G2 has done the unthinkable as they beat NAVI in 3-1 fashion to win Blast Premiere Fall Finals. The number 1 team in the world has finally bowed down to the stars of G2 who delivered when it mattered to bring in the first trophy for the team after IEM Dallas. NiKo, m0NESY, and malbs stood out as the best players across the tournament who managed to pull the weight of their team despite individuals struggling with form. The Aleksib curse has finally been broken by NiKo and co. as they overcame all adversities to bring home the first trophy under the leadership of Snax.
VETO
- Natus Vincere removed Vertigo
- G2 removed Anubis
- Natus Vincere picked Ancient
- G2 picked Dust2
- Natus Vincere picked Mirage
- G2 picked Inferno
- Nuke was left over
Map 1: Ancient; Pick: NAVI; Winner: G2
G2 got off to an unexpectedly good start on Ancient that saw them go 4-0 up before NAVI could get on the board. G2 managed two more rounds in the the first half before NAVI turned the tide by the end of the first half saw them clinch a leveled scoreline.
In their defense, NAVI’s started the half losing 4 rounds in a row putting G2 in a prime position to take their map but a quick double by w0nderful got NAVI back in the game but only for 3 more rounds before G2 closed the half with a 13-9 scoreline. Aleksib walked away with a map deficit but a 1.51 IR.
Map 2: Dust 2; Pick: G2; Winner: G2
With a solid start to Dust 2, NAVI managed to edge out a narrow lead as G2’s T side was far from ideal on their own map pick. Despite their struggles, G2 managed to rope in 5 rounds which gave them a good place to start their comeback.
Having lost the pistol round, G2 quickly hit them back with a force buy conversion, which prompted them to make a comeback and go 10-8 up before NAVI could get back on the board. Closer to the end of the first half, G2 and NAVI were trading blows but the former managed to edge out a narrow win going 2-0 up in the series. m0NESY and NiKo turned up the heat in Dust 2 as their individual brilliance helped G2 reach series points first.
Map 3: Mirage; Pick: NAVI; Winner: NAVI
It was an intense start to Mirage for G2 as NAVI failed to find answers to their defense in the first 9 rounds. NAVI in the end managed to bring home a respectable 3 rounds before moving on to the second half.
A pistol round win from NAVI, got them going in the second half as they soon leveled the seeming insurmountable lead by G2. Once leveled G2 hit back once again and both teams traded rounds back and forth before NAVI put together two rounds in a row to get their first map of the series. With 25 kills to his name and an IR of 1.53, m0NESY’s heroics weren’t enough to get G2 over the line.
Map 4: Inferno; Pick: G2; Winner: G2
A stunning start to the map with G2 going 3-0 up before NAVI got back on the board. Through a rough first half, G2 managed to pull in 7 rounds in the first half, as NAVI walked into their offense with only 5 rounds to their name.
Losing the pistol, pushed G2 to force in the following round which they won off the back of insane shots from NiKo and malbs. The G2 to train continued to run down till G2 hit the map and series point yet again. The final round saw m0NESY get pushed to clutch a 1v2 which he did in style to win the trophy for G2. 22 kills and 1.53 puts malbs above the rest as the best player on the server.
NAVI despite getting tactically and mechanically outclassed made this a tough contest for G2 as they remain the best team in the world despite losing one grand final. With IEM Rio on the horizon, NAVI and G2 might face each other once again which will definitely be a match to keep your eyes on.
