team in this series to pull off these sorts of round wins
They've been on the receiving end of that heartbreak
One too many times
Ouch
And Maus will play their anti-ego carefully.
Again, this one's off the tack pause, which is interesting, because it might have been an idea for this one, it might have been an idea for the next.
Could have been to try to ice the kicker here.
Gotta go. You know, no choice but to jump out through the window.
Zershin's utility forces the 5 versus 3.
Still relying here if you're a Navi fan as they've gotten the right pieces in the right
place.
Problem being, USP's on 2 and wonderful hits the ground as Alexi goes out middle.
There is nothing that Navi have to say about this round.
Maus will tiptoe their way through to an 11-6 lead map 3.
story of this game is winning all the correct rounds. Now it's from the beginning of this
match, he going after the pistol, hunting them down in the saves, causing that easy start.
No rounds in a row for Navi in that first half. No rifle rounds back to back in this
game whatsoever. Sprinkle in three, won the X-Win, Spore Mouse. That was for a save, it
would have been mouse saving this could have literally been a tie game and not
just any clutches like you said clutches at the right juncture rolling that's an
explicable then Jim Pat that's just ball play we get Navi trying to do
something about holding back middle fast moves here by mouse oh that's a good
amount of damage another opening free of up just spams away at it clips towards
you before you can get into the cover top middle they'll will be working with
the fight before. Oh, but there's the response. Surtian slides down into it with a headshot.
He's not able to click. His advantage is so hard to come by and even harder to hold on to.
And yet still, Navi will try to confidently make moves happen. They do not want to just show up.
They know there's a palace large here. You don't know if it's going to try to push this, but at the very minimum, they've got a flank on it.
However, Jimmy's watching it.
LaCazze is the linchpin of this round.
He's waiting.
It's right there.
Yeah, he finds Poteming.
He doesn't overplay that situation.
How does that change things for Maus?
Still with Spinks out mid.
Bomb floats in the backdrop and Zershin
thinking about getting wild.
There's a world where he can just join up
forces with that cat split.
We'll see if it comes through, because right now, Emed, making a bit of a risk by occupying this corner.
Very low HP here. AK is going to get the better of him. Bit, at the very least, will find his.
But we've got pressure now on Alexi B.
We've seen great CT play from him on ancients.
He's been awaiting a moment like this, and he cannot deliver.
No kill collected. Just damage on Brolin.
Scrambled rotate over. Zershin locked into the corner just outside of this.
They're going to run by him in clear E box.
And then all of a sudden you're going to get Brolin swinging the background.
Zershin queues up a 12th round to win just like that.
It is done.
Mouses find their timing and find their refuge.
Six map and match point.
The last bastion there was Alexi B to get his one kill from Bench.
Couldn't deliver that.
It's been a flawless T side since getting off of that anti-eco.
Mous come into playoffs in the same way that Falcons do, a team that play great CS, but Falcons show the mental side is the last thing missing.
Mous can get beaten when the other team plays well, but what we see in games like this is they know how to close, they know how to keep putting together those rounds, and they put the full pressure on Navi today.
In a world where everybody wants to be the new underdog, where everybody wants to be the challenger, every time those new groups go up against Maus,
they are reminded why Maus are top five and beyond.
Gatekeepers are the very best, and Navi know it better than many.
Again, never able to defeat this team.
Five Fommesses, no kits on this round here for Navi, a last stand.
We'll have the smokes to try to slow it down.
They have sat back and watched as this game eludes them.
And they will beat themselves up because there's losing games of CS and then there's losing the rounds you're never supposed to.
And that will be the burden of this Navi loss in the quarterfinals.
If they can't even stop this now down to the four versus five. It's a slow burn out of mouse
They'll take control of middle. They'll take control of the situation as they have all night long
It's a hard fought battle back on ancient. It gets everybody's hopes high
But slammed back to reality by mouse after that inferno stomping and
Heartbreak added to the ingredients again as they will look to close this out and obviously did not play this round to go long
They didn't play it with utility to try to delay. They didn't play it for a retake. There's no kits
They're here to look for picks and they haven't found one yet
In fact, they've had to give up mid and a player at the same time
Now's are gonna
Even more they spotted bit. It's a bunch of bullets to his feet here
The P-Play's coming in strong Alexi B with a FAMAS
Gonna open up the smoke
Just try to get that reaction as they just go sinking deep into the B bomb site Alexi blind the entire time
space, gun advantage, instant headshot, and mows don't give a damn what your heart wants.
Their counter-strike is here to try and go back-to-back in Cluj.
Like it or not, this is a city that this team knows how to win.
In the very same arena one year ago, they touched that trophy.
And at the hometown heroes' loss, they will exploit it once more and take a step forward
forward versus para vision
tomorrow. It was a great nap
one. It was a great attempt in
the end, but the amount of
tragic ways to lose around or
insurmountable. The punish
game was beautiful for mouse.
They look like formidable
competition as they scale up into
playoffs. And as they impressed
you last year, we'd hope to see
them have fans as they continue.
It's the sort of game if you're
That's one thing, but this is a heartbreaking nature of some of these rounds.
Maus show the gap between them and the rest of the pack,
and Maus will step forward confidently off of this one as well.
Sure, a first map loss, but blowouts and total control from that point forward.
All right, all right.
last year they loved you this year obviously you're facing against Navi
it was on the side how hard was this game to play though especially after an
ancient where it looked like you had a good lead and this was gonna be a good
opening map for you guys yeah I think it was not too hard to play the Asian
Yeah, boo us more. Come on. I can't hear you, boys. Loud!
Fuck off! Fuck off!
Yeah, the game was good. I think they tried to pick the Asian versus us, but...
I mean, they also won it. I think it was a good map versus us, and they are also really comfortable on it.
And we knew that the next two map is ours, because we also beat them a few days ago, so...
They were confident in the veto.
You're confident as well.
People keep saying you're oralist.
You were just giving me some oral just then.
You were showing them some oral as well.
Have I got a new Torsi stood next to me?
Yeah, anybody who uses aura in 2026 and about 20 years old,
I don't know, maybe he has 70 IQ or something,
but it's funny to hear these stupid comments.
So, yeah.
Woo! I like this new Torsi we're getting here.
You did tell me, at the beginning of this event,
you were going to come in with a new mentality, a new way of doing it.
You're going to be facing Paravizion next.
Do you feel like you have a comfortable run to the grand final on your hands?
I think they had a good team. I think Jamie is leading them really well.
And also the group stage game versus them was pretty rough.
I mean, we won 2-0, but they played a decent game.
Yeah, I think we have a good shot to make it to the finals,
but we need to play as good as today at least.
Well, let's hope you do, man. Thank you very much, guys. Give it up for him. They're through to the semi-finals. It's Torsi and Maus.
I'm loving it. I am loving it. I said exactly that, right? When you come to hostile environments and you get poo, you just got to tell the fans we're going to do our thing.
We're going to win. And ultimately, Torsi showed his side of himself. We haven't always seen from Maus players.
I will say that when he said, if he talked about Aura, you 70 IQ, we did still hold that segment on it, you know what I mean?
You might have talked about that one already, but I'm glad that Torzie's taking up the role of being the Lightning Rod.
We've seen teams that have passive personalities in the past, ones like Heroic and Kadeon was the leader of it, even Vitality when it was Apex and it was just Zywoo and Spinks beside it.
There wasn't really that guy who could actually elevate the team, could bring some morale to the table, but Torzie has taken up that mantle.
And I'd say he delivered it in this series.
He had a couple of rounds on Inferno.
He was fantastic with the rifle.
And I'm glad that he just stuck it to the crowd,
because somebody needs to say something.
Not just ready.
Not just ready.
Cute old full performance from Bowsports in these two maps.
It has to be said.
I mean, they just dominated this first half.
Let's be honest.
Like, it was a good old-fashioned battle.
I mean, think about it.
Like, Navi won four rounds in the first half.
One was a pistol, and one was an Alexi B clutch,
where he got half his kills in the entire game in one round.
I mean, it was just a real tough day at the office
in the first half, and now it's really waste too much time closing it on their side.
I do not feel worried for Malice when McCarthy started to get activated.
He's got this style of play where, you know, he just moves around the map and seems to
just be anywhere, everywhere, getting killed.
Sometimes that's enough to propel Navi through a tough game, but it didn't happen here.
He can be a win condition, but it was just too far in-few between the kills that he was
getting, the little moments I'd say from Wonderful.
I mean, Ima tried his damnedest in some moments here as well, but I'd say that comprehensively
mouse, just like they did a couple days ago when they faced off in the group stage, they
looked like the comprehensively better team. I think the moves across the map generally,
they had a strong indication of what was coming next. And even there on the T side of towards
the tail end, Alexi be completely out of position on the final round as he's scrambling to get
back into the B bomb site. So I would even give the edge in terms of mid rounding to
to roll in on the final map there.
Not something I thought I was going to be saying
going into the series, but glad that he was able to prove me wrong.
All right, you put a pin in it for a moment.
We're going back to James Banks, who's with Emma.
Thank you very much, Richard.
Emma, first of all, commiserations on the loss.
I'm sure it's tough, especially with it being on home soil.
Just talk to me about this game considering
It started badly, you guys came back into aim trick, you took the first map, and then after that we didn't see Navi get going. What was going on?
I mean it was tough. It was a tough game, they are playing very good, they know how to punish mistakes, which we had a couple of them.
But I think it doesn't hit any game at least. I'm at least disappointed a bit of my performance, but nothing I can do now, I can just only learn.
You mentioned your performance. Does this situation being in Romania, the crowd, does it add some extra pressure?
You played on some of the biggest stages.
I mean, I can say no, but maybe I had something back in my head, but yeah, they were just amazing.
I think this crowd show that we can have some big tournaments here in Romania, and then I'm pretty sure they will cheer for us the next day
the next day because I'm not gonna be there but yeah they are changing for everyone they're
nice crowd and then beautiful people. Definitely I couldn't agree more.
Hell guys!
But I do need to ask about Navi right now and when you guys face the elite teams. What
is the problem right now? How far away are you guys from being potential trophy contenders
because it's been a drought for some time now.
Yeah, it's been some times, but I think we are still taking step by step.
Like, we saw that we can be competitive, we can take some maps,
we just need to have more confidence in all the maps,
not only one or only two, and just to learn from mistakes
and just have like more consistency, I would say.
Consistency is certainly key.
And maybe you want to tell this crowd that you're going to stick around for a little bit, right?
Yeah, for sure, I'm gonna stick around because I cannot miss anything.
I would most likely be with Jackson in the scene, so you will see each other after, but yeah.
Thank you again very much for the support, you're amazing, and then I love you very much.
Yes, obviously very dejected and look, let's be real, I'm going to pull back on some narrative
brands from earlier in the competition and that is that, first of all, we established
Maus are essentially the gatekeepers of Tier 1 or rather of winning trophies in Tier 1.
You will have to go through them.
You should go through them if you're going to lift a trophy.
They've proven that.
On the other side, we've had Blade come out and say,
he thinks now that you're going to be contenders this year.
I think they've got a lot of work to do
if that's going to come up for Wisha.
Of course, it's a bit optimistic on the Blade side,
but he is such an idealist.
He always looks at how he can fix the team,
things that need to be improved on.
And I'm sure that there's a roadmap in his head
of what needs to happen between now
and the end of the season in order for them to have a better chance at lifting a trophy.
And I'm sure that he's going to have a lot to say after this game.
I think the way that Mao's move was a lot more decisive.
There was more aggressive plays, just proactivity, disruptive plays.
Whereas sometimes on the Navi side, they're on their heels,
but then they even sometimes break a setup that looks like it's about to work for them.
I'm a little bit unsure of what I think Imo is talking about.
Confidence, I think sometimes it's trusting the setups that they're in.
just staying put and not needing some kind of little hero play for no reason.
I would have liked to see him play a lot better as an individual here,
but Mows right now are still one of the elite teams for me.
Absolutely. Another semifinals for Mowsports.
So Mowby, they're guaranteed 13th top four finish since winning Clues last year.
And speaking of which, I mean,
there was kind of two potential feel good stories to happen this match.
It was either going to be Ema and for his home crowd having that romantic moment
where he gets to win in front of his fans and move on to the playoffs.
But Counter-Strike doesn't care about your feelings sometimes.
It cares about what happens on the server.
And the other feel-good option here is that, hey,
this is the site where this Mousesports team, when they debuted,
Spinks was able to put up a trophy.
They beat Falken to the best of five grand final.
And they really finally showed that they were indeed still
one of the best teams in the world.
And they've really carried that mantle all the way up until now.
It's just about finding another trophy to put in the cabinet
next to that Clujmunk.
It's kind of lonely right now.
A lot of dust collected in that cabinet.
But this is a great first step in the right direction.
And look, I think their path to the grand finals
looks pretty good.
I'm not counting Paravision out completely,
I would I think mouse probably feel pretty good about the matchup. Here's the problem you get to the grand finals
We know who's on the other side old daddy vitality
You know the real question for me is what can mouse do to evolve?
You know like it. It's the same old same old
I don't know where they go
Tournament to tournament because they're not gonna make a roster change
This is established are gonna go through this season with this lineup fine
But if vitality you're always going to be the final boss you can't beat you're never going to win a trophy their t-sides are
Lightly improving. I feel like they've outlined a couple ways in the offseason of what they needed to do in order to fix that
I mean the trades on inferno are a noticeable difference from what we got towards the tail end of last year where they were one of the worst
t-side teams bar none
So now I feel like they are kind of putting a band-aid on the solution
which is just make sure if we're fighting in the early round fight together.
And I think that's just a simple philosophy change that has made them feel a lot more potent
on many of those kind of space taking missions that start rounds.
How can I echo what Maui says?
I mean, I think inferno and overpass are already pretty solid maps in their pool.
I think it's just about expanding it.
I think you're right.
I think on Mirage, so far this tournament, they've won it every time they've played it.
Their T-Sides have looked markedly better.
And I think it's just about playing to your strengths, right?
I mean, you know that whenever you just, you know, gather and go when you play that Brawley style,
As long as you're spacing and scaling are correct, you're going to do great things because you got great players, right?
As long as Zershin's on form, as long as Spinks is in the mix to trade, you should be able to do great things.
Just about fine tuning the mid-rounding a little bit and find those adjustments.
Alright guys, been great hanging out over the course of this series. Absolutely.
It is time to go to a break. That's it from us on the desk, but of course, we've talked about Vitality.
They're going to be in the building after the break taking on Aurora and breaking that down ahead of time will be Tech Girl,
Yanko and Pimp, make sure you join us.
She said she loves you, but she can't love me.
But I love you!
I won't play Windu anymore.
What's going on?
Play your role, and run its back
On to the next turn
The human body was built to move, not trapped at the desk in one singular posture for 12
hours a day.
It's time your chair evolved.
This is Secret Lab Type Nevo.
It's time your chair evolved.
This is Secret Lab Type Nevo.
Ergonomically engineered for you, gamers, hybrid workers, artists, and that game is every move.
by pro players. When you first saw these changes to the new version, what was your initial
thoughts?
It's great to have that Anubis pack, but personally, for example, I was like, I love
the train. It was kind of crazy to that happen like this, because we were about to practice
train the very next day and suddenly like Anubis comes in so like you got
train removed because we are getting there on train but in the end Anubis was
like quite like an entity map first but quite a long time so I was feeling
pretty happy. At first I was a bit sceptical because I probably be in the
there's not much change in towards that side I was like please I just I just
wanted some new positions some more cover or something. You needed more cover?
Yeah, I still need more for that job.
I think a change was needed.
Not completely sure it was everything we needed, but I think as we go,
maybe we can give more feedbacks and then more change can come,
but I think it was a good start.
I don't know, when I first saw it, I like...
No emotions, you know?
Because I was a bit confused, like with this new window,
in middle and then playing middle.
I was really thinking, what can I do there?
Yeah.
When they removed Train, we were kind of happy, I would say, because in Anubis, before we were strong team.
And when Anubis came back, we instantly started to see, like, to start to play, to do the stuff that we do before.
Now, when I play Anubis, I see, okay, meta is changing a bit, like, not enough in my opinion,
but meta is changing at least, so people need to make a new plan.
They need to think about, okay, like, guys, we can't play Anubis like it was.
it was. I just like to have like the new things come out like new maps or something new Nates
like when I just want to check Twitter I just want to see like there's a new opportunities about
this Nade or something so we can create a plan behind on it so let's bring someone to the server
and check it together. I mean always excited when there's new changes I think especially to a map
that we were when they brought it back you know there's no changes that were expected and then
they brought them out so I think it's good. After you start to play play play to be honest we wasn't
playing that good we start and the first game we play we pick it against Puriya
we surprise them maybe but I don't know it's not the best map for us I would say.
I see T1, you normally wanted to at some point in the round try to do something
because otherwise you know that you are already losing around basically you have to do something
and I think the new changes gives you a little bit more possibilities into that so I think it's
a good change. I would like to see that kind of things in every map because like when there's
new map coming, people already know that every smoke is the same, meta is the same, so when
I see that kind of smoke change, I like it, because people need to adapt. So if you are
good on the movies, maybe you are not good enough. No, because some stuff changed.
New changes are always welcome, I think it's been good so far.
Let's play some manubis, our order, let's do it!
It's mystery player time once again. We got Falcons monosie joining us. It's
Emma from Na'Vi, Vroki, heavy god with me here, Payne's NQZ. Alright, well we're
gonna be playing mystery players. I'm gonna show you some team logos and then
you're gonna try and guess which player we're looking at. So let's get the first
one started and this player is from G2 Falcons. Wait, so from Fnatic and he changed the team.
So he was in G2, now after he was in Falcons, he joined Fnatic for some reason.
He had some teams between G2 and Falcons but they would not be considered tier one.
Okay, tell me too.
Tell you too.
LDLC.
Okay, he's French.
And double pony.
He's French.
He's French.
French player.
Yes.
I have no body.
Let's have a look.
It's body.
Maybe...
I don't know, maybe body, but I'm not sure.
Oh, body.
Body?
Yes.
Wait, what the fuck?
What?
Body.
Yes.
We're going over to the other side of the world.
We've got 9z, 0zernation and legacy.
Oh, it's... I already know it's an opera.
Okay, I don't know. I think it's...
VSM?
No.
So he played for legacy. Legacy, Beethoven, Brazilians?
Or should be Brazilian?
Now I'm thinking...
It could also be, of course, Argentinian or Chilean or whatever, but I think it's Brazilian one.
Because of legacy.
Yes.
Pa, I need a clue, I don't know.
You need a clue?
Or like a hint or something.
A hint.
Like I don't have the pain, oh.
Okay, now I can guess.
Who played the pain?
It's like big OZera.
NQC.
Like for example, okay, big OZera cannot be,
it's not cannot be.
Okay.
Okay, then I'll, it's either big OZera or NQC.
NQC?
Yeah, it's NQC then.
There you go.
Yeah.
No, no, who played it?
I'll just guess big OZera.
No.
No, no, no, no, no, no.
And Krzy!
No, he's not!
Yes, I'm Krzy!
Oh, this is me.
Yep.
Next one, let's go next one.
Oh my goodness.
I love the reactions.
The facial reactions are great.
I mean, I know already.
Yeah?
I was thinking Scandinavian, but I don't know if it's true.
No.
Okay, it's Zajvo or something?
This is Zajvo.
Yes.
Never mind.
I deserve it, I deserve it, no?
It is our room.
I did not know, I only know because of the, the...
Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly.
That's it, that's what everyone gets from it.
Amazing.
We are halfway through the first day of playoffs here at PGL Clusion of Poker and it's hard
to believe considering the two games that we've just seen. We started off the day with
bangers and it's because we have the best teams in the world here and I would argue
a goaded format. Pimp and Janko here to talk us through the next two series but it does
pave the way for even more epic clashes during the course of today.
Yeah, I think today has delivered so far. Obviously the first couple of games as you described them,
when the distance in both of them, all six maps so far, has been played out today.
I think the first one is the one that really caught my attention in particular.
Janko for good reason. Falcons losing to Paravision is one thing.
Losing in the fashion they did, that was to me a bit of a surprise.
Yeah, absolutely. I mean, we had four favourites in this quarterfinal,
and one of them stumbled in the first game of the day.
and the Falcons still despite, you know, some good counter-strike every now and again they just can't
String it together even across one series completely crumbling on that final map of ancient and it's going to be
At least a while before they end up lifting their
First trophy with this lineup two games two crowd favorites go down
Is that bad luck going to continue as we move into vitality versus Aurora?
Do we honestly think that upset could happen in the vitality era now?
Now I respect the crowd and what kind of influence they can have in terms of creating pressure and maybe...
They've been having a lot of influence so far.
They've had a decent amount of influence but I think Vitality is surpassing that.
I don't matter, I don't care what the crowd is going to do in this game.
Vitality vs Aurora, as Janko said, there's a clear-cut favourite in every single one of these quarterfinal.
I think it's only going to become more evident now in the next one we have coming up.
Who is the favourite?
I tend to believe that we've had the one upset that we needed today to make it spicy,
let's move on.
You don't even know where to begin talking about vitality, right?
Again, they started the year, they lost one series so far, they only lost five maps,
they've just been super dominant.
The conversations about them aren't even necessarily related to one particular match,
this quarter final, even this whole tournament.
It's more conversations about are we witnessing the greatest team of all time play right now?
And I think there's a lot of arguments for that, really, and just another year where
they have what, an eighth match, win streak now, you know, soon enough, we're just going
to have a tally team, those all-time records, right?
They're just going to keep doing it again and again.
It's difficult when you're on a disc, because that is the question that you have to go to
every time, okay?
Is this the greatest team of all time that we've seen?
Can anyone beat vitality?
And it's like being on repeat, because there's nothing else really to say.
It's hard to come up with something new. It's been going on for a long, long time.
Obviously, the dominance has been a joy to watch, and the question is, as Janko also poised it right here,
we don't really know when it's going to end, and I think that's the interesting part to me,
that every time we see Vitality, we're witnessing some new history.
We're witnessing a team that is getting better, that is building a legacy,
that every single time they lift the trophy, they make the case, as Janko described it,
as well, to be the best team ever to play Counter-Strike even stronger.
And I think, as you as well said, Janko, I think there's a lot of good arguments for it right now,
right now and I think a trophy right here in Kush is only going to help that conversation
to perhaps even die out because it's getting to a point now where I can't make too many
arguments for as to why Astralis is a better team than Vitality are right now.
And also, I mean, what makes it somewhat more scary is the fact they did stumble last season.
You know, they went a couple of tournaments without even making the final sure they would
make the playoffs, but only a couple of titles.
But then they come back when, you know, people are talking about Fury, or Fury had the main
favorite going into the Budapest Major and they just come in and take care of business
and make it look easy, open up the year, whatever, bounty warm-up tournament, go to Krakow and
lift another trophy and now you're like, alright, so you guys did get tested, that's when
frustration starts coming in, that's when players start arguing, that's when finger
pointing starts. But not for this team, they just persevered, right, they just kept working,
kept at it, you know, switched up some things a little bit, but it was mostly talking about
mentality and getting back on the same page on the server and they've started
off 2026 as dominant as ever. In 2025 lots of debate at the end of the year
around the player of the year, right? A lot of people felt that it was Donk, but
Zairu is the one that's claimed that name. He is now standing there. What do we
think of his performance so far here at Cluj? It's been fantastic, you know. Not
only here in Cluj, but his 2026 beginning has been absolutely fantastic. I think it
took it too hard, you know, that obviously winning last season was nice
But there's a big debate whether or not he should have won or whether he should have been dunked.
So far in 2026, as you see on your right side of your screen, he's firing on all cylinders.
It's the glasses.
Yeah, maybe it's the glasses. Maybe it's to renew the energy.
Because I think that's one of the most underrated factors that isn't really spoken about enough.
The period you described right here, Janko, where Vitality weren't stumbling a little bit, you know,
only making semi-files, only making red files.
That was also a period where Saibu had labeled in an interview that he was a bit burned out,
he didn't have the energy, that it was tough to keep up with it all.
I think that speaks to the pressure they're also playing under.
Just because you're winning everything, just because you're on the top,
it's still an enormous amount of work traveling the world and staying on top.
So the fact of the matter is that he's coming into the 20-26 season with renewed energy
and so far putting up the best numbers he's arguably ever put up.
Again, small sample size, just been a couple of tournaments.
That's a very promising sign for 26 for this guy.
And also it got a little bit ridiculous at some point during 20-25.
You know, you're talking to them, it's like, alright, what's the goal now?
and they're saying things like maybe we can win two Grand Slams in one year or maybe we can win,
I don't know, 13 tournaments. You know, they were running out of goals. They had to set goals
that are objectively so unrealistic because they just kept winning everything and no matter
how good you are and how good of a job you do at setting goals and managing expectations and
taking time off and sort of trying to peak at the right moment, at some point you are going to get
a little bit complacent and they did and they got punished for it and they managed to bounce back.
So, Vitality, you know, looking back, they've just done so many things the right way,
and that's why they've had all the success. It's all paid off.
Do you think it's a lot easier to be named Player of the Year as well when you're surrounded with
the quality pieces that Zywoo has around them? Because this entire team reaches new levels.
Here's the thing, right? We need to stop looking at whoever HLTV puts at number one is the best,
You know, that's the statistically and according to their sort of metrics. That's the best player in the world for me
It's I look at Zywoo and everything that he does on the server and also his personality
You know, you have star players who take up a lot of resources
The whole game needs to be built around and they need to be set up constantly
They're really good playing a certain way, right? Zywoo. He's good at every single
facet of this game like there's not a single thing on the server that he cannot do and then you add to that that he
At this point has the right amount of ego on the server
But none of it out of the server like he's not a guy that's going to explode on his teammate
That's going to you know visibly be frustrated and affect the team atmosphere in a negative way
He's a guy that always plays the same the dude doesn't have a conflict
He just comes in plugs his stuff in you know, and that's it just games
It cannot be emphasized enough how big of a luxury is that for the coach, the IGL, for everyone else, right?
Because you don't have to worry about him. Like he's always going to be himself. Is he gonna have a bad game sometimes?
Yes, but not because he's doing anything differently. You know, you're just gonna have a bad day
And I think when you put that up against anyone else. Yes, Donk included. I'm taking Xayu over him for last year without a doubt
I also found it quite interesting, I think Flamesey was talking in one of the interviews
where he mentioned that they hadn't put a lot of expectations on this tournament.
So he said there wasn't, the expectation coming in was obviously if we don't win this,
it's okay because they're playing for the long haul.
But then he said when they get on the server, obviously they start feeding it again.
But I did like that mentality because I think it's common in like very professional sportsmen
and we're seeing it now where vitality is going, we are the best in the world, but we
also can't win everything.
We know we're going to have these drop offs.
let's prioritize what's important and make sure that mentally we're ready should we come in here
and maybe not do as well as we can because they are planning to get that other grand slam right?
Yeah I think that's a fair point to raise that you look at the calendar and obviously you're
picking out your tournaments where you want to peak there's a major coming up in Cologne which
obviously is a big goal there's a grand slam on the horizon for for Vitality as well but I don't
think they should and I don't think they are downplaying this one either this is a stacked
tournament we have some of the best if not all the best teams in the world outside of Team Spirit
We have a Vitality who didn't play a PGL tournament last year, so this could be the first time they lift that trophy as well, you know, just to end the circle and fold the circle.
So I think in that regard, as you said, once they're here, once they're on the server, of course they're doing everything they can to win.
But in terms of the lead up to the tournament, how much are you going to practice?
How much are you focusing on creating new stuff for this tournament versus a Cologne?
Obviously there's going to be a difference in that, but that's the luxury of Vitality.
They're so far ahead right now that even them playing at, let's say, 90-95%, they're still the heavy phase.
And the huge part of that is Apex.
I think if you look at everyone else on that team, they're just sort of laid-back gamers,
you know, like they don't care too much about some of these storylines, they come in, do their
stuff, you know, obviously love playing the game and all of that, but Apex, I think he has a chip
on his shoulder for all of them combined, right? Like he remembers every single thing from his
career. He remembers the beatings from Astralis, from FaZe in 2022, you know, Navi in 2020,
all these different teams, right? And he has, he is the epitome of, and I took that personally,
like he can find a grudge against anyone to sort of fuel him, and he uses that to fuel his teammates
too, right? To instill that fire into them. We always talk about him, he's definitely put himself
on mouth rush more of great IGLs, but I think just as a leader of men, he's also unbelievable,
right? Like knows how to get everyone fired up. Sometimes he will, you know, I think they understand
and he yells sometimes, he's just venting and whatnot,
but really that's going to maybe reset you mentally
and then sort of be a kick in the behind
when he sees that his players are perhaps a bit complacent.
Let's say in groups, they lose the first map, right?
You can so many times clearly see a change in attitude
on the server, and I think that's one of his biggest roles
on this team too, like to be that motivator,
to set the goals every day in practice,
every day when they're together,
And I think that cannot be understated either.
I love that point, you know. I absolutely love the point,
because you can use that point today as well.
There's not a lot of history between Aurora and Vitality,
but one matchup they did have was the very first time
Robbs played with Vitality.
And I bet you, Apex, in order to motivate the guys today,
because let's be honest, we have Aurora on one side,
we have Vitality on another.
There's not a lot of stuff that goes into that matchup
where you think if you're Vitality, like,
how do you set yourself up for this game?
Well, they were the first team to beat them last year
at the Blast Bouncy.
They were the first team to beat them with Robbs.
They were the first team to put a question mark attached to Artillery before they went into Dominate.
And I agree with you, I think Apex is holding grudges, you know, all the way back for what is it?
13 months ago, 14 months ago, so there's always something he can bring up from history.
Maybe he played a face-it game versus Santerre's one time where he hiked him or something like that,
and he'll use that as motivation as well.
I was going to say, I mean, more than 10 years ago he was here in Cluj playing,
and when I start thinking, I'm like, that is a lot of darkness and grudges to feed you,
which would explain why they keep lifting trophies.
He's found a way to use that darkness to win this matchup for the Aurora Vitality.
I mean, you mentioned yes, maybe Aurora questioned them at the beginning of last year,
but that Aurora seems very different now.
Sure, and it's kind of unique. They've only played twice in the span of what is it, 13, 14 months,
when you consider the Vitality have been on the top throughout that entire period.
And Aurora also last year had a pretty good run going for themselves,
but they haven't really faced that much on the server. Obviously, Aurora didn't really go that
deep into the playoffs, so they've been avoiding it.
You know why is that, Jacob? Because Aurora always made the playoffs, but Vitality always started in the semis
and Aurora could never win a damn playoff game, right?
So they could never get over that first hurdle to meet Vitality.
Exactly, and that's the point why. You are looking at a team that has had a habit in the beginning of 25 or making the playoff,
but they've been struggling so, so much to get the victories in the playoff,
let alone to face the likes of Feria, Vitality often enough to learn from it.
So if I'm Aurora, you know, yes, I'm going into this game with low expectations to be completely honest,
but also in a sense that it would have been nice for them to have been played by Taliyah,
maybe two or three or, I don't know, eleven times like Maus dead last year,
in order to gain some experience and figure out how do we beat them.
I don't think Aurora had that luxury and with the history they have in quarterfinals at tournaments,
it's not looking great for them, let's be honest.
It's not even the history they have in quarterfinals, right?
It's just the inconsistency full stop.
Obviously, they're terrible crash out at the major as well.
You just never know what Aurora is coming to the stage and who's going to be in the server.
I think the problem is they were very emotionally unstable, right?
And it got to a point where frustration just overwhelmed them
and they weren't the same team, right?
And it can't just point the finger at Zantares, it's the only one, it was everyone, right?
And even lift the trophy in Bucharest, okay, in a studio, but they've done it finally
and you're thinking, is this going to be a catalyst for success?
Then as you said, they show up at the Major, they bomb out, make a roster change
And honestly, the start of the year has been pretty good for them.
I mean, making the playoffs in Krakow, I don't think people really expected that.
They beat Maus, they beat Falcons in the group stage,
and here to be able to repeat that feat and make another playoffs,
I think that's fulfilling the expectation for Aurora.
I think they'll definitely be happy with that.
And of course, when you go up against Vitality considering where they are now,
you're going in with no pressure.
There's no expectation on you to win this game whatsoever.
So it's important that they show some of that unity, right?
Like, there's no reason for you to be desk smashing
and getting mega frustrated in this game.
Yes, frustrating moments will happen,
but you need to sort of learn how to work through it,
get over it, right?
I think there's always the next round.
You need to have that Goldfish memory.
Otherwise, you know, how are you going to go blow for blow with Vitality?
And just to build on that point,
that one of the few teams are what described as,
you can always see within the first five to six rounds in the game
whether it's going to be a good game for Aurora
or whether it's going to be a bad game for Aurora.
because I agree with you, their emotions are living loose sometimes, they're very streaky,
either they hit all the cylinders at the same time or they fall flat.
They're almost like the opposite of Paravish, where you always feel like even if they get off to a bad start,
they'll find their way back into the game.
I don't have the same confidence in Aurora, so pay attention to tonight, the first 5-6 rounds,
if it's going well for them, they can definitely build on that momentum and make the game competitive,
but they're not a team that is good at fighting from behind.
And they also have a problem of, okay, Aurora needs to make changes, what change?
Who do you bring in?
It's not like there's an infinite talent pool in Turkey.
Even SoulFly, they brought him in.
It wasn't a one-for-one positional change.
He made sort of adjustments.
And he's been great early on for Aurora, right?
So that's also the problem that you have.
You really need to be able to work through these issues.
You need to understand that there's not a good change
to be made, right?
That's why you need to actually, when I think about it,
maybe that's the problem.
Maybe people are just a little bit too safe
because of that fact, knowing it's difficult for them
to be replaced, but if you really want to try and take that next step, I think the change
in approach is absolutely crucial.
Do you think that some of the criticism about Major Online is valid?
I don't know, to be completely honest. Sure, when there's a conversation around it then
maybe, but I don't really see that as the biggest of an issue right now. I agree with
Janko. I think people are underestimating the fact that Aurora, at least from an objective
getting into two playoffs in the beginning of the season,
that's kind of exceeding my expectations almost to a degree where I think internally for Aurora,
they're kind of suffering under the fact that their first six months last year were so, so good.
That's when they thought, hey guys, we're top 14, we're supposed to win a trophy, we're supposed to go into a grand final.
The fans got used to that as well, so the pressure coming in from the Turkish community and the Turkish fans,
I feel it myself whenever you predict again, so you get hammered down on social medias.
But I think in terms of being a stable top 18 right now,
if they can do that with SoFly coming in,
a player that is relatively new to this level of Counter-Strike,
and only has one playoff game as well in an environment like this,
I think that's too bad.
I think one of the commentators for this game felt it, too,
but you do wonder, I mean, they played in that upper bracket final game of Krakow, right?
That's where we saw Ancient come through, which is the perma-ban for both teams.
I don't think we'll see it here.
I think Vitality will get rid of it.
And then for Aurora, it's, hey, Anubis is back, right?
Like, are all faithful.
Maybe that's what extended time on the roster,
that map coming back in.
But for me, I was looking at it and looking
from Vitality standpoint, it's sort of, OK,
if you know Anubis is coming, what
is it that maybe you can do and exploit in Aurora's game,
when you have, obviously, a couple of days also to prepare.
It makes it much easier to do.
And we have an example, you know from one of the games earlier
We're actually now we played against a which I think Aurora struggles with some teams on their CT side
Everyone struggles with the CT side, but in particular, I think it's when they lose mid control
I think that's key on on on T side against them, you know, they have these three two openings very often where they don't even open heavy
On mid in this round against them now. We just did the double mollies. They're sort of taking mid relatively quickly
getting a bit deeper, the reaction for Marora isn't to fight mid, it's sort of to fight for connector.
They have three players towards that B bomb site and Navi is just sort of slowly going to go for the B split
through the temple, they smoke the camera, and even though there's three players on B and a 4th one who will be making his way,
they're not playing together, they're very split. You can see Xantares is on his own, even if he gets one, he gets traded.
now major and slow, so fly 2R, split off. This is like a situation where, okay, you're heavy towards B,
but we're not exactly sure how we're playing it, you know, and whether it's this way and you go immediately
for the split, or you just put the danger of it, you take away mid control, then they'll try to flash
outside B, try to do something aggressive, that's where you can punish them, and I feel like this
is where they're really uncomfortable, so I keep an eye out on Vitality, how much focus do they put
commit on T-Side or if Aurora maybe switched it up for this game and tried to
put a little bit more emphasis there on their CT side.
Yeah, I was really curious to that as well. I think in Nubis is a big part of
compensation because I feel like that's pretty much the only way they can go in
the Vito, but I also do want to make the case that a lot of that, you know, Aurora
are great on Anubis. That was before they, you know, removed the map and then
reintroduced the map. I feel like the playing feel has kind of leveled out a
little bit. Sure, they still play the map, they still want to pick the map and
And they still look somewhat decent on the map, but it's not like the conversation we had in the beginning of 25
I remember in March and April I think people label them as the best team in the world of Anubis
I don't think they kind of have established themselves as that as of yet, which goes into my point here
It doesn't matter where they go in this video Vitality is gonna have their way
Feeding Vitality on it would go a long way to establishing themselves as the best team in the world
But this is the issue right? Vitality has played so many of these best of five grand finals
their map pool is deep, their experience is good, they're reading opponents regularly.
I hate to do this, but they are the juggernauts. Like, does Aurora have a hope in how coming in
this? We've seen that they're shaky even on Anubis during this tournament.
