FaZe look deadly in 2-0 victory against Vitality

Two of the biggest names within Counterstrike clashed as FaZe took on Vitality in a battle for survival at the IEM Cologne 2021 event. Both teams are well versed in the LAN experience and an intense and close battle was therefore on the cards when the two rosters met. Both teams had something to prove to themselves and the CS:GO scene as FaZe seek to rebuild their status as one of the best teams in the world and Vitality came fresh from a horrid defeat against Natus Vincere. As mentioned, a close series was on the cards, and close it was. Despite the fact that the Bo3-series was decided in just two maps it wasn’t an easy task for either team. In the end, however, it became clear that one team was slightly more confident and eager to fight and the side of FaZe could walk away proud of themselves with a 2-0 victory against Vitality.

The first map was the pick of the FaZe roster and was to be played on the map of Mirage. Both teams have had plenty of experience on Mirage and it showed once map one of the series began playing out. It was the French Vitality with a new-look “misutaaa” who started the Bo3-series the strongest with an impressive CT-sided half. Struggling to find an opening in the French defense FaZe had to see themselves behind at 10-5 going into the second half of Mirage. The second half, however, was a different story for the FaZe roster. An “olofmeister” in form wielding the secondary AWP proved too difficult for Vitality to handle and they seemed broken down in the dying stages of Mirage. Ultimately FaZe closed out their own map pick of Mirage at the scoreline of 16-11.

The second map was picked by Vitality. The French opted against Overpass as their map pick and went for Dust 2 instead. Whilst Dust 2 is a strong map for the French roster it is also a more favorable map than Overpass for the FaZe side. This showed as it was the Europeans of FaZe to carry on momentum from the previous map and start the strongest on Dust 2. Once again it was the T-side causing problems for Vitality and at the scoreline of 11-4 they would have to muster up an incredible comeback in the second half of Dust 2 and they managed to do exactly that. Clawing themselves back from the depths the Vitality side tied things up at 13-13 with momentum now favoring the French roster. FaZe’s chances looked slim, however, a heroic round from superstar “Twistzz” gave the Europeans exactly what they needed to get it over the edge and they could walk away from Dust with a 16-14 victory and therefore also a 2-0 victory over Vitality.

Map 1 – Mirage

16-11 FaZe | olofmeister 1.55 Rating / 96.4 ADR / 25-14 K-D

Map 2 – Dust 2

16-14 FaZe | Twistzz 1.31 Rating / 69.4 ADR / 24-17 K-D

Highlight of the BO1-series

MVP

Håvard ”rain” Nygaard| 1.22 Rating - 43-37 K/D - 85.8 ADR - 71.9% KAST

IEM Cologne 2021 update – Heroic vs FURIA (2-0)

Whilst FaZe and Vitality battled it out for survival, another big Bo3-series took place at the IEM Cologne 2021 event between Heroic and FURIA. The winner of the series would see themselves facing FaZe next for the last chance to advance to the playoffs. It was the Danes from Heroic to bring the heat in the first map of the series and managed to take home the first map of Ancient in overtime. The second map was to be played on Nuke and was, yet again, a close affair, however, it seemed that the Danes had done their homework and ultimately, they were able to close out Nuke at 16-10 and thereby win the series with an intense 2-0 victory.