The IEM Cologne is one of the most important "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive" tournaments of the season, now the prestigious title went to FaZe Clan. The major winner was able to beat Natus Vincere in a thrilling final 3:2 (16:13; 13:16; 16:19; 16:9; 16:14) enforce it.
Already after the successful semi-final against Movistar Riders, FaZe captain Finn "karrigan" Andersen had said on stage that the winner of the final would be considered the best team in the world.
"If you look at the results, we won four tournaments, one Cloud9, and one Navi. There is no discussion that we are the best team," he said now at HLTV.org ».
As a best-of-five, the final was already significantly different from the Major final, in which FaZe only had to prevail over Navi over three cards. "This is the reason why we need best-of-five finals. Why do you want the series to end after three games?", said FaZe player Russell "Twistzz" van Dulken in an interview with " eSPORTS1 ». "It has to go the full distance if you want to see the best counter-strike.»
IEM Cologne: How the games went in the final
FaZe had initially taken the lead on Inferno, but lost the second map Overpass to Navi, which even a strong three-on-one clutch from Twistzz could not change.
On the third card Ancient, Navi FaZe already looked beaten, even the support from the audience slowly fell silent. The comeback only almost succeeded when FaZe won 11 rounds in a row after the 15: 4 under euphoric cheers of the fans, but Navi was able to catch himself again in extra time.
FaZe was under a lot of pressure on Mirage, one of Navi's best maps. But the team took control from the beginning, and Navi also did little on the stronger defensive side. The decision had to be made in a fifth game, which the Canadian Dane karrigan used vigorously to encourage the audience to clap, and to incite the fans in favor of FaZe.
Twistzz leads FaZe to victory
As a strong card of both teams, an exciting game was guaranteed on Nuke, which developed into a close exchange of blows despite a half-time lead from FaZe. The difference was made by Twistzz, who in the penultimate round killed two unprepared Navi players from Navi in the blink of an eye and opened the door for FaZe to win.
"Our coach had set the round before, and I thought it would be perfect to repeat it. Why would you expect such a crazy tactic again?", said Twistzz at " eSPORTS1 ». "When you get the first kills of the round and the crowd goes wild, it's such a special feeling.»
As much as FaZe was pleased, so great was the disappointment with Navi, whose most important player of the tournament Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyliv threw his medal for second place into the audience in frustration. "I travel with my bag all the time, and I don't have a place for the MVP Cup otherwise. I have too many medals in my pocket," he admitted. " HLTV.org ».