Yeah, that's all about Teletuban. And in a couple of their Anubis games they've played,
have been very close. We talk over time against opponents, you think to yourself they should
be running over. So I don't think Aurora is without a chance in this game of at the very least
making it competitive. I see Anubis as an opening for them as well, where a player that I like to
highlight all the time is obviously Santaris. I think he is mega, mega important for this team and
it goes without saying that without him playing well there's no really a roar beating Vitality,
not because of the statistical output that he's consistently having, but even more so of the
presence on the T sides. Without Santaris getting the openings, without Santaris finding openings
more or less, there's no winning for a war. We talked about a team, we talked about Major as
an in-game leader as well who's been struggling with the T sides. I feel a lot of the time Santaris
are able to mask some of the issues and some of the glaring problems they're having when he's not
on his form, when he's getting shut down, when he's going up against a guy like Flamesee today,
that could be another issue they have to deal with. So it's not that Aurora doesn't have a chance,
it's just that if there were one player that is kind of the first key to success of even opening
up the game, it would be this guy. I think they definitely have a chance, you know. I mean,
if you put Aurora up against Vitality ten times, would they beat them one time? I think they do,
it just has to be today, right? So your opponents can always have a bad day and again, the lack of
of pressure for them, you know, that's when they play their best CS when there's no expectations
when they're the underdog, right?
Like then there's no frustration because you're like, well, you know, whatever, everyone
expects Vitality to win.
And that's what can make them dangerous.
It's going to be an uphill battle because I mean, you guys are right to the maps don't
matter as much.
Vitality is just such a great team.
There's no clear and obvious punishment.
Even if you go for an Ubi, they're expecting it.
Like they will be heavily prepared for that map too.
just need to be better in some of those mid-round situational count.
Your players need to step up in the clutches.
You're never going to beat a team like Vitality, sort of playing 5v5,
and you're always going to out-position them,
and you're going to go into the weak bomb site every time.
No, like sometimes someone will need to step up in a 2v3,
you know, get you a kill that will bring the round back in your favor,
and Aurora has the players to do it.
It's just them to all play well at the same time has been tricky.
What does the style match look like in the server between these two teams?
I mean Vitality have their own style of just being very good at the fundamentals obviously
but I think it's almost silly to say that they do one thing well.
I think they do all different aspects of Counter Strike well.
It's the combination of having a guy like Raps who's constantly going to be annoying with the lurks,
having a guy like Saibou who's Mr Consistent and then I want to add into the mix Flamesee.
I think it's only fair that we put a bit more focus on him because last year sure you could pick
any player from Vitality. You could give them an awful lot of credit which
Apex and Grand Finals did a good job, obviously winning a lot as an in-game leader.
Cyborg, best player of the year, Messi stepping up when it mattered the most.
Robb's obviously having a fantastic year.
I feel like Flameseed got a little bit less credit than maybe deserving is so, in a sense.
So far, in this year, Janko, he's been firing at all tillers.
I'm saying he's having the best start to a year.
He's had it in five years now, and if that's going to be the new trend that Flamesee is also stepping at Obernage,
then I'm losing words for where to compliment him.
I mean, I told him in Belgrade at the actual TV Awards, listen, bro,
or you have a higher chance of winning IGL of the year than opener of the year.
Well, Donkey is alive and exists in Counter-Strike.
You're not going to be getting any individual awards, right?
But that's just who he is for the team.
He's a soldier, you know, anchor on the CT side.
That sort of aggressive rifle on the T side.
And it's also the luxury of being, you know, the third, fourth best player
on your team in terms of also how many resources are allocated to you, right?
Like no one is looking at Flames.
You need to win as the game.
They're looking at ZywOo, they're looking at Robs, and that's perfect for someone like Flamesy to just work outside the spotlight,
sort of play his own game, right? And he has been getting better, right? I mean, especially on that CT side,
in some of those anchor positions, he's been unbelievable, right? And that is the luxury of vitality.
I mean, Robs is their lowest rated player at this tournament, and they've strolled into the playoffs, right?
Because this guy also seems to be having the best start of his year yet.
I think Robs mentioned he didn't even know if he was coming to the tournament because he was actually so sick,
but he didn't want to let the team down and here he is.
And even then, when Robs is struggling, Vitality still looks dominant.
I mean, no other team can afford to have one of your playmakers not playing well and still win a tournament.
I think the only exception is Vitality. We even saw it in the Krakow final as well.
It's not that Robs played a bad game of Counter-Strike, but he wasn't really doing much compared to what he normally would do and they still won that tournament quite easily.
I think it goes without saying that when you look at Aurora as well,
we're talking about all the players obviously have to have a great game.
Everything has to line, all the stars have to match,
but for Vitality there's so many different wind conditions,
there's so many different ways of grinding it out.
Even when we see them play close games
and when we see them not really delivering up to what we expect,
they still find a way to pour back into the game.
So that's also part of the reason as to why we label them
as obviously the best team in the world right now,
but maybe the best team ever to face Counter-Strike,
they find ways to win that we haven't really seen before.
Can they ever be twuffled?
Of course they can. Every team eventually gets toppled, right? Other teams are making changes,
they're improving, you know, they're chasing them constantly. It's going to be difficult because
they've just done everything right. You know, the team composition in terms of on-server roles,
but out of the server personalities too, now, you know, they have also the benefit of being
together for a full year with the five-man roster, while other teams have been making
small changes to try and catch up to them. So yeah, eventually we will get there. I mean,
I mean, they got top of last season for a little bit by Furia,
and perhaps they're the team that can challenge them again in this tournament.
But I think also Vitality is smart and experienced enough to not think about that,
to just go one game at a time, they know Aurora is a dangerous team.
I mean, they did beat them, they had to have these cores.
Aurora has the upper hand, albeit they didn't play that too many times, right?
So you're not taking anything for granted,
you know what these players are capable of on their best days.
So that's what you're hoping to avoid,
and it's not just how a role is going to play,
okay, they have to play their A-game,
but the team also plays how much you let them, right?
Like, and Vitality is definitely a team
that likes to be active, likes to get in your face.
They're very good at preparing,
they know how to attack you, what to exploit,
and I think that's the strength.
If they can, you know, if they don't get complacent,
they definitely have a good situation here for themselves.
We've spoken a lot about these two teams.
Why don't we introduce them to the stage?
James Banks is ready to do just that.
Thank you very much, Sam.
Thank you very much, Desk, for all of your thoughts.
Cluj, are you still with us?
All right, well, our first team,
they are used to lifting trophies.
They have dominated CS from start to finish,
even through adversity, even through sickness.
This team makes no excuses.
They are champions through and through, and their eyes are set on this trophy.
Another one already potentially in their hands for 2026.
Please give it up for Vitality!
And their opponent, they were massively tested in the groups.
They were pushed to their limits.
They've had struggles on these stages, but they know it can't go on forever.
even beaten some of the elite teams in the past but on the stage it's a different thing.
Now it's all about changing that. So Cluj, put your hands together, raise the roof, for Aurora!
Come on down here, the rest of you guys can go and take your seats, Apex, Maja over here,
Thank you, Mezzi.
Apex, you survived the groups going 3-0, even with Robs being sick.
Did you guys get the rest? Has he back to full form yet?
I think it's 90% for now. It's not full recovered, but it's getting better.
And looking at this right, Aurora for you guys.
Obviously last series, it was a bit of a crazy one, it was a wild one,
but they have been a trouble for you in the past.
here on the stage, are you worried about that at all?
It's always about thinking about ourselves,
but when we play our A-game, I know they have no chance.
So it's all about bringing the A-game and let's see how it goes.
And in terms of that A-game,
I know you've got a break coming up after this
you've been waiting for.
You've been talking about it, you're waiting for it.
So what did you tell the team before you reached this playoffs?
What was the team talk looking like?
Well, this morning I just told the guys to not waste any time
that we're here at the tournament anyway.
So we have to give our best
try our best to win this trophy. We want our big goal is to be a better team than
Australia's overall so we need to bring trophy home that's it. Okay I like it.
Madra, group stage was a bit chaotic. There was a lot of ups and downs but you
made it here to playoffs. Having more games what were you able to learn about
about where the team is at now Soul Flies here.
Yeah, like you said, I think in the group stage
there is some difficult games, but now we are here,
so it's just beyond us.
We're gonna do our best today.
We play Vitality, the best team in the world,
but we are really confident and not really winning, yes.
In terms of being able to win,
Vitality, you do have that history.
What did you fix between Krakow and now to make that possible?
Yeah, today we're not playing against it,
So it's new things, but it's a good matchup that we like.
But like I told you, it's the best team in the world,
but we're really confident and today we're going to show it.
In terms of showing it, you've had some tough moments on stages.
How do you change that for today? What can you do differently?
Nothing, but we just learn, you know, day by day.
It's learning process in life. It's the same things in life.
We just learn and today we're going to try our best.
Alright well good luck guys shake hands take your seats and get ready for the game.
Glues I need to find out where you are going with this one and see if it's a
little bit more fair in this crowd. Do we have some vitality fans?
Okay. But what about Aurora? Still a few, still a few. All right. So all I need from
everyone right now, the whole arena. Let me hear you. Make some noise!
Can I just paint the scene for you, how rough it must be as a team to be standing on a stage
like this going, okay, I want to win a trophy and you're standing next to another team who's
going, you know, our goal is to basically be the best of all down time.
That's what we're now focused on.
We want to go into the history books as beating a Starlas in that way.
That is such a different measure of success, right?
In the broad perspective, sure, but this is just the game of Counter-Strike.
It's the best of three game.
It's about to take place now within the next two to three hours and that's all they need
to focus on.
Whether or not they go down in history as the greatest team of all time, I don't think
at work is for them about that.
They want to come in here, they want to win this game and they want to do everything they
can in their favor in order to make it a competitive game.
I know that it's going to be a tough one, especially considering the video, we're not
going to see a new business.
Okay.
I'm very surprised at it again, man.
I don't know why.
I think Apex is crazy.
I get it that they're banning an Apex.
it makes a lot of sense, but you're willing to sort of roll the dice on ancient. Last time it was a
crazy overtime games. I will have like a hundred kills. Voxic has nightmares to this day about that
game, but they actually get away with it. It's like neither team picked ancient even though it
was true. And then in the second phase, Vitality gets rid of it. So this is absolutely a huge win
for Vitality. You know, getting a best of three against Aurora with no Anubis in there, no ancient.
And I think, if anything, Aurora would have had to call their bluff again.
I think not playing Anubis, and just like in a, quote-unquote, standard best of three
maps, I don't think they stand a chance.
No, I agree.
I feel like that was a gifted opportunity that they didn't really pound on.
I know it's probably more complicated than that.
Aurora also wants to play a map that comfortable on, but if you're forced to play Inferno
overpass and then potentially Mirage against Vitality being the heavy underdog, when you
You had the opportunity to at least, you know, break it out and make it a bit messy in the
beginning.
I feel like you should have pardoned them that.
What does Vitality brings to the table here on Inferno?
Well, they're a world-class team on Inferno.
They're showing that time and time again.
They've been very stable on the map.
Sure they were in the period that Janko described earlier, some hiccups, you know, where they
would have some losses to some good teams out there.
But in terms of beating teams beneath them, in terms of beating teams of the likes of
Aurora, I don't see an issue here for Vitality.
I feel they're fairly consistent on a map like Inferno.
Talking about Flames, this is where he does a lot of work on that B bomb site,
and where he's been great on the CT side, that's where Vitality will start.
And for Aurora, it's been a little bit of criticism at times.
You know, they're somewhat one-dimensional, very execute heavy, playing as that pack.
They haven't been able to utilize a lurker.
And Major has been open about it, that I didn't have a player, really,
that I could put in that role, and we could play more like that.
So we'll see if Soulfly can perhaps do that for them somewhat more,
but this is also where Zybu is on his home turf.
If you look at him and both Robs,
I mean Robs playing in pit around that bike area,
he's just such a rock and it allows Vitality so many times
to cheat a little bit in their CT side, right?
Because you can swing that third player
towards the B bombsite a little bit
because even if it's just Robs plus one,
you know they're good for at least a couple of kills.
I feel like that's the duel that I'm looking out for right here.
Flamesee and Apex, the entry frag and the in-game leader
going up against Santerres and Major,
the entry frag on the in-game leader on the other side of the things.
Banana control obviously is always vital in this game,
but as I highlighted before,
I feel the biggest win condition when it comes to Aurora
is activating Santeris,
is making sure that he finds impact.
And he's going toe-to-toe with Flamesee,
who so far has had a great year and a great tournament.
I think that duel in itself could determine a lot here in Santeris.
Is that enough, Thor?
No, that's the start.
I think Major is capable of coming up with a good game plan.
But in order to beat the vitality with that,
Like it has to be with a good start, you know, like what you have planned for the first gun round
It sort of has to work so you can condition them for around later on in the half
And that's going to be the name of the game for me. They start losing four five zero
I don't think they have enough in the tank to come back or do it on the CT side, right?
So a good start is a must. It's time to get into game
We have machine and Turkey's favorite Counter Strike Costa standing by
I'm glad they love me now. Yeah,
step by step, but I do think
relation. If you want to
summarize the desk sentiment
chat is that we could have a
quick one here. Yeah, I think
it's seeing if Aurora get over
the stage right and if they
can maybe it's slightly
competitive. Looking at their
run. They haven't been anybody
good to get to this stage, so
that's troublesome. Make no
mistake. Not a single
counter strike player in this
world wakes up on playoffs
Friday and goes, Oh, I'm
going to be a good player.
Wakes up on playoffs Friday and goes, oh great, we're playing vitality.
Yes, I actually then we referred to them as Astralisks earlier.
Oh, yeah, because they're in the level of greatness.
They're there right now and Apex Science, if they win this one, 18 consecutive top fours,
one away from Astralisks, record time, things up.
I mean, at this point, they're so used to, you know, make it all the way to Sunday and
lifting the trophy, they're setting additional goals.
They're looking, they're just legacy, legacy, absolutely.
And we're going to get that legacy started for our quarter-final, Aurora.
What kind of fight are they going to be putting up across this series?
Quarter-final number three, live from Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
I just got his game plan.
Janko's saying that if you get the first pistol,
you get the first gun as cliche as it may be, it's true.
And I echo the sentiment that if this doesn't start positively for Aurora,
I don't know if they have the capacity to dig themselves out of it.
I think Janko's right.
An important pistol with a lot riding on it. You've got to get past Zaiwu if you go
apps. Yeah and now Robs knows they're behind him so do they clear window room?
That's a good question. I'm not sure they will. They're going to try and channel straight past
Centaur as he loses his head. Robs was overlooked and covering fire for Mezzy solid.
They're backstabbed from Robs. He's a ghost. Nobody acknowledging his presence in the
apartments.
already in sight. In the meantime,
Magus trying to kill out Rob. No way.
The one HP one tap swing.
URUS name in that Aurora Jersey
soul flight.
Getting his stage reps in.
They're going to need the magic there
addressing. Hey, every time we go out
there, it's a learning experience.
Very few stage game wins to know
for this team as apex put the bullet
between the eyes. That's all five
I think I would encourage everybody to just sit back and enjoy.
Have a tough time seeing teams like this come around.
It's not too often when they're on your screen and they're playing solid counter strike,
just bask in the glory of greatness.
Oh, 100%.
I mean, there are people who are going to be talking about,
oh, yeah, I saw Vitality in their prime.
Yeah, I was there when they did that.
It's going to be the force for Aurora, full tech dimes, Mk10 for Zintara's and a slow roll.
Being one of the biggest issues you're going to have against Vitality is,
it's not good to be out with these combos of utility and banana.
The last Inferno we did with Vitality, you were checking...
11,150.
You nerd.
11.5 kills in one half of utility damage.
Yeah.
So, uh, not too bad.
Now there was the loss to Jito on this now, which is slightly worrisome.
Maybe that's why Aurora are picking it here today.
They're really trying to control the pace with a slow one to the force by the second.
They're able to capitalize on Flames with the jumps. It's currently a four-man alien from Vitality.
Flames' responsibility is to get the info block, allow Apex to rotate back over.
Smoke is very valuable. He's going to want to hold onto this for as long as possible.
And I'm not feeling any pressure. He will do so.
He will do so.
Also, in the absence of a Desert Eagle, it's very hard to seem to punish for this kind of jiggle.
He can just do this until they commit.
Ooh, one more of those, and he gets his info.
Not the best smoke in the world, but either way, no one's saying that.
Finish will have to come through in a moment.
Now, Messi and Apex both jump over to drone flames.
He, Robson, Zywoo, both go play long side,
but a U2 lands towards A, so misdirection.
Where is it?
As they start to slink up middle.
Okay, we're going to see Utah juggled. There is going to be Maja flashing them in.
Mezi and Zahru in the site now, rops in Moto. So it's a strong setup to deal with this.
Yeah, especially just Technized versus the Rifles. It's Fanmas first to receive.
Mezi not blind.
Flashless haven't done anything.
Mezi comfortable for two, but Softlight has broken through.
Bomb goes down, or it should.
Certainly should.
Hey man, this is already more than I was expecting. They're into the site. They've got that bomb down.
Breaking through the defense of Zahru and Mezi.
Santaras vs Flamesy at range. Oh nice burst. Shreds them. Solve like, yeah, he's clutch asking too much.
Alright, a little bit shaky. Their bomb goes down. Aurora will have to take, just an eco now with a couple of light investments that a fuse comes through and it's all good.
called by Tanya, the 2-0 start.
A terrorist win.
He's talking about Aurora's road to the playoffs,
obviously a 2-2 team having to come through
in the 3-2 department of the Swiss,
but their wins were against Payne, Bate, and Astralis.
So not world beaters at the moment,
and that combined with this team's stage fright,
you just wonder how bad it can go.
You take a look at Krakow,
they were drummed by Furia,
And it's tough to have answers after games like that, because what you expect from the team in a regular match,
you come into an arena game and it doesn't deliver.
So to be able to find answers for those problems, it's very difficult.
So more of the same as the last rounds.
He might get caught off here.
I think so. Yeah, he hasn't got any ammo.
And now he begs his scarpering block smoke and tuck.
They're coming. They're gonna commit. Apex eats the flash. They've spotted him out. They know exactly where he is.
Triangulating his position. Overrun!
Alright, good punishment now. They just have to convert this one. Sitting pretty.
Bit of a capitulation Flamesee has given them a way in.
Robbs will finish off Centaurs. Walks it to the cliff. Does he find the frag? No.
They're put out of their grasp already.
I was not fancy in the reload. You know one of them's low. It's soft like hiding on the edge of the smoke. Crazy.
He's still not going for it.
The Cardi versus Raps can't handle it, but Salflight does actually beat Alzai, which should be the round.
Raps is not going for this.
Wow, how often do you say Flamie's given them a gap on B?
Yeah, overplay in the hand there.
They're not ready for that level of investment and they get overrun Apex.
And we'll put E-Varix for that one.
Leave a bit of a mark on Vitality, or maybe that's just an early wake-up call.
up call hold up these guys can push back if we give them ways in well they're not stupid right you've
just spammed 25 bullets of your M4 into a smoke I think that does mean you you only have five so
flames he pulled off in that one and normally the duo of flames in apex very very strong so coming
through flash is there and ready you for one there from matchup and then they just continue pepper
to the back of the site this is one that definitely will brew frustrations for vitality and you want
want to keep them limited so you can buy back in. Yeah that's one for Vod review.
So the best buy in the world, no one's saying that, but it's not for them to work with.
Roro you win this, you break their money early, then we can start having a conversation.
Since Zara is quite under half-war magic to facilitate this.
Conversations are more fun when there's two voices, otherwise it's just like a podcast or
something okay well making up for the bear in the previous yeah no I think he
got a slap on the wrist and he's very quickly right at the ship yeah one a
game he's had his early he's been in fine form especially rocks being sick oh
no he's one of my favorite players to watch as well he's just so quick as
well the way he moved his mouse it's very hard to catch flames he out he can
adjust, he can thrive in chaos, and he can manufacture it as well.
To lift 3v2 on this side, Blocksford now, set up from Vitality on the other side of the map is very porch and pit centric.
So it'll be a long rotation. If Flames and Apex get nothing right now, there's a chance for straight rounds for Aurora.
Blocks that one. Still gonna land.
Might get a different angle there, they're not ready for still.
Good damage from Madge, I think he tagged up, claims he down to...
Oof! And Nade combines!
Double Nade finds him at the back!
They'll be able to plant now, rotation on the way.
Rob's to come banana late, the other three in through CT and Coppen.
This is gonna be a labor post plant, Salflight forced off of the plant.
Force to be positioned, spout back, Madge has found Rob's, now a three on three.
That's brave from LeCardia!
Brought the fight to Apex and pays the price, Stilkert from Salflight, he's having a round here.
Double kill, just Madge now.
Bang for the head-tap.
The heel's the first.
Oh, no! He's gone clutch! He's looking!
He's gone crazy!
Madge!
A veteran demonstrates his pedigree
and goes clutch, gets a smile on the face of Santariz
and breaks vitality.
His apex looking back side.
Am I losing my marbles here?
He was trying to touch the bomb and couldn't I triangulate
how he lost Zywoo?
I guess he assumed, so I would ride to the back of sight.
So the nades come in, Flancy goes down,
Maga takes down R.O.P.
So now they could focus fire.
Solt like eliminates the boost.
Yeah, okay.
So didn't think that Maga was just gonna peek him.
That's why that looks so odd, okay.
It does look odd.
Well, now they're down to pistols.
The hard work done and that was a 3v5 advantage
thanks to a Flancy double.
Things get going quite quickly.
Alright, ladies and gentlemen, we have a game.
Can just usher themselves into the B bomb site. No drama, zip.
Yandering over our Mezzi and Flames, but smiling through the speedway.
Don't want to give away. Well, never mind. I'm staying silent.
They were up with a couple of sound cues.
No flashes to climb through this, so you'd have to get lucky on some timings.
And site, essentially called Clearbottomollies.
Flamesy once again catching nades.
How does that play into the calling of Aurora?
Are they going to look to punish middle a little bit more?
That gives them the ability when you know the players
on the yo-yo between that B and long side
that you can get the arch and library smoke in
and play through long.
It's something that they're going to have to flash through
as soon as their teammates on A start to take contact.
So this is a very good start.
Yeah, I mean, as the desk were discussing
when it comes to this, you know, this is the game plan.
If you were going to hit the early
and you get these early successes,
that will, as you said, open up those gaps on A.
The strap book, the plan, it's still in motion.
It's helpful that the manager getting that clutch right so
There is LaBosse LaBosse
Cover star and some fine form to start 2026
Is that yet to get going on this map so zero and four
See how long that lasts. Yeah, you can't keep Zai Wu down for a for too long
Nothing changing in terms of the defense early is it's just gonna come over to donate some nades. Yes, so
It's still a 2-3 split with that lion's shout over towards A. The classic is...
Yeah, they're going quick towards A. They're thinking it's going to be 3-9, but it's not.
Yeah, they're wrong, but the Flash is a brilliant cover from Robs, who has empty Flash,
Tux on the pillars, and Torres alive and kicking, and Mezzi well positioned!
That would have been the bomb lost, with Cardi against away from just the headshot.
Apex ready for this, I don't know.
Low HP, Apex, yes, and Torres has been tagged off, dips around the arch, could catch Apex on the clear.
This is brilliant from A. Oh, and Torres should have had him there.
Yeah, an opportunity. You have to jump on him.
Well, Wakadia, Sons is back all the way through T House.
Moxick's still kicking him a bit of a farsier.
Flamie's still over towards B, so...
I had to see this one getting too out of control,
but I have to give them a way back in.
Okay, Apex goes down library.
Opps is searching mid.
That's exactly what Moxick's hoping for,
but he has to hit the fast bullet.
All that will happen.
Running into B, it should be clear.
Not today, Flamie.
This is what Cardio tied things up 3-3.
And that was it. They thought that condition being, they thought they'd forced them into starting 3, and that wasn't the case whatsoever.
So the gap that you had manufactured with the conditioning not there.
So we'll have money for another buy.
So we'll continue to go back and forth in this one.
I dream of the 9-10, because the tarot is the rest of the crew with the A-case.
Flames he had to sandbags and Tyres would have heard the steps.
He walked to half wall and they packed off for now.
So Flames he's going to be relaying info when he thinks they're behind that half wall smoke.
When he gets close to the half wall and Apex's nade has got that crazy bounce.
It will land right there.
It'll be a test for Zywoo as well.
High alert.
Safe for the flash.
Well positioned.
and Solfly actually ate the flash himself.
HG premature. Solfly, he's got Tywin. Borgs, no, there he is.
Dips into the fight, gets out.
He's just been blocked. 45 seconds.
Tywin on the board.
It's like Mezzy starting to rotate to join the defense of Flamesean Apex now.
Maybe not, he's in and out.
No, they're not sure.
In decision, they don't have to read right now.
That could be one hell of a HG.
Connection on to Madges and Torres got the bomb on his back. Madges gonna try and forge a path here safe from the flashes flames
20 seconds they are running this clock down counting on Zatarez flames
He brings down the main threat the rest falls into place and where cardio finds himself on the wrong side of the map
Okay, well we might be
It's gonna say able to hold on to this ropes as other ideas for the three one round gap back in the lead
We'll have to be the light investment while the loss bonus starts to build for the Turkish side
Well the arena is filled back up again guys, did you have a nice meal? Did you have a nice lunch?
Who's been here since the first game?
All right. Pretty good. Pretty down good. It's a long old day of Counter-Strike. I'm glad you're
fueled for our second chapter of the quarterfinal. Winner of this plays the winner of the last
game, Fury vs Mongols. Coming up next. Mongols are looking exciting. This round, however, not so
much. I wouldn't say so. We saw the Tech 9s get out of control, but under this was just a couple
I will grab another see if you can start patting out because again he's being in great form.
It's always a pleasure to get to watch some of the greats in the server.
Zaiwu is definitely one of those.
So other than the fumbles, 5v3 and tech 9 overrun, solid for vitality.
about to make it a two round gap.
Xyra on the left handed model.
Could be just shopping and changing.
Start your Reddit threads now.
It could just be, you know, the bind Andy.
It's better on that angle as far as steps on our match
until we're down.
I think when you consider how a couple of these rounds did fall
in the favor of Aurora, one of them
being the Tech Knights catching a timing
and the other one being a 5v3 where mistakes were made.
Exactly.
question. Can a replica a little bit more? We always say it doesn't matter how you get
him just as long as you get him. We're already over the halfway mark of this one.
Oh, crispy. All right. Well, here we go. Right. Let's see if Aurora can demonstrate
an ability to convert with a full rifle. Yeah, remember, this is a slight T side
link, so they are going to be hoping for a minimum of six.
4 fast up second, this one's looking like a set call out of spawn.
It is.
The magicest job right now is just to make it look like a default.
I'm just trying to take space quickly, boil her in holes.
Just seems extra scary when you see those AK-47s that you've got to break past.
and Zywoo. Zywoo on Bulk. Rob's pit and Mezzy jiggling for the long info. Looks like
he's going to get answers soon. Yeah! That's going to cost ya! Zintara's pixel perfect!
Oh, what a save. He's set for Zywoo. Tapping heads. Zintara's finds a second. He's down
the wound. Not bad from Rob's, but traded out. Archer clears out the pit, clears out
the site. This is looking like a good one for Aurora.
Hunky bounce on the knave. Riccardo has to go up forward. Flashed forward by the incendiary.
He's going to go down. Oh, this is a Torres round.
I have four for him in that one, and that is a massive shot on Messi. He is just trying
to play that for Info. Ducal Peak, Ducal Peak delete. He's hoping to get that info,
Tywin can flash from the back, he can peek back out, capitalized, but he just gets absolutely removed.
It's a beautiful shot from Zantara's, and that one's premeditated.
This is the call from Spawn, essentially, that is quite the shot.
You guys have heard about Zantara's peek.
Well, what about Zantara's hitting his peek at the right time?
That is some crispy ones.
Well, if each individual of Aurora takes a moment to win a round.
I mean right now it's looking at Woxic and McCardia, right?
There's two, uh, rather glaring emissions as far as frag contributions.
It's early days.
But now Zantara is here, he's joined Stalf-Life,
found some early impact on the Tech 9 rounds.
Flames, he's getting a test once more.
Is it a bit of trouble?
Yeah, I feel like he's gonna have to face Zantara as of this time, Flamesy.
Oh, he's done very well.
Goes forward, looking for more.
Made it out of the round.
Aprec, what is that?
Willi nearly swing.
OK.
They just want to fight.
The memo read that we fight now.
Softly suck at car.
Rob's cutting off at the pass.
Last time Rob's flanked, he got owned by Madjah.
So he's going to be a little bit more passive this time
and let Softly play.
Can you get the bomb down?
I'm sure 600 bucks would go a long way, but why not?
I mean, a 1 vs 3 vs Vitality is a feather in any player's cap.
Let's go, Fresh Face.
Well, he's gonna need a reload.
And they know he's not planting.
Cap closes, news tightens, Robs next to play.
Team flashed there.
Told ya, I did catch Robs.
They will get the bomb down.
Which is mission accomplished as far as he's concerned.
Well, as well on the face, that one.
Come on, start, Robs goes down, CT smoke still up.
Softlight gets a chance, and you never know,
but they will grab another round, and Robs in very good form.
12 kills for him at the moment.
Which is, yeah, yeah.
It's good to see, like, Hapix says, what, 90%?
I think he was operating at much less than that
at the start of the tournament.
Well, that's why we were having a conversation
throughout the Swiss stage.
If you're Vitality, not only do you want to limit the tape,
it's going to be a long RTS, and when you make it
to the finals every single time.
That's a give some extra time for roms to recover
so that he's in fine form.
So lift the trophy here.
Rapex 11 years ago in this exact venue.
Thank you for Envious as an entry fragger, winning a major.
Lost change in that time and he's still kicking.
Yeah, over a decade later and he's gone from soldier
to captain of the elite.
Gonna go down in the history books for more reasons than one.
And setting up for another potential A-pop.
Now, we have a couple of HGs.
likely for bike, but as we can see, we can get the radar, nobody home.
Crossfire on top near Widsilewood, Robs.
Another page from the Aurora Stratbook.
You feel like it has to be A. Your team has full banana control with Flames and Apex right now.
Yeah, what's Rops's play?
Throws out an Incendiary.
He's moving a bike. The Nades can actually do some damage now.
Here they come.
Double Nade with Rops.
And as he's playing forward though, maybe that needs some reluctance.
No! Heavy Nades! The barrage lands!
LaCardia finds two. Bullet and shrapnel in combination has opened up the A site.
Again, these Tech 9 rounds, they're well put together. It's going to be a safe.
They need the money for the last round, Vitality and Aurora, they've aged out five.
In fact, the two of these five rounds of play have come with versus Tech 9, it's great.
Right, one was the timing, this one was well-paced together. And just by going to the
the ocean. You see rops falling back. I think porch the entire time. And I think if they
stay with that more forward set up, obviously the smoke alongside causes some chaos, but
there's an opportunity that is going to waning for Vitality system. Tough round losses right
now. As they say, they will be able to fully invest going into number 12.
The damn last swing.
Zaheer takes down Soulfly, but that one counts for a whole little.
Because the round is what they were looking for, so very well done.
So five being put up right now by Aurora.
Can you count that six and get the pistol? They're still in the conversation.
So Banzibing juggles, Zaheer can drop one across to...
...as the old rops to make sure they can get out all the goods.
Everyone should be fine. There won't be any issues in that department.
I think you used that word and I think that's a good description of where they've gotten these five rounds from.
I wonder if that's how you want to be a little bit more aggressive to not let them execute.
Yeah, we haven't seen any pushes down mid, any crazy offensive defense.
I suspect that this CT approaches met the expectations of Aurora.
This might not, though. I mean, quite audacious to just hang out at the front of the smoke.
Obviously, he'll mantle up upon the fade.
Yeah, they were ready to capitalize with a pack of four there. Discussed how Magic has
to run a lot of this, a lot of four ones. Really have the pieces to be able to play.
Control going the same as the others. Here they come.
There's the Tarzan's anti-flash. He is designed for this. Quick reaction.
He drops it from the hard wall. In combination with Zantares, they catch him.
They bring the fight to Aurora and pay the price.
Solid Nade though. Ears are ringing.
Bro, they break the smoke and Apex tries to go for the double spray.
Somehow, some way, Zantares survives that endeavor.
I thought self-light.
Oh no, Ace closed. You'd think.
How has Robson's frag not deterred them?
Are they reading Robson's reaction?
They think they're still like obviously a play still on a right and raps is assuming well because I've shown myself
Yeah, they're likely to stick to this B play against I would well. They're gonna be up
It's an open runway raps will struggle to get here in time through library
They're low on HP so we can knock them down coming up short. There's a chance for mr. Cool here
Just in time at you through that candy's done very well. Sorry is it so low?
Yeah, it's not looking good for anything more than just a plant last round. You've got to play for the clutch
Gotta play for the victory
Robs swung on, playing the time, making this hurt, ensuring there's trade potential, he's trapped on the graveyard position, did he not spot him?
Robs is clearing site. Robs is clearing site. There's no way he's ready for this position.
What is that from Robs?
What is that?
He's clearing site, he's just got that sixth sense, I don't know, like the hairs on the back of his neck start tingling.
I can tell he's in better health, isn't he?
Yeah, it goes to the left, down low HP, stalls him out coming up short, and then this one...
What?
Well, seven-five on the half of Vitality.
I mean a competitive half.
Yes, and look, the fact that you're able to get two line-by victories in a half against Vitality, that is a feat within itself.
Yes. So Aurora, they didn't come easy.
You're still giving yourself something to work with.
You pick up this pistol and get the ball rolling
into the second half on your defence.
Now, you pick this map.
Next, we'll be overpass.
It's the selection of Vitaly.
If we need to get them Mirage,
both teams floating ancient.
Last time they went head to head, that was picked.
It was in a seeding game.
This time, there's a bit more on the line.
So happy to toy with it in the Vita, but not pick it.
And Aurora currently functioning
without one of their crucial pieces.
I wonder if that last head to head in Krakow, if Woxic's still kind of recovering from the encounter they had over there.
You need Woxic online. He's a vital piece of this Aurora machine.
It's just tough on Inferno. CT side, he'll get more opportunities as long as they can get the AWP out, right?
T side AWP, but there's certain teams who have AWPs who won't even run the AWP on the T side of this map.
So, I'll chance for him to get into the game.
Tintar is a magic beat. Mkhardian is soul-flight, ready to if in brawl and boiler with Woxic and Hulse.
I do think Mkhardia has got a pretty potent dual barretta.
It's one of those players who's very comfortable with it.
Look at the dives up, avoiding the damage there as they do turn to top mid.
Mkhardia lines them white.
You could have cleared out the close corner, nobody home.
on the line then.
Mokadia prepares himself to shred, robs on the stairs, block versus dual barrettas and
neither of them find it daily.
15 bullets to go, they already have the sight, robs have been kept busy, Mokadia finds him
eventually and with the loss of Apex this one is on.
Oh, first slip up, second not happening, good finds!
Roxxic on to Zywoo, Saltfly from the shore side, Roxxic will close.
Aurora make it a one round game.
Must have felt tense for Aurora, knowing that they're wrapping A and with their setup.
And that's the one thing that's not designed to deal with, at least not immediately.
Solid on the retake.
They're on their sixth crown, but the bomb does go down.
So you will be expecting Vitality to chip in now with a four-spy of their own.
I'm starting to take shape. Whoa.
It's a nice shooting, though, and he said, yeah, Woxic needed to find himself in the game as Apex, the classic right there.
That's Apex's reaction to the Zintara's long-range Duel Barretta 1 tap. It's a mouthful, and he got a head full of hot lead.
It's been two AKs dropped.
I'm so messy, one's on Flameseed.
This is way quicker than something I was ready for.
Zywoo has just walked straight up the guts of Middle.
Taken a fight, he nearly took a second head.
Once he gets away, Blobsmoke's thrown.
Solid made on the nose of Flameseed.
Apex breaks in, going through the flashes.
They're trying to break down the barricades.
Still, the tenders are here.
One less now.
Zywoo removing Woxic, makes things awkward.
makes things uncomfortable.
Look at the health on Apex and Zywoo.
This could be where Wikardia can retake the site,
find himself a handful of impactful frags.
Zywoo's just a dead man peeking.
Just into the two on two.
Rops likely to close from the pit side.
Kit on Wikardia.
Maga plays next.
Flirting with that smoke, buying time.
They're rotting this clock.
Good God, they're cutting it fine.
Maga's clear on out, does adjust.
Rob's likely to have this one now. The kit is lost.
Vitality will take the round.
Forspite, success, clutch for Mr. Cool.
All right, well, you dropped two AKs, and that's the output you get.
That's huge stuff right there for Vitality.
Is that right, the shift once more?
The Forspite wars will continue now into this next.
Only one staying alive.
Look, it's going to be scattered for the T side by,
but there's going to be much better than what could be offered up.
The Turkish side.
And you will be dropping that M4 to Zintara's.
Don't you question that?
And this is it. Look at it.
I'm in at 37 on the block and you just walk dry out middle
and the kill that you get is on the pit anchor.
But at that point, it's an open runway.
It still gets tense.
With the M4, it's with a couple of MP9s and a 5-7.
By the other side is 3 AKs and 2-9-10s.
So, you've already slipped up to two rounds similar to this vitality.
You could even say with less.
So you're gonna be on high alert.
Or are you able to be punchy and get a third?
You're gonna be the first map of play under your belt.
Just put the pistols, I'd say, you're ahead in the lobe eyes.
Oh, that's a good connection.
They pre-amn this then, telling that they're aware of something towards the CT side, whether it's a jiggle or a boost.
Sintara set up for success.
Look how he gets spotted. Face him in.
Yeah, he gets nothing down with the M4.
Flash is layered to perfection.
And Vitality will be taking the site.
Magic King didn't even get his M4 there yet, that MP9.
And so he's gone back to pick it up and get out too.
Use it again to the next round of play.
9-6.
and zap. At least they're going to have some upgrades to work with.
That's only better than nothing, but not everything.
Yes, this is going to waylay their lives, isn't it? So next round, I guess you can
juggle that between the players who have Kevlar. You won't give that back to Zintara,
as again, unless he wants to all in, right? Unless they really want a hero behind it,
and that's if they can hold on to it because you can see on the x-ray here
they're starting to edge on over but line breed that's where they'll stop
that one came a little easy
that's tough i don't know what you meant to kick against that
the game. It's a good
and the fact that they removed
didn't give you the chance.
