Astralis Poised to Win ELEAGUE Major: Here’s Why
The Danish team, Astralis, is predicted to emerge as the champion of the ELEAGUE Major, the 10th major tournament of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. While they have experienced multiple disappointments in the past, this time it is expected to be different. Here are the reasons why Astralis will come out on top in the ELEAGUE Major.
Cursed to Underachieve
Astralis has consistently been considered one of the world’s best teams in CS:GO, but they have failed to reach the finals of any major tournament or win a major title. Their weak mentality was evident when they lost to NiP in the Dreamhack Cluj-Napoca major, despite previously defeating them in other tournaments. Their window of opportunity seemed to have closed.
However, the addition of gla1ve as the new in-game leader has rejuvenated the team and brought about positive changes. Astralis has been performing exceptionally well, defeating top opponents and now stands the best chance they’ve ever had to win a major championship.
Writing a New Chapter
Astralis’ first offline event with gla1ve as the in-game leader was the group stage of ELEAGUE Season 2. They faced tough opponents like SK and Na’Vi, but emerged as winners and secured a top seed for the playoffs. Although they were unable to make it to the final, they showed great potential and pushed SK Gaming to the brink of defeat in a closely contested series.
At the ECS S2 Finals, Astralis finally clinched a victory, winning the tournament and proving their strength. With gla1ve’s leadership, the team has turned their form around and achieved remarkable success.
Fearsome Form
Since gla1ve joined the team, Astralis has been on a winning streak. They have won 16 out of 22 offline maps, with a win-rate of 72.73%. In group stages, they have dominated, winning eight out of nine games. In best-of-three series, they have a 66.67% win-rate. Their performance has been excellent, with their only weakness being the map cbblestone, which they previously refused to play.
Tactical Aptitude and Talent
Astralis’ success can be credited to their tactical approach and talented players. The team’s strong defensive sides have been augmented by their impressive performances on the Terrorist side. They excel at putting pressure on opponents during T halves and have shown great success on maps like train and overpass.
Their tactical strength is matched by the talent within their ranks. Gla1ve has not only revolutionized their approach but has also performed well individually. Device remains the star player, consistently delivering outstanding performances. Dupreeh showed a return to form and demonstrated exceptional gameplay. Xyp9x remains a clutch player in tough situations, and Kjaerbye has provided consistent support with his rifle skills.
Astralis possesses a wealth of raw talent unmatched by most teams, making them a formidable force in any matchup.
Strongholds Throughout the Land
Astralis currently has the widest map pool in the CS:GO scene. They dominate on train, considered the best team on the map. Overpass is another one of their strong maps, where they have achieved a high level of performance. Dust2 has also become a strength for them, with a perfect win record in three games. Their versatility on different maps ensures they can compete favorably against any opponent.
While their mirage has been a pocket pick offline, they have also performed well on that map online. They even managed to win on cache, a map that SK tried to surprise them with at ECS. The team has shown a willingness to play nuke and cbblestone, although they have yet to secure a win on cbblestone. Astralis is determined to expand and perfect their map pool.
Strong Before the Game Has Begun
Astralis starts with an advantage due to their powerful T sides and wide map pool. Matchups against teams like OpTic and SK Gaming heavily favor Astralis, as they excel on the maps typically preferred by these teams. Facing teams like NiP and Na’Vi, known for struggling on their T sides, also provide an advantage for Astralis.
Interesting Tests
Astralis faces intriguing matchups against fellow Danish team North and perennial playoff contenders Virtus.pro. Both North and Astralis have wide map pools, and their series could potentially be three-map battles. Although North’s form has declined in recent months, they still pose a challenge for Astralis.
Virtus.pro, on the other hand, is a strong threat with a deep map pool and resilient gameplay. They always provide a tough test for any opponent and refuse to go down without a fight. Astralis will need to be at their best to overcome Virtus.pro’s challenges.
Catch Your Breath
Astralis has a history of choking in crucial moments, but recent events have shown that they may be overcoming this weakness. The teams that were known for pushing Astralis to their breaking point, SK Gaming, NiP, and Virtus.pro, are no longer at their peak form. This gives Astralis a significant advantage, as they may not have to face these tough opponents in the playoffs.
Destiny Calling
As the ELEAGUE Major approaches, Astralis seems to have everything going in their favor. They have the talent, coordination, and a wide map pool, making them a formidable force. While anything can happen in a major tournament, Astralis is well-positioned for success and is the favorite to win the ELEAGUE Major.
Photo credit: ESL, ELEAGUE, Dreamhack