ECS Challenger Cup: One step short

One step short of making it.

NAVI.GG.BET fell one step short from qualifying to ECS, as we dropped the losers finals against GODSENT 1:2.

Game 1 - Natus Vincere [0:1] GODSENT

The first few rounds of de_train went to GODSENT: the Swedes won the pistol round, force buy and eco. The first weapons round, in turn, went the way of NAVI.GG.BET. However, the Swedish team responded by winning the round back, which forced Natus Vincere to go for an eco. For the time, GODSENT led the match with a score of 5: 1.

Having stabilized its financial position, NAVI lost clutch 3 vs 1. When the score was 8:1 in favor of the Swedish squad, we had decided to go for the tactical pause. This brief break brought its fruits: Natus Vincere earned the 2nd point.

After that, our guys switched to double AWP setup. Unfortunately, this strategy did not quite work out, leaving our economy in a pretty bad state. Overall, our team did not manage to get a lot of point for the CT side, and the first half concluded with 3:12.

For the comeback to be able to happen during the second half, NAVI to win either a pistol round or force buy. Twice NAVI were close to this goal, but both times failed to win the clutch, and that shut down most of the opportunities for our squad. As a result, GODSENT beat Natus Vincere on de_train - 16: 6.

Game 2 - Natus Vincere [1:1] GODSENT

During the pistol round we have not lost a single player; the force buy and the eco ended in favor of NAVI, giving us a good headstart into the game. Despite the fact that GODSENT earned two points, losing only one round, the Swedes began to experience serious financial problems. However, they successfully managed to pull off an AWP round.

Fortunately, then our guys repaid the Swedish squad the favor: we've also taken a pretty tough AWP round. By the time, the score on the scoreboard was 7:3 in favor of the Born to Win. When the economic situation of the CT players stabilized, the teams traded rounds, with the Swedes again winning the eco with AWP. Fortunately, this did not affect the game of Natus Vincere, which allowed our team to win the first half of the map de_mirage - 11:4.

The second pistol round went to  GODSENT, but our guys responded with a force buy victory. After that, the Swedes decided to commit to two force buys in a row. This idea worked out well for them, as they've managed to get another point. Subsequently, this allowed the Swedish team to reduce the difference in the score to five points - 8:13.

After another rounds trade, GODSENT got an excellent chance to get close to NAVI. After the success in the 26th round, our victory on the map was pretty much secured. The game ended with 16:11 on the board.

Game 3 - Natus Vincere [1:2] GODSENT

The first pistol and force buy went to our opponent, but during the second round, NAVI managed to plant the bomb, making the economy a bit better. Players of Natus Vincere decided to take the risk by buying with three AK-47s, Galil, and a pistol. This decision proved to be a good option - the terrorists earned the first point. After winning another round, NAVI left the CT side without money and took the lead on the scoreboard - 3:2.

Next GODSENT managed to win two clutch rounds, thanks to which the Swedes broke ahead scoreboard - 4:3. Because of the constant deaths of players, the CT economy was not in the best condition, but our guys could not take advantage of this moment to take a convincing lead. 

After a short tactical, NAVI committed to two AK-47s and pistols. Just like before, Natus Vincere achieved the desired - they won the 4th point. However, the defeat in the next round put our squad in a pretty bad economic state. NAVI were able to finally get some points on board, losing the first half with the minimal difference - 7: 8.

The second pistol and both economic rounds ended in favor of GODSENT. Having lost the weapons round, round 21 was a key one for the game, because, in case of failure,  NAVI would enable the opponent to get a significant score advantage. Natus Vincere did not cope with this task and eventually lost the third map of confrontation - 7:16.