You didn't go for the punishment
because of how things went last
time. It was left open. The
chance was there. It's just a
playoff game. You need to take
that risk. We talked about the
Dust 2 record of Vitality being
so strong. Well, Inferno is as
well. All time for this five
man unit. It's 52 times played
1412.
There's one of the staples in their map, Paul.
The double digits, you just need to get through the residuals.
I didn't set up match on B with these flashes.
Yeah, on the second flash, flames.
He ain't blind.
May doesn't knock the M4 any closer to Wacadia as he would have hoped,
and so now, yeah, his days are numbered.
So are the rounds, this one's for 10.
Right, our foot comes into our eyes, given the weaponry.
We've got something with the dual barrettos, but yeah.
Oh, the Kevlar's not nothing. Right, it's something to hold on to.
These two. It's all flying walks.
They're running away to...
I'll tell you whatever they can, but there's the double digits.
I think of the same way we were talking about the PowerVision game with them,
not winning any pistols.
I mean, it's like 30% for the tournament, and then still winning over Falcons in three maps.
We can talk about Vitaliy.
Okay, you lose a couple of light buys.
If this was many other teams, it would get out of control.
You would end up suffering a streak of round losses.
The economy would go against you.
The mental might start to build in a negative way,
But that's happened to them twice in this map.
16 man to play and still confident,
collected, just going through the motions,
looking for that 18th consecutive top four.
Just sounds like you're making up numbers at this point.
18th consecutive.
Well, gone over just a couple of weeks ago in Krakow, right,
when they hit the 17th.
Yeah.
I guess that makes it easy for you to keep counting.
18.
Well you go back to the start of that run with Robson the team. It was this roster or at least four out of the five who
Stopped them. Yeah, right. So it's really started after that beat
story of vitality and
Aurora had gone a whole year since that played against them again. And well, that's you didn't game
Yeah, different result. Yeah, ancient was fun, but overall
still the expectation of vitality, getting the job done.
Yeah, my main takeaway from ancient was,
oh, so I would can play all seven maps.
They definitely were aware of the possibility, right?
You're going to float it in the veto, yeah.
I have to know there's an opportunity that you could be playing it,
but neither team wanted to pull the trigger as we get out of the Woxa KWP.
Okay.
We get some kills in the pistol, now the AWP out on the CT side.
You need something to change for this one, not to feel like a formality coming up next
overpass.
Or at least get the CT side, give me more of this slower roll, go into the motions,
in the map space. Our level CS macro on the sway.
We managed to keep Vitality under a thousand utility damage this previous half, so that
is something. It's still 400 from Rob's.
There's Nades. Plenty of Nades top banana as they take brackets control. So, forty seconds
remaining. This one will come down to the wire.
They are running that clock down thin. So, with twenty seconds left in the round, they
through the split smokes and all channeling up long. Woxic was caught, does the well to
adjust into one but Mezzi onto Zontaris puts it onto Soulfly. Back to bomb loose, 8, 7,
6, they're not going for the bomb, they're not going to have time. The frag from Soulfly
has picked up the run for Aurora. A little bit of divine intervention there.
I think they wanted to avoid as much U2 damage for as long as they could, right?
But by the time they started to make a move way too late in the piece and then rounds have to go perfectly at that moment.
I don't think that's enough to frustrate it, but it is another one to add to that tally of rounds that they should have picked up.
Yeah, it's just funny to me that no one immediately reacted to scooping up the bomb. It seemed like that wasn't a priority.
And maybe the clock got away from all of them there. Poor time management in that one.
I'm sure Com's a hectic when you're going for those late plays.
Now that's going to be rounds on the CT side as it will take a timeout.
It'll be the last.
He knows if they lose this one the game probably goes with it because Lost Burn is only
1900 into the next round. Very important round for the Aurora hopes of taking Inferno.
I would say you have to win this to keep the game alive. Okay.
Must win round.
Woxic still has a sniper. He got one but was immediately traded.
Perhaps he can insert himself a little more early into the piece.
30 seconds for Ex-Sense there as well. Maybe he wants to call an adjustment.
But this would be game plan, right? That's the first full rifle round we've had in the half.
And it was premeditated to start very slow for Vitality.
Triple next.
Voided with Nadia safe on Sandbags.
throws out his batch of utility ties and boxing on long neither of them with a
HE so if there is a long spoke hopefully removed from the play is more
you tilt to soften up key positions I had to say the bomb left over towards the chicken
in here. 50 seconds. The late one. They forced away Toppenarder. Abs just being smoked. Have
you tilled to line this up? Plenty of smokes. Five of which for the finish starting to hit
the sky. Got a bit more time to do this. Yeah, ever so slightly. Three quarters. I missed
arms. I think that's a missed run. Yeah, that's not ideal. They're actually blocking themselves.
Stop! Oh, Flames is found a way in! Don't worry!
He finds the sniper through the smoke, soul play down to Messi!
Oh!
That gets Messi with a swift double kill out of Zintariz!
How did he get both there?
Yeah, his aim's been on point with this one, hasn't it? 14 kills, but...
Wow!
Not gonna matter in what...
Like a must-win round to give him a go. They will just save these two rifles.
Crazy.
Couple of mispieces, utility in this one. They went to smoke off Moto from...
perhaps just there and they missed it as well but don't worry I worked out in
their favor they just spam you through the smoke flames he's just got that
smoke-o-vision these new smokes it does open up those possibilities doesn't it
you keep you got three players spamming a smoke you are gonna be exposed if you're
on the other side of it imagine we'll be able to drop an M4 to get 1900 so I put
and what we can range at three and fours and
MP9's maybe a fantasy in the mix that they'd really like
now they are shoving so this is essentially it they lose this one 24
hundred and and twelve yes okay boxes to come over the scout MP9 for soul flight
Magic gets to hold onto an M4 as one of the B defenders long side of Wokadia and Zintara is just the rotator.
It's his as well.
Curious to see where Zaiwu is off to.
Rarity to see the T side AWP.
Long signal so lucky.
Oh, they weren't expecting it AWP!
And that could be it!
Magic room Wokadia. Lemmings!
Jumping into the jaws of the womb.
Let's see, maybe they want to make the playoffs easier.
Then they're Swiss run.
Natality, a little bit laboured against G2, the Mongols, and then they two-oed Nals.
So losing maps in groups. Normally, go back to Krankov, then they got one map. That was in the playoffs.
This time a little bit more laboured, but
they're far so good to kick the job in this quarter.
I'm about to see the fumble on 3v5.
He's hit the bullet. Yep, tag, but you're dead. You're dead, and Zintara's soon to be.
It seems with 16 points of health, he does swing it in, still finds the head of Apex
and Mezzie's low. Yeah, well, Soulfly has just left the site.
So Mezzie, with his presence, has drawn the rotation, romp Zyre with flames, he can waltz
and he dips. And that means
there's no way down banana to
chase this. Let's go to see if
you can get something. A little
bit better than the MP9 to
carry into the next, but you
can hunt. As long as someone
stays with the bomb, you can go
and have a little bit of a look
and Mezzie hanging around. So
there you go. Back up career
for Mezzie. I think you could,
you know, be doing cold
calling because he sold that.
Very effective. Locked in on B
now, aren't they? Zaru has
who has banana closed some herbal toothpaste perhaps.
Lamesy and Robs coming in through CT.
They can take this away.
They've got nothing for the final round of player aura flames.
He should be good.
At least traded by Robs.
He does it now.
Still had a self-life.
OK, yeah, they get something through an AK47.
They didn't send the area alongside the Kev
with the level of counter-strike, you're playing against Vitality.
Second of all, the environment where you want to get the
desired level of output.
If you get your own peril,
oh my god, yeah, dangerous game.
Locked on the half-wars, and Tara's trying to take aim duals, and he spots out.
Sairu, that information goes both ways.
There's been an exchange with him and Flames over towards Boilers,
both of which are on higher alert for any potential pressure.
Batani have come in just to play the default, the push pull.
Got you.
But there's a clean first bullet headshot.
Pulls Aurora into an advantage.
You're snatching upgrade from the cold dead hands of Flamesee.
They will have three players here.
Yeah, tough stuff to break right now, especially coming up short.
Yeah, Zantara's is ready.
I've been ready for that first headshot.
Doesn't get it on the first burst, and ours Flamesee passed.
Made from the pitside.
Forced out wide. Flames are there.
Salflight does find something, Zantara's not so lucky.
You've still got a crossfire, this rotation in from the lively side, man, just gonna be found by Apex.
It's not gonna make things so much more difficult.
Solid from Soulfly, has to do it all in a year.
Three kills just to extend play, just to give Aurora something to talk about on this CT side.
Seven seconds, it's a head-to-head duel.
Apex running to his demise.
Soulfly has a round, steps up, delivers, extends play.
He's looked at right at home and some of these anchor rolls.
So an important one from him there and sort of confidence boosts up
for him to put in the highlight reel.
But is it just establishing another round of play?
Or is there something more afoot?
One man staying alive.
You've got a couple of MP9s and Wokson gets his AWP to play again.
But it's always tense.
It's always close.
It's going to have to be clean.
Oh, the quality of now position.
That one, that's 100 to 0.
Roasted.
Oh, Maga, Maga needed that, Apex.
Wasn't expecting to see Maga just as he rounds the corner.
The clawback from Zyra, and now that B-Side's vulnerable.
They're going, they're going.
They know exactly where you are, somewhere on site, they clear him out,
Tech 9 leaps into the site and that's gotta be it!
Oh, it really is now!
Woxic doesn't even get to try a retake and he is giggling!
There's Daemon that is Zywote, haunting the nightmares of Aurora.
And that's the end of that folks, Vitality 13, 8-2 Aurora.
That just as we expected, you're watching greatness unfold, live and direct here from
PGO Cluj and now Parka, this is Vitality in fine form.
She said she loves you, but she can't love me.
But I love you!
I
Won't play window anymore
The human body was built to noble.
Tractor the desk in one singular posture for 12 hours a day.
It's time your chair evolved.
This is Secret Lab Titan Evo.
Ergonomically engineered for you.
Gamers, hybrid workers, artists.
Back in your every move.
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, ten, ten.
Come on, come on!
Come on!
Get started!
Are you ready?
Get out of the way!
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Leading into this matchup, both Janko and Perm said it is going to be extremely hard
for Aurora to topple Vitality. They needed to be firing on all cylinders and Aurora felt
that obviously. This was their map pick, they go down. In the first half, looked somewhat
promising but just wasn't enough to close it out.
Yeah, Havid Janko said that sometimes it's also about the odd position, you know, how
much is Vitality allowing Aurora to get firing on all cylinders in this game? Not really
a lot. As you said, first half was slightly more competitive than the second
out. You know, a couple of four spies that we're gonna dive into later for a
Roura mate. They have seemed a bit more competitive than it probably was. Overall,
I think when you take into consideration that a Roura picked into
Inferno, they didn't go for the Ancient Peak, they didn't go somewhere else. They
were the ones bringing Inferno into the mix. Losing 13-8 is kind of fair. You
know, I think there was a big disparity between the two teams and at no point was
a warrant. I tell you, we weren't going to win. It was just a question of how fast.
Yeah, absolutely and I think every Counter-Strike game usually comes down to a few key rounds, right?
How you perform in those rounds and what happens and Aurora had a couple of opportunities, but they would always fall short, right?
I mean, it's a respectable first half, you win the second pistol, it's 7-6, it's one round between them and then the Zybu Hero AK, right?
Right, turns everything around, all the momentum is now on the side of vitality and Aurora just didn't have anything, didn't have enough in the tank to really battle that.
Well this is the thing, right? Vitality will be very happy. They came out, they did the job, which is what I think they're going to consider quarterfinals and semi-finals.
We just need to get through these to get to those grand finals. For Aurora it's going to be devastating when you go backstage now because this was your map pick, this was your opportunity.
Yeah, you could argue that, you know, of course, they still have to believe that they can make it happen,
but I don't think much really changed for Aurora.
I think they kind of faced exactly what they were expecting.
A team that currently is the best in the world and a team where you have to play your absolute A game in order to win against them.
I'd even argue that Vitality allowed Aurora to be competitive in that first half.
Saivou was 0-5 in this game, and he ended up being the highest rated player on the server, the highest ADR,
despite doing nothing for the first six rounds.
That's where Aurora were competitive. As soon as he got going, Janko, it was over.
You rarely pointed the numbers, but I mean, Vickadia and Voxic, you just need to do better than that, right?
I mean, we were talking about individuals and you're not going to call your way to beating Vitality,
and Zantara's delivered one round, but Vickadia and Voxic just, you know, a pretty poor game for their standards,
and against a team like, actually, against any team, really, you're going to have a tough time being able to overcome
such a lackluster individual performance.
Let's talk about the gen on your screens now according to Apex at the stature. He's only 90% okay
I mean, I would take this. Yeah, a hundred percent, you know good to see rups bomb
Look at that second half a little bit. Yes, I don't have to do anything. It's just chilling
Just chilling a bit, you know trying to look but there was no kills to be found for from Mr. Rups
Obviously having a great first half here. He cemented, you know, by telling the remaining competitive
He was kind of covering for CyWoo not getting anything done on the bomb site to begin with part of a couple of retakes as well
So overall a great performance from rups and good to seem healthy and back
This is the problem of vitality right to build the opposition is they just need one or two of their players to
Kind of come online at any given moment and suddenly they become a huge threat
It's even more than that
I feel like they just need one or two players each round to come alive because as I said
I move and over to be found the first, you know
Four or five rounds went 0 and 5 and then someone else is just picking up this like this time around
It was rups sometimes we talk about it being messy in the big games
Sometimes we talk about it being Flamesy, who's having a great start to the year, there's so many different avenues to victory.
And Flamesy and Apex, even though they had a fumble or two early on in Banana, held their ground really well.
So even when Major was switching it up and you could tell he wanted to have some of those more pacey rounds,
he wanted to win a couple of rounds on B, make Vitality open 3B and then hit him with a couple of pace changes towards A,
and they're only two players on that bomb site, but it didn't quite work out as he imagined.
And then even in those rounds where, let's say, Vitality was slightly weaker towards A,
that's when you have Rop stepping up, getting a multi-kill, sort of just buying time for the rotations to come in.
Yeah, I think that goes back to the beginning of the game as we discussed, right?
Aurora losing his Losing Conversion, then they find themselves successful with this false buy coming in with the Tech Nines.
As you said, Flamesee and Apex perhaps dropped the ball a bit in this round,
But overall they restabilized I believe the following round as well flames. He stepped up and did a huge job
Do you think to yourself? Okay Aurora you buy your ticket into the game right here
You buy your ticket into the round you win a force by and that's something you need to do a couple of times in a game
In order to make the upset happen in order to beat vitality
Unfortunately, they couldn't really pounce on that they go down six to four again later station of this half
Then they do it one more time they win another force by and the picture I'm trying to paint right here
The same is that if you're Aurora, it's your own map pick, it's inferno, you're
winning two force buys in a game like this and you're still losing 13-8, you're
still not even remotely competitive from the moment it was 7-6 then there's a
lot of stuff that needs to go your way because I feel like normally under these
circumstances you do that as a team, you're in a pretty good position to get a
win or at the very least make it much much closer.
Was there something that Aurora could have done in the second half to change the scoreline and
and potentially take it further.
Not lose the second round.
I think that would have gone a long way.
Problem is just when you lose that second round,
after winning pistol, doesn't matter which side it happens on,
doesn't matter which map against who you're playing,
just the effect on the economy is absolutely tremendous.
You can see Zywul, we always talk about his work
on the rifles too, not just on the Yop,
and just doing a great job of trading,
also understanding that he needs to keep being aggressive
this one rifle if he just sits back you know his teammates didn't have all too
much to work with in this round and he's able to do enough and they're able to
buy enough time you know for major to not be able to go for the retake and you
know after this it's 1400 for Aurora one save gun it's not even about that next
round it's the first gun round that they have there's no upon Voxxic you don't
have all the nades to fight bananas you need to take some sort of a risk and
that's the thing about you know a squad like Vitality and an in-game leader like
He's aware of this, like in freeze time he's going to be saying to his team guys,
let's watch out for something aggressive, let's spend more utility in the default
because you're going to take a risk of some source, you know, let's cross our T's, dot our I's
and it's very difficult for those plays to work against a team of Vitality's caliber.
What can Aurora take away from this game? I mean, I know that they've lost the map,
but is there something that they can take away, kind of clutch onto as they move into Vitality's map?
I think SoFly did okay. That's a new prospect obviously at the second time for him on a big stage in a playoff game.
We saw in Krakow obviously not getting much done together with his team this time around though.
He found some impact early on in the game and I think he holed up to his own serve.
There's one thing I do want to point out as something positive for Aurora,
again despite losing your own map pick and not really making it competitive.
It would be that SoFly this time around actually stepped up and played like he's been playing throughout the entire group stage,
which has been a positive sign for him.
Another positive thing is, you know, starting CT side overpass for the next map.
I think, I don't know if Apex has one eye on like,
Fury potentially in the semi-final, like he's really trying to nail down this overpass.
I mean, they're undefeated this year on the map, right?
Picked it against Aurora in that other game, beat them comfortably.
But Aurora, no slouches on the map.
I mean, they've played it five or six times, you know, they have a positive win rate on it.
But obviously going up against Vitality,
What I want to see them do on CT side, is just gamble a little bit more, take some risks,
cap 3A, 4A openings, then go into 4B plays, where you push for water control, you need
to try and make Vitality uncomfortable, make the game a bit messy, because if you play
it by the book, I think Vitality just has your number.
Yeah, last time they played, Vitality also started on the T side, they got the 8 rounds,
got off to a very strong start, and Janko kind of highlighted it here from Inferno,
by Katie at Boxic, not getting a lot of stuff done.
Guess who were the two lowest rated player in that game as well?
Looking at by Katie towards the B bomb side,
you looked at Boxic on the A bomb side,
where the two lowest rated players sorry for Aurora
and in that specific game versus Vitality on Overpass.
So I feel like there's a lot of stuff obviously outside
of the obvious that is pointing in the direction
of Vitality right now.
But in terms of changing the title of this game,
I'm looking at a Boxic, I'm looking at an AWP presence
that can shut down a Cyborg that last time
these two teams faced, points to plus two rating.
I do find it interesting, Janko, where you mentioned they need to be a bit messy, they need to change things up.
I wonder when you are a team going up against the name Vitality now.
That feels like a very brave thing to do.
You kind of go, let's just stick to what we know, because we can do that as best as possible.
I mean, how many teams are going to be willing to try something completely different and shake it up a little bit?
Well, correct me if I'm wrong here, Janko, but when we say that, it's not like we want Aurora to go in and play as if it was a face-it game.
Of course, they still have protocols, of course, they still have defaults.
They have ways of playing the game, but I think on an individual basis,
what you're seeking is a bit more, you know, I guess freedom to take the individual
decisions that can make the game, as you know, lose another guy like boxing,
maybe going for an extra repeat, maybe going down towards connector and risk it
all, you know, by fighting till you die.
It's not that you can throw the entire paper out of the window.
I don't think that's what Yankees was requesting.
That's not what I would suggest, but just let loose a little bit in some of
those individual decision making moments that could maybe, maybe make a game.
Yeah, be more aggressive, you know,
swing a third player in the mid-round towards A, go for the re-clear in bathrooms,
no be the one who dictates the pace of the game because in a 5v5 if you're
doing it just step by step, Woxic takes one line, as he gets flashed back he
takes another one, when the smoke comes in he goes back to the site, I don't think
that's the way to play against Vitality if you're Aurora, right? I think other
contender teams you know they can play their own game because they have
already such a high level and they can match up against Vitality better
or Aurora, considering the roster change, just sort of the ceiling a little bit and even more so
when your individuals are struggling, like that's where you need to sort of gang up a bit more,
right, and try to use the numbers to your advantage. It's not ideal, right, you're always
leaving some the side weaker open to reaction for the players from vitality, but you know,
you're going up against the best team in the world, you have to risk something.
Okay, so it's a bit of an obvious question, but I'm going to ask it anyway, what are the strengths
their vitality bring to Overmars?
I mean, the entire thing.
I think the T side is good.
We see a lot of teams having a tough time,
finding a lot of openings on the T side.
I don't really see vitality struggling with that.
Obviously, the CT side defense is great as well.
A-picks individually has been stepping it up
in the beginning of 26.
I think that's another underrated storyline
that we were kind of focusing a bit during later stages of 25,
that he was individually starting to struggle a lot.
So far in 26, he's been great specifically in Overpass,
he's getting a lot of the job done by being very,
I guess mobile, especially on the CT side.
So I feel like you can point in pretty much any direction,
but tell of these rocks on it.
I think for me, it's Rops as well, especially on the T side.
On Overpass, it's really important that your B anchor is self-sufficient, right?
Like while the rest of the team might be working on the A side of the map,
like that he takes the space that's given to him.
You know, if the CTs are playing maybe 2B, 3A, because they're feeling pressured
and they're playing barrels and water or something like that,
to just walk out monster, right?
Look for that, you will put some pressure,
maybe cut off rotations and give options to Apex, right?
Where he can fake A, come back to B,
because Robs is in position, really, to pounce when his team needs it.
It's looking like Vitality is going to be able to secure themselves a spot
in the semi-finals by closing out 2-0.
What we need from Aurora is for them to be brave and to get a little bit messy.
Let's see if they can do that.
Yeah, a little bit messy.
Perhaps that is exactly what we have to look forward to.
Thank you very much, guys.
Cluesh, you having a good time? You entertained?
Hell yeah.
Year is 2026, over 10 years since Apex lifted that major trophy in this very arena, the BT Arena.
Yeah, it feels like a bit of a formality, this one is going to be going the way of Vitality.
Zawoo started that map 0-5 down, ended up 19-10, 5 multi-kills and 5 opening kills.
Slow start, no issues, Zawoo, inevitable. I think that's what he said last time.
time. That's right. He is
inevitable. Yeah, this does
feel like an inevitable finish
for Vitality here on Overpass.
Outgunned a mismatch. You only
play what's in front of you and
for Aurora, it's Vitality.
Okay, that's a good start on the
P2K. Once you go into Apex
opening exchange, Zywoo.
We're just discussing alive.
Pep is a couple, so they're
coming for you, Magadi. You've
gotta hit this first one.
He has done the opposite 30 bullets later. He's brought down rocks. They will get into the site, but it's still going to be a disadvantage
You can pipe up short quickly bomb will go down. However, later this he's got a lot of work to do here on the short fight
Oh, no clean click from Madge. He goes down as he stands his ground and flames. He immediately removing centaurs
That opens up more for the post plan. They get access to water. They can play on the ramp
They've got everything covered now and that advantage from walks. It's open up
It's window to north
Well, a lot of teams in the current landscape when these guys exist, but for Aurora, a team
who would be having to get some just the wins on the stage, not in terms of series, I'm
talking maps, up against the world best, you heard it from Magic, they're going to give
it their best and it's a learning experience, still early days with SoulFly and the team
and he had some nice moments over there in the corner, but yeah, Wakandia will be frustrated
with himself there. And once this crossfire is set up, that is absolutely beautiful work.
Forced by in for Aurora, wouldn't be the first one of these
lighter situations they've been able to convert. Yeah, and starting a flash of the ready here it
comes. Whilst I agree, I do not think the MP9 is particularly fantastic on a map like Overpass.
Well, apart from it ranges like that, once it was in a good place to do some damage,
got flashed off exactly where he was though they they have a very good idea what this set us
meant to look like that flash oh yeah oh yeah right so sometimes you get the scout deep right
you definitely get the AWP deep and this is just that we farmed up right now soulfly ends and
Tara's last two men on the scene
it's real comfort for Vitality knowing they on this map against Turks not that long ago
This was already, in my opinion, the tougher side of the bracket.
The Falcons falling to ParaVision.
Yeah, it was a high-octane start to the day.
It's tough for ParaVision going up against Team Like Mouth.
I understand they had a very good win against Falcons, but Mouths,
in those type of matches, they're a different piece.
It's just vitality is the team they can't get past.
And Torji had no issues letting the crowd know how he felt.
Oh, wow.
Oh, he's blind, of course. I
went to bracket him up. Oh, he's
even stolen that one away from
apex. That's part of the crowd
right now. Give them the applause.
Very well done, gentlemen. 30
start guns come out. But at least
this time round for right for
number one. Woxic has his all.
That's a nice difference maker.
openings you get that front sight lurks mode the blower on open he's finding pigs
we make him puxy and his new band of men a little bit silly but uh
well bonus guns in this one for vitality that's going to force them into a bit more of a b-ling
that's a big nade down the pocket
short control gained
not going to be leading the charge looks like they want to go for a little boost
so they could perhaps get caught out this is very popular right there might
Yeah, perfect. I was talking more about the T side, the double nades to wood with the eruptions your monster at the same time. We've seen a lot of that in recent overpass play.
There's a good response as they're setting it up. If you don't pass safely like Rob's did, you're going to die like Mezzie did.
Flushed out. Madge, I didn't have anyone to set up for that, so just confirmed that there was another body there.
Silver Champs 4, 4v3 on the side. Oxyganz and Tara's on fast rotations because both playing top of A.
of a. There are nades for the
finish. Smoke heaven. Your
brand or barrels Molly in a
way you go with a couple of
good flashes. Let's see. Can
you hold on to the man
advantage? Wow, that just
forced or was that a single
flash bang? So scared. Oh my
gosh. Okay. Well, these two
SMGs are going to try and
Four versus five. How quickly does that disintegrate? Solid extension of the advantage. Saltfly versus Apex. Oh, shred it.
Too little, too late from Waxxxorp. He's going to play for the clutch. He's going to play for the round. He loses it all.
I think that the fear factor there with the U-Tilt highlights the disparity in this matchup, better than anything really could.
one single flash back and they dump it and say wow beautiful headdress
Single flash and it forces the pillar smoke the incendiary monster HG and a flash back
The funny thing is the pillar smoke actually makes it easier for them to pardon through monster. Yeah, they actually worked out really nicely
We have a buffer now. We only have to worry about left side and once we're in
Well, someone's been working hard today. Wow
The totem pole of beverages
I hope that wasn't all you has to be done. Well, no team effort, you know
truly ductates is up
Rora take a tactical timeout they'll go into another partial with
MP 9s are plenty walks it to keep it a little bit lighter max loss bonus to making sure he gets out the AWP
I think you're hoping for a little bit more entertainment with the fury of Mongols game to close it down it again
It is just up right by Talody
You can say Astralis or you can say Vitality. I'll take either answer because
we're still in the Vitality era. The Astralis one is over. Yeah they can add
more pages to that history book. Look how quick this is gonna come.
Some Taros, hello. In the open. It's done well to hit the headshot but hunted down
by the Zyra rifle forces him back.
So that's gonna concede an awful lot of space. You are in the dark on A. The key
right now is these two smokes, one was the entire one with Soulfly, so they're going to be able to
block for at least a little bit longer and with the same's a little bit low he might go down
quickly on the entry, so I do like the twist they've got on that new flash for the long take.
Less easily spotted, a quicker pop.
Is this a gamble or is he just gonna...
You know, you know, you have
SMGs at 4-1. We've seen a lot of this, right?
And rotation.
Oh!
Oh!
Has he just sent Santaras on his ass?
Forget about the rotation. They started pushing short,
and as that shot came in, so it'll be too late to this.
This is going to be a 5-0 start.
It just feels like we're all shooting into a vitality scrim.
Yeah, we're about to watch some dry run right now.
Who's going to die first? Flamesy or Zywoo? What do we reckon? Let's make it interesting.
Alright.
Cluj, make some noise if Flamesy dies first.
Okay, I'd say that's about half of the crowd.
He's about to die now.
Oh, what about Zywoo?
I'm not sure. I'm not sure.
Just more variants that flames
guys for a second. So yeah,
okay. That is a valid
prediction. It's a fun guy.
Oh, okay. He's fine. He's fine.
He's all good. That's 19 and
zero between the two of them.
That's a bad stat line. These
two have been in fine form for
You 5-0 in the hole CT side overpass
Already one map down at this point
You go we'll give them seven. Let's just swap sides. Shall we well speed things up?
Have you can this get maybe they can sprint across the line as well from a to be?
Flames you on a mag 10. He just wants to run
He only got a single flash because he knows he's going it first. Oh, no, you still not dead
Finds himself an upgrade steals one out of the hands of soulfly there we go flames
He's been put down by match up and the sport for a cardio
He doesn't connect
Handing out in voluntary haircuts
That one's a zero for woxic
That's a zero for Zintaris. The cross out placement is not, just so, you know, you got
your mum in the room. They can't see the x-ray. That's for us. Yeah, that's delicious,
isn't it? That's for us. Well, looking to retain the orb. 6-0 and an all in B rush.
Now look, a little bit more to it. That's the fact Flames is getting away with, I don't
Might be a kill like that. Sure, he does go down.
Lock in the next round and...
Kind of speed up the schedule a little bit, I think, by a talentee.
I... Yeah.
I'd like to see that one again, DJ.
Go on, slow-mo, or do you have any preference?
Yeah, preferably we get it in slow-motion.
That's the self-flash, that's the labourer's spray.
And then look at his pre-ame, just...
What are we, what can you see?
I've got a massive TV in front of me, I still can't see him.
Alright, alright, sir.
I'm gonna get closer to the screen, maybe that'll help.
That's better, I was doing that.
I was 80R, 6 rounds in, 206.
Hmm, mm-hmm.
180.
That's number one.
This is a swift, got scared everybody. Oh there we go. An opening kill for Aurora off
the back of the Woxic Sniper. Now he remains dynamic. Immediately starts to rotate up,
lend a hand, pressure onto the B side. The Molotov forces Riccadio out of his position.
I take a little chip damage
I'm picked up by apex now
So we're patrolling party sees nothing the turtle set up at the moment
James you will relay that weapons been retrieved. I love how he's got 12k and he's working with a Mac 10. Yeah, just because I can
this one you feel it has to be
the first you definitely feel
that way. He does impress on
those lesser weapons. He gets
insane output for someone that's
so rarely equipped with the
rifle. That just is rotated
out. So it's only some
defense on big. That's a
maybe a bit too geeky.
It's a cool idea. I suppose it supports the monster pipe take.
I'm just back in time. Now there's 20 seconds. You have to win this one.
This has to be Aurora's round. Surely, surely not. How's he done that?
Flamesy, Zywoo, the left and the right. They both hit. They do need to get that bomb planted.
Oh, they just can't stop him. He's not missing. They can't touch him.
whole minutes. And this is
overpass traditionally the
slowest map in the pool. Yeah,
I just can't believe the flames.
He's got another one there. Like
you're in a 45 disadvantage.
Like take a screenshot, you know,
one of those you missing you
to miss a Molotov. They have max
cash on flames. You and I were
before the buy. Okay. Well, at
least he's not operating with the
Max 10 anymore. He's got an M for
released. Oh, it's like a good
sandwich. Climb out number two.
Halfs already gotten away from
you. The best you can salvage
is five and that would need to
start now and you need to be
five consecutive. What do you
have for breakfast or lunch?
And what is he having for dinner?
Oh, he's having a rora for
dinner. Tasty. Just give up and
down right now. Tasty.
All right, well, what can you say about this one?
I'm going to check what that Hedgehog percentage is. Is that tournament-wide? I don't know.
Well, he's got 71% right now.
Either way, it's 71% with 14 and 0. It's going to go down a bit with the orb one with a one with a
soon. Alright Aurora. I'm not gonna say it, but nobody wants to see it. You need to get
a couple. Yeah. Start with one and we'll make it two.
is pre-aiming the boosts.
Oh, you just can't!
Peek at your own peril!
He's getting better.
So right now, Zahra and Flamesy have 26 frags combined.
Mezzy, Rops and Apex are passengers.
They have four combined.
Yeah, I mean, most of them...
But they're enjoying the game.
Absolutely.
They're doing their part.
You know, they have their hands on the mouse and keyboard.
in keyboard they're participating. Maybe they wish they were dead so they could be watching
what we're getting to see right now. I think most of their contributions are nice. Nice
Zaiwu. Nice Shahar. And being a stepping stool for Zaiwu on demand. Well they've got
Matt just searching forward. He's going to be forward and another one hits the deck.
Woxic and Wakadia. They're close by. They'll be able to try and burrow in here and see what
they can do this could be a walk stick round. He's got some support back at dice.
The two of them are fighting and he's lost his teammates.
Rocks it fired off a shot and that is all he gets to do.
Playtime is cancelled by Vitality. No fun allowed.
Softly is doing himself proud though with a nice quick two.
The third is asking too much. That was more that he killed Xayah.
Now we're going a little bit thirsty there.
First death.
We have our first Zywoo death.
It only took eight rounds of play.
He's averaging two kills per round.
And he's already done 1,600 damage.
He's totaled like 10 kills between Aurora in eight rounds of play.
Formality might not have been the best word to describe this.
Yeah, no, this is not a head-to-head.
This is Zywu's bullets versus your head.
I don't know what that meant to do.
Your aides are down.
They're going to play it out, obviously.
The game in my mind is already over.
Oh, lots of good leg shot.
Maybe that's the end of Zywu though.
They put a couple through the boards and...
Okay, there we go.
Okay!
Can't wait to tell us he went around without him.
Stay tuned to find out.
Quickly responding into B.
Thanks for coming to get the bomb.
Thank you, Sarge. He loses his jaw versus the B-Defense of Wakadia,
and it's all falling into place perfectly.
Okay, they're on the board.
All you have to do is defeat Superman,
and the rest falls into place.
Just do that another 12 times.
All right, this one, a guarantee, but at the moment, yeah, I would look for damage.
So Apex has grabbed one on the spam, that flank that we've just seen starting to take shape.
You know, the magic here should be the guarantee.
He's tucked in.
I just should have a good timing on this apex.
He could be dead meat.
Easy.
And now, if you're off, just looking for a bit more damage.
Can you take another kill or two?
Oh, great.
Last match up confirms it.
There you go.
Okay, first round on the board for Aurora.
just puffing up their chest with some early UTL back in a way safely which is
a bit unfortunate you like to see the teams continuing something a little
bit aggressive from Aurora right this time you want to make it messy I think
ways to do that is to have some more setups that are costed around the
central point of the map of Connector so you're forcing out trade game if I
totally are able to find the first and then it just Peters out until 4v5 they
find another seen a lot of that already you need to make sure that you're
grouped up in the ability to go one for one, and then you understand where the lurk is.
You go through your trade out there, force them into tougher mid-round situations.
Jumps as well to avoid the headshots and tares.
The guard is perfectly positioned in order to receive Mezzy, so an opening kill goes
Aurora's way.
That was the recipe for success in the previous.
We'll need to replicate.
I'm not walking to a monster here.
Okay, so what's the other thing?
Oh, he's just ahead of the smoke.
Salfly loses his head!
Swings to his demise!
Everyone's rotating now for Aurora.
Understandably.
Where there's smoke, there's fire.
And there it is, now to the core step of ATX drops trying to tap head.
Spotting out Wakardium, baits him into the swing!
Touching from Heaven!
Short-lived success!
And now Centauris has to have his round, he only gets the one quickly traded out by Flamesey,
so Vitality in short, they make it clear that was an anomaly.
And that was Centauris' first kill.
So that's your A rifle, that's your star.
I think we'll let them.
Yeah, we'll let them.
We'll allow them.
Yeah.
It was never a question of permission.
he means rent them out of house and I don't have anywhere going at the moment so
two rounds to play so I were 18 and two well here we go so I was scoping for this before
he was looking for the oh my oh okay well aware but changed the outcome does that
look at the space that flames takes immediately wow oh you just did it to set
up that boost and I will look at this oh this is he is taking liberty there's no
way so Tara's is gonna slam his desk after yeah can we make sure we get as
entire as camp this one's gonna be frustrating he is look at the shark
yeah he's picking up Nate he's got his knife out flames he has jump scared him
he didn't get the kill though so you know what mission accomplished you know
that's gonna cause a rotation so Tara's is screaming down his microphone
He's essentially playing pre-tank.
He's not essentially, he is.
He's just dumped it into full utility belt.
Battle rangs and everything.
Hey, Vixx goes down. Nice for Maga.
Finding output. Flamesy one back.
There's a lot more that came from- Oh, Flamesy!
Get naughty!
Jumps up for Zintarrez.
Next is Easy.
There's he.
Finding one onto Maga is Robs as well
that's going to be joining them on the site,
where Cardi's position now noted.
in the clutch he's known to close these rounds down try and isolate this first
fight we're cardiac oh handles it a roll up we'll get their second deny the
ropes clutch it's a different round of flames he finds the head there
Santara's buying time nice output as well on the way back in we're cardio on
late arrival, but it was
managed with two crucial
frags.
So two rounds, the
correlation to both of those
round victories is Sauer being
the opening death.
Good point.
Just do that again.
See this opening kill.
Look how little he's working
with his.
Just a tiny flash of flesh.
And back.
Lovely replay.
Shows what Wokson was working
with.
Final round of the half
Three man a star magic Centares and walks each on a fresh in this side of the map
Oh Gresham from Centares desire who brings the fight. He's been spotted out as well
There's a lot of action in closing on this fountain position
Robsick likely to push I will just go straight through the flames
Denies and now apex with the bomb on his back is taking fight taking it
He knows two. Audacious two. He knows there's two players up a bathroom.
Wait, what's Simon up to? Why does it look like he wants to fight?
He wants to peek in! That's the end of him!
They are taking a couple of extra confident moves.
Yeah, well, Mezzi will have one here.
Yeah, that's for sure, that's certain, but they have still got the bomb under CT control.
And you know, Robs is the B-look.
Vitality knows Soul Flays still alive.
You know, the other two would award A.
Now it's about trying to isolate these fights together.
You've got plenty of time to do it.
These are your more passive elements of vitality right now.
So who plays first? I would assume Mezzi.
Mezzi peeking in.
That's nice from Woxig.
Not messing around.
Feels impossible here for Rob.
So nice jiggle to bait our Woxig's shot, closes the gap.
And under half flash and confound just behind the box.
