Virtus.pro plays cool in ELEAGUE. Four definite proofs
On the 22 of September, Virtus.pro G2A will play in the ELEAGUE CS:GO Premier's 2017 group stage. The tournament will be held in ELEAGUE studio in Atlanta. This event will mark the fifth in the series for the Polish Five, and the first four are definitely pleasant to reminisce.
ELEAGUE Season 1
League's first season was a stepping stone in the CS:GO's history since it was the first time such event was broadcasted on a TBS cable channel.
Virtus.pro didn't advance to the play-offs through the group stage, but took their second chance in a Last Chance Qualifier, where they defeated Gambit and Renegades.
In the play-offs, VP consequently defeated Ninjas in Pyjamas, mousesports, and Fnatic and became the first champions in the history of ELEAGUE.
The video-content of this event definitely deserves a highlight. One of the examples of such organizers' indulgence to the viewers is the Virtus.pro vs mousesports semifinals announcement clip, featuring Skillet.
First place in the ELEAGUE Season 1 brought $400.000 and place in the league's second season to the Polish team.
ELEAGUE Season 2
Virtus.pro started the second ELEAGUE season with an easy group stage exit. Complete steamrolling of Echo Fox on Nuke (16:1) and a victory against NiP on Cobblestone (16:7) quickly brought the Polish Five to the play-offs in the first place.
First, and as it turned out, the last opponent of VP.G2A in the tournament were FaZe Clan. Polish guys demonstrated an amazing level of play of Nuke (16:4), then lost on opponent's pick on Overpass (10:16) and barely lost on the match-deciding map on Cache (14:16).
Unfortunate defeat from FaZe left no chance to defend their champion's title for Virtus.pro. Tournament's result: 5-8 place and $50.000.
The ELEAGUE Major 2017
For their outstanding work on the previous events, ELEAGUE organizers were granted the permission to hold their first Major in 2017. Responding to that, multiple e-sports journals highlighted VP as the tournament's favorites. The Score Esports considered them the second, and HLTV.org – the fifth.
For the group stage of ELEAGUE Major 2017, the following format was picked – a Swiss one, where winners play with winners, and losers with losers.
Virtus.pro's three wins in the row brought them out of the group-stage. Polish team managed to defeat OpTic Gaming (16:13 on Cobblestone), G2 Esports (16:14 on Nuke) and Gambit Esports (16:10 on Train). Interestingly, the other team that finished the group stage 3:0 as well was Natus Vincere.
In the play-offs, Polish guys defeated North (2:1), SK Gaming (2:0) and clashed with Astralis in the grand finals. The battle between the Polish and the Danish teams gathered a record-breaking number of viewers – over one million spectators!
VP and Astralis brought one of the most spectacular grand finals in the CS:GO's history. After an exchange of the first two maps, the opponents were toe-to-toe on Train, where Polish guys instantly got the lead.
VP.G2A's brilliant offense play (9:6) and a pistol round victory on the CT side almost secured them the champion's title. However, Danish team didn't back down and turned the match into an exhausting exchange of eco and force-rounds, where they managed to defeat the tired Virtus.pro.
The final map is definitely a must-rewatch – it was a start of the lasting VP vs Astralis rivalry on the consequent events and even deserved a stand-alone event – Clash for Cash.
The ELEAGUE Major 2017 became one of the most successful Majors for Virtus.pro, after EMS One Katowice 2014. Polish players won $150.000 and the Legend status for the next Valve-supported championship.
ELEAGUE — Clash for Cash: The Rematch
After The ELEAGUE Major's 2017 broadcasting success, the organizers conducted a rematch for the Major's finalists – best-of-3 and $250.000.
Wiktor “TaZ” Wojtas, Virtus.pro's captain on Clash for Cash: “We lost to Astralis on Atlanta Major and answered with our victory in Las Vegas. The second half of this year will be quite rich with events. Both our teams will strive to work harder and become more confident. I like playing against Astralis... Our duels always are spectacular cases of rivalry. I'm looking forward to this amazing re-match. Virtus.pro will strike back!
Virtus.pro were in a practice phase for the upcoming PGL Major Kraków 2017 – this summer's main event, but showed quite an unexpected level of play.
Clash for Cash: Virtus.pro against Astralis
From the moment of their victory over the Danish team in the DreamHack Masters Las Vegas' 2017 finals, the Polish Five didn't yet find the fitting style and the necessary form.
As expected, Virtus.pro G2A defeated Astralis on Nuke (16:7), but then succumbed on Overpass (4:16). This time, the deciding map was Mirage - not Train, as it was in The ELEAGUE Major 2017. Despite that, Polish players failed on the offense and lost 3:16.
The upcoming ELEAGUE CS:GO Premier 2017 in Atlanta will become another challenge for Virtus.pro. The group stage will be played in a GSL format. Virtus.pro's first opponent will be Team EnVyUs in a best-of-1 match. The game is scheduled for the night from September 22 to September 23 at 1:00 (Moscow time).
Author: Anton Kozlov
"I put on a big heart and i sat in it during 5 hours". pashaBiceps – about famous commercial