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IEM Cologne 2021 has come to an finish. The ultimate occasion within the first half of 2021 earlier than the participant break was a key match for the entire scene in addition to being already one of the crucial prestigious yearly competitions trademarked in Counter-Strike.
Extra importantly, Cologne was a key occasion to advance varied groups’ storylines, and we’re right here to do take a better take a look at these. Right here’s eight tales from IEM Cologne – 4 groups who closed the match trying good, and 5 disappointments.
Winners – FaZe’s greatest efficiency in months
Expectations for FaZe in Cologne earlier than the occasion began have been throughout the place. Some anticipated the crew to bomb out early primarily based on their current outcomes, whereas different believed that this being a LAN may change the tides for the squad.
Now, we will say with all certainty that the latter was proper. FaZe completely delivered in IEM Cologne, from their begin on the Play-In stage to the playoffs, the place they did upset Gambit earlier than getting eradicated by Natus Vincere.
Followers who watched FaZe video games may clearly observe many variations in comparison with FaZe’s showings earlier than Cologne. From Twistzz returning to type to karrigan’s improved calling, FaZe was a distinct beast on LAN.
Now heading to the participant break, there’s a very good probability that FaZe’s roster stay unchanged. Nonetheless, it’s unclear if the crew plans to stay with ‘olofmeister’ – or if he plans to stay with FaZe. For now, although, no speculations. Congratulations to FaZe for his or her spectacular run.
Losers – Mousesports leaves early, too early
Trying again earlier than IEM Cologne 2021 began, Mousesports was one among our favorites. Whereas the crew would undoubtedly have a tough time towards the likes of Natus Vincere or G2, they need to nonetheless be capable to attain the playoffs.
But, Mousesports by no means delivered. The crew didn’t impress even in the course of the Play-In stage, the place they acquired overwhelmed by Ninjas in Pyjamas of their second sport.
Mouz nonetheless managed to qualify to Cologne’s important occasion, however there, the crew become a one-man present, with solely Robin “ropz” Kool performing nicely persistently. Different gamers merely failed to point out up when the crew wanted probably the most, particularly David “frozen” Čerňanský.
It’s unfair, nonetheless, responsible Mousesports’ dangerous outcomes on frozen alone. The crew’s AWPer, ‘acoR’ was additionally lacking towards huge opponents, and Bymas affect when it mattered was missing, too.
General, Mousesports upset in Cologne, and the crew ought to take a deep take a look at what led them to this outcome. Nonetheless, it’d be truthful sport to present this Mousesports roster extra time. In any case, this was Christopher “dexter” Nong first LAN main Mouz.
Winners – G2 breaks the third-place curse and reaches IEM Cologne grand-finals
When the grand-finals between Na’Vi and G2 acquired confirmed, many followers seen that this may be a rematch of IEM Katowice 2020 grand-finals. IEM Katowice 2020 was successfully the final worldwide LAN occasion earlier than the net period, and IEM Cologne 2021 is the primary worldwide LAN ever because the on-line period began.
Funnily sufficient, each matches ended with the identical outcome, with Na’Vi successful them with a 3 – 0 rating. Though this time it was a tighter collection.
Whereas G2’s final match didn’t finish the way in which the crew wished, IEM Cologne 2021 in its entirety is a victory for G2. The crew stored their dominant type from begin to end, till they met the bahamut spearheaded by ‘s1mple’. Furthermore, G2 additionally lastly broke their shedding streak towards Gambit, and survived a dangerous-looking Astralis to interrupt their ‘third place curse’, which lasted 5 occasions.
After Cologne, there isn’t any doubts that G2 is among the three greatest CSGO groups in the mean time. They’ve overwhelmed Gambit. They’ve broke their third place curse. Now, they’ll begin aiming at Natus Vincere, which shall be their subsequent goal within the coming months.
Congratulations to G2. It’s essential to do not forget that a second-place end in a stacked match like IEM Cologne is way from a nasty outcome. In G2’s case, contemplating all accomplishments they achieved, it’s secure to say that they did nicely.
Losers – FURIA and Crew Liquid fail to impress in IEM Cologne
There have been few infuriating groups to look at fairly like FURIA and Liquid have been throughout Cologne. Shedding rounds they shouldn’t, gamers merely not performing as much as what’s anticipated from them – it was removed from a very good displaying from the 2 groups representing the Americas in the primary IEM Cologne occasion, to sum it up. Each groups completed the match in 9th – 12th locations.
Particularly relating to FURIA, it’s clear that the crew wants a devoted, high-caliber AWPer. Henrique “HEN1” Teles left FURIA with points they nonetheless haven’t solved, and Lucas “honda” Honda, who just lately stepped-up to FURIA’s important crew after being benched earlier this yr, received’t be capable to repair them. FURIA has a fantastic group of gamers, however they merely aren’t working collectively with out that final piece of the puzzle.
Liquid points are completely different, although. Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo, the crew’s AWPer, was continuously lacking pictures that misplaced the crew rounds, positive. Similar to in Mousesports’ case, although, it’s unfair responsible all the pieces on a single participant. Liquid has proven deeper points throughout their video games, relying an excessive amount of on particular person performs earlier on and struggling as a crew to work on efficient set items.
So, what these two groups ought to do? In FURIA’s case, the crew must search for somebody to take the massive inexperienced gun. As for the North Individuals, Liquid’s state of affairs is far more sophisticated. Do the crew belief Stewie2K to maintain main them? Is the crew keen to present themselves one other shot within the second-half of the yr? Do they fill that FalleN is holding them again? – these, and plenty of different questions surrounding Liquid might be solely answered by Liquid gamers themselves.