Sintar is hiding in plain sight hanging out with three there and so it will be the third
The golf club from Cluj-Napoca
So how it ends the half with 19 his teammates have 12 in total other than flamesy
He's at Romsomezzi and apex have 12 in total and then flames he has 15
This one has been casual affair on overpass that is
Much much much more than you would expect on a T side
Now it's just about closing up sharp and getting us to the final best of three of the day, Furia versus the Mongols.
Furia coming into that one is favorites.
Oh, for sure.
For sure, for sure.
Yeah, the world number two.
The Mongols are still, look, they didn't win a series in Krakow, but this is still early days with Cobra Zero.
And it seems like Mara's plan is to peak for the majors.
So I think they'll go from strength to strength.
They even had some practice after Krakow.
So yeah, it's crazy to P-word.
seems like they're allergic to it at the best of times, but all right, we've swapped the sides and we've got the time ticking down. Let's get this
likely final half underway
Two British for Zywut
For Mezzi, T side by has a couple of smokes
This is an unusual start. Three players starting towards the A side of the map. They're going
caught. Flamesee and Apex dispatched for a disruptive presence in the connector.
There's going to be contact. There's going to be friction. Flamesee positioned to receive,
Apex hoping to go overlooked. Now the standoff begins. Who moves first?
first. Biggest problem for this
is Aurora, they have a plan.
This is just a fan out across the map
and see if there's any aggression
and then look for the finish together.
This U2 that they've invested, it's for a reason.
Yeah. So if magic goes down, that full belt
that you see gone and the whole round has to change,
but they haven't gotten anything just yet.
Now they start their move.
Plainsy ready to hit that first headshot
on the clear of Woxic.
Keep your eye on magic.
Thanks, he gets spotted out.
It's a way that Salki baits them in!
Nice from Apex, but Madge ellipse on, gets that trade!
Down he goes, down go the nades!
Gameplan scrapped!
And the three on three!
Finishing B, Mezzy's got flashes as well.
Oh, this could set up Xayah with perfectly perfect mo-
Oh!
Flashes him in to Centaur as his clock.
Team flash delays him, but now they're on the back foot here.
Robs detached.
Coming in from the shore side, we'll swing open the door.
He's going to play it by the book here.
It's the science reverse, right?
If I tell you he had the 9300 CT half, and now Aurora's chance to defend.
I'm just going to say that he's going to play it by the book here.
Science will reverse, right? If I tell you he had the 9-300 CT half, and now Aurora's chance to defend.
I'm saying, yeah, it's okay. They can bring this back, but the other way around, it's so tough to start that conversation.
Now, this is exactly that. Still some good team play there. The Molliland's barrels, Zawoo gets the Gooch, then dead.
It's a nice one.
We remember the Rora comeback versus Charleston on Dust2, 10-2 down and they were able to pull it off it again.
It's the T side of Overpass, notoriously.
It's the hardest encounter strike to get a boatload of rounds and Charlie made it easy thanks to Sniwook.
It's a good team work to grab that one.
9-4, forced by vitality.
Aurora, with this, can become 9-6 pretty quickly, still a long way up.
If I need to jump FB9 with Apex, there we go, and maybe that.
By the way, Messi can take a short space, double nades in con.
It's the only one over towards A with a Famous.
I
Put it be
Guaranteed for full to soft line that endeavor. He's gone away. He's gone away
Opening kill from his 5-7
Rob staying active, but his back is currently turned and centaurs on this content me. Oh
Okay, centaurs his position has been triangulated ever standoff right now flams you
Prepare for contact Rob so get out of there through long so he gets to reset
They'll have to account for his position. Whereabouts now?
Flames, he's going to be hearing all of this.
Yeah, way too much noise, man. He knows exactly what's going on.
Yeah, and they're going to have an extra man over here. Short flash for the low HP.
This is actually a really nice idea from Apex, but I was not interested.
Flames, he's playing for info. He's going to push down behind and it's all going to go.
See you later. See you later.
Now the monster flash does work out. Oh, he hit one. He did on the fadeaway puts Woxic on 10 HP demands a dead man crouching
Vitality no pistol still convert round two
Also one of the crazy things with watching a lot of vitality in recent times is the amount of eco victories
I understood that one's a force. Oh, he's seen some of their rounds that they should never be winning
Oh look how easy this one comes in the cheeky. That's all it is. He claims he plays the
infotainment at the perfect time right. Here's those steps. I understand I need to play for
info. He's jiggling. Rops is there as a safety net. He takes the risk, finds the gap, confirms
it's big. Good output from everybody there as I think it's on the door for this one.
I think it's fun to watch a team play near perfect counter strike.
We had this issue during the Astralis era where a lot of people got bored because the
outcome was essentially a certainty.
Sure.
It was a little bit of a problem because if you're watching a competition and you already
feel like you know who's going to win, and then that continues to happen time and time
and time again, it just reinforces that.
But seeing them do...
I mean, these are masters of their craft.
Oh, yeah.
They refine the details of the game.
I do not...
He's...
What?
Get away with it.
Apex double-nade, locked on shore, we've already taken heavy licks.
They're constantly just adjusting. Once it could hit this, oh, but they thought about that, Chad, and that's where they flashed!
Every detail in play.
I've got a step taken too far.
Seriously, I mean it, I am always in awe.
I think that's the best word for it.
Well, you have to finish B, boys.
Flames is low, Mezzie here. You get past Mezzie, you're in.
Oh, that smoke has told them where the finish is coming.
And so another.
And your choice is, forced by again, or eco for the last.
Neither sound particularly fun.
Nah.
Take 30 seconds to think about it.
If this was a pug, you'd force.
Yes, yeah. However, this is a quarter final.
Yeah, and probably the last couple of rounds you'll play.
So, hey, maybe we go on up. They're forcing you now.
Now, fair enough.
1.25 million dollars the prize pool for this event.
And I think if you want to continue the legacy building
and leave your mark on the top tournaments,
everybody's in attendance here other than Spirit,
and they know they should have been.
That's their mistake.
And the teams who could have been going up against them
would be happier to not have to deal with Donk, but...
We can switch with that one. Nothing but net as it's just going to be a contact attempt into A.
Again, it's, you know, we see flames you get info and then we cut to vitality in the right place.
Good flashes, really good flashes, that's the dead man, nice opening, lovely from Aurora.
They found the less guarded site and they've got access.
Saved.
They've had a bunch of these now. We go back to Inferno, they had a handful too, it's thinking, okay boys.
Whatever the rescue for success is in these rounds, can we just bring that to the gun rounds?
Well I suspect, you know, a lot of it is to do with taking more of these risks.
That's it though and the pressure a little bit more amplified in the right front side. Okay. Well, we're equal
Whereas this is like well, we have these lighter guns
We have to take more of a chance and when you do it pays off
And I think that it's probably gonna be one of the positives that Aurora can take away is let's look to replicate
Not the round but the feeling the philosophy approach the round
Yeah, right leg in terms of feeling a little bit more free because you're in a hole at the moment and getting this one
I think it's going to inspire the confidence necessary to draw the game back for the victory, but definitely a nice little snugger to add on to the board.
And as you know, I think you're right, there are lessons as Maja. The word came out of Maja's mouth in the pre-match interview.
Well, learning, I think he said, but there's definitely some key takeaways from what has worked for Marora and what hasn't.
And everyone's been susceptible to those pounce plays from Marora in this.
Aurora in this. It was the B defense of Apex and Flamesy. It was the A player as well with
the Mezzi and Robs getting overrun. And now it's Robs and Zywoo. And Zywoo has been almost
immortal. We've tracked up seven deaths now, 21 and seven.
Zatara's aggressive target. Head to head. Softly versus Robs. And despite the headshot,
That's not enough for the finish.
Smoke breaks into come a little late, Wokadia has passed.
Rops will need to turtle up somewhere now.
Crop smoke divided coming out with a minute 20 on the clock.
It takes peppers away, Wokadia.
That's his like two, Zawut forwarded this and without too much support it,
it's just Rops in the jump spot for long right now.
We might have to do an awful lot on his own
You want hell of a flash roms could set aside for a crazy spray
That was the flash has to do it without now
Kill from a cardiac still though. They've opened up the site you've taken down the biggest threat
Here comes the second biggest threat in rotation
Give this one a look though
Ooh, info on a smoke bank. Surely not, Vitality are locked out.
You really would?
Turns to flash, easy pick-ins,
and the Kalia finds itself a double!
Just the two of them!
A nice round from him, taking teammates, but...
One is the scum to the other side,
because now you all have to take an eco for you, Vitality.
Okay, some resistance.
This is it, they're not just rolling over and dying.
I like to see this from Marora.
They're up against it, it was essentially going to be force-buying out the game.
They're winning a couple of nice ones now.
Apex takes the chance, claims to have been still on the reload.
It was a little bit later through the smoke and they just got separated there, so they will be down to just a couple of pistol upgrades.
I said the Vantani have a bit of a proficiency when it comes to winning the Ecos, but
I have to hope that Aurora walk into the stack or you can
maneuver them in this one and right now stacking over towards B, on the plate.
I've just got other things to say. I'm through connector quite confidently, the in-game leader.
They are terrifying, the flames is gone. Consistency, planter, HE that.
I don't think there is a single inkling of anybody on Vitality that this game can get
out of control with this scollum, right sir? All you need is two more rounds in the city
side of Overpass and you know individuals with a multi-kill can win you those rounds.
It's not going to come on this one, and as Wakadia continues to shoot hard,
they'll peel him apart one by one.
This is good, taking a couple of confident-building frags right now.
Wakadia and Zintara. Zintara's at one point, sitting at very, very few kills,
giving him some up to 12, so he's at the top with Wakadia now,
USP dealt with the Flamesy.
Ooh, sounded like a couple of extra bullets were used there.
Gotta make sure the guns are working.
Now, Rops would be able to buy the AWP and drop that to Zawoo.
So that's fortune, otherwise wouldn't be possible.
And Zawoo has been thinking that.
It has been pretty easy for him so far, but he's...
I stopped at 21 kills.
So 41 between Zawoo and Flamesy combined.
18 for the rest of his team.
They shut this down now or will Aurora still continue to build a little bit of belief?
Well I have this nasty on display.
This is good.
Not giving up in the arena game, sticking to it and plugging away.
Yeah, and there's always an idea.
Every round there's a different plan.
You can see this boost here is not going to necessarily bear fruit, but...
Maybe we'll fight on long will.
Yeah, double man side of Apex here, third piece.
Is he going dry?
Centares is peeking dry-lop.
Rob's up close, that's enough.
Centares will back away for safety.
He'd assume the AWP would be deeper at a minimum.
The AWP instead is posted for the party peeks.
Rob's ready for this head-to-head, and Tarras loses his.
Is that the first?
And this house of cards will come tumbling down.
Always there a claw back here from Woxic.
Does find the rebuttal.
Oh, it's going to hit the table was back now in the favor of Aurora a chance for another
round after this one just becomes a three round game.
The money would be there for a Vatadi buy again.
Yes, it looks scary.
Okay.
Now this threats the present.
have to putt this one in now. We got the speed and some fly versus Mezzie. Mezzie down after
one, a port for Mercadia. Commitment in, there's only Flamesy here and Rory has just
got a lot to contend with him. It's shot from Zywis Sniper. How many chances is he going
to get? Magi takes it for the damage, walks it the same, but bringing down Flamesy has
to surely secure the round. We would have got really awkward. He hits that seven seconds
on the clock. I don't know if they get to it in time. Yeah, that would have been a round
defining shot through the wall. Alright, well, uh, Zaiwut hanging around.
The cardio already hunting, Moxie the same.
There is a kid in water but uh, there you go.
So once they retain the AWP they just want to try and give a nasty defuse a go and lose it all.
That's a solid turning it no longer into a formality, making Vitality work for this.
That's not how you spell Subaru.
sevens the BP carried through and some cracks in the CT side out of vitality. This is their pick.
You'd think the hard work on the T side would have made this a quick trip.
And all started with that essential force flying out the game for Aurora pop into A,
Zagwin rubs, really not putting out much resistance.
Another perk to this MP9 jump spot is that you're safe from that barrage of nades.
Zepik's going to be trying to shoot with this jump spot.
He's definitely going to take a little burst, but just one.
Oh, but then they look at him.
Then they look at him, they turn around,
and then the short play is BUSH!
Oh, it's SPIED!
Teamplay on display, they lose both of them.
Zorflay and Zhentaras distracted by a pesky, jumping SMG.
Now you run into the AWP.
Have you forgotten about the saved Zywoo AWP?
Never mind, Madge, that's naughty.
He catches Robs. Look in the wrong way. Lack of daisical.
Something they want to rotate back to B.
Woxigin connector. Maybe Maja has different plans.
Takes sock right now. You still got to smoke.
Amoli, you can use this.
If Wakandia can get past Apex at long, there's a chance.
Vizagu has the line cover for now.
Wakandia's waiting for the commands.
You're hoping that they over rotate back to B.
All fires off.
And then you've got a gap. Okay.
Thumps up over. Apex should be set to collect it.
We're guarding out! Oh, he's done well!
Adjust just in time. Avert's disaster. A must-win round now with 25 seconds on the clock.
You've got to commit now. Madge is the first. Why is he the frontman?
Need some support.
Angle perfect for Flames. He's a little gap in the smoke and he's having his way with the...
Woxick in a 10-second situation. He hasn't got time to plant.
It's fallen through the fingers of Aurora.
So I would finally get the fifth frag of the round, but everyone else they contribute and the start of that round put a massive smile on Apex's face.
The X hasn't been happy with that as well. Take the time now. Alright boys, enough, enough. Let's get it done. Have a conversation about this. What can we buy behind the AWP and get as beautiful as a couple of hops.
Oh, it's so brutal.
It's just an apple to the left. Blend up in the sewer.
And it takes a risk. This one from Apex scrappy. That should have been where the round was done. It does come down to Flamesy.
I would not be surprised if a lot of teams start throwing that in there like half by repertoire
Just need to have a couple of ideas. Don't yet be rush. Okay pace. I like the audacity
It is kind of feast or famine though
Sideways got protection. Oh goes bringing the fight jumps into the chores. We're kind of pushed across the jail
You tell to flush him out flames. He will punish. Do you keep committing?
Zintara's is abandoning ship.
I'm trying to get value out of this low HP now.
Again, Wakanya taking that risk, taking that space.
You can see that liberated by the idea that this one is feeling over
and that's given them at least a life, at least in some circumstances.
Zintara's now through connector.
We'll be catching the timing on ROPS here.
Yeah, it's only a possibility to pen so diligent he is on his clears, which as we know with Zintara's
He's usually pretty dialed in
This flames he's jumped stop the clear easy pickings good find
Zintara's has opened up the avenue into be they did find value in the low HB
They have committed now here they come from Zintara's on that low HB and now the beast I should be theirs
as he scarfers over dumb for you till
Oh, Mora for their ninth, looking set.
They back away.
Apex is on A.
So they just kind of said to Flamesy, you can handle this.
Yeah, try and hold on to it the best you can.
We'll be playing for the next round in this one.
I'll leave it from both of them there, but that you will get the better of the kid is
that nine now.
Credit where it's due to Centares gets out, but out of that low HP brought down low right
at the start of things.
A little bit that audacious from Zairu wasn't it?
That first shot, the last thing for the finish and yet I will say though, like seeing him
go for those kind of plays, it does tell me like that's there's a chapter in the Zairu
book that we still haven't started yet.
I think that's it right there.
I know the output that this guy can deliver, I think it's with the flair, and if he pulls off a maneuver like that, gets everyone out of their chairs.
Now, with those saves, they can drop it all. So we can go again, Alex.
Maybe he's going to play a little more reserve this time.
I would say so. He's gotten much closer after a 9-3-T half into a 12-9 score.
9-T rounds. Usually that just means one thing.
So if anything, right now I'm more impressed with all the rumbos, none of the flames.
Okay, Flamesy, getting tricky with it.
Little Sark Ducilay moment.
Trying to catch them on this scale as well,
so they're gonna take their time.
Don't wanna go down to a potential boost into Con.
Yeah, Vitani's first up was great.
For me, it's about staying in it mentally for Aurora.
That's what's so impressive is that,
you know, there's always an idea.
Individuals are stepping up.
I mean, he's a competitive scoreline.
However, you do need three more in a row.
Otherwise, Jacob Pinfinicky is going to say this is a cosmetic comeback.
So, what comes down to timing for Robs?
Centauris versus Robs.
And it's Centauri's the rips off Robsys.
Quiet game from Robs on map 2.
Jump peek at your own peril,
as he's already got across the sightlight.
They're going to double up on long side,
now he's going to jiggle bait, okay.
Centauri's get spotted, maybe doesn't play him.
Oh, it's Centauri's!
We're talking about double from him.
Easy pickings from Acadia set up for success by Magia,
and now we have just two rounds separating Aurora from overtime.
of a time. I think because of
how tired this was. A flick has
been switched. Yes, right? It
there's something to the plays
that they're making now that are
less cagey. And this is whether
or not they can bring this all
the way back, right? That in
itself is a massive
conversation. But for the future
of Aurora in arena games, they
may have found the secret
source by accident. Absolutely
way they've responded to this.
So now we have a real game on our hands.
Just two rounds.
You see another ex has time out right now just to talk about the money.
Because you could drop a few more M4s,
but that would leave you in a really tough position for the final.
So I think you do another partial buy with an idea,
like we saw with the jumping MP9, and then you fall by for the final round of regulation
and hopefully you can get it done there and then.
Check this round recap.
If you didn't catch that first half, my Tarty really did look untouchable.
In fact, Saouen Robs, or the Saouen Flames were for the majority of that first half.
Aurora have shown serious tenacity and look at this from the entire as I think you're
right about that switch being flipped. Aggression, the name of the game. He's already breaking
into the site. Put down now, hang on a second, they've lost two. Soulfly, Zantares watching,
biting their fingernails. Is this how your quarterfinal ends? Is this how your trip to
Romania ends? Nezzi, forced away by the flame, brought down by Riccardia, solid use of.
Nezzi from Apex Dip in a way, bomb was spotted on the short side. Imagine not known to be
an AWPer has a tech nine on his hip. Waxing equipped with that AK-47.
Oh, he doubled from Waxing and a flying MP9 that does not achieve its goal. Zai Wu with
the potential clutch close and Makaria is looking the wrong way. It's Maja versus Zai
Wu. This is a mismatch. Maja has 30 points of health. Zai Wu is not looking though.
Matt just got down and a clutch too close!
Messiah relieved Aurora got swept on the brow of Vitality there.
Hard work, grit and determination from Aurora in that second half.
You have to see the brazes, Matt just rolling over and dying in this one.
10-0 doesn't go their way, Vitality taking out 13-8 and then in Overpass they are down, they are out.
With a 9-3 scoreline but they worked hard to make Vitality sweat.
to be a formality to pull
themselves together to find the
close. This is the 18th
consecutive top four placing
four vitality. Now the legacy
building continues. Now take on
the winner of Furia and Mongols,
which is coming up next. So I
were in some ferocious form.
Flamesy looking hot. And is it
two? Oh, they are looking to run
the playoff gauntlet. The team
meant to be. Tending for the
trophies and they've got another
here in Cluj. Yeah, that actually looks like we're going to be seeing Flamesee
chatting right next to that trophy that they've got their eyes on on Sunday.
This is just the start of the Vitality project here in Cluj, Napoca. James
Banks with Flamesee. A strong performance here for Vitality, but almost a
comeback on that final map from Aurora. You guys dominated. It looks so easy at
the beginning of Overpass. Why did things start to slip away? What were you guys
struggling with. Well I think we didn't make the right decision to some extent we
we had good ideas towards B and they played really well on A and they
flushed the correct people and we just lost because of it and other than that I
don't think we played that decisive a bit sloppy on some rounds but it you know
it it goes fast because it was one by round gets a knee crawl gets another at
force so it was really important to want that force by on B on short because it
It gave us an opening to the game again.
In terms of that opening to the game, for Aurora right now,
you just have them in your back pocket.
It's another team that constantly struggles against you.
What is it that feels so comfortable for you guys to play against Aurora?
Well, I think the Mappool, we don't...
If they want to pick Ancient, they can pick Ancient.
We're confident in that map, so it creates a bit of a messy veto.
And I think we're very confident with the maps we play,
and we have a strong map right now and that helps against any team in the world.
I think actually we kind of struggle against them most of the times
because I have memories from them from back.
But on the other hand, yeah, the last two games have been good.
They've been good from us, but they still played good.
And what's going on with you right now?
Because you're not just playing good, you're playing a little bit out of your mind again.
You're enjoying it, you're going crazy.
Yeah, well, I mean, some games they go like that.
We do the right plays, we rush B, we doesn't G, then we find kills
and I love those kind of games, and Overpass allows you to play like that, so that was great to play.
It definitely was great to play. Now, on this side of the bracket, are we going to face Furia or the Mongols in there?
How confident are you that this road to the Grand Final will continue with the form you are showing?
Is Vitality hitting the A-game?
Well, I think we've definitely showed the A-game this tournament, even though we had a lot of six players.
This game, obviously, nobody played for three days, so it was a bit of a...
We had to get back into things in the beginning and I think I'm very confident to come into the semis
We're very confident against any team
So it's never the case that we come without confidence
But we we just want to play good CS
We don't care if we get the trophy as long as we play good CS and lose to a better team than us
But I think most of the times if we play our A-game it's gonna be a trophy in the back. It definitely seems that way flamesy
Thank you very much clues through to the semi-finals. It's flamely and vitality
Pamper Machine made me do this. Was it a cosmetic comeback?
I think it was a little bit more than a cosmetic comeback from Aurora.
I think they did a decent job in the second half, you know, remaining competitive in the game,
whether that was them playing well, finding the recipe,
whether that was them, you know, playing a vitality that maybe lost a bit of focus
and then thought the job was done. Hard to tell, but overall I was never worried
that vitality would go into win this game and I think that in itself is where I want to go out on this one.
Aurora, once again, in a playoff, I can't fault them for losing to Vitality,
but it's just more of the same in the sense that I never really have faith
whenever they're entering a quarterfinal.
Yeah, I think for Aurora, at this stage, for this particular lineup,
you can't expect them to really do much against Vitality,
especially when they don't even try to gamble on Ancient,
when it was being let through.
I mean, I feel like you need to play to an Ubis or Ancient, right?
Like, if they got surprised by it being let through, I think that's on them.
You would have had to practice it enough because that's the only way in you have against Vitality at the moment
Right all these other maps you just don't have
Any sort of an advantage anything that you can hope for and yeah, that was a little bit disappointing
But I think for Aurora
It's more about the
positives of the fact that they made back-to-back playoffs right which was the case towards the tail end of last year and they
Definitely have something to build on
I mean, I did ask you this question before the game and I suppose I'll reword it to you
But they do Aurora do get a lot of black online
About their performances and about how they do it
But when you look at the bigger picture, they are making fails
Do you think it's why it's it?
I think it's just annoying like not everyone can be a contender
Not every team that exists is one day going to contend for trophies
You know, like some teams are just going to be
You need to look at the context of the team and of the lineup and whatnot
Of course, they played to win and they played to lift the trophy, but I don't think they're a contender team.
I think you'll see them in playoffs. That's their, you know,
ceiling really, and then potentially they could ruin someone else's chances of lifting the trophy, right?
Like they can knock out your falcons or your
spirit or fury or someone who's in contention for the trophy,
but they don't have enough depth as a team or on the player level to make a run throughout, you know,
and be three good teams in a row and be the best of five grand final.
And then I think that's fine, you know, until these players improve to some level where we can look at them and say,
wow, they can really match up against the best.
Or if some new talent rises and then we can be like, this lifts their ceiling, it's just where they are at the moment.
We do know that their latest addition, SoulFly, is with James now. Let's say goodbye to him.
Thank you very much, Sam. I've got SoulFly with me here just to talk through these kind of new experiences you're going through.
I know it's not easy to stomach these losses and go through this, but how is it for you right now,
dealing with the stage, going through this as a new player to the team?
I'm personally, it's a huge experience for me and playing against
top one team. I have a lot to learn and still today any of our players still learning as well,
like all of us running. Yeah, I don't know what's going to say more.
Looking at when you go up against the team like Vitality, what do you think is the biggest difference for you guys say when you play group stage to playing on the stage?
Is there something you may be able to notice already?
I mean, every day it depends on our mood, you know, like if you come in practice room with the bad mood, we know that we're not going to have a good game and stuff.
And today, I want to say that we struggled with the mentality, we didn't start good, but I don't know, it's as I said, it's always about the mentality and we didn't have the right mentality today.
In terms of not having the right mentality, something did change in Overpass. You looked like you were being destroyed and walked over. Can you tell us, can you explain what the difference was there?
I mean every second we were believing and at the end of the day like we were like 12, 7 or something and Voxic again starts screaming and everybody was believing and that was literally like the low voices everyone has but everybody was believing you know so yeah.
So there is a way, there is an idea of how you can make it work for the future.
Lastly, anything you want to say to the Turkish fans, everyone in the arena before you leave.
Thank you very much, SoulFlight. I'm back to you.
I was talking about the mentality of the team.
I think it's just, I don't want to read too much, you know, when people,
the English is their second language or whatnot.
But, you know, when you hear stuff like, oh, it depends on our mood,
when we get into the prac room, right?
If you're not in a good mood, you know, if you're coming with a bad mood,
we're not going to play a good game.
Like, you don't have that luxury to have a bad mood going into the prac room
if you're Aurora. You have to be like Maus.
You have to be in a good mood all the time, right?
Like, you don't have that because that's something that you can influence.
can influence. That's something that depends entirely on you, on every player individually.
Are you going to be an asshole and come in and you're going to be moody and like,
oh, I'm having a bad day, guys, you know, I'm not really going to talk during this practice
and I'm going to ruin it for everyone else. Or are you going to be, you know, an adult and a
professional and sort of do your best to help the team atmosphere? Like team consists of five
players, everyone contributes equally to it. And this is what we were talking about when they get
too emotional or they tilt on the server but obviously it's not only doing games right like
it's been following this team around for a while and again you look at some of these other teams
the players that they have everything that they have you don't have the luxury of being moody
like you need to do your best every single day if you're ever going to have the hope of competing
against some of these other teams. Hard to disagree with anything you just said right here if anything
I just want to add on to to SoFi yes maybe English is not his first language and his second one but
you know, balls for stepping up and saying it, balls for calling it out how it is.
Maybe that's what they need within Aurora. A guy coming in from the outside, you know,
telling them exactly what's going on right here. As you said, like, it cannot be a mood thing,
it cannot be a mentality thing. Like, if you want to beat Vitality, like, the first thing that's
going to make you lose is if you come in with a bad attitude. So, for the new guy to come in and
call it for what it is, and addressing it and putting word to it from the get-go, hats off to
Tosoflis, who outside of playing a decent game-wide heather as Vitality has done a good job in Aurora,
so far. Let's take a bigger picture. If we look at the side of the bracket, it's rough for whoever is
here because of vitality in the form that they're in right now. If Feria wins. Feria Vitality has
been a banger. Okay, the Crackle Grand Final wasn't really close but Feria had their number a couple
of times before that and I think definitely lessons learned from Feria from that game. Also,
they'll have an easier time I feel like in a best of three than in a best of five to go up against
and I don't think Vitality is going to have easy overtime as they did here in the quarter-final.
You think that it's still going to be competitive on this side of the bracket?
We're not going to see Vitality steamrolling their way to the grand final.
I'm not going to count out that could be a possible scenario, but I agree with Janko.
I think Furia vs. Vitality has potential to be a really, really good matchup.
Obviously, that requires Furia to get over the hurdle.
That is the Mongols here in half an hour's time, but I still don't see Vitality as being unbeatable,
being unbeatable, but they are by far the best team
and the most consistent team in the world.
But in any given game, especially in the best
of three as you said as well,
I think there's a chance especially for Furia.
We've teased a little bit to a Furia Vitality matchup.
However, like Pym said, Vitality is waiting.
Furia will need to beat Mongols
if they want to face off against them.
That matchup will be closing off the day.
Right off to this.
He said she loves you, but she can't love me.
But I love you.
I'm gonna raise my hands, I'm gonna raise my hands
I'm gonna raise my hands, I'm gonna raise my hands
I won't play Windy anymore
What's going on?
Play your role, on its bed
On to the next one
was built to move, not trapped at a desk in one singular posture for 12 hours a day.
It's time your chair evolved.
This is Secret Lab Titan Evo.
Ergonomically engineered for you.
Games, hybrid workers, artists.
Imagine your every move.
MUSIC
Estonoh!
Are you ready?!
Get out of the way!
We're playing Mystery Player here at PGL, Clues de Pocah, and I've got a very special
guest.
It's the first time.
It's the Mongols.
Co-Bezera.
Got Fuzi with me from Astralis.
I've got Mausas Yinfat with me, Payne's NQZ.
What we're going to do within this game for you is we're going to show you some team logos
and you need to guess which player we are talking about.
Some of it's going back a little bit in time,
but let's test how well your CS knowledge is across the years.
Yeah, let's see. Let's do it.
All right, so the first one, let's see what we've got on here.
Oof.
You failed.
LDLC and Wilson due to, I mean, it's a bit...
It's gotta be a French guy.
Cool.
Okay. I guess.
He's clearly French, right?
Or maybe Belgium, but I don't know if it's Queen Laura.
French player.
Mm-hmm.
It's not Apex.
Let's give him another one.
I need the hint.
Give me logo.
It is Apex.
It is Apex.
I had no idea he played for Cheeto.
I'll probably guess.
I don't remember if Apex played on the LBOC.
I know AMV and G2 for sure, but LBOC, I don't know.
I'll go with Apex.
Well, let's guess Apex, then.
Boom.
Correct. Two French players.
Idaewoo and who?
Hapix.
There we go.
Ah, see?
Ah, I get it.
Alright, let's go on to our second one.
Let's see what you're working with here.
Ooh.
G2 is from America.
It's from Finland.
Finland.
I'll go with Alexi B.
Okay, that was quick.
Alexi.
Alexi B, that's the one, there we go.
This is Alexi.
It has to be Alexi.
Boom!
Sturt Alexi B?
Okay, you're nailing it right now.
What made you think it was Alexi B
just from looking at that like this?
I mean, when you see the N-Slogger or like,
think of MC, we think of the Finnish guys first.
Yeah, yeah.
So that's how I guess.
Let's see if we can keep the streak going.
Let's go.
Go on to our third player.
TSM Astralis mouse.
Different mouse logos, not your version of mouse.
I think I know this regardless.
This one is a bit more tough.
I think I need hint.
You need hint?
Straight away.
I don't even know mouse e-spersion actually.
Okay, let's give you the current team, it's FaZe Clan.
Is it Carigan?
It is.
Yeah, it is.
Yeah.
Carigan?
Yes, Carigan.
There we go. This is carrying
What's it carrying them? I don't think you play first on this week. Did he?
People forget it was a very short amount of time when TSM went to Australia
You see the face down logo come up and then we can reveal carry
You're watching PGL Clues in a poker, three semi-finalists have been confirmed who are
about to find out who is going to join them, Furia, up against Mongols.
Mongols are such an interesting team for me, and a time where we say that national rosters
are dying, Mara and the boys just continue to prove that that's not the case.
Every time they lose a player, we all stand on this desk and lament the end of the Mongols.
And then the guy goes and finds some random youngster, puts him in the team and we're
back talking about the Mongols of playoffs.
He's like the Counter-Strike player whisperer.
Yeah, I think when you look at the history of the Mongols, obviously they've done a tremendous
job getting to where they are today.
Even more so last year, obviously, when they won a trophy at EWC, they kind of peaked the
Mongols.
You're thinking to yourself, alright, a team that is winning trophies, a team that went
into the major final in Austin, that was impressive.
I will say though that the Mongols now,
it's about recalibrating,
it's about recalibrating expectations,
sort of like with it with Aurora.
They also had a very strong start to 2025.
They thought to themselves, we're top four team,
we're top five team.
I still think the same could be said here for the Mongols.
I don't see them as being a contender
to the top four right now,
but I definitely see them as being just outside,
you know, consistently making playoff appearances
or at least fighting for it.
And then if they occasionally could get into a semi-final,
that would be impressive.
Let's be completely honest. It is as you said, it's a very limited talent pool
They have to work with and it would be very impressive if they can continue to find these gems in what is the smallest country in Counter-Strike
That is relevant bigger than Denmark bigger than Sweden
Who would have thought that Mongolia was gonna have you know a top five team while these countries are going to fall out of it
But something that flies under the radar is what we just saw is like how long these guys have actually been together
I mean nine ten and and Zinho joined almost three years ago
Mara, Tecno, and Blitz have been on the same team for almost five years, since July 2021, right?
And something that's important when you talk about that is how familiar they are with each other,
right? Obviously, Coach IGL as the duo, like their way of, they are on the same page about
how they want to play Counter-Strike, right? And then you add these other guys and the amount
of games that they've played together, they're just so used to each other. They know by heart how
each player likes to react, what moves they're going to go for, and that just
makes it so much easier to play, right? Communication, speaking in your native
town, and yes, obviously you're getting in Cobra's era instead of Senzu, it's not
going to be the same, but also to expect them to completely fall apart at the
seams is unrealistic, there's just so much that's being built there, the
foundations are really strong for this Mongols team, that's why we saw them not
to miss a step with controllers, I mean everyone thought, all right this is it,
I mean, you can't replace Senzu and then Mara did it.
So I think the expectations for me for them haven't changed that significantly.
You know, they were always going to be a team on the outside looking in when it comes to trophies,
but I still expect them in a tournament like this to make the playoffs.
I'll still expect them to make the game competitive against some of these other teams.
The best part about the Mongols as well as obviously this storyline
and then constantly finding these hidden gems.
But it's also that no matter where we go in the world
on the PGL circuit or any other, the Mongols fans just seemed to find us.
So we've sent James Banks out to find them near inclusion.
The Mongols find us and they definitely found me.
We're here in the middle of the crowd and the Mongols fans.
What are you called?
What is the official name for this group of Mongolian fans?
OK, so we are called Horde.
Horde, OK.
And how many people are here with you? Where have you all come from?
Okay, so right now we don't know how many of us is here, but like we've came as
16 guys from Poland Warsaw just to support the Mongols guys. Hell yeah, hell yeah
Now in terms of that every event I go to there's Mongolian fans in some way supporting and cheering
Do you feel like the Mongols have helped expand how much love this team gets and how much is known about Mongolia?
Exactly, they are the biggest ambassadors of the Mongolia in the whole world. Look at these Astralis guys
They're also from Mongolia also, so we are like everyone is like can come join us
Let's have fun. Let's cheer for Mongols. Also, we love Fourier, but today Mongols will win. Now
Now I remember, not too long ago, the Mongols were the slayers of fury.
Can that happen today?
Can Cobra Zera be the one that changes it?
And is good enough to make that happen?
Of course, man.
Come, brazilian, du-du-du-du-du, come brazilian, du-du-du-du-du-du, come brazilian, du-du-du-du-du-du, come brazilian, du-du-du-du-du-du-du, come brazilian.
Well, I'm expecting a lot more chance, a lot more craziness.
Mongols fans, let's go!
So much joy must be in fixtures and you know with Janko and Pimper such happy
characters as it is. Would you be willing to wear those masks if Mongols
wins the series against Furia? Maybe we can close the show and you'll wear Mongols' masks.
Absolutely not but I think it's pretty cool. I want the pearls.
I want the pearls. Okay so we'll get you the pearls. You'll wear the pearls if
Mongols makes the same effort. We'll figure something out. We'll figure
Probably not. The cool thing about the Mongols is, as he said, it's a small country, first and foremost.
He even said it right there. They are a representation of what is Mongolia out in the whole world.
When they were playing the major grand final in Austin, I think it was local time in Mongolia.
3am, 4am, we saw square places, we saw big gatherings, we saw an entire nation support them in that regard.
So I think that in itself is a super cool story, something to be cherished.
The issue is that they're going to have a stroke of some time tonight.
Now, going on against Furia, that's going to be rough for the Mongols.
Replacing Centu was always going to be rough for the Mongols.
So I hope they find a way to calibrate their expectations
while they continue to support and obviously celebrate what is the Mongols,
which still is a decent Counter-Strike team.
Before we get into the game, I just want to share one more story,
because I do think that this is kind of wholesome with the Mongols.
There is a lady that actually follows this team around the world.
She's over 40.
She didn't get into Counter-Strike, she didn't watch Counter-Strike,
but she loved the Mongols, so she learned the game,
and now she follows them around.
So it just shows how they bought a community of people together.
However, there is Fyria who could talk about bringing a community together.
I mean, they could just make all those Mongols fans pretty sad because they've
found a way to revitalize Fallen's career.
Bring back your kinder who he thought was doomed to tier two and then find this
complete unknown entity and turn him into a superstar.
It's mental that Fyria's had this run in the last six months.
Personally, for me, I'm kind of over that storyline now.
I feel like they've established themselves as a top team.
They are a team that I consider to be one of the best in the world.
And I want them to win trophies.
It's no longer about the comeback of Fallen, the comeback of your kinder.
It's about where do Furia go.
He's here.
He's here.
They're already doing a good job.
It's more so, can they get back to the championship winnings way
that we saw just a couple of months ago?
I see signs where in certain areas it's still looking good for Furia,
but I'm also seeing certain players and certain things
that is not working as well as it did just three months ago.
So I'm super super curious if they can find their way back into what I consider was championship winning form
They had three months. Yeah, and this is not going to be a walk in the park by any stretch of the imagination
Both of these teams were shaking cracker last time they played and fury I had to defend three elimination points
Really on the second map to come back win it in overtime and then close out in three, right?
The Mongols is a dangerous team definitely not to be underestimated that being said fury improved with each game in cracker
and here also I think they played well sure took the longer way to getting into the playoffs
but still managed to do it and I agree with Jacob in the sense of they're the second best
team in the world and they have to play like it and they have to sort of figure out a way
how to get back to lifting trophies.
Have you seen changes in how Feria's been playing in the server between the end of last
where they were lifting those trophies and kind of now here in Cruz?
No, because there's not really been a big need for change, right?
They had that one game against Navi in the quarterfinal at the Major,
they kind of screwed the narrative.
Other than that, they did a fantastic job to turn the 25 seasons.
