BIG strikes back! Beats worlds number #1
German-based BIG took a big scalp on the opening day at IEM Global Challenge.
After having been humiliated Saturday by Team Vitality, it was time for revenge for Berlin International Gaming (BIG).
The Germans started like the last time against the Frenchmen by winning Vertigo after overtime. And like last time, Team Vitality clinched their map pick of Inferno. But unlike last time, the German team showed a little more resistance winning seven rounds in contrast to the single round on Saturday. 17-year-old Kévin "Misutaaa" Rabier continued his great form and scored a 2.00 rating on Inferno.
BIG choose to remove Dust2 this time. Normally a map favorite for the Germans, but the nightmare of Saturday’s match changed the map veto this time. Instead, Nuke was left as the decider.
Here BIG took the lead at halftime with 9-6. Vitality answered back immediately and at 11-11, everything was up in the air in a very closely fought map.
In the end, BIG showed an impressive CT-side and clinched the victory after a thriller third map.
BIG will now face the winner of Astralis vs Complexity, while Team Vitality will face the loser in an early elimination match at IEM Global Challenge.
