The whole pussy weekend we followed the events of the Counter-Strike 1 championship.6 as part of Intel Extreme Masters World Championship. Almost every match either gave a sensation or took place in a stubborn struggle, which is why we decided to devote a whole material to one discipline.
The best tournament of 2012?
The championship in Hanover, whose prize pool ($ 100,000) will have any prestigious tournament in Counter-Strike 1.6, This year gathered twelve teams. Ten represented Europe, and two more, Tyloo And Semxorah , – Asia and South America, respectively.
Until the last moment, the participation of the strongest Polish squad was in question ESC : Due to financial problems, the Poles missed all Global Challenge, and the online Last Chance lost.
THIS IS INTERESTING: If earlier teams from Europe were mainly sifted through a sieve of online qualifying ones, then in the sixth season the organizers refused the old scheme. All this season ESL held Global Challenge tournaments (in Guanzhou, New York and Kyiv). According to their results, as well as on the basis of the only online selection of Last Chance, a rating of teams that have the right to play in world finals was compiled.
[[Bullet]] World Extreme Masters 2012 Intel Extreme Masters took a cozy Hanover with its half -million population.But the silver medalist of the previous season was lucky-due to the failure of some teams, two free slots appeared. They just occupied them ESC And the French Esahara.
As a result, two groups were formed. Three groups came out of each: the winner – directly to the semifinals, and the second and third places were forced to play quarter -finals on the system Single Best of Three.
Group A: Five packs of Validol
Will Na’vi protect his title and win Intel Extreme Masters World Championship for the third time in a row? The question was interested in many: such an achievement would again inscribe Ukrainians in the history of CS 1.6. But when, with the light hand of the comer ESL, Joe Miller, after the draw, in the Death Group (a) found themselves SK , Natus Vincere , ESC , mousesports , Tyloo And Anexis , It became clear that the path of the Ukrainians to victory by roses will not be strewn. Chinese Tyloo and Anexis Danes in this fun company were listed with obvious outsiders.
In the first round on de_inferno, the most important fight between Natus Vincere And SK. Starting for the attack, two -time IEM champions won the first half with a score of 10: 5. Most of the successful scum of Ukrainians were organized to point B, where the Swedes were littered Face And Robban. Changing the side, “Born to win” took the pistol and first weapons round and brought the score to 14: 5.
Victory? Everything indicated this.
But then a whistle began: the Swedes once after time rushed Ukrainian protective constructions on “A” and gradually reduced the score. Egor Markelov and the company could not get two rounds they need, and disputes flared up in the team. With the score of 15:14, already in favor of SK, Ukrainians bought Famasy and Digles with the last money and miraculously stopped the Swedes attack on the point “A”. And here is a draw 15:15, which is equivalent to the victory for SK. In a parallel match of other favorites ESC overcame mousesports with a score 16: 9.
[[Bullet]] Swedish team SK Gaming, one of the main favorites of the tournament.Problems in communication and a terrible game for defense on de_inferno pursued Na’vi And in the match against mousesports. After the failure for protection in the first half (4:11 in favor of the "mice"), the Ukrainians still recovered and began to reduce the gap. Now the game was very similar to their match with SK, only the role of the Swedes was played by Na’vi.
In the score 13:12, in favor of the Germans, the Ukrainians purchased in full, but the "mice" were forced to tighten their belts and save to the next round. At the direction of the captain GOB b The German five together gathered at point B, where the browned "horseshoes" rushed about. Chaotic shooting began at the Plant: Na’vi was ambushed and gave the most important round. The score was 14:12 in favor of Mousesports, and German fans on HLTV.Org have already begun to uncorn champagne. But the “winged swings” continued: a few minutes later Captain Sergey Jashchuk ( Starix ) Put the bomb at point A and beautifully won the situation 1 in 2, giving the team hope for victory – 14:13.
This loss seems to have almost crushed the German-Data team (recall, two Danes play Mousesports- Zonic And Karrigan ): Na’vi defeat with a score of 14:16 extremely complicated Mousesports to get out of the group. And other favorites (SK, ESC, Na’VI) everything seems to have been going according to plan.