So I haven't really seen anything radical changed within Furia.
I'm more thinking in terms of certain players, you know,
I'll bring Yuri up as an example.
I think he was doing an excellent job last year.
Had a fantastic year, was really a difference-maker on the server as well,
when the 1-3 trophies in a row.
but in 2026 he's been a little bit shaky so to speak.
I believe his rating is 0.2 lower than it was last year as well.
Then he's been a fantastic clutcher,
but he's not really finding the same amount of impact
in every single round that he used to.
So this guy, great example.
I feel like he was peaking last year, getting back to his best.
The beginning of 2026, again, the sample size is small,
and as Janko said, they're getting better game by game.
Maybe they were a bit rusty after a well-deserved offseason,
but that's a guy I need to see bounce back to be his best.
if I want to have any hope that we're going to win any of those trophies.
And they were moving some positions around on some maps, right? He also was, you know,
initially A and Kirmiraj, then a little bit on B, now back to A, so I don't know how big of a part
that played in some of his inconsistencies in terms of performance, but it's also on maps where
he hasn't moved at all, that there's been a bit of a dip, you know, perhaps just a slow start to
the year, I don't know, but he's going to have to pick it up because he was invaluable. You know,
you look at the vitality and ropes, I mean he was doing as good of a job playing pit on
Inferno for Furia, right? And they're going to be needing him to step it up just a little bit
if they're going to go back to lifting trophies. What is it about this team that makes them so
scary to go up against? I think they added some extra. So obviously, would you kind of coming
into the lineup, but even more so with Molotov? I think it's a team that has a solid foundation.
We speak of Fallen as an in-game leader. I think it's been referenced a couple of times by US
He was well-enquired that maybe he was never the problem like his vision for counter-strike and how he sets up a team is
It's rock solid all he needs is a team that actually believes in his vision
And then you add a bit of and sprinkle a bit of x-factor into it right your kinder is always a bit of a wild card on the server
Sometimes he's very good very inferential both for the good and for the bad
But I feel like from all of that he's consistent with the guy that you can count on coming in and changing the title of the game
Yeah, I think they're just the way they
play Counter-Strike and Fallen's philosophy about it I think is super
strong right in its foundation it's about playing a lot of default being
patient milking the clock putting pressure on your opponents to make a
mistake right and then just be ready to capitalize on it obviously with the
addition of your kindar and then see there's a coach you know they have a
bit of variety they have some faster rounds to some set opening plays to
really keep the opponents on their toes and if anything, yeah, the kinder is a
spicy meatball, right, which can be a good thing or a bad thing. On some maps,
honestly, they're a bit too dependent on what sort of a game is he going to have
because he's so all-in, he's so aggressive, where either they're going to
have to play from behind all the time, all just he'll find in the openings. I
think this is an example also what they're very good on on Mirage, right?
Like they're so good at moving people around and you need to be careful in
this game if you're the Mongols. This is in the Falcon series, early trade on
ramp, it's going to be a 4v4. Yikinder is the player on mid, he's going to
re-smoke window and he's going to sort of feel the information, get that. Falcons
are going to be fighting for mid here and he's going to stick around this top mid
area, you can see he can hear all this utility, the re-aggress from Falcons is
coming in and he might be the one who's going to give this call in the mid-round,
right? The A execute is coming in from the side of Furia, you can see Niko is
pushing towards mid-life, he's gonna flank because they left a open in this situation.
Look where your kinder is man, like that's crazy, he's not even in the door, he's in the second
corner, just kills Niko, at this point they could even go back to B if they want or not,
like they got the bomb site for free, they're going to plant the bomb and just here honestly,
if Alcon should have saved, they try to do something and they die, but it's these sort of
things that you need to be careful about for Mongols, they have these plays and then your kinder will
search B and try to walk out B so the anchors you know techno and Zeno you
really need to be on your toes you can't over rotate in some of these 4v4s
or when the round breaks down because Furia especially on Mirage which I
believe will be the Mongols' pick but even other maps you know in the mid
round Fallen loves to do these sort of mini fakes. Gives me the vibe of back
when Fallen emerged for the first time in 2015-2016 with the SK lineups and
Luminosity where the mid rounds you know the 3v3 scenarios the 4v4
the rotations that was going to be played out.
He worked back then, one of the best teams in the world doing exactly that.
And I think the same could be said about Furia today,
that you have a guy like your kinder now who has a lot of ideas,
and surely it was him calling in this round, you know, taking charge of the round,
sort of controlling it.
And I think that that spice between Fallen and your kinder,
where was it in Krakow who heard as well,
where he just told the entire team to trust him, listen to him, etc., etc.,
to have that kind of impact and come in as a, now I say, new guy,
which is not the case anymore,
But as a relatively new guy to the lineup,
and a well-established call between Keisarara, Jura and Fallen,
I think they respect him a lot.
And I also do think Fallen recognizes
that it's a good counterpart to have,
to the always stable and solid foundation.
Are there any weaknesses in this lineup
that you think teams can take advantage of?
It's hard to point out like a specific.
Here it is.
I think you can, yeah?
As we said, it's getting too dependent on your kinder, right?
And if you game plan around him, for example,
And you know, he has his fights he likes to go for, right?
And you just try to shut him down initially
and use maybe some extra utility.
Let's say if they end up playing Inferno
and then on Banana you focus on that,
I feel like that could be problematic for Fiora
because it sometimes feels like he only has one gear,
you know, and that's not great
because anything that can be predicted can be countered.
And hopefully for Fiora, it won't be an issue today.
I wouldn't say it's necessarily a weakness,
but it's something that I do worry about,
and that is relation to what we spoke about when it comes to Jury.
I feel like he was masking the fact that there was,
perhaps not that much, rifling power would interfere
when you look at the broader perspective, right?
You have Keisarato, who's always going to show up consistently.
Then you have the Wildcat, Yuli Kinda.
If you have a Jury who's been playing as he has so far in 26,
together would fall, and then you have two players,
especially on the CT sides, who sometimes struggle
to get the job done with the rifle,
compared to some of the other trees
that you can present in the world of Counter-Strike.
So I wouldn't say it's a weakness right now,
but obviously Fallen and Jury combined, they need to produce a bit more,
and I'm not looking at Fallen to do more than he is,
because I think he's doing just fine in terms of his role.
I'm again looking towards Jury just a little bit more,
and then I think we're nearing that Champions League quality.
On the other side, we have the Mongols.
What have you thought of their performance so far here in Kyrgyz?
Excellent. I mean, in the playoff.
I think Contreras was a great addition when he came in,
was not supposed to stay, I guess,
and then you bring in the new guy in Copa Cera,
who's so far the highest-rated player for the Mongols.
Personally, my expectations were that they could perhaps make the playoff, and then if they were to make the playoff,
I'd probably see them lose a quarter-final. That hasn't really changed with what I've seen in the group stage so far.
A lot of 2-1 games as well, but the fact of the matter is that they remain competitive in pretty much any series they play.
Yeah, it's going to be a matter of also how quickly can this guy get accustomed to tier 1 CS, right?
And what is his ceiling individually?
That's going to take a while for us to figure out,
can he be as good as Senzu?
Can he be close to him, right?
Because then if the other guys just pick up
a little bit of that slack and they can replace him
by aggregate, we've seen, you know,
nine, 10 sort of stepping up more and more
and on the AWP trying to do more.
For me, it's also Blitz,
who has a lot of responsibility,
not only because he's the IGL,
but also the roles that he has on T side, on some of these lures.
You know, the Mongols are an explosive team,
and then if Blitz is on his own on a lurk,
you know, sometimes he can just get one kill
and survive a little bit longer.
Like, he really hinders the rotations for his opponent,
the retakes, everything,
but he struggled to find the type of impact
that we've seen and maybe have a year ago.
You know, this guy, people were like putting him
I mean, the conversation for the best-fragging IGL in the counter strike.
You know, what you're seeing in the last six months is no where close to be considered that.
With CobraZero stepping in, I mean, you mentioned it earlier about how long this core has been together.
Obviously, we sort of control it as a major as well.
I'm presuming it's a lot easier for a new player when you have a team that is sore together
and has the right idea about how they want to play.
Does that make it easy for someone like Krober-Zera to step in and be able to achieve what he's doing?
I think initially, yeah, it obviously makes it easier to slot in, but there's also a caveat to it.
And that depends on the player and the personality, because if he's going to slot in and just try to do whatever they want him to do,
or if he's going to slot in and try to develop his own personality and maybe change the way things work in the Mongols,
which could be a positive thing and obviously could disrupt.
Personally, it's hard to tell, you know, and that's the whole thing with the Mongols as well.
When we speak about them, we speak about Mara as a coach as well.
I don't speak the language, not a lot of people do speak the language.
So it's a shock to shock here.
It's tough to figure out what's actually going on.
You spend so much time on the bike.
Just put Duolingo there and, you know, get up to speed.
Maybe we need more from the Mongols.
We need to see, you know, how the sausage is made.
But I mean, in my experience, I think it can actually be more difficult
when a team is together for so long.
Why? Because so many of the things that they do,
They've done hundreds of times before that, they don't have names for it maybe anymore,
and everyone knows, you can just pull something out that you did two years ago,
where everyone knows what they're doing, and for Cobra's era to get up to speed is going to take a while.
They're so familiar with each other, but he's going to have to get used to how these guys function,
individually, how they do things, if they're going to have that level of teamplay that they've had with Senzu.
We used to play as high as Poptop though in this tournament.
Yeah, to be honest, I didn't know much about him.
Again, it's tough to, when you look at his HDL-TV stats,
you see the opponents has been playing before joining models.
It's very tough to figure out what's going on.
You know, there's not a lot of data, if any at all, to look into.
So, yeah, I'm a bit surprised that he's been doing so well,
and that's my big question as well.
One thing is doing well in a group stage, in a comfortable environment.
Another one is how he's going to fare on the stage.
Yeah, we'll have to wait and see. It's going to be tricky.
I don't think there's, you know, young, gold players.
There's good and bad players,
and I think it's only a matter of experience, right?
So it's not fair that we're too harsh based on...
However, he does excellently, that shouldn't be the expectation
for every game we're moving forward, right?
You need to give him two, three tournaments, right?
Two, three times on the stage, really,
to go through everything from the setup, to the walkouts,
to the vibration on the stage, to the crowd noise,
to the HGs blowing up, and what information can you get
from which in-game sound you hear on the loudspeakers, all that sort of stuff,
and that's when we'll be able to really judge and say,
alright, this guy has it or he doesn't.
It's Narra in-action to this matchup.
Furia up against Mongols, what are the key moments that you'll be looking out for?
I mean, I'm always looking towards a guy like Moloadai, to be completely honest.
I feel like he is the X-Factor, and he is, I wouldn't say the heart and soul of this new Furia,
but close to it. I feel like when he's on it,
that's when Furia looks like a team that can do pretty much anything.
Now, this matchup between Molotov and Ninten, to me it's going to be a little bit interesting,
because I feel like as Jankos said, some of the other players within Mongols have to step it up
a little bit to cover for the lack of sense to one. I see glimpses of that from Ninten.
He's been having a pretty decent tournament so far, also very aggressive, very willing to take
a lot of duels, and we know Molotov will resume the same thing. So in terms of putting these two
up players up against each other, I think we could have an explosion too.
I think one of the against anyone else opt-to-op is, you know, he has a good chance of coming out on top.
He's incredible. It's on the rifles where he falls off a little bit compared to these other guys.
I would even say 9-10 is a better rifle than him, but the point is like he plays with the op 90% of gun rounds.
They just do so much that they put so much effort into someone having enough money so they could swap
and he could drop them an AWP, right? Because he is so incredibly strong with it.
with it. For me personally, for this matchup, FuryA cannot come in slow or you know anything along
those lines. It's a sort of a nice stylistic clash because they love the default playstyle,
they're very good at punishing but the Mongols are very explosive. On CT side too, they like to
fight so you have to be on point if you're FuryA. Something that everyone has been telling you last
year with the Mongols were on their rise, man they're so sharp in duels, they're so good,
They're so hard to play against when it comes to those fights, so really the FURIA players have to come in warmed up
If they get off to a slow start, that's where Mongols can just sort of steamroll them
Is it just pace reliance in terms of shutting down the Mongols or the other things that FURIA can do?
I mean, it's a bit of both. It's about controlling it. As Jengu said, FURIA likes to play a lot of default
They like to play around with a lot of different things. I don't think they're one-dimensional
I think they can do more than just that
I think both teams have the ability to be proactive, but if you were to point towards one of the two that is slightly more aggressive
I'd go with the Mongols easily, especially in the duels as well
I think all the individuals within the Mongols are always willing to back their aim and back on themselves in order to win a fight where
Sometimes you see a kinder, well not a kinder, maybe a bad example, but sometimes you see Kase Rado, you know
Or Yuri, back it off a little bit, wait for a teammate, wait to do the duels as a team instead
So it's more about that I'd say between the two. I will say though just for the context of this matchup as well
They played so much in 2025. I think it was eight times in total and the Mongols had a win streak of three games in a row
But the last five times these two teams have met
It's been growing the way of fur and and that you know
Relation between the two teams we talk about it. We see it all the time
They know each other so so well because they've been preparing for each other more than eight times in the span of a year
There's one more matchup where two teams play a lot and it's pretty one-sided
I can't remember it now at the top of my head, but let's see if
if Mongols have more luck than Maus does in that particular one.
But yeah, early on it was pretty close,
but as we saw at the rise of Fiora,
you can see Fischer was a grand final,
it was a best of five,
where they were trading each other's map picks
all the way through,
and then Chengdu and Thunderpick was when
the Mongols didn't really put up a big fight,
couldn't take a map away from Fiora.
I mean, it's a similar question to what I asked
about bringing a new player in,
but I'll ask a chair as well with two teams
are matching up so regularly helping or hindering when you're the team?
It's tricky because it starts, the matchup itself develops a meta, right?
When you play a team so often, especially on the same maps, you run out of things to
do to some extent.
And then you're looking at, all right, what did we do against them that worked?
They'll probably try to counter that or play against that.
So you need to, just in general, I feel like in Counter-Strike, there's so much anti-strattling,
It's becoming kind of crazy where what teams do instead that works is self-scout, right?
So instead of looking at your opponent on Mirage, look at yourself on Mirage, the last
three maps, and think about what would they see and try to counter, right?
And then just do something that you didn't show last four Mirages.
Well, you never did a B-pop, first gun round, do a B-pop, because you're probably going
to see them play 4A, because you've never done that, and that's how much these teams
focus on studying each other and coming up with set strategies.
I mean that's always been something I've been interested in and I suppose we're just doing
a bigger picture conversation now but I mean like if you were to focus in on this, it's
the playoffs here at Cusche, you're prepping your team, do you focus more in on what your
strengths are and what your game is and what your team is good at versus trying to anti-straft
the apartment?
I think it depends on who you are.
You know we hear from Vitality all the time that they mostly focus on themselves and I
I think they have the luxury of doing that because as Jako said sometimes it's probably best to do self scouting in that
We got to make sure you don't become a very readable team in that we got a I think for other teams
They perhaps rely a bit more on anti-spreading we know from the good old days
Big clan when they were having their research in the scene, you know, they relied a lot on anti-spreading
I think Astralis brought a lot of anti-spreading into the game as well
So it kind of changes all the time
I'm curious to hear more about this self scouting thing because I agree with you
It feels like everyone has become so good at doing counter-striding all the time.
There's so many tournaments all the time. There's so much data that at some point
Everyone is gonna know everything about each other and at that point just gonna change this more things
Yeah, it's important to not get lost in the sauce and like remember the fundamentals, you know
Are you you playing against pistols? Maybe don't go into close-quarter fighting if you don't have to write like use the
Advantages that you have for yourself, right? Is there a double up?
Okay, then an execute heavy round and around with a lot of utilities a good answer
Right like all these things that your opponent likes to play a lot of default. Okay, what are your default breakers?
Is it playing double up? Is it pushing extremities?
Fighting for mid together and that's what I when I was coaching I saw that as well as I'm looking at this team so much
And I'm like, but yes, I mean I can have this play against anyone
Oh, yeah, and if I know that this team likes to do it, let's just call it
I don't need to prepare for each team separately
You just look at the tendencies that the team likes to do as a whole because when you
Super hone in on around or away a team plays and then you game plan around it and then they change or you're wrong
Did you just look silly and then your players also feel bad?
It's like why are we doing this? Why are we just playing more defaults?
You know why are we respecting them so much that we want to really counter what they're doing instead of just doing what we're good at?
You should be a coach right? Yeah, he's pretty good at it, right? Yeah
I mean as we take a look now we're waiting for the teams to come on this stage
What are your expectations from this Mongols furia measure? I think it's gonna be a competitive game
I think it's gonna be way more competitive than we saw between Aurora and Vitality
I think we've seen that you know even though that it is leading towards furia and they have been winning against him quite a lot
As recently the mongols have shown me enough throughout this tournament that they can make it competitive
I also will make the case one more time
I think furia is still five ten percent away from the level that we saw in in late 25 a lot of their games this season
They've been losing maps to teams they shouldn't be losing to we saw the versus the strongest we seen it versus heroic
Would I stand in we even seen it at this tournament as well a couple of games against foot where I feel Aurora
Sorry, I probably could have lost both those games
So it's not that furia is playing up to a hundred percent right now if they were I would be comfortable saying that it's gonna be a
Pretty easy game for furia, but given that there's still only at 85 90
I think we have a competitive series. It's been a long day right for best of threes
but I think, you know, for the most loyal of Counter-Strike fans that are still here,
I think they're going to get their money's worth. I think this series is going to be exciting.
I think we're going to have some great moments from the players individually.
Like that's what I'm hoping for, because these teams can be explosive.
The players, the caliber of it that we have on the server,
they provide for some exciting Counter-Strike.
I want to just off the back of what Pimp was saying though with Fyria.
I do feel, and this is a personal opinion, you can agree or disagree, that Fallen and his boys,
They do tend to level up when you put them on a stage, and you put some fans in front of them.
I think that what we see in the group stages, they're not always where we expect Fiora to be,
but for some reason bright lights, shouting people, just seems to make them perform.
How about the case if you add in the fans portion of it, because we did see that at last bouncy,
there was on a stage and a player didn't really impress me at all, but I think you're right that
the more pressure and the more significance there is, the easier it is for them to motivate
themselves. It's something we don't often talk about, but if you're falling, Kezarado, Yuri,
I know it sounds a bit rich to say, given they haven't won that much,
but they've been trying this and they've been playing Counter-Strike in the playoffs so many years.
So maybe it takes a bit more pressure and a bit more to get excited.
And I think in general, when you're excited, when you're looking forward to something,
when you're energetic, that's usually also when you're performing your best.
So I buy into that, saying yes, Furi, I probably play better when there's a crowd to cheer for them.
I mean, in my experience, what happens is, isn't that much that the team plays better?
They are playing the same, it's just other teams start playing worse.
They fall off, they get more nervous and for Furia, they keep that poise that they have.
You know, communication stays on point, they bring in good energy and that's what separates them from some of these other teams.
It's time now to bring these two teams onto the stage. Let's introduce them.
Clues, are you still with me?
All right, I see the Brazilian flags over here.
I see the Mongolian Horde over there.
It definitely seems like you guys are ready for the final quarter final.
Looking to see who can book their seats into the semi-finals.
For Furia, they are Brazilian passion with an international style.
This team has shown on stage this is where they can step up.
They can come through looking sharp, and they can change the game.
The number two ranked team in the world right now, and they are always deadly.
So please, put your hands together for Furia!
And their opponent, a new lineup with new energy.
The Mongols are building something dangerous, adding Cobra while still keeping it fast,
Explosive and unpredictable in the past. They've gone the full distance against this team
They know what they can do and they are learning and growing every step of the way
So everyone make some noise
The teams have taken their place on the stage, Fallen, come on over here, Mazziglio, you
with me as well.
The Fallen chance started already and we didn't even get started over here, Fallen, looking
Looking at what you did in the group stage, looking at the expectations you have on yourself
for this event, what do you need to see from your players today?
I just want to see everyone pump it up to play the game.
There's still a lot of people here after a lot of games today, so I just want to make
sure that everyone enjoy it, play the best they can and do a good show for everyone.
You always put on a show, it's always exciting, especially when we're on the stage.
Now, when it comes to the Vito here, when you're playing the Mongols, do you feel like you have
Vito advantage, the control in this series?
Honestly, I think it's pretty fair. I don't think there's a difference in the video.
We expected those maps to go through and I think it's pretty much the same for them.
And looking at Mongols as a team that you certainly know well,
do you think that they have improved a bit since you fought them in Krakow?
Definitely, they haven't been going through some changes recently.
They tried different players over the last time.
Controllers was playing just recently. Now they have CobraZera called Zera Brother, right?
And he's looking good. So it's always great to play against them.
I have been playing against those guys since the Imperial days, so it's always good challenges and it's always a great matchup. They play very good.
Lovely, thank you very much Fulham.
Basilio, Pro Basilio, first playoff, he's looking good as an individual player, but tell me, you know him better than we do. How good can this player be?
Eh, he's good.
He's less than Senjo, but he can be at his level, so yeah.
Okay, that's good, that's impressive. I look forward to trying seeing that.
Now last time you faced against Furia, you went three maps on the last map, it didn't look good.
good but I saw you play Nuke a bit better how much stronger are Mongols now
since then? Against Korea we play very close and tough games most of the time we
choke a lot and so yeah about the previous match I think we did good
practice so let's see. Let's see indeed and also for the first time there's always
Mongolian people in the crowd, but there's a whole section over there. The
Horde is here. Anything you want to say to them?
I think we will welcome you in here tomorrow.
Oh, I like that, Mazzinho. Alright, shake hands guys. Take your seats. It's gonna be a lot of fun for this one.
But Cluj, I would say that this might be the most even game.
I don't know which sides you're going to sit on.
Are we cheering for Furia?
And what about the Moldals?
Okay, that's kind of in the middle.
Let's try that one more time.
And our drum is going like the clappers, alright everyone in this arena, makes some noise!
Straight from the mouth of Mizzigno, Harbezira is good.
Yeah, he better be good.
He better be the real man.
You better step it up today, Copa Cera so fast we said in the group stage he's been doing a great job now
He has to perform on the stage as well to me
That's going to be an interesting star line to follow on as Janko said we can't make any conclusions
This is one of the first times he's on the stage
But if you can show glimpses of what may be the future of Copa Cera and the models
I think that not only is great for this specific matchup, but also for the future of the models
Kiria said Poland said he wasn't surprised with the Vito
I'm curious Jens, what your opinions are as it runs out. No surprises over
Yeah, I mean they have their perma bands, I think Amiraj for the Mongols, you know
That's been their staple for such a long time that's an ancient relation being unavailable
Bit of a no-brainer and there also be fury a last time they played on the map in Crackle
I wonder if you're is going to change it and they do they went for inferno last time around this time
It's going to be a dust to which is a good punish pick Mongols just never got their
way around that map and Furia it's been a bit up and down they had phases when
they were picking it and they really liked it then when they were shying away
from it but we see them go for it here and in the end Overpass removed Nuke as
the decider I think this is a good bit of a Furia Nuke went super one side I
think it was 13-2 or something in that last series and it's going to be the
decider again. I just about to say I feel like the video is going well for both
team so to speak Mirasta's two maps that they can both feel comfortable on. My
issue is the third one Nuke. I feel like that's a map where Furia been doing a
great job as of recently but I've seen even the Mongols with Cobra Zero
struggling quite a lot of Nuke already. We're going to focus in on Mirage now. What can
Furia expect from the Mongols here on this map? A lot of aggressiveness coming from
the CT side. I feel like we see that from in the CDO all the time. We see from 9-10
as well with the AWP. We see a lot of movement happening and Yankee showed a
great round between Furia and Falcons. I think they kind of attempt to play the
same way, you know, proactive CT side where there's going to be a lot of pressure, I will
say the Mongols on the T side as well sometimes have a bit of a habit of doing explosive plays,
especially towards the B bomb side. So, following your kinder, they're going to be under a lot
of pressure. That's where they're at their best, right? Even the last time they played
on Mirage, you know, you see Mongols ending rounds with 20 seconds left, something's wrong.
Something's gone wrong in that round, right? And they don't do a very good job in those
Creations, right? It's just not their style and the thing is you would think yeah
But if they always end rounds at you know around the one-minute mark and they're more explosive isn't that one-dimensional true?
To some extent, but they have so much variety in how they hit bombsites that sometimes okay
They have one lurker sometimes they have to lurker you will see one guy go ramp three apps
You will see vice versa, too
So it's a bit more difficult to know what exactly is coming at you
But I think the prototype for fury on CT side is just use your utility early, right?
Like make it more difficult for them to go for those explosive plays and then I think you'll be in a good spot
It's time. Let's find out the final team that's going to be heading to the semi-finals here at PGL Prussian apoca
Man, oh man, we were playing Counter-Strike all day long and we've got a little more still left in the tank
Don't we clue just on goals versus
I'm excited for this one, just because it's CobraZero's big debut on the stage.
I think that he's looked great throughout this week, but we saw the same thing from control as back at the major.
We don't question implementing new players for the Mongol squad, but it's up to that player on a more individual level
to be able to translate that onto the stage.
Yeah, and then we don't doubt that either, because we have no idea.
I mean, we saw the interview with Emsinho saying that he could be just as good as Senzu.
He said it kind of plainly. I guess if it was obvious.
It is a big claim, but it's not the first time they had to replace their star.
Let's see if they can do it one more time.
It's the kickoff on Mirage. We got the crowd still going.
We got the Mongols Horde.
Gold force. I see punts of Brazilian flags.
So let's get it on, shall we?
Big opportunity to kind of get the year going for the Mongols.
Crack out, they rolled in, claimed themselves, not a ton of practice, well, now it's time to put up.
Who shall be that opportunity? And it's Fallen with first blood,
Mando's fly out through the apartments, hit the ground, and will try to just zone in on these other
three CTs, Techno catching Molledoy, and then with half healthier between the two remaining players,
Fallen's nearly dead already, we'll see what else he can offer, he's just distracting for Yuri to
to strike them from behind.
And then a quick move from MZ.
But it is Yuri's move out through the apartments
that really catches them off guard.
You're obviously going to get a very fast start here
for the Mongols.
Get used to it when you see them on T sides.
They will be running at this, but Yuri
I could keep up with that pace.
Hunters loving the.
It's the first event I've seen these head pieces.
Come on, I'm sold.
They look so good.
We're used to seeing curia with sort of the traveling hand and having a bunch of...
Bring in the drums, basically, to every single country in the world.
It's nice to see a little team can sort of rally their countrymen together, and there go the drums.
Desired on that one. Make a quick move towards top mid, here case Serato chopping down a couple.
You know, we saved two teams for the end of the day that are going to bring a certain
aggression to the table.
You know, we know that about the Mongols each and every day, keeping up with that tempo,
that pace of the game.
Well, I think Fury are like to play into that sometimes, too.
I'm excited about this head-to-head.
I think there's a lot of respect given from Fallen over the Mongols.
Like you said, even back in the Imperial days, he's been clashing with these guys.
Ah, thank you.
2-0 start for Fury up. Mongols weren't successfully chipping into the money, so we've got AKs in
hand for round three. Yeah, well, you know, it's interesting because obviously Fury, they
play on the best ES ever, but it's also a little slower than the Fury that was, you
know, the most fun. But it's seen that wins more and you have Mollidoy to be the real
big X factor, bring the opening fights nice and early. Just set the tempo a little bit.
He's kind of outclassing 9-10 at the moment so far this event, but that's kind of what
Molledoy does, right?
We'll give you a year.
Blitz gets a team kill in the middle of all that, and yet the Mongols still find themselves
in a winnable spot.
It's 9-10's health down by half.
Same could be said about Molledoy.
He just tucks in here.
Not much he can do about it, losing vision like that.
Bomb is still all the way back at the top of middle, though.
Oh, it's a dangerous game to try to push that gap, and they're worried about any kind of
a flank, so the cat player just keeps on going.
Ooh, they got to start this attack actually.
Little awkward 9-10 really wants to run to this.
Fallen just allowing them to jump out.
Doing so, you give them Xenia a little real estate to work with,
and look what he does with it.
No, I truly love him.
Ooh.
Can he catch that?
Volodoy was so close to seeing that bomb.
But you know what?
They are not ready for that timing.
There's a small chance he gets into the mix.
But in a 1v3, you think no way.
But again, right that element of the surprise,
maybe somebody's not ready,
But he kind of lets it go and now just look you looking for those exits
So the Mongols find some guns and the Mongols find some success hand-in-hand that's two things
I just love I just love watching them play because they don't take more time than they need for anything
Like there's a moment where the opportunity they had at hand
Yeah, they have to have confidence to say we should go now
But if you made that same decision in 20 seconds, maybe the rotations happen make the same decision in a minute
Maybe they've left again and that's what most teams will come into it
Mungles just go right away, and yes, they do that every time.
Really eluding to like the cat push there, right?
Kind of separating from the bomb, it's still moving up on its own?
Yeah, exactly. We're right when they think like there's nothing else to do.
Let's keep going.
Bullion's coming all streets inside.
Catch me up there tomorrow then.
You know, it's such a treat watching Mongolia kind of take center stage for Counter-Strike in Asia.
Break out into all new levels.
Damn, they're one, the Austin Major.
It was scary to see the Senzu news because it just kind of shook the world.
Will they get back to that level? That was sort of the question.
Can you truly replace a piece like Senzu?
Well, that's you still yet to be seen but team that stays together like this and you'll always see like oh like the fifth best player on the team
Will be the guy who keeps getting replaced sure and that's when the team kind of falls apart because your original support guy was always the guy
Well models they go the opposite direction
Let's replace our most important star player piece every single time how many roster moves have left you scratching your head
They make it work. No head just scratch for you. Kind arcs. It gets taken cleanly off
The moment he tries to make that cap play happen. There's a lot of bodies here for Furia inside connector
And look at this not wasting any more time once again
Mommles just skating by but it's not smoke phase. Still a chance for them to turn around and duel back
Always ready in those frantic ones, but we get this apart push from Fallen
And if only he's able to finish off Techno, that's a good amount of control to the good of Ben
But instead Mommles just signing up for these fights
Who's doing that off their first windows smoke? It's not even refreshed
They're taking that control, they're finding the kill right away, and they're immediately moving on to this idea.
Literally before Fiora have time to think. I mean, the longer a round goes on, the more the advantage team has to make a good rotation.
So they're just caught to find a push that can flank you.
So here, it doesn't matter how good you are, there actually isn't enough time to do any of those things.
You've just gotta hold.
They just keep going, they just keep going, they just keep going, they just keep going.
There's no time to wait, you know, you often hear no man left behind, Mongols will leave
one behind.
They got places to go, they got things to do.
They're conquerors, man.
They've got a peek to recover to.
They got a BRS to grab.
Now they don't talk about, you know, like, a paravision.
How tired they get from all this.
Because paravision play these long games.
They play every round in the overtime.
They play every round to its maximum time.
They play every tournament for as many rounds as possible to catch.
And oh, we could be a farm here for Blitz, but it's going to be difficult.
Not bad.
It comes away with two.
They get the B site again.
And they're already inside of a bomb site.
But then on the other hand, you get the mongols.
They play like the shortest games ever.
Yep.
If they're about to lose the game, they don't even care.
They just keep pushing.
And then they might just exit last of the tournament
or go all the way to the finals.
You have no idea, but they do it quick.
You know, Banks was just reminding us in the green room before the game,
like they showed up to crack out.
And Amzino very candidly just kind of said, like,
nah, we haven't been practicing.
Yeah.
Now the season starts now, like we're
going to get into our groove, you know?
And well, here we are underway.
Because guess what?
There's going to be tons of games for them
to play throughout 2026.
And if you're able to come off of the break really refreshed
and still just tap back into your promise, OK, great.
You've done it.
How impressive.
You bomb out of that event.
Well, guess what?
Now you're in Cluj.
Now your fans are already here, ready to go.
They've made Topping, onboarding CobraZera's success
between group stages.
And you're going to give them a chance now to really kind of just
find his comfort zone.
Think about a game like Breath of the Wild or Super Smash Bros. Melee.
What are the most important things about those games?
Stamina management.
Okay, and that's what Mongols do.
It looks like a giant piece of popcorn.
The buttery smooth start for the Mongols. Three rounds straight now.
Buttery as well, because it's just so slippery.
They try to hold them back on Catwalk, they just keep moving it in.
See if they can contest with Pyrreas and Guns again.
Once more, CobraZera to tip of the spear on Catwalk, trying to push it out.
Oh, it's instant! As Ykindar tries to use that utility to section one off, give himself a little more room to work with.
Just trying to find an advantage in the gun duel, but by the time that grenade's being thrown, you've already got an AK barrel down your throat.
Yeah, CobraZera might walk out into this, they have the deep con smoke.
It would look like a really risky push if Kcerato wasn't already standing in front of it.
But for the time being, Kcerato's got a watchful eye on Cat, however, there are no more teammates over here to support Molladoy.
If Kcerato doesn't get a target, he won't actually know that this is a B-play right now.
Their mass over there is going to come out, and Kcerato's already gone.
Molladoy finds one at least, changing attention over towards the Cat push.
Oh, KobraZera! Not bad, huh?
This thought shot from 9-10 could reopen this threat of a retake.
But KobraZera leaves his mark here on round six.
Xenia looks to come and bolster the cat control from behind.
We do get this clip out from Yuri,
and that could genuinely reopen the thought of going for this retake now.
I like the idea of them going cat for this retake.
They're gonna boost up. It'll add a couple more seconds,
but they know that KobraZera had pushed all the way up it.
They scrambled a bit for the plant.
The second cap player got picked off.
CobraZera's health, really the fullest bar of what the Mongols have to work with.
And we've seen a lot of late burn plays for Furia.
His cheeky fallen diffuses, but yeah, that first death of the three that were remaining
is going to spell disaster here for Furia.
You've allowed Mongols to go up 4-2.
Looking for an exit. No, they're gone.
So he'll survive the bomb for short and we will get that 4-2 T side underway.
It's a little sketchy but it gets still into the next round with that AK.
They've got a ton of cash now already, right?
Oh my gosh, two guys hit 10 pages plus last round.
That is an absurd amount of cash.
to get out of here.
It's back in the beers high.
I don't think you have enough of this, I'm not sure.
So, it's been enough events, we should probably be able to scrap right now.
Some kind of proud art.
I really wish I could put one of those hats on, but I think people would call me biased.
I really just like it for the look.
So it's been a lot of beating and a lot of opening mid gambits.
Yuri's like I'm used to getting a little bit more action.
He's freed up to play closer to the ramp this round, but once again the Mongols into the top midboxes.
Bombs coming out of the past, so this one's good at A for sure.
It's not operating alone. He's on it dude, he is ready to make these rounds happen.
Fallen's Fommus recovers it back with a wallbang headshot.
shot. The double push though this is going to speed up a I feel like they just need to get out of underpass.
They've just kind of recleared in the middle. Those cap players falling back.
This is a long rotate for me. All they want to do is Molly Cat start working into connector.
All the way still floating around 9-10 on the approach.
You're still sitting down beneath that balcony on his own in the barrel right there on the edge.
All they're tempted to look into connector as much as it sounds crazy, but yeah. It's gonna go for it.
They're staying tucked in as well. They don't want to give them this angle.
Give a chance. They'll get one shot.
9-10 is going to come look for it.
Oh.
You'll find that off-duel before Molodoy can even see it.
Certainly can't stop it.
9-10 goes charging in. They still haven't quite found Uri.
He could slow this down critically at the moment.
But the Kindars been clipped off by 9-10.
Bomb gets scooped back up as the last remaining piece in Fallen has to go for this long T-flank.
Mongols have not stopped winning ever since they got their first taste of it in round three.
I really like the decision made on the flavor that they're bringing right now and this one does slow down.
But still, within the micro, they're not making a ton of mistakes. They're confusing theory up the floor.
Oh, and I mean, maybe they run into them on their way out. That's possible.
Maybe he goes for another one of these crazy late round retake attempts because he's been getting away with these things left right and center
There's surely no way that happens again. It's unbelievable
How many of these fallen has been able to pull off as of late?
He did a little scramble back last second. No, he has to come off and he knows and the bombs gonna at least clear out both
Fallen getting value. He's creating a real bit of aura about those moments. This is the first time he pulled it off
It was like
Yeah, 9-10 is on fire right now, I mean, and again, from the decision-making.
Sometimes when 9-10's on fire, it's just the crazy, great flick that he can hit.
Yeah, but I think so far what we've seen has been really slippery.
He just moves right into Molledoy's fight, but on his turns, sent him out from connector to cast.
I kind of feel like you're in need to pause because as much as they know they're playing against the mongos
they're clearly actually not ready for this pace at all. I agree. They seem like a little bit too foggy to be
starting this game versus it seems that's willing to play this fast.
Mongos been waiting all day to get into the server and they have not wasted a moment since they've gotten
into the gun rounds while 910's hitting critical shots you've also still got
Cobra's area moving through and finding fast headshots to in the middle of it
you can't are ready for the cat challenge but it's case or auto to find
first blood here man advantage gone just like that
doesn't waste bullets you can't see anything how's he getting these pills it
activates the other side of that 8 split 910's here to pick up the slack within
middle and again just so ready to swarm so ready to move forward as a unit as a
pack as we've always loved the Mongols we've seen great moment we have seen
great moments in Koba's era he's very late latest history but he's actually
still getting better very quickly the level of confidence even though we didn't
see it from his perspective when he got that kill on Kat he had about one
One bullet to get that strike before that head disappeared off of the ledge.
Instantly got that, instantly into the second kill.
And what I always said about Senzu actually, one of the greatest qualities is he's so good
at smokespams.
He's so good at using his ammo, he can go for wallbangs, he can go for smokespams.
Full Brazzera brings a little bit of that too here.
What a good round to highlight that point.
It's a fair comparison.
Sorry, Molotoy. This save is not guaranteed.
He's gonna double back. He's gonna fight for this, but they'll sweep him under the rug like every other player of Furia.
