Virtus.pro prevailed over SK in IEM Katowice 2017

VP.G2A faced SK Gaming in round four of the group stage of IEM Katowice 2017. The Poles banned Cache, Overpass and Cobblestone, while the Brazilians got rid of Nuke, Train and Mirage.

Map stats (Inferno):

The match was played on Inferno. The Poles started on defense and were defeated in the pistol round. Virtus.pro went for a force buy, snatched the initiative and gained a lead (3-1). SK shut down VP’s winning streak, but the Poles responded immediately with three won rounds (6-2).

The Brazilians entered the B site (6-3), but were unable to capitalize on their success, as VP.G2A continued to gain a lead (9-3). SK focused on A runs, but TaZ scored three frags twice, outnumbered both times (11-3).

SK Gaming took the last round before switching sides as well as their first one on defense (11-5). Virtus.pro had a force buy and successfully entered the B site, disrupting the opponent’s economy (12-5). An eco round later, byali won in a 1v2 clutch (14-5).

A force buy from the Brazilians allowed them to stop an attack through the arch and snatch the initiative in the match (14-6). After losing four rounds in a row, VP.G2A won a round, earning a map point (15-10). SK repelled three attacks by the Poles, shattering VP’s economy (15-13).

An aggressive play from SK Gaming during Virtus.pro’s eco almost resulted in a victory for the Polish five, as byali was left in a 1v1 situation (15-14). In the decisive round, VP.G2A carefully entered the A site and successfully defended the bomb: 16-14.

Heroic will be Virtus.pro G2A’s next opponent. The match will be held 2 March at 18:30 CET.