In the first major Counter-Strike: Global Offensive event of 2017, French side EnVyUs picked up a huge win—and an even bigger purse.
The French squad barrelled through surprise finalists Team Kinguin in two extremely one-sided maps. Following their decisive victory, EnVyUs took their place on the podium and will be leaving China $800,000 richer.
Few spectators, however, could have imagined that Kinguin would be one of the teams competing in the finals of this massive $1.5 million event.
The day started out with an incredible upset, as Polish super-squad Virtus pro were eliminated from the event after a surprise defeat in the semifinals to their countrymen in Kinguin.
The match was over in only two maps. Kinguin fought a close game against the favorites on Dust2, and closed the series out with a decisive 16-5 victory on Mirage.
Not even EnVyUs’ participation in the grand final was guaranteed, however, as the French squad fought a three-game series against Turkish representatives Space Soldiers. Known primarily for its 21-year-old star rifle player Can “XANTARES” Dörtkarde, the entire Turkish squad battled the French team across three maps.
EnVyUs escaped elimination narrowly, and took the final map of the series, winning 16-14.
With the ELEAGUE Major just around the corner, EnVyUs will be riding a wave of momentum, while Virtus Pro will have to regroup and refocus.
Published: Jan 15, 2017 11:34 am