Six rounds consecutive for the Mongols, and another one where CobraZera leaves an early mark.
He damn near got a third one as well. That second smoke spam kill was right there for the third game.
It's a kind of exciting CS. We need to cap the night off.
Six key rounds in a row here for the mongols.
Okay, Serato solo M4, MP9, and Desert Eagles sprinkled in.
They're going to try to get it going towards top middle again.
It's time for it caught off, but CobraZera right through the smoke once more.
I think it's instant. It's out of smoke, but it's right away.
He has been controlling middle.
Techno makes contact with the connector players.
Full commit to the spray down.
Confident he's going to get there.
It's a headshot on top of it.
So you've dropped Cacerados M4.
It's an irretrievable position towards top middle.
You've got the Mongols still just creeping through the apartments
and looking to come and join up with the bomb.
Uri has to push off the site.
You know, you said earlier Uri's used to getting a little more action.
He's been freed up to make moves, but there's just never anybody nearby.
Yeah.
I mean, it'd be fun if you were a B player, if you were waiting for more rounds, but...
So far, everything Moloz want to do works.
And this... he's flanking.
He's flanking the guys who are going A. They're already in the site now.
Fallen's not gonna see anything.
They've taken both sites.
Look at that.
Fallen can't hide from it.
That's Techno's third kill this round.
Yuri just wants to get some value out of this MP9, but when he finally sees somebody,
it's just the leg extending top-con.
So they know where he is.
They're going to dive bottom into jungles.
No fear from the Mongols, and no reason to be afraid of this Furia, either seven straight...
The Furia have been trying to adapt.
They've been trying to sign up for these fights, but on an individual level there's not a
Rifler on Furio that is sharper than Cobra Zera in this moment and on top of that
He's well supported by 910's AWP at 910 MZunos getting trades
Heck no showing off some of this mechanics. I mean a lot of a lot of the engine is online here for the mongols
Sometimes you get random slow starts out about a fury and they can mature into a game
Absolutely. They're so good now that you never just say like you're gonna blow up their spot and lose the whole map
Kind of just waiting for that time, but that's when I just felt like it, you know attack pause just to mentally get back into it
Because they have the ideas the end here is one of them the double-off setup
Last time fallen brought this into a round the outshone Molladoy
That's actually huge for the program because now Fallen is pretty tough.
They've already got the Molotoway kill, they can try to track his rotation, but they have
no idea Fallen's out here with 1, 2.
Indar, we'll be flipped though, 9-10, just doing his own thing.
That's actually so brazen, you see, the connector wasn't even smoked.
All of them could have easily rotated over there and right now I mean Fallen can't leave his position. He's
It's got a lockdown B
Would not be the first four versus five, but the Mongols bounce back into
You've not made any of these moments easy for Furia
They're kind of hard to pin down because everybody starts to get so squirrely
They're throwing utility out towards apartments, the bomb is rotating back, all while 9-10 still remains in this earned perch.
This comes down to when he starts walking here. Blitz stops early, the thing is, he still has the bomb.
He's still a huge liability the longer this clock goes down. This next jewel could be everything.
How are they going to recover this if Yuri gets the kill?
That's a tough shot.
Oh, and Yuri is starting to peel back out of the ramp with surges of bait off.
They probably found out. Blitz, yeah.
Catching him a moment after Mzinho's punished.
It's a 1v4 attempt for Blitz. He's one kill into it.
He can somehow force a retake by killing this ticket player.
Then maybe things get weird, but tagged by the off.
Fallen gets tapped out of the round.
Kaseiroto top stairs, still keeping that head tucked.
What if his position gets read? Imagine.
Blitz really gives that one all he can, tries to keep Furia on their toes,
and they'll finally find their third round win,
but with only two players surviving.
That's a good round for Furia overall.
There's still going to be a bit more from them.
There aren't that many rounds left in this half,
but it's not like they imposed their will on Mongols this round.
They just played a people that kept up with them in a few different games,
which is totally fine.
This really hasn't shown us the confidence to know that Furia can show us.
But it does start out with one quick opening from Mollidoy, that's huge, and then Fallen
hasn't revealed himself yet, right?
No, I guess he would have, because they heard Mollidoy opening the gate and he killed Fallen
inside of the window.
the thought of that bomb potentially going down with the double-op retake needed, but
doesn't wind up being the reality.
So how much more can Furia extract from the CT side? Two rounds to play out that double-op still,
the formula they bring to the table and it's going to be fallen freed up to go for a deeper peek.
I mean, I mean, with the block, brother, almost, almost, no,
flip one over top stairs.
That would have been the nasty combo.
Yeah, well, Fallen still gets posterized somehow.
You beat that so well.
I don't know how he knew the opposite.
There's no way he saw him.
Definitely.
Maybe you heard the scope or something like that, I don't know.
Maybe that double off that we're talking about isn't so tricky. Maybe the Mongols know what it does when it's out there.
True. It would have had to use it somehow, so maybe there was a read.
Because otherwise, that's a hell of a swing to take with a Glock.
Absolutely.
Like, Yuri's been floating pretty forward on this bomb site as well with a rifle.
Imagine how foolish 9-10 looks if he swings that with a Glock and it's Yuri's M4.
That's right, that's right.
Fire at Yuri's feet, speak of the devil.
Speaking of not hearing things.
It'll get traded back by Tecno still. Number strong into the 8-point.
We've got this slow anchor in case Serato stuck on a B bomb site.
Maladoy, what can you do about it? That is crazy.
Opens it up, of course, safety of that triple stack for the bomb planter, but still...
What if he goes for the wall bang off of that?
Controlling the murder hole.
K. Serato is actually still going to linger and gets one,
but it is going to be Furia to forfeit this round.
The Mongols securing at the very least an 8-round T-side.
The trade game is unbelievable.
I mean, they're just going for it.
For scraps right now in this half,
there's a total dominance right now for the Mongols.
And it'll be no rounds back to back besides the pistol and anti-eco here for Furia.
Crack out the Mongols were able to win their map pick of Mirage, but not a fair was at
13-11, so they barely squeezed it out.
I suppose there is still time for this scoreline to get close, but it just doesn't feel like
that.
Go back to the server.
He knows also.
Who was there?
Almost half of our facility can hear you.
How is it going?
What happened?
He's referred.
He's referred to the long section.
Yeah, kind of, but hey, it's about options.
Yeah, right.
It's numbers games.
It's numbers games.
Alldoy will have his events coming up.
Oh, you mean in PGL Astana?
You mean where he made his playoff debut?
Yeah, all right, all right, all right.
Well, he's going back a tournament winner.
And a certified rookie of the year.
Oh, yeah.
Also has to end up being one of the most, you know,
shock successful roster moves when you consider the reactions
of the pundits when it happened.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, my reaction, not good.
We were quite literally laughing in the club
when that news broke.
I'm all of them, but as I talked to them on the desk, that storyline is long.
Yeah, for sure. This team is just a foot-ass team right now.
It's the only team that could actually break through in the year of vitality.
The only other team to find a bit of consistency in trophy lifts.
One-off round win from beyond the pistol in conversion, it was in the three rounds that make up furious CT side.
Not too late to win this.
One more attempt with a single off-set-up.
After the forefit, that one, calling back on an A1S with a smoke grenade.
All he's got to offer us here in the final round of their defensive side.
9-10 is going to go hunting towards this bomb site.
Maybe feeling like either the AWP is floating around
or whether he could just get the advantage over now
falling back on an M4.
But he doesn't get the angle that he's hoping for.
Nobody steps into that scope.
It's kind of a crazy lucky map because if any of the earlier
rounds, this would just be a B-split and a A would be over.
I mean, if you get fallen, there's a lone here.
He's the one guy watching.
Pat, you're so heavy towards A.
Nade chips away at Quesarado.
It starts to get worried about it actually, because they don't have vision of E.A.F.S.
They haven't seen anything towards A yet.
Bombs coming back.
Let's go into alert and Topra's Sarah with another opening in mid.
We've had to wait a little while to see those frags, but sure enough he finds another one.
Rotation Quesarado.
Man, is this gonna make two back of the site no cat control?
Yeah.
You gotta have your connector players help in this spot, and let's, you know, two-sign.
Yuri of its statue-esque, sitting beside the connector entrance.
It will still be a moment here for Molodoy to try to hold it back,
but his support systems are offline.
It is all him, right here right now.
And while blind, this is a shot, they will hunt him down.
What a flash. So blind.
The Mongols just ravaged that B bomb site.
Blitz takes a second to let CobraZera get back into the kill feed.
He instead will turn his attention over to the final drag-up catwalk.
A lot of these rounds throughout the T-side feels like the Mongols can just do no wrong.
And a lot of these rounds end up banking off of CobraZera, a 12 and 6 T-side for his stage debut.
Stage debut, absolutely perfect. 10 out of 10 so far. Lots of opening goals.
Ever knocked anybody, never missed a game, never gotten away, never stood down the round,
I'm never looking nervous on a spray.
I was a T side here versus a staunch competition.
So excellent start.
I hope that there are further proof that Senzu is in position.
MZ Nyo-Sing could be as good as Senzu.
All these statements just seem crazy.
But not everything needs a reaction.
The country just has to sit back and observe.
OK, Serato really trying to be the beacon of hope
for the Furia cat. Also, 12 kills for his half.
Piecing up the self-holds inside of Kanaker, always bringing down a couple bodies,
but never being able to stop the entire pack.
That's the difficulty of dealing with the Mongols. They are a pack.
They trade fast and they move even faster.
Here we are looking a little bit low energy, a little bit deflated right now.
It's on, Aurora talked about coming into the server and feeling, you know, like the attitude before anything even starts.
It's just sometimes damp food and you just know it's not going to be a great day.
It feels like, here we are. This is not the day they were looking for.
Certainly not the CT side they wanted.
That tail is going to churn through, Fallen.
Kindar's third kill of the map.
Opens up the B site, but only momentarily dead at the hands of Blitz.
Kindar trying to make something of this with his Berettas.
He'll reappause for a second to just confirm the further presence.
Over there.
Yeah, plays confident.
Swings wide, cuts off.
Kindar stomps him at two, and now Yuri's answer back.
A 1v3 with no bomb possession, a flash that misses Yuri's eyes.
He almost had an opportunity there to chop down 9-10 to size.
They're all still willing to keep it. He's going to get lots of chances here.
He's just going to have to hit that headshot right away.
At a certain point, he's going to have to jump off that ledge and go and grab this bomb.
9-10's now about the cross, so Cobra can kind of stand it there and still not be in the open necessarily.
Double swing to take place.
We're still thinking.
We're trying to fake the drop if he wants, but...
Where is Mzinho? He just doesn't know.
As it comes wide, now he confirms it. Both players on site. That opens the potential for the window drop.
Yeah, he's piecing this together. Spips himself a bunch of chances. Get on your feet to try to milk that for all it's worth.
But it just winds up being two survivors for the Mongols and double digits for the Mongols. 13 rounds into play.
I'll cue up the conversion because Furia aren't coming into this one of the force by and the
The Mongols aren't coming into it with any refuge for Furia, they're not going to give
them a moment.
They just throw Cobra Zera right back at them in the apartments.
Questions about what he would look like on the stage?
Well, it feels like the Mongols are setting him up for the most success possible.
His confidence boiling over as he's up to four frags versus the glocks of Furia.
Sits on top of their bomb and Porya Kindar is going to have to be fed over to him.
He is on the brink of the ace right there for the taking.
We saw it. Yeah, he's got it all five for Cobra Zera and ace in his first game on stage
Sure, they are ill equipped
But I think it's just the testament to the impact is found throughout all these rounds of counters
Because it doesn't matter how it just goes that your first game on stage was amazing
11 to 3 here for the Mongols.
You know, there are strength in numbers.
Three players fall in your kinder.
Molledoy are all having a bad game.
You can't really call them out.
It's a team effort. That's why they lost, right?
Jokes aside, it's only Keisarado who has a positive KD in this match.
I mean, we saw every round that they lost mid and ended up either losing B or A right
after that.
Top three players on Fiora really could not deliver the trades, kept getting caught off
guard, you kinder on cat.
Fallen with no off impact.
Molotov with maybe one really good opening pick.
Now I hate to put a microscope on the individual level because I feel like there's just like
a team lethargy.
It feels like the energy is just not there.
Especially in contrast to the energy that is there for the Mongols, right?
Yeah.
Not missing a beat throughout this fifth game's round.
If 9-10 ints the kill to fall in, it's confirming presence inside of Connector.
This split out through ramps eventually gonna come and when it does, 9-10 meant to be a sitting dot!
Yeah, wow.
This fight's too good now, post is double, but Yikindar's stairs control's good for two.
What they don't know about is MZNyo down beneath, but the bomb gets caught trying to double back and spawn.
And now, oh.
Twenty seconds.
Yeah, you gotta go get that back. Yikindar's over a connector as well, not going rampside.
This round's over actually.
Ah, just when Yikindar's trying to be the savior of the round,
bomb tries to double back because there was options elsewhere,
And suddenly, you've got yourself all wrapped up in the Mongols sitting on a 12-3 lead.
And that's a weird one, because the Kindar's double kill comes in.
It's a war day.
It's not even though like the sandwich player caught them off guard and damn it, we rid off, throwed off that third one.
It's bomb falling back into a hit control that just didn't have.
It did feel like the Kindar had no idea someone was in the sandwich though, so it's possible he's a guy, otherwise.
It's just a really TV main push, right? Apartments all the way to T spawn.
You'd use middle to get into connector if you never considered the threat.
But in a game like this, with a score like this, with the Mongols as fluid as they are,
you leave empty space and they will fill it.
Had a coffee before this match, it hasn't even kicked in yet.
I'll put on tea.
I think that's what the Mongols did, they just capped their caffeine like way earlier.
13-3, just Natalie of Furia.
She said she loves you.
But she can't love me.
But I love you.
I
Won't play window anymore
The human body was built to move.
You're out of the desk in one singular posture for 12 hours a day.
It's time your chair evolved.
This is Secret Lab Type Evo.
Ergonomically engineered for you, gamers, hybrid workers, artists...
...but in your every move.
The
Astana, are you ready?
Down and straight!
It was a Brazilian barbecue at the end of the day.
And the Mongols were feasting, they absolutely demolished Furia in that first map, they looked really good.
They ate so much, they had to turn it to say, no mass, you know.
And Emsilio might be a man of few words, but he ain't no liar, you know.
Cobra might as well be, you know, Sanso's level, because he certainly looked like it in this game.
There was a sick performance coming out from the Mongols, coming out from Cobra Zero,
and a rather lackluster performance coming out from Furia.
But upsteating the obvious, you know, I think that was a disappointing game, to be completely honest.
I think the Mongols were miles ahead of Phyrra, they win the pistol, they convert, and yet they still only get three rounds in this game.
The Mongols went on a streak, but they were just controlling the game from pretty much start to finish.
A lot of the rounds, you know, dictated early on, mid-fights, you see Teckel coming in with a couple of anti-kills, you see a lot of action on the B bomb side as we also discussed coming into the game, but...
Oh my Sam, I didn't expect everything to win.
I didn't expect it either, to be honest. I just felt like they just came in and from the get-go.
You said this about how they can just take over and they start moving so fast and that was kind of what it thought like
That's they started this map throwing. This is the pace. We're gonna play it and then they just
Branks it up as we went and also about how fury account afford to start slow on an individual level
right because the pace and just the style of the Mongols can really be overwhelming again
there's only a
You know so much that you can do in terms of openings and tactics to try and get to a step ahead of them at some point
You're gonna have to face them head-on right you're gonna have to defend the bomb site
We're gonna have to get into some of those fights
And if you don't win them even if you're in a favorable position, you know, there's not much else to fall back on
I do want to draw your attention of course to Cobra's era the talk of the Mongols when we were
aware of him coming into this lineup sends you leaving that the big question
marks about whether the Mongols could return to form this kid has just popped
off this entire Cluj tournament he has just delivered time and time again
yeah he's been been rock solid he's been stable he's just said you know coming
into this game even he was the highest rated player within the Mongols by a
small margin but still up there with the best of the best this game obviously
helped by getting an equate in second half to even boost the stats even further
but in the first half he found out about the impact.
Yeah, I'm not a hater, I'm just stating the obvious right here,
but we get to see the packaging on the T-Sat as well.
He was very, very much in the center of things.
He was involved in a lot of things.
He was handing the pressure well, almost felt like he didn't play with any pressure.
And yeah, it's hard to put a finger on something the Malkers didn't do well,
let alone courtesy on this game.
I mean, on that heat map, the most important are all the kills that are around the mid-area, right?
And you can see just how many of those are either entry kills.
You know, he was 12 and 2 against K. Serato and Yikinder, who are the connector and the short player, right?
That's on the second half too, but you know, he was very dominant against both of them.
And in that mid-control, you could see whether Fury wanted to give it to the Mongols and then try to fight later,
or try to fight them head-on, they just couldn't come out on top fighting for that mid-control.
Why was it that Mongols were so dominant in the mid-control and unable to hold it like that?
I think they were just sharper, you know, for the most part.
In a couple of rounds, you know, Fuhrer is making the call to fight for mid,
but the guys in connector are smoked off.
You can see they're sort of trying to fight from short all on his long sum.
And maybe around or two, they got caught out by the pace from the side of the Mongols.
But honestly, a lot of it just comes down to they were better in the duels.
I was just about to say, like, sometimes you can't call a game like this down
to the simple fact that individually Fuhrer just didn't show up,
that didn't push back on any of the aggression coming from the Mongols.
You have a, what is it? You have a Fallen, you have a Molotov,
you have a Yakinda who combined in this game for 17 kills in 16 rounds.
How are you supposed to do anything in a game like that when Yakinda,
the spearhead of your team, the guy always involved in everything.
And the X factor in Molotov is not getting anything done.
So I don't want to take anything away from the Mongols. They really put it to Furia.
They really played an excellent game of Counter-Strike.
But it's also one of those games and one of those scenarios.
scenarios. The reason why it was never even competitive is that Furia never even showed
up in the first place.
Let's talk about that first half. I mean, you touched on it a little bit why Mongols
were superior. Is there anything that Furia could have done differently to change that
score line in hot time?
I don't think so, right? They tried some rounds to maybe pressure the extremities a bit more
and then once they put the player in a forward position, then go back and worry about mid.
But even then, they would lose the fights or in a 4v4, they would make the wrong read
they would maybe lean towards B, Mongols would come A, they tried double off, that's what won them, you know, one gun round.
But even after that, they just wouldn't win rounds consecutively or really do anything to push the Mongols back.
What are we looking at right now? Are you just focusing in on some of those opening kills that we spoke about a little bit earlier?
Yeah, absolutely. Just those early fights on mid, how they were going, right? You'll see a lot of Cobra just time and time again.
time again. You can see this, like a kinder is completely caught out by how forward Cobra is in
that round and then in other ones he's just doing a great job of the trading kills or pushing the
advantage right and them playing off of each other. All these kills you see are either at 130
when they're going faster or around the 1 minute 50 second mark where they're sort of doing it on
the second timing and whichever one they chose they would come out on top and Inferior just couldn't
them deal with it.
When we move into the same half, one round, that was all Furio was able to get on the
attack on that T-side.
What was it that just wasn't working for them?
Nothing.
I hate to do this, but when a game is 13-3 in this fashion, we can try to invent something
they couldn't undifferently, or you should have done that, or at the end of the day,
they didn't show up.
At the end of the day, there was no pushback from any of the Furio players.
That's the fundamental of Counter-Strike.
Yes, we go into the strategies, yes, we go into the rotations, we go into the communications.
how a certain player is playing the coaches, driving off each other, etc.
But that only applies if both the teams actually show up in the first place.
I have a good example for you, how things went wrong for Furia.
So they win that one round and we go into the reset round.
Maybe they can win the last three rounds, make it 7-5, have a chance.
Instead, what happens is, Ninten does this to Fallen.
He must have heard them scope or jump, and then he, with an AWP on his own, switches to a Glock,
just wide swings and kills Fallen with a Glock, who was holding Amps with an AWP.
And then in the 5v4, you're going to see on the radar, two players are towards B, third one is leaning, there are Mongols are splitting A,
there are 5v1 against Fury, who's alone in shadow.
But there's nothing he can do, and after that, Fury is out of position, they should just save, right?
But also down 7-3, you're like, maybe I somehow get a kill or two, maybe we have a way back in this round.
And it's been a lot of this where Fury gets on the back foot, and then Mongols just don't give him any room to come back into rounds.
It's something we've spoken about with Donk where we see him before the game.
He's normally the first one on stage warming up at the half-time break.
He stays on the stage.
I've noticed with Mongols as well, we saw them all on the stage relatively early.
Now, during the break, some players have left a lot of stage.
They were back very early.
I'm obviously just guessing based on what I'm seeing,
but it just looks like they're really hungry tonight.
They've sort of come in and gone, okay, we have something to prove.
And it kind of showcased on the server as well.
Yeah, I think it's more sort of personal preference.
I've seen the Muggles do that at a lot of tournaments, where some of the players, all of them,
just stay in the booth and have that little team talk while they're still playing aimbots,
or whatever they're doing in between the maps.
We've seen Molotov from Feria do it quite often as well.
When he's having a rough map, some players up to stay at the computer and try to warm up again,
instead of going out and taking the break.
So I wouldn't read too much into that, but I think based on what we saw in Mirage,
yes, there was some Muggles coming to play Counter-Strike at a high level,
but it's not really going to change the tide of this series over all, I feel like.
There's still a lot of Counter-Strike to be played.
What happens on Dust 2 now?
I think we see Furya bounce back, like you have to understand.
For Mongols to have any chance in the series, they had to win Mirage.
Now, obviously, them winning in such a convincing fashion sort of changes the narrative a little bit,
because Ice Furya going to show up to the series whatsoever,
but there's a reason why they picked Dust 2.
You know, Mongols have just struggled on this map,
you know, it doesn't seem like they're understanding of it.
It's quite where it has to be in terms of reactions, reaction times,
right, some of the mid-round decisions, some of the even finishers in 5-5, all of that
looks like a bit unnatural to them, you know, a big part of their CT side was sends a second
op towards that mid-2b, we'll see how much if at all Kogor picks it up, right, but this
is where you really need the sort of get-right map from the side of Furia, because Jacob
is put on, you know, the map even won't matter if they just don't step up on an individual
level and don't find a way to win some of these duels.
Fender conditions for Feria though, to step up are much better on Dust2, Molotov in particular
likes this map a lot, has a lot of freedom to roam around and do whatever.
As Janku said, Markels in this year have been very lacklust on Dust2, they played it three
times, they lost 13-2, then they B-pained 13-2, and then they lost 13-4 to Vitality.
So, you know, base-pain games don't count.
Yeah, well that's the thing, right?
Pain is the NAP of two years ago.
That's fair enough, that's fair enough.
But outside of that, you know, it's never even close when they play it.
One of the things they struggle with a lot is M-Cenio on Long towards the CT side by himself.
He's having a tough time getting the job done, not getting a lot of backup,
not really being put into play, not finding a lot of impact.
So if I'm through and I've done my preparation,
one thing that has worked against the Morguls every single time I've seen them play this too,
is just go out, take Long, bully M-Cenio.
Worst case, you push him back and then they play Retak on the end bomb side,
and best case, he fights and dies.
So if I'm the Mongols, I want to figure something out for you long, and if I'm Furia, I want to assist it straight away.
Well, maybe take some risks, right? Get a Joker out there, get Blitz to hide blue maybe, or be the second guy in pit while Mzino is fighting.
You know, try to use something like that to sort of fool Furia, but also the Mongols have the benefit of being 1-0 up, right?
So they can start off with some aggression. See, if Furia is going to show up, try to bully them if you can, right?
Because if they are just still cold and can't shoot back, who cares which map it is, right?
Like you just need to play in a way where you can take advantage of that.
Fiora does have that experience though.
They would have reset very quickly, come back into this with a change of attitude, hopefully, a change of pace as well.
Let's find out if they can equalize the series. Scorni and Launders are ready to take us in again.
Yes, there's a chance they rebound. I mean we've seen them do it in the past, right?
We know Fiora are the type of team that could just be able to reset in between.
But there is, I think you used the word like a certain like lethargic look about them that makes me worried that maybe they're just not in it today.
I think that but I also think it can't happen on map too.
I feel like they were one good pause with the right combination of words from escaping that lethargy because I think we know how good
Fury are. They're such a quality team at this point. There's some teams you know
They might crumble and slow down and never get out of the rut. I just don't see that happening with Fury. For the sake of the game tonight
I mean, we have had a long day. Thank you everybody for sticking around
Hopefully Buria give us a show. It's dust, too
How slow can you really play on dust too? How can you not wake up on this map? It's like a cold shower
With a push from 910 top middle sees little bit of skin head towards oh
That's a cold shower
That's someone just spraying cold water at you from the hose
That's a sobering moment for Furia. That's waking up on your neighbor's front lawn to the, like you said, cold hose, no bomb possession, somehow got to go back and grab this 9-10 by the way.
Why are they still pushing them?
Because they can.
Why are they still pushing them?
Because, you know, we can talk about how the reset from Furia could come through in between these maps, but you know what's not going to have to change whatsoever? The Mongols' attitude in this best of three.
This is going to be a reference game for the Mongols, actually, if they keep this up two in a row. They do it once.
once it's kind of a classic thing Mongols do they actually mean the series doing
this which is so absurd to think about there are two guys to find so it's
crazy if you're still not out of this actually about now well actually I
think following he's got years of spirit
That's a good push.
Kobra's era is going ear to ear.
He's proud of his new find.
Fresh out of the internet cafe.
Straight foot playoff.
I love the thought that Mara gets out of bed in the morning,
looks at the ear, and goes, yes, he did it again.
That really impressed me sometimes.
But eventually we're going to have to give the coach an ear.
This looks like this guy again so glad to see you.
Oh, there goes Moloch.
Start to give up.
Nope, they're not allowed.
They're not allowed.
Look at our restarting to give up.
Quick little technical issue.
Sort that out real.
They can't handle the supernova that is the Mongols.
They're like something must be wrong.
It's got to be.
as you lost thirteen three on a new computer can explain this
he was in tunnels before we even got there
also what a crazy like slide by sequence but two three bullets double
headshots
think about how crazy that is
that i don't know if that was right at a spawn versus
i guess it was the walk at the back of play ground
the purpose ever
Oh, deep in the ankle, like, I don't know if you ever know.
Sensei-Wa.
Over there, at the top.
The top of the scoreboard is on the pistol.
The coolest Mongolia has kind of grown its fandom,
as the bongos continue to travel these events as they've gotten to the top.
I know that's why I get on the plane.
Popularity of Counter-Strike continues to spread, and it's nothing.
Again, I like that it's the thing that really excites me about different regions.
Why I'm so obsessed with different nationalities and countries playing well.
Because once upon a time, there were all these different styles of Counter-Strike.
Yes, you could specifically reference.
and the different periods of time in which they brought him into the main tier one.
And they had to prove with these different types of teams
that different styles of play could work.
And in different eras, it's been slower, it's been faster.
And I'm someone who likes it a little faster, a little faster.
And in the modern era, people stopped believing that that could work.
But then Katie and kind of got back a bit.
The Mongols proved it again, right in the face of teams like James,
James teams, if team like James and Gambit youngsters.
and everything goes to straw. It starts slowing down to a crawl.
Let's get a little bit more perfect. Let's think about the money.
Well, suddenly, even though we're still building on it,
and everybody has taught us about the game,
hasn't slowed us down.
There's been an offensive revolution once again.
The fun counter strike is back.
The bundles are proving that this style can work at the highest level.
The pendulum swings, doesn't it?
it does and it happens in all sports and there has to be most of the times where
these new styles are proved because if they aren't proved by a brave new
roster then you'll just build off what the last best team is doing and try to
copy that until it becomes almost a virus. You know a boring monotonous
mundane typical counter-strike. Well they march to the beat of their own drum
and they even bring their own drums.
They're going to be pounding those drums on what could be the highway to victory this
evening.
Nature of the pistol round, Netfurya had no chance.
I don't think that translates to the entirety of Dust 2.
The Mongols tap right back into what was winning rounds on Mirage and that is speed and aggression
and they do it from the CT side in the pistol at least.
Obviously not wanting to throw this advantage, they'll just lean back this round.
smoke grenade comes up and over threatening to be split here from furious
forced by blitz is gonna just open up that smoke to try to expose backs turned
good on him cut down case Serato Cobra Sarah is gonna drop and smoke in the
doorway this has been heard the play so far for Furia he got fury whittled down
to eight health dealt with by the USP any valiant effort from furious kind of
get this round back online has been stopped in its tracks out middle not one
One kill has come through from Furia, despite all that effort to extend out through the doorway.
Molotov's Galil is right there on the brink of finding one.
But this could be Furia just swept away without a single kill in the second round of play.
They desperately need a kill, at least.
Even if it has to be Blitz and just an MP9, they've got a foursome kind of rebuy right now.
It's going to be blocks on the other side of this one for Furia.
There's no stopping Matt, which means Mongols should go ahead and find the next round win unscathed.
And they'll do the exact same here in round two still no bomb plants by players alive
You're giving the Mongols a little bit too much momentum
Sorry, bro. You're a little late. Yeah, a little yeah when they're playing next. They're playing that stick around
In the walkouts gonna be legendary don't miss it
And he does not stop.
Let's go Mungles! Let's go Mungles! Let's go Mungles!
There's no bigot more masks, or more people joining the crew.
There's more guys that look like you, Connor.
I was just gonna say, one of these things is not like the others.
It's infectious.
And how's this story like the Mungles not get you out of bed in the morning?
Oh, I mean, how could you not be inspired?
I mean, for Fury, I definitely want answers. I want at least, like, you know, a post...
I want a post-match interview that kind of explains a little bit about what's happening.
Particularly if map 2 is as flat as the first one.
Yeah, and, you know...
Because then it's kind of inexplicable.
Yeah, it's, uh...
from the outside. Yes, for sure.
Couldn't tell you.
Kind of precipitate what the answer might be.
You know, we now we just didn't turn on our monitors today.
We didn't really. Oh, yeah, that's a problem.
Yeah. I feel like that's kind of step one, actually.
Right. I mean, that's what feels like this.
They didn't even get step one because they haven't proved
like they haven't shown us anything they can do.
We know what they can do, especially on dust, too.
Yeah. It's coming into this game even.
I agreed with Jacob on the desk. It does still feel like Furia are like 10% away from what we know they could do back in 20-25.
If that was coming into this game, it feels like that gap from their feet to their reality, at least in this quarter-final, is just continuing to grow and grow.
That's a worrying sign for a team that I thought we came into the year with obviously such high expectations.
I don't want to keep writing this obituary. We're only two rounds into the play.
No, we're actually about 15.
Oh, that's true. Sorry, I forgot map 1 was already finished. That took about 12 and a half minutes.
But we'll go back into play. And like we said, with no kills in the previous round,
with Glox here and this one, it's going to be the Mongols to have another chance to just run rampant.
You saw what happened in the anti-ecos back on Mirage when they're feeling confident.
was there is running at you through the apartments on the hunt for the ace.
He's even swinging mid with this M4.
I mean, there's a moment at which you surely they're going to regret something like this,
but I guess it ain't broke.
Don't fix it.
No regrets.
But it's on the corner of Catwalk knows better than to extend fully off of this.
How would that throw the kick first?
Soften him up, you know, tenderize the meat and shred it.
And he's brought some friends to they're all ready to go behind him.
and you'll get three kills with the MP9, so money made.
Great flashbang comes through at least,
but it's looking like four survive.
Yeah, you can get our dealt with.
Cobra Zera's been sat around waiting
for these kinds of moments.
We go three-zero off the block for the Mongols.
When you drop that.
I'm just going to start chanting alright into the end of it alright no more jokes first real
chance for Furia to try to do anything in this game. So far you've been stomped on. Not yet stepped over.
But if it's a flat first-gun round, it looks like the previous rounds of Dust 2.
And also if 9-10 is going to be consistent across two maps, it's even this bigger threat.
I mean you really have to have quality. I just show up.
3 players in the face of 9-10.
There we go, Molledoy.
Yes, sir, it gets his.
Offer opens up space for the rifles to push beyond.
MCN was going to hold it here,
but Quesarado trades out effectively.
Molledoy's double kill.
The moment he puts his hands on that off.
Aerosol going to run at the problem a little bit.
I mean, Cobra's there looking for someone to make any kind of mistake,
but the bomb goes down nice and safe, nice and tidy.
No exit guaranteed here.
Yeah, Yuri, ready to catch him.
A couple headshots come through.
Furia forced to wait until they have the guns to find impact.
The balladoy doesn't waste a moment once they get there.
I don't think they've shaken off the salt right yet, but this is a nice round.
An inspiring victory. They get the off head-to-head win.
They move pretty quickly up, Kat.
It's not messy at all. They punish all the exits on top of it.
Luckily for Bungles, they made a lot of money.
Get another full bye with it up.
Well, no, this is a 3-2 setup, because all of a sudden, this is fishing at least once in a while, I don't think he's going to think too, did it?
And that might mean you don't go a little bit later on the protocols and just go right into mid-beam, I'm not sure.
All the mongols really didn't use any utility at all to cross.
Here, holding on to mid control.
Setting up, posturing towards the A-play.
Really nothing interruptive about this round for the Mongols.
Just got a banking on Blitz being able to hold this back.
He'll drop his smoke well ahead of time at the minute mark.
This, uh, the kinder lurk could be pretty important, so it kind of depends how the A site hit goes.
He's looking to prove something in this map as well.
9-10's off, can't be called on just yet. That's gonna sit stuck inside of the pit.
Litz has almost used all his utility, but he'll check out that last smoke in 30 seconds.
Right goes behind it. Blitz tries to play up by the boxes. Oh, blindside one.
It's good damage on this player to come through as well, and it's just enough time for MZ to keep his head tucked in on a ramp.
He'll pop in, try to catch the kill towards boxes, finishes what Blitz started.
There's 9-10s connection over towards Long. Passive off-setup pays off.
Here's Yuri's answer, but it's tied by the wallbang. 9-10s are ready to get a go at jumping Cobra.
There was shot. And there's no time.
So straight up with that frag, a jumping Cobra kill!
Uri hanging on!
Oh, they're gonna need that off!
Uri with his best efforts, but 9-10, so far removed from the bomb site,
was ready to leave a mark on that round.
The entire time they kept one on CT on the left side,
they took the fights, lifted the T3 chopper's utility,
the whole time it felt like he knew it was gonna be a cat-play in the end.
He got his, hit one and a half,
even though he traded it down from Kaseurado,
Because MZNEO was alive all this time, 9-10 never had a turn around.
Never had a turn around.
The Kinders attempt was contingent on that.
Fallen's been able to get out the blue boxes, flashbangs, let them know that they're gonna swing out wide to try to deal with it.
They do. Yuri's not able to hold them back.
He's gonna try to come wide for the trade frag, but MZNEO signs up for another fight and the Mongols are stomping on Furia again.
This can't handle the speed right now.
Three rounds of loss bonus beyond this one for Furia.
Can they get anything in this 3v5?
Molotov has found space at least, walks out through the mid-doors.
But look how fast they move, man.
It's just as confident from the corner of Long to get into the pit to go clear-fallen.
There's no f**king in the Mongols' camp right now at all.
Mongols are mullying out Long.
They've got two players that can't push through.
They're gonna push after this.
But Furia are taking time to get organized.
They're gonna be picked off in the tunnels.
You don't get time, right now, versus a Mongols that are playing like this.
You don't get time, you don't get space, you don't get respect.
Yeah, you do get hunted.
50 seconds to tuck tail and try to walk away with these guns.
No guarantees up against the Mongols so far tonight.
Not going to see anything coming in for the mid-beam.
And I guess between all of the Mongols players, they still, they just want to use this as a way to bank a lot of cash.
There will be a 30 second savior for Furia playgrounds.
Normally a place where you have fun.
We'll at least be able to carry this off into the next round, but it's going to be a Frankenstein die next round for Furia.
area. They are going through it right now. Longos are just taking no prisoners here.
Small sign of respect, let two rifles go.
AWP included here for Molledoy.
Somehow Yuri has the highest ADRs, you know.
Ground 7 even really ended B.
Got some impact on those punishing two CT exiting players.
Oh, what? What are we talking about here?
More and more light sends you every time we see him.
That guy's eating dirt.
He's Serato just got buried.
Makes two loud steps and CobraZera locks onto his head like he can see him.
Talk about intuition.
Visualization.
And again, that's the Senzu, right? He's so good with the smokesbam, so good with the wallbangs, trusts his intuition, absolutely.
He uses ammo as that extra resource, beyond utility and everything else.
He's going to try his hand at it as well, and that whittles Molodoy down to a quarter HP.
They think, as they know they are trying to get out along, and that's the ball.
Easy for 9-10. Blue box player traded out effectively.
Cat kill comes out, has fallen, drops down, trying to now take over control of the ramp.
He's got a 1v1 in sight, he's so worried about long that it really offers Blitz a good distraction,
a bit more comfort and a 6-1 lead secured.
The fact that he's so happy to just take the fight, never talking for cover.
Not worried about it whatsoever.
6-1.
I think they're instant. Oh, sorry, this spot is closing to the floor.
I'm probably gonna have to run into play here.
Gonna throw together a crafty idea.
A lot of smokes coming into it.
Again, we could say it's not too late, but this map looks exactly like Alasso far.
still see that lethargy yeah they're getting mobs
omega mobs
What's the plan? How the hell do you dig yourself out of this hole?
So we can look at the 6-1 score right now, but then you're reminded of the 13-3 last map, and suddenly,
second-best team of the year last year is nowhere to be found.
There's, I think, two spots on the line, BRS, and the BRS for the Mongols.
Yeah, I mean, they're on a rebuild.
Yep, they're on a rebuild in that regard, like, takes them from 11 to 9.
Just to think that this team's not in the top 10 right now, but that's the nature of a rebuild.
Damn, sheer for K. Serato, he'll fight back with the tech 9 regardless.
This is a bit of a challenge, more than they would have liked to have given over.