Winners – Astralis is simply nice
Proper earlier than IEM Cologne began, Astralis captain Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander stated in an interview that he doesn’t see his crew changing into one of the best on the planet once more with out an AWPer. He isn’t fallacious, because the function is essential for any crew success within the present CSGO meta.
Nonetheless, that by no means meant that Astralis would cease preventing for the throne of greatest crew in Counter-Strike. In Cologne, the Danes as soon as once more demonstrated they’re greater than able to tackle any crew.
Astralis run solely led to IEM Cologne semi-finals. There, the Danes misplaced to a powerful G2 in a heated sport. Similar to of their sport towards Na’Vi, Astralis didn’t fall with out placing a combat, and in G2’s case, the sport may have went in Astralis’ approach if not by a few of G2’s gamers massively stepping-up when it mattered probably the most.
With this efficiency closing Astralis first-half of 2021, the crew has to ask themselves what they need going ahead. Rumors across the crew disbanding have been circulating for some time now. Now, nonetheless, there’s an actual probability {that a} majority of the present crew sticks collectively and take a look at experimenting, to see what works greatest for them as a unity. Astralis won’t attain the identical stars they as soon as did, however on the very least, they’re greater than in a position to safe their place among the many greatest.
Losers – What Complexity can do subsequent?
Complexity ended IEM Cologne in a tough spot. Similar to FaZe, some followers believed the crew may flip their outcomes round in Cologne with the LAN format, however not solely this didn’t occur, Complexity completed final in the primary IEM Cologne occasion.
The European squad video games have been tough for them. Their final sport within the occasion noticed them blow a 15 – 10 leads towards Virtus.Professional who reverted the rating of their favor. Subsequent, within the last map of that collection, Complexity had many rounds suffering from their fixed errors.
This isn’t something new for Complexity, although. The crew has didn’t carry out in high-level occasions persistently, and most of their wins might be attributed to one among their gamers going above and past for the crew – often, this participant both Kristian ‘k0nfig’ Wienecke or Benjamin ‘blameF’ Bremer.
The participant break is a chance to Complexity reevaluate themselves as a crew. First LAN in over a yr, positive, however their outcomes on-line aren’t ok to again this present roster.
Winners – Natus Vincere wins huge in IEM Cologne
Natus Vincere run in IEM Cologne 2021 was outstanding. The CIS squad didn’t lose a single sport within the match. Moreover, in addition they received the BO5 grand-final with out dropping a single map to G2.
Cologne was additionally one among Aleksandr ‘s1mple’ Kostyliev greatest occasions ever. The Ukrainian completed the match with a large 1.51 ranking and completed 4 maps with 30 or extra kills.
Nonetheless, whereas s1mple is an irreplaceable participant for Natus Vincere, Na’Vi dominance is the results of the entire crew coming collectively. Each ‘digital’ and ‘B1T’ are taking part in extraordinarily nicely currently, and that brings the much-needed consistency that Na’Vi wanted in previous years.
Boombl4 and Perfecto efforts can’t be ignored, both. The 2 participant enhances the highly effective trio by giving them the assist, and in Boombl4’s case, additionally the tactical steerage each time they want.
General, after the current outcomes seen from Na’Vi, there are not any doubts when calling them the present greatest CSGO crew on the planet. Dominant, full and confirmed, Na’Vi is trying ahead to August, when they are going to return to work on establishing their very own period.
Losers – OG nowhere to be seen
Similar to Mousesports, OG was one crew coming to Cologne with excessive expectations. In any case, the crew was coming to Cologne proper after IEM Summer time, a match the place OG completed second, solely shedding to Gambit within the grand-finals.
Then, all the pieces went down when OG acquired eradicated earlier than the primary occasion of IEM Cologne. The crew solely received one match within the Play-In, towards Crew One. Their following video games noticed OG getting upset by Renegades after which defeated by BIG. In each BO3 collection, OG didn’t win a single map.
Now, the squad faces a tough state of affairs. Foremost – what occurred in the course of the occasion? Can this roster get better from it? In any case – OG completed Flashpoint 3 in final place earlier than coming to IEM Summer time. Was the entire IEM Summer time a fluke relatively than OG enhancing?
Inexperience taking its toll?
It’s essential to notice that in OG’s state of affairs, the crew’s latest participant, Shahar ‘flameZ’ Shushan, was a key participant for OG earlier than Cologne, however he has nearly zero expertise taking part in on LAN, and actually felt under the weather during the event. Mateusz ‘mantuu’ Wilczewski, the crew AWPer, additionally doesn’t have sufficient expertise with LAN occasions. With each gamers underperforming, there’s an opportunity that that is the results of them getting overwhelmed by the brand new surroundings. In that case, OG will certainly seek the advice of with the group’s esports psychologist in the course of the break.
For now, OG could have loads of time to regroup and reevaluate themselves. Ending nearly final in Cologne should have damage, but when the crew itself nonetheless believes within the venture, they need to stick collectively for the subsequent season. OG leaving so early in Cologne was disappointing, and above all the pieces, it was additionally unhappy. We hope they’ll come again and show to everybody that they nonetheless might be the crew they purpose to be – top-of-the-line.
The participant break is now on
The very best tier in CSGO esports will now enter a fast break with a view to catch their breath. In any case, the second-half of 2021 guarantees to be a lot completely different than the primary one with LANs returning in power and the Main within the horizon.
Nonetheless, if there’s one thing that we’ve learnt in spite of everything these years is that CSGO by no means stops. The in-server actions could be dropping, however now it’s additionally the time that many groups shall be choosing contracts, and plenty of gamers will resolve the way forward for their careers.
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