Team Liquid eliminated from ESL One Cologne

Only one North American team remains at ESL One Cologne.

Team Liquid, considered the strongest North American roster in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, surprisingly found themselves in the $300,000 event’s lower bracket after losing their opening match to German contenders BIG.

The team’s slow start to the event was surprising, given Liquid’s recent run of impressive form in 2018. Things got even worse in the lower bracket, however, with the team dropping two straight maps to North—meaning the currently strongest team in North America was eliminated in last place.

The series did initially get off to an even start with both teams playing an even first half on Train. Liquid proceeded to expand their lead in the initial rounds of the second half, but it was short-lived as North began to stage a comeback. Liquid were teetering on winning the map in regulation, much in part due to a phenomenal performance out of Keith “NAF” Markovic, but ultimately the game was forced into overtime. Only five additional rounds had to be played as North stole away Train by a score of 19-16.

North had a bit of an easier time on second map Inferno. Getting off to a solid 10-5 half as Counter-Terrorists, North had a comfortable amount of rounds it could fall back on for the remainder of the match. Liquid were able to cause quite a bit of problems for the Danish side during the second half by grabbing six additional rounds, but thanks to a solid performance out of Philip “aizy” Aistrup, and a remarkable 1v4 clutch by Markus “kjaerbye” Kjærbye in the 25th round, Liquid’s dreams of victory in Cologne were promptly dashed.

North will proceed to play the loser of the Group B semifinal between Fnatic and BIG on July 5.