So Bracero a chance to be the hero not today not with Yuri. Well, not this round
The rest of the day has gone swimmingly for him, but Furia find a chance to show their teeth here in this one
That's the great idea that comes in. It's a half by
But that's what the team of this strength should be able to pull out like they should be able to
Definitely lock around like this in every half. I mean even if they're not playing well
One as a Kickstarter
And it's all that good utility that really makes the difference.
Fired defeated the Black Player.
It's their lurk smoke. It's their split that comes in.
Also against the kill on the player on CT, just so that there's really no
way for Cobra Zera to look towards middle.
Allow that tech 9 to come through door and kill him.
Yeah, and probably the scariest part is that
since we're talking about the Mongols, is that even if you get like a couple of good trades,
the third and fourth guy are gonna be so willing to just try to malty to bring it back in the often times do.
Yeah.
Again, never any time to rest, re-establish, slow it, slow it's team down.
You know, I feel like that's got to be something that Paulin as a player respects a lot because
when he bursted into the scene and in 2016 when they had their most dominant year,
that's what he was doing to everybody, right? He was disrespecting space.
He was taking a team being super aggressive.
He invented everything aggressive on over the last team, right?
He invented so many things like these double-up setups that were
that no one can really do like Luminoski did back then.
I think he's probably a fan of what the Mongols are pulling off right now.
And I know that when Astros were at the top and that's all fallen,
I studied them and I tried to do exactly what they were doing.
That was the very best way to play.
I didn't seem to approve of this level that they could be this aggressive and
have this much fun. It must be a lot in your head, you know. I can't we do that, too.
Comes by way of Tech Nines, but that round gives hope to Furia to claw back
anything within this T side, anything within this series. Kick starts the
economy bolstered by Yuri robbing away an M4 and still three rounds of loss
bonus behind this for Furia. He earned themselves a little wiggle room here in
the second portion of the first half. Kobrazera freed up no longer inside the
B site.
He's been chomping at the bits to try to get into this field and again he will do it.
Not the first time that Caserato has clipped trying to climb up and is right there on the break of coming in a second time.
Maldor is going to send an off shot back through that smoke and make him pay the price.
He backs it a little.
Enough's enough.
That kind of leaves saves things, otherwise, yeah.
You can only imagine the mood of the camp.
So where do Furia go from here?
Options are now open slightly, but who do they think there's only one B, right?
Do they think there's only one B and does this lurk?
Stopping it up and the bomb goes cat and the bomb is starting to now find a timing on the CT player.
Mischance here for you, Kindar's kill.
9-10 he's starting to walk into lock. He got the kill on Yuri.
This is walking back. He caught one on Fallen towards catwalk.
Now you Kindar's knowing that he's got players locked in.
But over towards that A site bomb could just plant itself with catwalk.
You Kindar dying means this retake is opened up.
Alright Molladoy, you got to have the round of your life.
He is on for the ace.
When the pressure's at its highest when Fury yet need to be bailed out right here right now
He's burst up for Achille can get it and drop off flash comes through right away
That suddenly scrambles him back to the site two players into the cat retake. This is his chance tech nines out
One shot from Molochoi, and it is the Mongols to jump right back on top of this momentum
I think got the protocols to get them through that no problem
No X factor shining through whatsoever if you's locked in
And then the Mongols have already put together an outstanding half here on Dust 2.
No rounds in a row.
Crazy.
Crazy 9-10s awareness and knowledge, I guess.
Even when they're taking lead.
That's not the long player on the attack making a mistake.
That is 9-10 hunting you down.
Yeah.
Taking a bullet to the head and still winning.
Last round, Furio 1 was a half-buy.
OK, Serato, tech 9 kickoff into the CT player
and then just overwhelming the double B set up.
First gun round, and that tech nine half by.
Those are the only two rounds Furiya put on the scoreboard.
Double off set up comes through.
We want to talk about the comparison between Koba's error and Senzu.
Well, I'll say he's actually even better than Senzu when he pulls this thing out.
Yeah, Senzu had some spotty performances, absolutely, when he was high birding.
had an affinity to beat that second off.
They weaponized the same formula,
just looking to keep things fresh,
looking to adapt as Furia tried to evolve.
I think as CobraZera has been finding his mid-impact with spamming smokes off the M4.
to switch over to the off, especially with a secondary off that you don't want to just
spam away willy-nilly.
He's not actually able to apply any pressure to that climb up.
He has an A4 there, maybe he goes for those same spams, maybe somebody softened up instead.
Here you have found a good amount of space themselves on Cat.
His real strength right now is that he doesn't have to fight.
It actually helps, they don't give him any clues.
This ends up being another Cat take.
This is just a fake smoke, we'll see.
Yeah, he's jumping off.
Let's stomp it around and send the air he goes out for 9-10.
There's a check in the window.
Small gap on the side of that one if they really try to push through it.
9-10's going to then put that smoke up at 30 seconds.
Pretty much what I would say.
Feeling squeezed.
Immediately Blitz goes goose.
Mate comes through into the pack as well and 9-10 clips the front-runner's wings.
Easy pickups.
Come on!
What a beautiful spray.
The rifle worked for the Mongols across the board.
What are we talking about right now?
Just an untouchable situation thus far in the quarterfinal.
They are walking on water.
God's amongst the men.
As Molladoy fates away to the safe and will be picked back by Coprissera to close this out.
8-2 CT side.
Wow.
The spirits must be crushed at best.
Someone could last can in if they wanted to, but not Maladoy.
AKs for one last attempt to put together a team round and a couple of the leels as well.
Such a good hold.
Look at the sprays.
Oh, the third kill here.
Woo!
They didn't even start their attack.
Oh, boy.
Double Ops still sticks around for the Mongols.
Why not?
Yes, so far so good.
Limitations in the double Galil here for Fury up.
Fallen.
And Fallen's the one who goes glass cannon.
Yeah, versus Cobra Zara on the midline
Cobra's era just keeps his head tucked down beneath the doorway then 910s off gets aggressive off catwalk
This is a far more active look. I'm gonna catch Maladoy off
910 sticks around for a second
Easy wins the off tool and when he finally misses one place from inside of the corner
He's got a teammate to work on this is not just Mongols stepping up to the challenge
This is them stomping fury out of the quarterfinal
There are bugs in the mid-shield
That was absolutely blocked.
He's got nothing to do.
He has to get the bomb back at top mid.
There's four guys waiting for him.
They have the entirety of mid.
This both spawns.
Cat versus this tiny little Galeel.
a smoke? You know they have the
smoke. They have the bomb. Hold on bro. Let them cook.
Excuse me, a smoke? It's all part of the plan.
Oh my goodness. I'm sorry. A smoke?
Hey. You said it yourself. Gunner strike is better when there's many flavors.
So, if that's not in your own head, I don't know what is.
What can I do to save this situation?
The smoke is insane.
In a round of the half, your mom was gunning it for double digits.
You saw that last round freed up to just go for a different move right 9-10s aggressive
off angles just catching fury off I mean Mullidoy comes running down suicide caution to the
wind this time you don't find that challenging cat here for the Mongols but you do find space
behind it every time fury have gotten here they get stuck behind the smokes won't be
surprised to see them try to play ahead of it they may even risk it by running through
fire and it's worth it already yeah it can actually go towards us up gotta get it just
more aggressive final round of the half at a seven round deficit you've got so
little to lose that it's no surprise to see them charge through it okay style
points Nate lands on you can't our emcee knows retake well underway and he's got a
couple teammates up from the CT spawn like it's caught out damage is good and
there it is hurry up a little more pep in their step final round of the half
their third round win only individual round wins nothing consecutive there's no
way in hell furia are confident going into this next pistol they won one
rifle rounds they won one force up and they won one half by half
That's going to be part of that run.
Oh boy.
Oh boy.
Oh boy.
You're still believing.
I got to give you guys credit.
Yep.
I got to give you credit.
Energy's always good for Furia, absolutely.
Alright, so we need to map in a half now.
For the wake up.
The stats are going to be vicious after this.
What was it, 2.1 rating for CobraZera on Mirage?
Yeah, they do on stage.
Yeah.
Because you're not just dealing with one Mongol.
You got 12 kills to Blitz, 9-10, 10 frags on Mz and Cobra.
The Kindar here off the cap plate gets first blood in the pistol,
but then it's band advantage secured by Mongols.
Molo-Doy, bringing it back with one, does deter the bomb carrier.
Maybe they want that cat swing out first, trying to catch Molo-Doy.
He then fades back towards the ramp and Kcerato offers one.
so it's that edge re-secured by Furia.
Come on now, Furia.
Win this pistol. It is not too late.
Fail to convert this 3v2 and your struggles continue. A dual queued up in the doorway.
Kcerato doesn't want to be that piece that leaves Yuri on his own in V.
Kcerato catches the kill out middle. Blitz trying to flood the back of sight with flames.
Flushes one into the open and he'll catch that headshot.
Blitz now working with 4 HP, 45 seconds.
And what would be a valuable bomb plan?
And he squeezes that out of the round, not back.
Yeah.
Just goes to show they want to play it with respect.
Coming with the trade frag,
Toria will give themselves the best chance of a comeback
with a pistol round win.
It slows down their next buy a little bit.
They know they have to make sure they get enough M-force here
into the next round to start off right.
Don't get me wrong, this is abject failure in the first half, but CT side with a pistol.
There's always time.
There is always time.
Oh, the toy goes right into the awp.
High waist time?
Yeah.
Sometimes you just gotta be careful of the awp when you're going up against lower buys,
But actually, because of the bomb plant, the guns are going to be big enough, overall,
that it kind of makes sense.
If it's just Tech 9's on the other side, there's no plant, then you can get run down.
That AWP can be used against you.
But for now, it'll actually act as a surprise, I think.
Mungo's probably not going to be prepared for Molledoy.
Molledoy, we know he can be really aggressive with it.
He needs to go for a lot of these openings.
Having a better game here overall.
The one rifle they did win, he got that opening duel head to head versus 9-10.
It's opportunity though, and now they know about it.
They're kind of still caught, transition, looking to run down a little bit.
They really threatened Kat with that run up, actually, even though it's a B-play.
Look at them scramble back as they just suddenly smoke off CT.
It doesn't feel like the Mongols are going to waste time here.
You've got a fire bomb in hand, it goes beyond you.
Kindar signing up for the fight.
Here's Colt Rezera jumping around.
Quesarotto, MP9 from the corner.
Good for the two and the...
Oh, alright.
Turns through with a ton of damage.
There's always time.
It's also you kindar on the scene helping out towards middle.
The Mongols try to push.
They try to rush it down.
That was a nice play, like in the micro to get...
to get Molotoy worried about the A site.
They're going to run over top of him, they're coming down mid, they can jump up.
He makes that rotation out. They tried to immediately smoke everything out, but
it is Fira who won the last round, they come with more utility. They use that utility really well, and they're
still worried in the right way about that B site.
I didn't feel sketchy though for a second when that AWP rotates over towards A, even
just the pace of the Mongols can catch you off guard, Desert Eagle almost getting a chance.
Your kinder could have signed up to the fight, hold it back on tap lock, dodges the flash
and turns back into the...
Welcome the challenge, chance to find some freebies.
Holladoy's AWP will miss,
but luckily Yori continues to pick these up.
Yeah, he's fighting a lot of pressure.
And again, early on in this game,
you had the highest ADR,
it's the volume of kills is there.
Nice to know your B site players on it right now.
Holladoy, missing another one.
Shut in just yet.
Uriyama! Uriyama! Uriyama!
Jack tries to put that M4 to work, but it's only going to be the one casualty on Yikindar.
You think this comeback has a lot to do with, you know, Yikindar getting back into the game,
Paulin getting back into the game.
They both struggle a lot on map one, but, yeah, there's such a difference between one map and one map on that, it's a worries.
Guys, I've got the three round cap.
I've got the three round cap.
Still no off to 9-10 to work with either.
There we go, Molledoy.
Catches Blitz through the smoke.
Well done, Spam as well, giving CobraZera a real taste of his own medicine.
He was dominating the fury of Cat Climes with that Spam.
I would have loved to see CobraZera in the kill feed right there, now we've been a spot
of revenge.
He still, you know, theoretically slowed him down.
No unconfirmed damage and a three player B lean for Furia.
Isarotto here floating, but he's a loose piece.
They have two players in B. I mean, it's not the round to go for a B split.
Isarotto tucks back in with a smoke down in front of him.
It's gonna slow down the head.
You catch a player running along the wall.
Yuri freed up to go for that kind of a challenge.
And then there's gonna be some free pickings out middle because of the low health.
Making all the easier with Techno 4K getting dropped by the AWP.
9-10 still looking for the first kill in the Mongols' favor.
Not one comes their way throughout this attack
And I'm furious on regard right K. Serato softening up the approach towards the Xbox climb
adding himself into that bomb site
Really freed up fury to cut them down to size on their approach
Got a
Pause I would imagine
Or no got to get fallen back in the server
But it's five in a row now for Furia, one at the end of the last half, fourth straight
to start off CT.
The energy is coming back.
It's honestly never really falling off.
Not much we have to give credit to.
Now it's going to be Bungles with a half-by-attempt.
Haven't looked in the rear view since they switched sides.
Four rounds straight for the CTs.
No bomb plants in the last three.
Bungles' success has started to dry up.
This is really the first challenge of the game for them.
And it's also just like, how good you're suddenly
are handling the situations.
their defaults looking strong, all the way time making them open and kill.
I felt like that was never going to happen at some point.
There was no contest on Mirage, there was no contest in the first half of Play of Dust 2.
Shouldn't be much of a contest with these deck nines.
But it's the sheer numbers of the Mongols inside the tunnels right now.
I mean, I have a hard time believing Yuri is going to disappoint right now.
He's been good on both halves in terms of his overall ADR, his kills.
He's aiming well.
They're a little later on this side of the map.
Kisarato throws himself back into the bomb site.
It's not the first mid to be split.
We've seen Q'd up.
Probably won't be the last.
Albus try to get themselves covered, try to get those tech 9s flowing.
K. Serato takes position in the corner.
You do lose Yuri.
Balton tries to help out.
K. Serato hanging on. There's a player with a knife out next to it.
9-10 stabs it.
To grab that AK-47.
Things get very awkward on that commitment as the mid push from Thuria does cut off one half of the pack.
And now with the bomb, 9-10 tries to get away from it, but the AWP's got him locked in.
This is now a one-round game at a five-round furious streak.
One thing we'll see for sure with Yuri is he really spams that form.
Sometimes he'll play here like every round of the half versus the B-splits,
and I think that's why bundles are trying to go for it.
I think his form is really good right now, so he's kind of just...
I think the last time we watched Yuri on Dust2, he was disappointing actually.
CT side was a struggle, but...
That was the game plan. Maybe they did the tailor it to the fact that he's on form at the moment as they go back towards B
You're gonna do it with a bit of tempo too, aren't they? I think they were excited to see that he was airing it
Yeah, they are very fast. You're a back site. Oh full fallback protocols are turning swings wide-off
Cacerados supported
Here from Yuri. He's got him stuck into the platform 2g5 demanded of it
And that was a ton of damage in an instant for the last two remaining Mongols players.
They got the outwards push that they had hoped for, but they also ate the flashbangs left,
right and center.
Hold on!
This one's not done yet!
Careful!
Mzino two kills into it!
Old versus new.
Mzino and Fallen in a one-on-one.
Mzino thinking maybe that he's still on the perimeter of this bombsite, but it's a big
move here from Fallen. Zinho in anticipation of any sort of a peek. He's not careful. Long
challenge is going to come through. He's here to talk, but Fallen just wants to make sure
that he's not leaving the site. If he comes into peek, and Zinho's going to think about
this, he will. He's playing K-Sharp right now. How Fallen's crossed over. He re-tipped.
Oh my god. It's the headshot. He's nice to 1v3 and ties this game. Well done, Fallen.
Scary moment with Molledoy in that window.
If he wants to go and get the kill, fine, but if he loses, obviously,
that throws things into disarray. He'll use it up the chance a bit.
These are on time things with one kill in the middle of this, but overall, you're in.
That's a great hold.
Especially with how quickly they came into this. Wow, what a reaction shot.
AK for 9-10 pistols upgraded for the rest of the Mongols and Molodoy starting to flow now
Freed up to take over the tunnels
His shot though not in the most comfortable of positions, but he's got teammates to bail him out and that coverage
Offered over by K Serato's pride grenade very nice combined with Fallen's DP goes 5v4 to furious favor
That's a flex this man advantage and to see decide to find themselves in the lead
That's a tag as well like no eat a bullet through the door
Actually, attack play feels like for the first time.
They wanted to prove themselves in B, they couldn't do it.
Maladoy just keeps getting utility though, Fallen's M4.
Still hasn't really been given targets, not until they've got putting Secured on site.
Maladoy, great cover over the shoulder.
The bomb's going wide, actually.
Blitz is looking to mow this down.
Maladoy's found a headshot in the middle of all of this, supported by the utility yet
again.
Blitz coming through.
In the 1v5 with his first bomb on his back, plenty of players surrounding this bomb site
and a long-range duel to just keep on whittling down his health.
At some point, you just gotta go for the plans and just die, to be honest.
Tries to tap it away, but it's not gonna happen.
Since the first time, since the first two rounds of this series,
we have Furio with a lead.
And they shut it down so well inside of B again.
No plans to worry about.
Even when Antonio gets his kills,
he just plays a longer round to play for the win.
Fallen denies that.
So after one diffuse on the pistol,
Money has been a big issue here for the Mongols.
Instead buyback, as Firiya take the lead.
This is the money available right now for Firiya. They'll be buying for a few rounds.
and the Mongols don't have a single strap that they can look at that they have in their
back pocket. No half-buy wins even half-uria got. Or they know they can run someone down.
So here alone right now is going to be a shock.
Oh, but he's missing some of these chances.
He's also generating opportunities and he's not dying.
Like his score line is still good.
He's still winning.
So yeah, it's no problem for now.
This could be made that much easier if these were to connect.
I think it's a real testament to how good the setups are
that he's getting all these chances at least.
They've been testing Uri a lot of beat,
but he's been outstanding this map.
The kinder, really, he still hasn't got into this game.
He's towards Long, didn't have a great go of it on T-side at Long.
It's him and Fallen over there, the two teammates that are struggling for Furia.
He's side by side with another missed opportunity out of Molledoy, but still presence confirmed towards this A-site.
They get the utility out of them, and now that flash comes through the doorway.
You kicked our steps up!
Bomb dropped to his feet, Flashbang missed him.
Devils in the details, but as he pushes into the doorway, this 3 vs 5 has even doubt.
Fallen trying to dodge Blastles.
Bomb possession still belongs to Furia.
Yeah.
He could sit on this. He's got that smoke as well.
It's gonna be a tough go to scoop that bomb and still make it back to site in time.
He's kinda gotta run the whole way around it and then go get it and then go back.
But he's jumped across and he's grabbed it. He will be chased. He knows that.
But now the smoke, it gives him a chance to exit.
There's no bomb surely.
He'll chase down the frag, drop the bomb again, that's just how desperate the Mongols were.
Okay, Yikinder tested, and he passes the test.
In 11th, Perfurea.
Eight rounds consecutive as the round history is brought forward.
Nine actually, if you count the end of the T side.
They saw that first half of the Mongols, and they actually have already outdone them.
All these rounds in a row.
We were scared that Furia was never going to wake up in this series.
They were just lacking quite throughout Mirage. Lacking pace in the face of the Mongols running away with this game.
Felt like the same story here on Just Two Unfolding.
Safe to say they have effectively turned this around.
Better late than never and all the doi who has had many chances comes forward with the first shot connects
And you can Dar yet again playing close proximity on the doors
Now towards mid instead has dodged a flash once more but will be bested by cobra Zera new talent for the Mongols
You with these rounds as well where the Mongols despite going down at a man disadvantage still show an ability to fight back within these rounds
It's a sword fight.
Very close 1v3s, for example.
Fallen's been a rock, but, yeah,
A site definitely is a little scarier.
Molodoid's going to join forces with him.
That's a Molodoid still with a full belt of util.
He's looking to dodge the first set of flashes.
They come up on this cross.
A jump thought.
And Molodoid catches the second.
And that long challenge comes through.
Fallen steps up to the test.
Easy.
Bomb carrier can still cross over.
They're concerned the ball always taken a wider angle, but he is giving them from some free space
The rest of fury a look to come and join this retake by way of CT spawn
This gives a chance for cobra's error to get back into elbow
Challenge close here on the corner and fall that's gonna connect another one just the galeel for nine
Oh, follow the guy to come through the big round man
Triple to his name just when we start to put fallen and you keep our under the microscope
Just when the mongo starts to turn attention away from that sight fury, it looks like the other half of Furia happy to step up to the challenge too.
I don't know what the best comeback is. We had the mouse come back on overpass CT side, but this Dust 2-1 here from Furia.
This many rounds in a row.
And the first ball plant saw the pistol.
I swear Fallen's got a kill on every round of this CG side.
He's back in a massive way.
Mongol's tripping over their own feet, small to do it,
missed chance again this time, they won't give them that much space.
And again, they never slow down.
It's against the ropes.
And what could have been their dying breath,
round 22 is a 5v3 for the Mongols.
and he'll have to go massive again.
He's got to time that beat.
Time to go into it.
Instead, it'll be the Mongols out of nowhere with flawless headshots.
It is a similar setup for Moldova again going down into that lower tunnel.
But previously we've seen him miss the shot and be given enough time to escape back through the smokes.
Not the case this time with just a single shot.
He'll have to go massive again.
He's got to time that beat.
Time to go into it.
Instead, it'll be the Mongols out of nowhere with flawless headshots.
time with just how fast the Mongols come swinging. Yeah, I mean I'm happy to see
Fyria not hurtling going for it. They have this lead. They got here by doing
this.
It'll be a white gear of all the CTs and it's a confident win with four alive.
If it was a very close round to get there one round then we'd be on
the Leels here for maybe a couple of players. They're good now. 9-10's not enough.
Double lock comes out to Furia trying to change it up before we could ever get to overtime.
I love that.
Why wait for the potential OT? Just get it over with now.
Now, second map point for Fury up.
They've been playing very fast down mid, so Moldovian just wants to take advantage of this.
This counterpart is back there.
It's going to open it up to try to challenge.
They don't show much.
It's not secondary off now, right?
This is a chance for Fallen to catch them off guard.
The only irony I want to avoid is that Fallen's had an amazing half so far with a rifle.
Yes, no Fallen can off, but also...
CobraZera's ahead of the Molotov.
Ykindar could get caught off by this timing.
Flashbang found.
Oh, he's not aware of this one.
But luckily for Ykindar, he doesn't press the issue.
CobraZera's sitting on half health beneath those stairs, has a bomb right behind him,
and it's Molotov to open up.
Techno 4K dead with an aggressive look into the tunnels, then the secondary off is found.
There we go.
Furia piecing it together.
3B5 for the Mongols, maybe just the one-off T-round win.
the most aggressive look they had.
His fallen sniper catching a second victim,
losing the wind in their sails,
but another bit of a rebound, but only momentary.
It is fire with a massive comeback here on Dust 2.
They find their game, they find their groove,
and they find a chance to extend this series.
He said she loves you, but she can't love me, but I love you
I
Won't play window anymore
The human body was built to move you, not trapped as a test in one singular posture.
for 12 hours a day.
It's time your chair evolved.
This is Secret Lab Titan EVO.
Ergonomically engineered for you, gamers,
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Down the stairs!
I'm gonna go get the fuck out of here!
I'm gonna go get the fuck out of here!
I'm gonna go get the fuck out of here!
Let me set the scene for you at the half it was 9-3 to the mongols many people would
have thought this is a figure to secure their spot in the semifinals it ends 13-10 to furia
How did the Brazilians make that comeback?
Well, they did it by winning 11 out of the last 12 rounds, as you just described right here.
They did that by dominating Mongols in the second half after struggling massively in the first half.
I think result-wise, I guess we're not surprised, it's more so the fashion is happening.
You know, that Fuiro let go of that first half, you know, look like a team that is out of it,
look like a team that is sort of replicating what we saw in the first half,
where they're not showing up, where Mongols are running all over them,
where the Mongols clearly are better individually speaking in the duels,
And then I don't know what they're doing, but they saw like a cracker.
They managed to turn it around.
They survived the scare, so to speak, and stay alive.
I think they just stepped up.
You saw some of the deficiencies from the side of the Mongols, right?
They lose the pistol.
Forced Bride doesn't go their way.
First round, they play default.
It gets broken by Furia.
You know, they're able to get some opening kills.
And then when the Mongols tried to go for some of these side hits,
it felt a bit telegraphed.
They felt like Furia knew what was coming by the time they tried to make some adjustments.
Furia anticipated that as well.
Just all these gun rounds, Furia seemed to be in good position.
They seemed to have good information, a good read on what the Mongols were trying to do.
The one rounded Mongols won in the second half was they just sort of said, screw it
and started running around on the map more, right, and found a couple of opening kills.
It did feel like in that second half, when you saw Fiora kind of activate, like a whole new team came about.
And then the moment Fiora activated, you started seeing mistakes coming from Mongols.
Like silly decisions being made as well. They kind of didn't know how to respond.
Yeah, I think that's one part of it, but as Janko also said, you know, we saw the limitations of the Mongols on a map like this too.
There's a reason why they were struggling massively on it.
Only team they've beaten is pain and that's the kind of team Janko that doesn't count.
No, that's fair enough. Outside of that, they've been losing their map quite convincingly to anyone they played.
So, in theory, that's also what they did right here, you know, they didn't really play well, you know, in the second portion of the map.
They got off to a good start, they converted them that momentum, but when we got into the nitty gritty, it wasn't a good performance from the Morgans.
I think the best way I can describe it is, look at Molotov as CT side.
Look at how many times he was gifted an opportunity to get a free kill.
He even missed, you know, more shots than he hit, but he would always fall back. He would never be punished, he would never be under pressure.
In terms of moving around on the map CT side for Molova, he could do whatever the hill he wanted.
He could even allow himself to miss six, seven, eight shots that he normally would hit without going unpunished.
Well, that's what happened.
Six, seven.
Yeah, but I think you would see just the consistency in the second half, right?
The amount of kills and everything that he was doing and again for the Mongols, you know,
missing some of the micro when these executes come in, right, to be able to sort of keep fury on their toes.
there was nothing that made them uncomfortable in that second half.
It didn't feel like, and it's a shame because they had such a strong first half,
they had such a big lead. Go back to that second pistol, and they have that 3v3 for a little bit,
and then Hobra is sort of trying to fight that guy in CT. Maybe if you just are a bit more patient,
you play it with your team, then you can have a different outcome and just finish the game right
then and there but Furia eventually able to get back into it.
Was there a way that the Mongols could have changed it in the second half? I mean, based
on what we were seeing in the first, what would they have needed to have done?
It played better to be, to be convenient. For me, it's, I agree with what Yanklis said.
Like it was telegraphed, it was a little bit toothless in a sense. I think Furia, as you
saw with the setup, with the AWP, more or less could walk out catwalk whenever he wanted
to go for a peek. Yikinda was dominating catwalk, whatever he wanted to be. Whenever
they tried to do a B execute, we saw Yuri step it up and shut it down. Fallen CT side,
I think every single round on the CT side, it wasn't like a multi-kill or triple kill
section, it was just getting one kill in a very important moment in the round that would shut
it down. So it felt to me like no matter where the muckers were going, they were always doing it
one by one by one and they would lose our duels to players that they, you know, up until that
point had absolutely dominated. They got the bomb down only one round and it wasn't, you know, a
close round at that it was sort of Furia playing retake and allowing them that
space so yeah just couldn't really find any openings they didn't have any you
know creative moves sort of to help facilitate that didn't have long spawns
to go for that simple call and Furia shut them down. I've never seen the team be
up 9-2 and I've never felt they were that far away from winning the game it's
kind of crazy in a sense because yeah you think to the third point it was 9-2 or
9-3 you move into the second half the market should be winning they should
progress into the semi-final but you know after watching it I know that's a
bit in hindsight it felt like they were never even close we should have checked
out that Navi G2 game oh yeah there's something for you. Okay let's talk about
some of the pieces of Furia though because one of the things that we
mentioned is in that first map they didn't really come online right a lot of
their players didn't show up a little bit different here on Dust2 especially in
that second half. Yeah I mean Jurian Kizurado had a good showing I think
Fallen, as I said, had a couple of moments on the CT side,
or basically everything around on the CT side, where he got one important kill,
even one to 1v1 versus EmCenio as well.
You know, that was a moment in the game where I thought,
okay, if EmCenio can clutch a 1v4, maybe that could kickstart Marcus' T-side.
But they were just being shut down over and over and over.
I mean, Kezerato, the only player who could be, I guess,
okay with his performance on Mirage, once again coming in as Mr. Consistent,
and then Yuri stepping up, having a decent showing here as well on the CT side,
and finally putting some impact on the suit.
Yeah, and this is where we also saw why Mongols struggle on Dust2, right?
Like their playbook just isn't as deep, and in general, they're a pretty straightforward team in their approach.
They don't have that many, if any, multi-layered executes, you know, double fakes where they move their opponents around.
And that comes in handy when you're losing 5-6-0, right?
Because your opponents are playing with a lot of confidence.
They're going to be rotating to pretty much every little thing.
the communication is flowing, they're reacting to pretty much everything.
So in those moments, if you have something where you can use that against them to some extent,
that's something that you can try and do to get yourself back into the game,
but it just wasn't there for the Mongols.
In your opinion, what's worse, losing 13-3 or losing 13-10 when you've had that 9-2 lead at the half?
Personally, mentally, probably easier to lose 13-3 because it's a mental exercise,
we go, okay, nothing worked out. We didn't even hit our shots, so let's not talk about
anything else in the fact that we need to warm up now, whereas for the Manga,
it's obviously you're going to feel now that you should have won that game. You should have
converted on being up 9-2 on Dust2.
No, but it wasn't this 13-10 close game. The game wasn't close in the second half,
like the score line, yes, they were ahead, but they weren't close to closing this game out,
right? Like it was Furia in full control in that second half and I mean I don't know for Nuke
because the last time they played it was a 10-2 CT side for the side of Furia, Yaqinder
was doing a great job outside alongside K Serato. You know Mongols couldn't get like secret control,
they couldn't get past bents. Blitz couldn't create any space like all these plays were getting
shut down constantly. It was just a disaster for the Mongols last time they played. I don't
I don't have a lot of faith in the Mongols on Nuke to be completely honest.
I know that one of the couple of times at this tournament,
they also lost it a couple of times,
but I feel like they're very one-dimensional,
as Janko described and does too.
It does feel like if you want to simplify it to a point where everyone can follow,
playing A within the Mongols is very strong,
and that is based on the individuals,
winning their duels and playing whatever playing A may be,
coming up from Mara,
but whatever they've forced into this scenario
where they have to reinvent themselves in the middle of the game,
they have to do the mid-round adaptations,
They have to maybe use plant B, or use plant C.
It always feels like the Mongols are dropping a bit more
in level compared to pretty much any other team out there.
Whereas I feel when I'm watching Furia,
when I'm watching Vitality,
their plant B or their plant C is almost equal
strong to the planting.
I think it's going to be key for the Mongols to,
you know, win around early or just establish
that yard control, right?
Like get a kill on your kinder, get deep secret,
you know, do something to make Furia worry about it, right?
To have to rotate people around,
to have to react. Last time, Mogul just had a really hard time penetrating that first
line of defense. And if you can't do that, if you can't make them worried about secret,
about B, then it's much more difficult to move the CTs around. They're just very comfortable
in the information that they have. They just have one guy down, two on A, one on ramp.
It's pretty easy with Molodey being able to pick and choose where he's going to go with
So I think that's why Blitz for me is the most important player for the Mongols on this decider.
Speaking of AWP, I think what's also super super important for the Mongols is that 9-10 continues to find impact.
Specifically on Nuke, the five times they've played with him in 25, he's by far the highest rated player on the map,
especially on the CT side where he's averaging a 1.42 rating with that AWP presence.
Without him, not a lot of stuff is coming out from the Mongols.
None other player within that team is above one rating on Nuke's CT side, which is not a good sign.
So, I feel like they rely on a lot of 9-10 and he needs to win that duel, not necessarily against Moldova,
but at least against whoever's facing him in Yacht.
I'm kind of getting the vibe from both of you that you're leading the way of Curia,
making the semi-finals now that we've caught to the besaada.
The Mongols had their chance in the period.
Yeah, they survived, you know, the sort of shock and awe from the Mongols
Mongols and how the experience kicks in to some extent, but Mongols are a team that also is able to reset on a win like
They're a momentum
Based team, so I wouldn't expect the same show like we saw in Crackle
Let's get to that side and find out who is joining Vitality in the semifinals
It's got to be one of these teams Sam
It's either Furia or it is the Mongols and for a lot of this series
It felt like the Mongols had this in the bag Jacob
If they blew their chance, Yanko thinks that Nuke will be closer than it was in Krakow.
So maybe they had blown a chance on Dust2, but can still find a way to retrieve control of this matchup.
Yeah, I mean, they totally can do this.
I mean, the thing is on Nuke, the last time they played it was Krakow, and they didn't practice before Krakow.
So that's it. There's a huge asterisk on that.
They've already proved so much more with CobraZera at this event, and then that practice has sort of paid off.
That was a little bit of data for them.
And now, as we get into this match, Mongols, again, they're a team.
They play fast, they win, they play fast, they lose.
I don't think they carry their way.
Sure.
So I'm not sure what's going to affect them, just like Ganko said.
Now, the one thing is, for Furia, last time your kinder dropped like a 2.4 rating
on the absolutely farthest one CT side.
We'll have a chance to do that again right now.
And now he's dodging flashbangs, since we do get control of secret.
Take it over by the Mongols.
It gets spotted in the process by that deep help play.
You can't know how confident in this game with the swing out for 9-10,
but then Techno's going to give them something to think about
as he takes this challenge into the ramp.
It's Yuri drop low.
Techno comes at this one really quickly.
We're thinking this could be a game he's looking inside
but he made the team this tall.
That would make the world do a team like the Mongols right now.
And Mence is getting crushed, actually completely shut down.
Yuri's headshot's going to sting extra,
going that there in a two on four retake.
You kinder got the opening killed around, but
many more chances will lead yes.
Here to shut it all down. Yeah, triple kill for him in the pistol.
So the Mongols T side could have a great start to it.
And there'll be a question about whether Yuri can come tap back into what he offered us on Dust 2
because he was a driving force in deterring Mongols away from that B bomb site.
It's like a stiff down to the bomb site itself, but you can't see it on the play doesn't really matter
You can hang on to that
Instead he blows up with the bomb the bomb goes fine in the first round of map three again in a game
That could be very seat decided see pistol conversion here the three rounds easy ones
I can make a difference in the end
Very I want to answer right away
The captain of the battalion.
That's what we're talking about, the bombers from the jim there.
It shows that if they feel they can win this.
Scout from Malidoy could actually also have some really big impacts.
They're going light on the cross. The tag comes in.
Oh, a two-punch package.
Xenia straight to the headshot on Maladoy. Make sure that scout can't find any more output than it did.
They're gonna be ready for the kinder playing big like they're not looking for this at all.
Cobra's era has got his guard down.
He's floating around on the main room. He takes one good timing peek and
he's thinking about it.
Just beyond. So that's the kinder to now come hunting for him because he knows he's playing it. Unbreakable.
But there's the rebuttal back again. 9-10 quick to the headshot.
Fallen gets taken low at a distance. Desert Eagle far away and then he goes there to catch Yuri who is looking to try to maybe get in on this action.
So really nothing here for Fury, it's ultimately fine.
Yeah, and Fallen's made the rotation. The pre-move downstairs, no one there, 16 health.
He can maybe go back, try to get the FAMAS if he can even make it there.
Oh, he might as well move from ramp, because he's a dead man here.
All those convert.
And again, converting with a bit of tenacity in the play still, right?
Jumping over main.
There's some moments here where they kind of throw caution to the wind.
They're ready to take the second round with the pistol.
See if Fallon can hang on, and tries to take it over to 9-10, but nope.
Great eagle for his efforts. The 2-0 start with two players surviving. At least the double AK save comes out for the attackers.
They come out fast. They look for their duels. I mean, I can't believe they owe no smokes outside. They know they're going to run into a scout. They just body. They just take the tag right on the chin.
Keep running forward. Get their kills. Come out with a round win. Now it's kind of a feast for them.
You'll back outside if they want to
My reading is correctly techno and blitz both brought a case
Excuse me both block rock blocks
Wait, what they both have blocks
You know sometimes one guy won't buy
Well, here's a round where two guys don't buy guns. I don't think that's ever happened
They just won the last round and they both only have utility.
You're the color commentator, make sense of that one.
Feels like a risky business to me, I mean I know you're up against USPs but-
Yeah, absolutely.
Crazy.
Yeah.
Wow.
Going for it.
I'm shocked.
Who could have seen this coming?
I mean, not even falling back after the first kill.
Go ahead and get up.
Wow going for it. I'm shocked who could have seen this coming
I mean not even falling back after the first kill but go ahead and get a bomb plant down
You know the weird part is they also know I mean they know they're going against just pistols, but there are no guns to grab here
I
Mean the guys who the guys who came in with blocks use their utility. Yes, it all up. Yes
So what's crazy to me is Blitz comes into this round with a block and a guy like techno who's gonna be the ramp entry
You can trade that guy. Yeah, no problem
But blitz through his utility and then challenged heaven and hell with a block
He knew he was gonna do that when he left the spawn with the block. Hey
What do we do in here? I don't know what we're doing here. What do we do in here, but it worked
Did it? It actually works. He's dead
He got his so they'll try to secure the exit for players running into the Desert Eagles
USP now it's justified to get the AK
Well, it's right there. So hopefully yeah
Found it. And so the only two guns lost suddenly. It's perfect math. That's crazy
That's playing for a win
We could understand it and that would just be there not that's so well oh
We have so much to learn
I got scared when I saw blocks again, but just shooting out the windows from spawn
Both confidence already for the mom those double ops set up an immediate here from fury. Oh, that's interesting
Oh, Indar gets his head pops now. They've got to be really careful and call it nice shot
Flex the first
Over towards ramp off the one ops second up in Molledoy currently positioned behind these smokes outside
Can't stress enough how important that shot was because now it slows everything down
If not, it could have been a late-round group up and with the two or the two ops and two rifles
I would really ruin chances of a hold even with that ramp kill now. Molledoy takes the lock
Look at that. Mzino actually creeps it lose the kill to ball and you think there's an op on ramp
And what does MCNL do? No utility walks right back into those angles. That's absurd.
