The ESL Pro League Season Finals in Counter-Strike
The finals of the ESL Pro League season in Counter-Strike showcased two unexpected teams fighting for the top spot in the scene.
Amongst teams like Team Envy, Team SoloMid, and Virtus Pro, it was Natus Vincere and Titan who made it to the grand final, with Natus Vincere ultimately winning the three-game series.
Natus Vincere Breaks Through
Natus Vincere hasn’t been considered top contenders for quite some time now. Their last victory was against a weak field in October, and it’s been almost a year since their last win against the world’s best players in a live event.
In response to a string of disappointing performances, Natus Vincere moved Sergey “Starix” Ischuk from the active roster into a coaching role and brought in the young Russian Egor “Flamie” Vasilyev. This weekend, the change paid off.
An Impressive Road to the Finals
Natus Vincere had a rough start, losing their opening match and almost getting eliminated. However, the team managed to bounce back, defeating Virtus Pro and Dignitas to secure a spot in the playoff bracket.
They faced a highly skilled Envy team in the semifinals. After a close first map that went into overtime, Envy seemed poised to win the series. But Natus Vincere fought back, upsetting the French team and securing a spot in the final against Titan.
Titan’s Surprising Journey
Titan’s appearance in the final was also unexpected. The team has struggled since Hovik “Kqly” Tovmassian was banned for cheating. Despite their potential, shown in runner-up finishes against top teams, Titan fell short once again.
The final map, Cobblestone, saw an impressive performance from Natus Vincere. They maintained a small advantage throughout the back-and-forth game and closed out the series with a 16-13 victory, celebrating their long-awaited win.
After the match, Ladislav “Guardian” Kovacs expressed his elation and credited timely use of timeouts and playing their own game as the key factors behind Natus Vincere’s success in Cologne, Germany.
Disappointment for Others
Aside from Titan, Team SoloMid is also likely to feel disappointed with the event. They were eliminated in the semifinals by Titan, with both losses being incredibly close. It’s another instance of coming up just short for a team that’s become accustomed to it.
Image via ESL/Twitch
esports, ESL, Pro League, Counter-Strike, Natus Vincere, Titan, Team SoloMid