This week, Turner and WME|IMG’s ELEAGUE returns with another exciting series of matches between FNATIC, Team SoloMid, Team Dignitas and FaZe Clan.
The first two teams to play today were FNATIC and Team SoloMid, or TSM, on Cache and Mirage. Many fans have been waiting for this tournament, because it marks the return of Olof “olofmeister” Kajbjer Gustafsson to FNATIC. He has been out due to a hand injury.
Cache was a close map. FNATIC rocked the first half on the team’s counter-terrorist side, but TSM fought hard to make a stand against the Swedes. Aggression was on the side of TSM as the team continued to make a comeback, but it wasn’t enough as FNATIC took the map 16-13.
FNATIC took Mirage by storm and only allowed TSM to collect three rounds in the entire match. One of the highlights was a ninja defuse by FNATIC’s Freddy “KRiMZ” Johansson where he snuck up to the bomb before Kory “semphis” Friesen could realize and delete KRiMZ.
FaZe Clan and Team Dignitas were up next. Cobblestone was a rough map for Dignitas. After the first real buy round, it seemed to go downhill as FaZe only allowed two more points to be added to end the map with a score of 16-5.
FaZe and Dignitas’ second map was Mirage. Analysts believed this map was more in Dignitas’ favor, but FaZe continued to show dominance. FaZe allowed one more point from Dignitas than the last game, which ended the map with a 16-6 score.
FaZe and FNATIC was the last matchup for day one of ELEAGUE. Since both teams had won their initial matchups for the day, watching these two teams was exciting.
Cobblestone was a wipeout with FNATIC winning a flawless game 16-0. The Swedes were unrelentless on their terrorist side, which allowed them for such an easy second half where the players only needed one round.
Mirage was another story as FaZe took control of the first half to take a 10-5 lead. FaZe had a tremendous counter-terrorist side to bully FNATIC and the team continued their aggression into the second half. FaZe certainly wasn’t fazed by their previous map with FNATIC, because they ended the series 16-8.
As with the rest of the tournament, this week is round-robin format where teams collect points for their wins. Here are the current standings:
- FNATIC – 3 points
- FaZe Clan – 3 points
- Team Solomid – 0 points
- Team Dignitas– 0 points.
Tomorrow, the teams will matchup again in a similar double-map matchup. After watching today’s matches, who do you think has the best chance to take the winning title of Group D? Let us know in the comments and make sure to follow us on Twitter at @GAMURScom to keep up-to-date with esports news and live coverage.