CobraZera. No, this angle, it could work really well. Fallen's been nice with either done.
CobraZera's locked into the angle. When he tries to get out of it, that's where Fallen recollects the equalizing kill.
They never knew about Blitz getting down secret stairs, and him and Yuri have kind of crossed paths without knowing about one another.
Depending on how this goes, you might want to make some presence actually, so he's going to stay lower.
Now, but Uri kind of slipped the net.
He shoots Blitz in the back of the head, takes man advantage over for Furia.
It's not even a fake though, they're coming here.
30 seconds to that clock, bomb on 9-10's back, Molotov goes beyond.
Mzino still holding it, but Uri's got a nice tight angle along that wall. Pistols out.
And that's great presence from 9-10.
He goes right back onto the bomb plant, will get that bit of money.
But what more can he make of this? Gives himself the flash to play with, sees the shoulder, hits the shot.
And now the smoker they used as coverage battle of the operas, but 910 brings out the sidearm fallen whips
And now that all up
No bullets in the needle back to the op cuz he has to but because fallen mist he could get dominance on the angle
What is this situation?
I don't even know. How did they score this round? And they got through a double off, and economically that stings.
They saved every penny in the piggy bank for that.
that. Very weird fight. A little like very low on utility. No off at all this time. Half
armor we've got no defuse kit to work with. They have to play for kills. And honestly
I think Mungle is going to treat this like an anti-force buy at first as they suss things
out. And it's going to be hard for Aphiria to respond to the map control so I really
I really like the move here to wrap hell.
And to be careful, the last round thing got really stringy, right?
They barely got away with that win.
Their alerts were not working out.
One from Mzino into the ramp, definitely did.
Caught Molledoy off guard, but then it was like blitz downstairs, not caught.
Oh, he started shooting.
Great flash.
Everyone dies.
Three quick kills for the Mongols.
What?
Nothing for the 5-0 start.
Bloodbath!
No deaths.
All five up for the Mongols.
shutting down Furia as they came back into this one with a buy off after the
double-op and now they are strapped for cash in this one
the situation is down themselves
they tore through that double-op
and they get through the weird buy and lose their prize on the other side of it
small investment
this round's coming in no-kits too
Reminder that back in Krakow, this was a 13-3 victory for Furia.
They got to the decider, and Mongols went up in smoke.
Excuse me, 13-2.
Moload always gonna fall.
Yeah, all lobby control taken over, so they'll speed up lower.
Yeah, the Mongols are everywhere already, actually.
Always happy to play a little faster.
So good at expanding here.
5-7's gonna best MZeno, but as fallen reaches for the AK, doors give him just enough cover.
Blitz knows better than to extend into that with the plong.
Yeah, they have-
Even 9-10 are getting the hell out of there.
They know there was a lobby.
Okay, nice shot, Blitz.
Just a kinder, left over. He was doing a spamming inside a lobby.
And he will die too.
And within five minutes, here we are. Once again, except the T side here for the Mongols.
On the map, you'd least expect...
6 and 0.
And it actually wasn't easy. It's just that they got their pistol, their conversions,
and he won their key round off the back of that missed fallen off shot.
Well that's a clutch otherwise that opens the door for Furious CT half.
Yes big time.
Go right back into the double offs.
And you do this.
Stubborn.
Stubborn and the big spenders.
You know, to see that off the first gun, it's already surprising to get it twice in one half.
It kind of makes sense from the perspective that it's a comeback, like again that's one
of the moments where you see Fallen throughout history, that's like where he's sort of made
this a signature move on his CT side.
And also I think the fact that he has been hitting, he's been hitting all his shots right
now.
Last half of this half so far.
Oh, yeah, one of the pluses.
Really, really important one that just happened actually.
But all the other shots.
Every other shot was amazing though.
See which one he can tap back to in this attempt.
Now, Boladoi waits that side low,
he doesn't come on the timing he wanted,
so he'll peel away from that one.
The little space given over to the bongos
when they go with that deep wall of smoke.
They'll pop it open once,
another frag grenade from Boladoi.
He'll pop it open a second time.
It's right there for the taking, but he'll lead a flashbang and they'll cross within that time, and he kick our tries to attract the damage, and he doesn't fight connection.
But it splits to get the better of it, and another fight versus four here, toward the Maldives.
They're everywhere already.
He comes out through the doorway, right, pushing, squeaky, catching a back turn, and the Maldives are tapping right back into that electricity that they brought all evening long.
I was thinking, is squeaky not smoked, but it was, he just walked out.
Because the spam came through. The kinder is the one spamming, he's the mini player.
They weren't even expecting a second guy there.
That was just way too easy. Okay, but you know, as much as this is a solid situation for the Mongols,
these are moments on T side where sometimes they don't find a target, they do get a little confused.
However, Furia game-planning towards upstairs.
But actually, are they gonna come up to them?
It looks like for a second, but second thoughts.
Man, the double lurk's upstairs?
Yeah.
The...
It's the bomb soon to commit, I think.
It's still sitting inside of single.
They just don't want to give up a kill.
Yeah, but it takes a split time.
Absolutely be a frag.
But he's keeping his head nice and low.
Give him a few seconds and Furia will just save, so...
Good on Amzinho there, right?
He's that close to being found out.
Down goes Molledoy's AWP, and it's an obvious save for Furia
because both of the operas can still alive.
Now the Mongols are roaring through this third map.
They roar through every half. I mean, even the half they got destroyed, they roar through it.
It was quick, but they got back to you.
When they're on point, it's Michelin Star, you know.
It's Top Shelf, it's unique.
I think we see that double off setup again this half.
I don't know, 7-0?
It's a pricey habit.
Tripled down on that when you're kind of not, especially with no wins.
And the first time, you know, there was more of a chance, right, falling, getting that first pick over towards the ramp.
The second time it comes out, it was just transitioning into a save with no impact.
Not, you know, their fault. It wasn't like shots were whiffed. It was just the main pressure.
You kind of are in case a rotto both dying really had Furia's hands tied.
Two-started, lower.
I think I don't like about the setup from Furia. It kind of feels like a full-by setup.
You know, you've got the early rotations down, but you've got one guy on ramp, you've got two upper, but none of them have rifles.
It's not that mongols can't make mistakes, and sometimes they don't think they can.
This one's coming up empty-handed, long to be desired without Deagle's scram, 5-7 from Fallen, meant to be the savior.
Now he's got it off. Three players out there on the open floor.
If Bollandoy could have offered something, Bolland would have slightly better chances.
Third kill!
Back into hot heel goal!
Eagles finally connect!
Bollandoy with the double, out from Heaven, but it's Bolland who sets that up!
They kept hunting him down inside of Bobby.
And he kept coming up with frags.
7-1. Off he goes, unlikely of roundabouts.
There he goes.
I think it's because they just they couldn't afford it.
I literally got 4,100 left over.
It's creepy.
They're off the bongos bodies.
I can't help but feel like this is where Mongols used to be.
can't help but feel like this is where Mongols used to be as a reason to respond to any bump in the road, which is extra aggression.
We'll just go back to outside, because they have just made that their focus.
There's an enemy default.
To be honest, after what happened on T-Side Dust 2, maybe for the better.
They just sell through every single smoke?
They have one blitz.
Crazy, they just throw both walls right there.
How do people guess?
Okay.
Well, he safely got them in a secret.
But if there was patience, they're going to make this door and he'll be nuts with it.
Once smoke they've got left over and Molotov hits his shot.
Flashbang doesn't find him, but he's now falling back into a compromised site.
It's not for Yakindar.
List.
Dangerous game here.
Yakindar also floating in the flames.
You've got Gacerado to add himself in from that then rotation
and they're already considering upstairs.
This is the Mongols not going hard down into the lower commitment,
but it is Furia, for the most part, out-rotated.
Yakindar gets back upstairs in time.
Yeah, that's huge. I mean, they have Yuri who's pushing this weekend.
allows you to get up the vents.
Oh, he gets found out by the vents.
Be careful.
All that bomb has to do is drop into the safety of the back of site.
Techno's going to go down first.
Kaintec falls with him.
Kaintec are going to leave that one player up there.
They both opt to go down and to play the back site.
Blitz is slow burning his way back from outer.
Techno traits out.
He's going to play front site.
And now Blitz is far removed and the bomb is planted on the other side.
This is a misplayed round and a half.
It's such a mess actually.
They could have kept one in heaven,
and they could have had a better fight there versus squeaky.
They could have dropped the bomb down.
They could have planted the front side
if they really wanted to and had the mini guy come in.
There were a lot of options there.
They just went for the scrappiest version.
On the face of a bit of adversity, I'm crazy.
Things get weird.
Oh, it's getting weird and foolish.
This is nice though, they're kind of ready for everything.
You have to be.
Yeah, right?
You're ready for everything.
Seven rounds of a T-side secured off the rip.
Problem is for Fury, you know, this isn't a half way.
You bring it back and you feel okay about it.
It's already gotten out of hand, so...
Oh, the Sniper's gonna be hurt for you, Kinder.
Fairly.
Yeah, he's actually trying to leave, but...
Oh, no fight is way out.
And then he decides to stick around off of that one.
First kill found and assist on Blitz.
Not too bad.
And Xeno with a hell of a route around the red box.
Nice and...
Oh!
...to get something going, but Furia absolutely smashed round ten.
Alright, man.
Shout out to you, Kinder.
that fast step pushing outside of me, he doesn't even believe we lost and even though he made
that fast step he decided to make that into the play because it seemed like he was pulling
back he came forward, cared that with the grenade in the back from a teammate and met them right
where they wanted to fight.
I don't want something like this for your everyone's
who got to become dust.
It's looking good, I mean, it's dominant.
Base.
There's a lot of boxes out of here.
A lot of the liners look like they're good.
Back if you've done so much, here's the plan.
What should we do next?
The mentality for almost the blob is punished.
Try to squeeze out however far you can. 7 rounds is good.
9 rounds is better.
The boys keep coming for the meantime.
It's the opportunity out of 9-10.
The off-shows its hand inside of blobby as well.
Put a quick reposition from that, right?
get it into the pack of outer players and maybe you'll peel Molledoy off the play instead.
Molledoy getting into position to maybe try to deal with that.
Wait for Mzinho.
I've seen two players now.
That would have been the bomb spot, it's just now too.
Let me capitalize on this cross as the question.
Get Kcerato downstairs, 9-10s floating along the fence, just standing in the open.
Yeah, he's right in there.
This garage push though to go down beneath Molledoy's nose.
Molledoy?
Blitz is- Oh, he hurt him.
The fall off of the drop.
Whoa!
He hurts!
Yikidar, his head gets wracked.
And Blitz is still just trying to be a nuisance.
As Molledoy eats the flashback, he'll give himself a smoke
to try to depart.
They just want to get him out of here alive.
Yeah, Fallen wants to try to come and help him.
They've created this smoke wall.
This guy's the escape, or at least slows things down.
But if they do this too late into the round,
we've got Molledoy all the way back in spawn.
He's kind of out of this round.
If they just go up, or-
He already's got his hands full.
Too many players tries to peek around silo now fallen chance to shine
Preoccupied the player who just keeps his head tucked bent and they will scale along the wall
They got shoved out of this and the thing is Manfura. They don't want to have to save any situation
This half is coming to a close. They just started winning. They've got a few bucks left over
But they just don't have a way to fight this let's be able to get through the big rock and be able to get shot right
That's just crazy
Turns on me like that
And it's double hops or a curse from the very end.
The only time they're not winning.
Three rounds they won in a row, no double hops.
Well, you get rid of the double hop.
You don't need it.
Right.
It was cursed.
In fact, lift the curse, feed it over.
That's a blood sacrifice.
So with Blitz, you'll do the same.
You know?
Yeah.
I'm not good at making this.
I'm not sure.
Last round of the half. Go by all across the board.
Oh, that's crazy. Dude, it looks like you couldn't be staring at him for days.
He just got into the angle.
Totally blasted away.
And I feel like a kinder in the like the last half and this one
They had enough money for an AK. They don't want a rush. Gonna play the SRAM rush
Yeah, Ford player strong towards the ramp room overwhelming fall and it's used just desperate for the fallback
It does get clipped incredible
Out through single Mongols come into this one with a game plan. They're already in the econ everything they wanted
That MP7 opens the possibility of just gunning down the AWPer.
The Kindars gonna try to play with the element of surprise.
Best time is when they're still deciding their spots.
9-10 unprepared for that level of pressure, that swiftly.
And so this double up towards the double doors,
with no ramp control, so they're gonna try to set the single-door ablaze.
Already challenging outwards, Blitz collects the headshot.
Backsite, though, is where Ure finds his drake.
And Blitz, I mean, now he's stuck out here alone.
Shot's gone, that is.
Excuse me, they're up for play.
Woo!
They can stop.
I know.
The oldest member of the team ever
fails to impress sometimes in these individual moments.
This is rightfully for him.
Period.
They got a nice three overall, but they're still at somehow.
End up.
93 T side here for the Mongols.
This is an answer to crackdown.
Yes.
Lost.
Do you think that's a third map.
Sometimes their T side's kind of put under question in terms of depth.
Well, this one had depth, because in Round 12, you're pulling out the MP7 rush.
There was no world where Fiatia, we're gonna
be ready to stop all that.
There's something to stand on here.
This Brazilian fusion.
But three rounds of a CT side on Nuke, how could you not be worried?
They have the confidence to win any half because again you never see the Montmoles have a
very slow today or anything like that. They were just missing essentially the strategic
gap, you know, on Dust2. Their plans were actually too simple somehow or too repetitive.
You can't go point it out.
And that allowed Furia to really regain control of things.
But you see when they have a good plan, they have that confidence.
Confidence, it just doesn't seem like anybody else can replicate.
You don't know how you stop them.
No tries to get in with his pair, but it's M.C.N.O.'s Beretta's towards the ramp that
dropped the bomb.
Obra Zera tapping away with the U.S. speed.
That lets him get close, but look at the delivery.
Bomb at his feet.
Another couple contenders.
9-10 rests above.
Obra Zera continues, which just throws down inside of the ramp room.
It's a triple kill for the newest Mongol.
And that is double digits off the second pistol.
He's just facing like he has a teammate up above and have in the bombs running at him because they just want to get that kill
So maybe they can reset go back downstairs doesn't matter. He's there to deathmatch
Attitude is crazy from the kid who's never been here before
Outstanding first series on stage
2.1 raiding on that first map. He's come back to earth a bit, but leaves his mark.
I'm seeing you. Kinder is definitely just trying to frag as hard as he can.
Frag and CobraZera is already back in. He's gonna be playing main all half long.
We saw some solid defense actually from him in the group stage.
You know, they may have gotten absolutely slammed back in Krakow on this map, but we saw them kind of practice for this moment
within groups once they arrived here in Romania.
Show a bit of an uptick.
Build up the confidence and then come back at this with newfound confidence and truly give Furia a challenge.
An 11-3 CT lead, map 3.
And Blitz is gonna shut it down with the MP9. So a little bit of money for the road as the Cobra comes through with a multi-kill
hell of an effort from your kindar
Pressure is now on and it's starting to sink in for the Fury offense
All the way MP7 T side
Around 50 every good sign
Not to give you credit, you've been awesome clues for this last match of the day.
Nearing midnight and still loud as ever from start to finish on this fourth quarter final.
Longest day of counter-strike in the calendar.
And you kind of are not going to go down without a fight, wants to tap back into that promise.
Looking for yet another opening kill, he'll catch it, they all will.
Okay, Serato finds a double kill off the Galil, and so guns make a world of difference.
Just when you think this is over, just when you start to doubt, they come through with guns, and it's flawless.
Yeah, me kinders still believing that's a clean couple of kills. Well, the first one was tough, but he used his wits there.
Go back outside, he saw someone waiting on Unbreakable, decided not to be part of the upper hit.
knows he got spotted
I'm 10 will grab an off shot there's an outside chance that he can save this gun
but obviously they're going to be coming full force at him
he can seem like he fell back in
they're not even really looking for it
nice try buddy
and nice that still dies
to survive on the side of Furia, but that was just right into the action, right?
Upper pop. Out of the way.
And you kind of are slamming it outside of main.
Furia now have to do what they hadn't done with us here.
That's Jill momentum on the team side come back.
Obviously, again, they can do it.
Just for a matter of, just a matter of if they...
It's a hell of a challenge. I'll give them that.
Big pass, especially going up against that second pistol win, right?
kind of leveraged to come back, made it a lot easier.
Now you've got to show your full depth,
you've got to get away with everything,
you can't make no mistakes.
Like the Mongols remain active.
Plashing this 5-7 into the trophy room.
Luckily, they miss, nobody there to punish.
Case Rado gets wind of what's going on,
burns it off so that they can't follow through
into the lobby crunch and join up with that squeaky push.
Cobra's era tucks into squeaky deep.
Five-seven still gonna try to come and test this.
K-Syrato considering all options, but he straight up loses that duel.
Now they still got lower to go off of. I mean, every CT is upstairs, so this is totally fine.
Mongols, they don't have wind of this. They don't have the information of the guns to scout this out.
Now starting to peel away, they hear the grenades popping downstairs. Yuri's on still, this late upper lurk.
This makes it a massive chance actually to get all the kills.
No kid situation here for the Mongols. You'd say it's impossible, especially now.
Yuri, a later rival into the ramp room, is going to find the 4v2 advantage.
Mongols economy will be completely swept away while Furia are given a chance to grow.
Looks like now this will be anything but free.
Spirio pick up another clean victory.
Let's all finally step back from this with his AK.
It's a fifth round from Puria.
It's really a drop in the ocean, but...
At least it's a good looking one.
Again, the trickiest part is just no mistakes.
No, you know, you're going to expect a lucky round to come in every once in a while, a double tech night entry into a bomb plant.
I can score you a win. It's the bomb. They can pull that out at any time.
You even saw that happen on Dust2. They're one round. It was a half by victory.
Perfect game play is what Furya needs.
And their perfection has been called into question since the start of 2026.
They've been able to survive some sketchy situations.
This one goes back to lobby, but this is not enough for pop.
The ramp stack is huge.
Are they going to take it?
That AK floats outside.
That's really the big threat of the round, is this spray through from Blitz.
It's damaged, racked up.
Okay, they went Mopro into it, bomb's gonna get planted if the spam doesn't come down.
Oh, holo's exposed.
Hang on, Planter's dead.
Mollidoy signing up for a spam fight, it's USPs on all, barring again, that Blitz AK-47.
What's the plan here?
I didn't see any roof flashers, I didn't even realize they were gonna be taking this, but quick and easy into the site and
And now you've just got all these CTs on pistols rotating around
Trying to get behind them. This roto should be doomed here. Yeah
Rack up the price tags
Piece by piece they just keep on finding damage. There's another USP died
Yeah, for what it's worth. That's kind of huge. Well, I do I die to blitz once again
The last man standing, AK in hand, that's pretty successful.
Incredibly cost effective. I love that the Mongols peel away.
They get that one, you know, challenge in through the bomb point.
That frag grenades a second sooner, by the way.
Bomb gets stopped. Yeah. Then what happens?
Yeah, then it's really ugly because they don't have a guy on the back of the site.
There's no one opposite that. They aren't actually protecting the site.
They really trusted that smoke a lot.
They get it over the line.
Again, that's the no mistakes thing. They get scary, but.
Sure as hell costs them.
Couple players with $3,000 extra, but that's all Furia's bank accounts read.
Off on Molledoy.
He's going to try to get to the far side of Silo.
Double lower start, actually 9-10 off the secret.
This one is coming outside right now.
What do you want? He pushes his luck and tries to take it outer.
Happy to have that passive angle for the time being.
You have to stay flexible when the other team defaults.
You don't have an idea how to spawn necessarily.
And a main no go.
Oh.
That's bomb dropped.
Techno queued up through the roof of hot.
This stalls things out for a second.
Kcerado takes it to the head.
And then Yuri tries to bring this one back.
In fact, you know, he's going to see this if he looks.
Oh, but he missed that timing.
Now you kindars crossed.
The bomb's in a crazy spot right now.
He's in a bit of a tough spot right now.
He wants to protect this, but now he knows they could be coming in from any angle and they will soon.
Mzinho, how can he cover this?
He's just going to wait for that Heaven wrap around, and if it does come Mzinho's way...
I'd say they have probably the best spots they could ask for. It's just unnerving.
9-10 starts to activate with this secret push, so there are pieces moving here for the Mongols,
but if they move into the wrong spot at the wrong time, they could be doomed.
Yuri's able to catch that trade while it's still sat outside.
That's the only low health player for Furia cleaned up.
They've got to get this bomb and put it down with 20 seconds and then Molly did nothing
Utility is going to completely put Yuri on ice. He's hoping for the Hail Mary spray down
Oh, they can't afford this man. Just can't quite connect it
He could decide to die but that would be crazy
And so he's got to write this one off and give Mongols their 12th round on a silver platter
It's for deaths Yuri. He's gonna at least pick up an op which is actually massive
We're talking about a situation wouldn't have it otherwise
But Kongles fight them off, they win this round.
Money's in a tricky spot here.
They got almost everything they need.
Minor concessions falling on a, a Galeel has gone on the floor.
I don't know if Kcerano has an upgrade or if he's on a Tech 9.
That five death round versus USBs.
That's where this comes to benefit the Mongols when they want to make it a too straight finish
on CG's side.
Early offshot.
Just maybe a misplaced here.
Didn't see anything.
It won't result in a... it won't speed up a ramp push or anything like that.
No big issue.
I'm moving a good amount of space though, they make it over.
Over zero, slight tag.
Rotation downstairs, he's low.
We'll see, he doesn't like playing these headshot angles passive.
He likes to go very front-facing.
He's gonna make sure that nobody's slipped the net here.
Yeah, he's so worried about it, yeah.
With good reason, they are right behind it, but Molledoy is the guy that possesses the bomb.
Let's keep that in mind.
Over there is also about an A.G. if he wants to drop it behind the smoke.
9-10 could cut this bomb off if they think that they're gonna go join their teammates downstairs.
And beyond Molledoy, it's just the tech 9 in front of him, right?
Kcerato right on the brink of death, but a missed opportunity here from 9-10.
Cobra goes down, bomb is still stuck inside, Lobby, MP9 is going to extend into it,
and it is the tech 9 to come through, now the main peek's about to happen.
9-10's got a challenge coming his way, and this is going to look to still finish on the A site.
Blitz bested!
They need to get this planted and it's fine.
MZN is alone.
Wow, what a slow burn round here from Fioria,
And it's one that banks on K Serato offering a helping hand in through squeaky with only the side arm
And also some very good shoulder peaks to make sure 910 can't connect.
I don't think they knew he was opposite then. They had to find a way to push it back slightly.
They got what they were looking for and they survived it.
And with three up the money will come back nicely. The office saved two so everyone's gonna have full utility all the guns they need.
You miss a couple grenades, that's it.
You do this five rounds and it's even better than their tusk you've come back, to be honest.
side of nukes, scaring them in the face.
That was the freest route to victory.
Pungals about the MCU AK, and that's it.
One smoke on Techno.
Don't lose to a force by your fury out, that's all they're looking for.
Starts off well.
So much effective damage though with a similar buy last time Mongols found themselves in this spot
Let's see if you get through and build a bit of bank or poking them USP kill comes out from Cobra Sarah
I was going for the AK, but he's gonna get caught. Yeah, I'm trying to sprint it over hoping Yuri wouldn't have that watchful gaze
case the rotto
That's one of those moments. It's where you just don't use a recoil you just let it go up
That was flying up the ladder
Cobrazera just wants one, just one more.
One is already beyond what he should have gotten.
He finds the headshot onto Yuri, who hangs on. Majority alive for Furia
as they cut this down to a four-round gap.
Nice. Time out.
Called.
Into money. It's gonna be a bull strength buy coming in from both sides.
There's been a lot less ramp plays than I was expecting to see for my other team
in this map so far, but outside control obviously makes sense and I like that furious start off
with the rubber pops so long as perpetually thinking about defending it early.
Let's go Mungus! Let's go!
Let's go Mungus! Let's go!
Let's go Mungus! Let's go Mungus!
Four more shots and a knockout blow.
Looks like Molodoy kind of missed his window to have a lot of impact in that first half.
Got to deliver on the T side right now.
Flying from the bottom of the scoreboard.
Longos feeling frisky though, but not risky.
Not risky.
If they do turtle up, I think that's where Fira will just grow, to be honest.
Yep.
Fury have been finding a lot of space outside.
Nine-ten comes scrambling over towards these secret stairs,
and Blitz is going to call the contact, commits to the mowedown.
Ooh, that's great for Mekinder.
Kindre opens the door from all the noise trade at least not letting that fry go down in vain
I'm tense kind of way back right now, but as long as he stays down in secret
That's just a lot of sweat off the brow at least mungles won't have to think about that
They've got heaven and hell covered senior stepping forward
Rating to the challenge jumping up health
Heaven player side by side now. They don't waste a moment climbing that ladder fallen thinking maybe with the bomb
Fallen with the bomb!
Wait, what?
He just gave away the bomb inside of Heaven!
They can take this asexual fight out into the A-side
because you don't have the bomb!
45 seconds and you've got to get up here.
This is going to require a massive recovery.
And Techno looking to find a way to cut off the climb up.
He got tagged!
Oh, the pistol prevails!
And they are anticipating the 9-10 secret play
but he sits on the bomb!
Still the first one to Heaven.
They have to come up here and trade right away.
And he's looking for it as they stomp their way up the ladder, back turn, USP's enough!
Bomb dropped in front of him!
He's got the AK set aflame!
Oh, no!
From Yuri, where is he going off to?
He had that bally out, he just had to hold it with the AK.
Thought about playing time, got scared, and that's where Urea struck.
What an awkward sequence inside of Heaven,
and one that nearly gets away from the Mongols.
That is everything you could ask for.
Techno even leaving heaven, you know?
Oh my God.
So frustrating that obviously if 9-10 got off of that,
got back into hell or something,
he could play some,
take some latter-type situation, but...
Didn't play that one with a lot of confidence, mostly fear.
from multiple models same criticism what he thought given kiff for furia
models shaky in their inability to close at the moment
Desert Eagle finds a headshot sure but that's it and you're gonna have furia
still just breathing down your neck as they get round and rounds closer to
Forcing us beyond regulation. You can make it close a million times. That won't matter to furia
If always got enough money as long as they're winning
To keep on going
Techno though
Serato signs up for the fight loses half his health in the process two members of furious survived that one
Two more to bring it to overtime
That one wasn't a buy for the mongol so they'll come through full-force
Against the pistol on the side of new
Three rounds CT half for Furia
Mongols take the pistol they convert it. They've had a one round beyond that
The one that comes down to time
Guns back in hand. Full round loss bonus for the Mongols if they lose this, but they don't want to try to bank on that.
This will be your best opportunity to shut this comeback down.
This is a matter of death as well as execution.
Full blown utility into that upper hit. You're resensing this pressure, but the op on a deep angle's got a rifle to support it and there it is!
There it is! It's in a matter of milliseconds!
The Earth trembled in Cluj-Napoca because the Mongols are picking up speed
and this momentum will run them into the semi-finals.
They have a chance tomorrow versus their old rivals of team vitality.
What an unbelievably stylistic and very Mongol's finish to that match.
A bunch of nothing and then everything at once.
The entirety of Fiora collapsed all at the same time after nearly making two of the most amazing comebacks you've seen in the series happen back to back.
Breaking back into the top ten with this victory as well.
The recovery with CobraZera is truly underway.
They may have faltered back in Cracow but they showed improvements in this head to head and they take down 25's number two.
a spot they themselves will be looking to gun back towards a big opportunity on
considered the tougher side of the bracket and the Mongols will not waste
this chance. Cobra Zera on his stage debut victorious with two reference maps.
Well, I've got the man of the moment, the man of the Mongols, it's Cobra!
Cobra, your first arena, your first ST playoffs, you hit an ace, you have an incredibly good
performance, just tell me, how did you do it, how did you not get nervous, how did you
you play so well? I know my teammates are good. That feeling makes me not nervous. I have
my teammates. That's really good. That's really positive. And looking at this match, it was
so crazy. It was like one half dominant, then you can lose another half. It was so back
second, fourth, how hard was this match for you?
It was really hard.
It was very hard, but we won in the end.
And tell me about the game plan, if you can, right?
How much were you prepared for what Furia was doing?
How much did you understand what you wanted to do?
Maybe what Mara said, what Blitz said.
insight on how it works on the Mongols.
We played kind of aggressive and yeah,
not try to give them an easy map control and yeah,
just played kind of aggressive.
Play aggressive, play Mongol style.
And lastly, because I think you've done a great job here.
Is there anything you want to say to the Mongolian fans?
The horde over there cheering for you the whole time
and going crazy, you can say it in Mongolian if you wish.
Thank you very much, Cobra. We'll see you in the semifinals tomorrow at a face fight
party. Please, one last time, give it up for Cobra and the Mongols!
I agree with everything you said, and what we just said. We'd be agree.
Yeah, what a performance from Kropa Sera and what a performance from the Mongols.
I think they overcome what we thought was not possible by beating Furia in this quarter-final.
I'm not gonna lie, there was a weird ending to Nuke, you know, seemed a big hat,
seemed like the Mongols were a little bit afraid of winning and Furia, you know,
you know, would sign up life and then no sign of life.
It was a weird game overall and a weird series for Furia, but make no mistake,
the Mongols once again, you know, punching above their weight and now they find themselves in
a quarter-final, sorry, a quarter-final, and now a semi-final again, despite having changed Sentsu.
I think it's impressive, but I don't know what to make of this, to be honest.
Alesser team would have crumbled in that second half, you know.
When the comeback is slowly happening and you're starting to get worried,
oh my god, are we about to lose this game after such a huge lead?
But for Mongols, I mean, an absolutely monumental win.
It cannot be understated how much it matters for the VRS too.
I mean, Mongols fell all the way to 13th in the world, right?
Like, at Rotterdam, they're going to have to play against Maus in the opening game.
Like, that's how low their seed is for that tournament.
So, I think they're going to be up to 9th, just based off of this one win against Furia.
And once the tournament concludes and everything, you know, gets accounted for,
they might be closer to that top 8 and a bit of an easier start to this tournament.
It's also a massive win in the sense that you're beating a team like Feria,
which we all agree is perhaps the second-best team in the world,
third-best team in the world, depending on where you want to put them right now.
But that's a statement, you know.
That's a statement from the mongers that, sure, we can fight our way into a playoff.
And they were struggling a bit in the group stage from time to time,
had a couple of rough games, but taking a win against what is, you know,
essentially a title contentment in Feria,
a team that has aspirations of winning trophies.
That's also punching above their weight and punching upwards,
and saying, I guess, to Furia and the rest of the world, that, hey, we're still in contention,
not only for just qualifying for the playoff, but actually to make a run inside the playoff.
I want to reiterate what you're saying, because I think when we heard that Senzu had been benched,
the majority of the global Counter-Strike community kind of went, well, that's the end of the long
order drive. Lots of question marks around Kobra coming into the lineup. This is a statement.
Making the semi-finals, no matter what happens tomorrow, is a statement, and they're securing
themselves like Janko said back into that top 10. However, saying all of that, let's just touch on
you. There was a moment there where I was concerned for them and I thought they're going to lose this
and they're going to let it go into overtime against Furia. When 9-10 lost, let's call it a 1v2
or 1v1 in heaven, where he's caught in the air and the bomb is on his feet and I don't know what
the hell is going on, then I thought to myself, okay, that's not going to be a good one. But as
As Janko said, Alessi would probably crumple at that, 9-10 and the Muggles bounce back.
I'm sure that Furia and the whole player base there is going to be feeling a little bit shocked,
knowing how close they came to being able to take that third map.
That's here from Foulin now.
Thank you very much, Foulin.
First of all, commiserations on the loss in such a tough game.
Just explain to me what was happening from your side,
because it never felt like it was a back-and-forth game.
It was just trading halves and streaky rounds.
Hello, everyone. It was a very difficult game for both sides, I think.
They got the upper hand on Mirage and on Nuk.
They started winning hard and had to claw back.
Simon does too, same here on Nuk.
And I think, like I said, there wasn't much back-and-forth going on.
Either you were dominating or you were getting dominated for both sides.
And in the end, they just played a little bit better.
Looking at why that was happening,
Why was Furia struggling to start better than what they were?
Because you know the Mongols, you should know what to expect, right?
Every time I play against the Mongols, it's kind of the same feeling where they are not really trying to put crazy strategies.
They're doing simplistic things, but very well and coordinated.
And I think on Mirage, for example, they're just getting multiple kills many times doing their B splits and things like this.
So I think probably did a better cohesion on the CT side, making sure that we could come with better trades and better map control together.
fighting for some map control and in the end they have to watch the match to
really take something away but props to them I think they played very well both
teams prepared well for the match you could see a lot of good decides and
they deserve it today. And looking at that you saying they deserve today
especially on Nuke I felt like there was a chance for you guys to come back into
it there was one round you went up ladder you you didn't go up the ladder but
you went round you dropped the bomb up top was that like a mistake from your
side did you try to play me surprise them or something because you saw one of
them downstairs. I thought that I had a teammate with me for the first part
Then when I was going up, I realized I was solo, but at that point, like, how much can I go back with the boom there?
In the end, we ended up winning that round, so I think there was other mistakes that cost us more than this one.
And looking at just the result you've had here, obviously going from where Krakow was so good, a second place finish, and now going out here at the quarters,
what are your just overall thoughts on the tournament and the condition of Furia?
Happy with the group stage performance. Of course, not happy with losing the quarterfinals, but you know, the competition is always on a very high level.
The event was amazing, PGL always do a lot of great tournaments and here the crowd was coming.
A lot of games, so I don't understand it's hard for everyone to stay until so late.
But I think tomorrow in the finals there's going to be a banger.
The Romanian fans are coming and it's amazing, so thanks PGL for hosting this event.
Thanks my team for fighting to the end and we're going to leave for another one.
And lastly, any words to the fans?
Thanks for having our back guys, thanks for the support.
The Mugos played better today and they deserve the win.
any competition it is like that there's only one winner every time and as much as
we want to be ourselves every time you just got understand the game you got
understand how it is and got a congratulatory upon us and they just
appreciate it. Thank you very much for wise words from a man who's done it all Sam
back to you. He has done it all and what I love is just the polishing charisma that he can do an exit interview with because that was a
frustrating loss like you know that there's gonna be words later everyone was
quite irritated and then he comes out here, he has props for PGL, he speaks highly of
Mongols, he breaks down rams, just the experience of the professor.
Yeah, always a class act, right?
There may be a lesson for some of the younger players too, you don't have to get out of
your shell in some of these interviews and the crowd can still be on your side even
if you lose.
I wonder who that was aimed at, Limp?
Well, I have no idea.
Sure, no idea whatsoever.
Okay, let's take a look now at how this is all played out.
our semi-finals are gonna look like. Four quarterfinals went down today, a very long day, but every
single game was incredible. A couple of upsets as well, Pym?
Yeah, we started off today with what arguably still to me is the biggest upset in all honesty.
I think the Falcons threw away that game versus Paravision in a not so beautiful way. Maus
taken down Navi, not too big of a surprise, you know, would have hoped that Emma and Navi
could have done slightly better, maybe progressed to the semi-final, wasn't meant to be. But
Tell the ECPC and Furiyenko, we just saw what happened.
Yeah, absolutely. Mongols winning and Paravision are the two upsets when you look at the quarter-final match-ups.
And I think just pray to whoever you can for Paravision to beat Maus, because if people have to sit through another Vitality Maus grand final...
Best of five.
Or just cheer for the Mongols. Maybe the Mongols can do it.
They beat Vitality before, albeit lately the track record hasn't been too hot, but yeah, it's looking like another grand final for Vitality at the very least,
and we will see just how much more can Jayman and his bunch of kids from the streets of FaceIt really surprise us.
Listen, Mouse being the defending Jayman, they'll get back to that grand final.
Stop it.
Just for Yanko, we'll have a Vitality mouse grand final. I shouldn't have run off the Mongols though.
I mean, they've just beaten Furia.
For me, I would have said Furia, Falcons, Vitality, guaranteed semi-finals,
and I mean, only one of them has been left standing.
Yeah, I mean, I'm surprised too, to be completely honest.
I will say, as much as I respect what the Mongols have done so far,
and especially in this quarter-final as well,
I don't think Furia played a good game on Kamerspreik.
I think they'll be the first to admit that there was not a Furia at 80% or 90%.
There was a Furia at 60 or 70, and that's what it takes sometimes,
credit to the Mongols for capturing the opportunity.
As Janko said, massive for the VIS as well, guaranteed himself for the Major as well, and then put himself in a good spot, but that was disappointing for Ferreira,
and I think the Muggles will have to play significantly better tomorrow to even make the game competitive.
And you know, Blitz stepped up, he was 4-1 against the Kinder outside, he played a great game, and also to be fair to Maus, you know, while other contenders are stumbling,
I mean, there again in the semi-final, they may very well end up being in the final, it's just that whenever they face that one team,
you know what's going to happen and unfortunate but other teams stumble before they get to that.
So maybe you know we'll see maybe they figure it out maybe there's something in the water here
that makes it different. There's a first for everything. There is a first for everything. Day
one of the playoffs here at PGL Cruising Apoka have come to an end. We had banger games, a passionate
crowd who stuck to the end and a passionate crew all behind the scenes making sure that all the
action came to you. Everyone will be back again tomorrow. We'll be starting a little bit later,
5pm local time. And that is when you get to see that first semi-final go down paravision versus
So go get some rest, you have the day to recover, and we'll see you in the evening.