Cloud9 has staked their claim as the best Counter-Strike team in North America.
Cloud9 defeated Team Liquid 2-1 in the final of the iBUYPOWER Invitational, avenging their earlier 1-0 loss to Liquid in the group stage. The teams swapped comfortable games in the first two of the series, with Cloud9 winning 16-5 on Cache and a 16-4 Inferno victory for Liquid.
In the final game of the tournament, things got a little more interesting on Cobblestone.
The teams both won their terrorist sides 8-7, taking the series into overtime. From their Cloud9 were at their vintage best, taking four consecutive rounds and winning the game 19-15.
Though the final spot at IEM San Jose (and $100,000) was on the line in the tournament, Cloud9 had already received an invite to the event. Liquid will therefore travel to San Jose this weekend to complete against Cloud9, Luminosity and the best of Europe, including TSM and DreamHack Cluj champions EnVyUs.
Image via DreamHack/Flickr