Credit: PGL

Heroic move past Virtus.pro with 2-1 victory

A close three map thriller goes the way of Heroic

2021-11-04 | @BakSophus

We have now reached the dire stages of the PGL Major 2021 in Stockholm where only eight teams remain in contention for a spot in the Grand Final and ultimately the Major trophy. Having reached the Quarter-finals we are left with only the best performing teams within the professional CS:GO scene. The first Semi-finalist was to be found between the Danes from Heroic and the CIS machine of Virtus.pro. Heroic were favorites going into the Bo3-series. Whilst it was in no way a one-sided affair, it was ultimately the Danes to take home the victory. With stellar performances on Mirage and Inferno, they secured a 2-1 victory, moved past their opposition, and secured a spot in the Semi-finals of the PGL Major 2021.

The first map was the choice of Virtus.pro and saw the Bo3-series start on Mirage. Despite being one of the most picked and played maps for the side of Virtus.pro, the Danish boys from Heroic are by no means strangers to the map of Mirage. It was also the Danes to get the best start on their CT-side. A strong start that was quickly contested by Virtus.pro, however. After winning six rounds in a row, it looked as if Virtus.pro had completely stunned Heroic. This, however, proved to not be the case, and “cadiaN” and his troops managed to regain control. The second half saw Heroic continue where they had left off. Outpacing the defending Virtus.pro roster they proved the stronger roster on Mirage. At the scoreline of 16-10, it was Heroic to claim the victory in the first map of the Bo3-series.

The second map of the series was to be played on Ancient and was, of course, picked by Heroic. With a win rate of only 20% in their latest five matches, it seemed a difficult task for the otherwise well-oiled CIS machine that is Virtus.pro. Despite their past difficulties with the map of Ancient, it was the Virtus.pro roster, with star AWP’er “Jame” at the forefront of the battle, to end the first half at the scoreline of 8-7 favoring VP. The second half saw Heroic trying to withstand the calculated moves of a T-sided Virtus.pro. With Ancient still being heavily CT-sided, it proved a difficult task for Virtus.pro to break down the defense of Heroic. Despite this, however, “Jame” led his team to victory in one close round after the other in the dying stages of Ancient. Due to risky economical choices from Heroic, it was all of the sudden too late. At the scoreline of 16-13, it was Vitus.pro to take home Ancient and force Inferno as the third and final map.

As mentioned, the third and final map was to be played on Inferno, a map that both teams are known to be incredibly strong on. Just as expected it was as close as possible in the first half of Inferno. With either team refusing to give their opponent an inch and both teams saving every possible penny, it was a back-and-forth half. At the scoreline of 9-6, Heroic were the slight favorites going into the second half of Inferno. The start of the second half was all Heroic as they came flying out of the gate and secured matchpoint at the impressive scoreline of 15-8. Despite a valid comeback attempt from Virtus.pro, it was a matter of time before the Danes secured the final round and claimed the victory. They did exactly that at the scoreline of 16-12 and secured themselves a spot in the Semi-finals of the PGL Major 2021.

Highlight of the BO3-series