NAVI vs. Everlasting Fireplace in ESL Professional League S20’s Grand Closing produced among the best CS2 matches of 2024. It was a gauntlet in each sense of the phrase, with NAVI ultimately grinding it out throughout an exhilarating 3:2 collection. If ever there was an commercial for the best-of-five format in Grand Finals, this was it.
Everlasting Fireplace may have received 3:0
Whereas NAVI emerged 3:2 victors, it shouldn’t go unnoticed how shut we have been to Everlasting Fireplace sweeping this collection in a clear 3:0. EF received the primary map, however misplaced each the second and third in heartbreaking 13:11 matches. These have been as shut as could be, and have been ultimately settled by the minute particulars. Everlasting Fireplace even managed to lose in opposition to a low purchase in direction of the top of the second map, an uncommon throw in a spherical they need to have been snug in.
If Everlasting Fireplace win map two, they possible have the momentum to edge out map three, too. It’s heartbreak for the Turkish group, who have been realistically simply a few massive moments away from glory. It’s so shut, however once you’re up in opposition to in all probability the most effective CS2 group on this planet in NAVI, you’ll want to make each probability depend. It has tragically price Everlasting Fireplace right here.
NAVI’s tactical superiority made the distinction
B1ad3 and Aleksib because the coach / IGL combo really makes for some stunning Counter-Strike, doesn’t it? NAVI are deserved winners of ESL Professional League S20 because of their deep map pool and tactical superiority. It’s refreshing to see a squad depend on teamplay to win matches, relatively than brute-forcing it with sheer firepower (we’re taking a look at you, G2). It needs to be famous that individually, NAVI simply weren’t all there at the moment. Each w0nderful and iM had an excellent collection, however jL and b1t would agree it wasn’t their very own most interesting days on the workplace. But NAVI discovered the path to victory, nonetheless.
A second that stands out is at 11:10 on the ultimate map of Dust2. NAVI are profitable, however Everlasting Fireplace have received a number of consecutive rounds and are gaining momentum quick. Through the 11:10 spherical, EF have a 4:3 man benefit, and NAVI have a single flashbang to their identify. NAVI use it to flash jL, who at this level is having a tough map at 8:12, by means of a smoke, the place he’s capable of kill three and safe the spherical. Contemplating the context of the spherical, it was a tournament-winning flashbang. See for your self.
It’s about complete belief in one another, irrespective of the state of affairs. That’s why NAVI are Champions of ESL Professional League S20. And that’s why we count on them to raise at the very least yet one more trophy all through 2024.