Vitality and NAVI, both teams having shown incredible run of form throughout the tournament, find each other at the Grand Finals of one of the most prestigious trophies in CS. The IEM Cologne has eluded both teams in the past, making this the perfect opportunity to add the highly coveted trophy to their collection.
VETO
- Natus Vincere removed Vertigo
- Vitality removed Ancient
- Natus Vincere picked Nuke
- Vitality picked Dust 2
- Natus Vincere picked Mirage
- Vitality picked Inferno
- Anubis was left over
Map 1: Nuke; Pick: NAVI; Winner: Vitality
A strong start to the CT side saw Vitality pick up 8 rounds on their offense, apex, and Spinx stepping up on the defense saw them put up a lead before they moved to the less comfortable side of the map. NAVI managed to replicate Vitality’s performance to push the game to overtime. After a difficult first half, Vitality posted a perfect CT side to win the map.
Map 2: Dust 2; Pick: Vitality; Winner: NAVI
Dust 2 saw Vitality start their own map on a backfoot and they were kept that way throughout the half by NAVI. The first half concluded with a 7-5 score line as we opened up the second half with NAVI steam-rolling on the pistol round. Vitality often found themselves on the brisk of winning rounds but fell flat to a crazy NAVI retake on multiple occasions that stopped their comeback in the tracks. Trading blows after blows, NAVI closed the map with a 13-11 scoreline.
Map 3: Mirage; Pick: NAVI; Winner: Vitality
Once again, both teams found themselves even matches as it took 3 overtimes to separate them. Vitality remained largely dominant for the better part of the map while NAVI played the catching-up game. Vitality after a long-drawn-out battle was able to put together a few rounds to that too by the narrowest of margins to take back their lead once again in the tie.
Map 4: Inferno; Pick: Vitality; Winner: Vitality
Vitality walked into Inferno with an attitude to close out the series, a dominant start to the first half saw them walk all over NAVI. Having only lost 2 rounds, Vitality’s overwhelming offense was enough to spoil the mood for NAVI walking into the second half. NAVI managed to post somewhat of a comeback by winning 6 rounds in a row but that was all they were allowed as Vitality closed the map with a 13-9 scoreline.