Group a – after two rounds
Group a
1
2
3
4
5
6
IN
N
P
ABOUT
SK
Na ’ VI
ESC
Tyloo
Mouz
Anexis
1
ESC
#######
16:06
16:09
2
0
0
6
2
SK
#######
15:15
06:16
1
1
0
4
3
Na’vi
15:15
#######
16:14
1
1
0
4
4
Tyloo
06:16
#######
16:12
1
0
1
3
5
Mousesports
09:16
14:16
0
0
2
0
6
Anexis
06:16
12:16
0
0
2
0
… – de_train … – de_inferno … – de_tuskan … – de_nuke … – de_mirage … – de_forge … – de_dust2
However, only for the time being: in the third round we witnessed the first loud sensation – the Chinese Tyloo easily went around the Ukrainians on De_Dust2 with a score of 16: 6 and confused all the layouts.
The first half ended with a score of 9: 6 in favor of Tyloo playing for the attack. Na’vi account is not particularly pleasant, but not fatal. However, after the shift of the parties, the Chinese switched on the map like mad, squeezing one or the other part of it. Our neighbors were confused from such agility and did not gain a single round (!) for a stronger side.
[[Bullet]] "Dark Horse" of the entire championship – Chinese team Tyooo.Nevertheless, we see the main reason for losing, not in the desperate running of athletes from the Middle Kingdom, but in the unsuccessful choice of the map: it has long been known that the Chinese and Koreans are excellently play de_dust2, unlike the newer Tuscan, Mirage, Forge. Na’vi misfire was rosy welcomed in the camp of SK and ESC, who are their matches against Mousesports and Anexis Won with a whistle. Thus, before the fourth round, an ambiguous picture emerged in the group.
Group a – after three rounds
Group a
1
2
3
4
5
6
IN
N
P
ABOUT
ESC
SK
Tyloo
Na’vi
Mouz
Anexis
1
ESC
#######
16:06
16:09
16:09
3
0
0
9
2
SK
#######
15:15
16:12
16:06
2
1
0
7
3
Tyloo
06:16
#######
16:06
16:12
2
0
1
6
4
Na’vi
15:15
06:16
#######
16:14
1
1
1
4
5
Mousesports
09:16
12:16
14:16
0
0
3
0
6
Anexis
09:16
06:16
12:16
0
0
3
0
… – de_train … – de_inferno … – de_tuskan … – de_nuke … – de_mirage … – de_forge … – de_dust2
If Tyloo in the remaining matches defeat the motivation of the "mice" and SK, they will be guaranteed to go to the next stage. Two victories were required and na’vi. Even the leaders of the group, Poles, in a certain situation (two defeats in the last matches plus SK defeat in the match with Tyloo) could not leave the group.
In the fourth round, Ukrainians played with a very uncomfortable Anexis rival for the same de_inferno. Only six rounds (6: 9) took in the attack “Born to Win”, and our fans prepared for the worst – Ukrainians advocated for protection in this tournament, to put it mildly, it does not matter. But in the second half, an equal struggle unexpectedly ensued: anexis fought, and Na’vi caught up with.
Bad news came from parallel matches: Tyloo defeated Mousesports with a score of 16: 6, and SK defeated ESC (16: 4) – and this meant that Ukrainians could not even draw, they need to won the remaining meetings. Meanwhile, the fourteenth round (14:10) remained behind the Danes ..
[[Bullet]] Natus Vincere often experienced difficulties in the group stages, but such hardeners as in this tournament have not happened to them yet ..And only when the fate of the current champions hung in the balance, Daniil Teslenko and the company raised from sleep and brought the score to 15:14 to their favor. In the last round, the Danes had a very bad purchase, and they decided to attack carpets and seven (positions at point A). However, Ivan Sukharev ( Edward ), being in large sands, made a beautiful “Ace” and interrupted all the opponent players. 16:14 in favor of Na’VI – and half -around was done.
Group a – after four rounds
Group a
1
2
3
4
5
6
IN
N
P
ABOUT
SK
ESC
Tyloo
Na’vi
Mouz
Anexis
1
SK
#######
16:04
15:15
16:12
16:06
3
1
0
10
2
ESC
04:16
#######
16:06
16:09
16:09
3
0
1
9
3
Tyloo
06:16
#######
16:06
16:06
16:12
3
0
1
9
4
Na’vi
15:15
06:16
#######
16:14
16:14
2
1
1
7
5
Mousesports
12:16
09:16
06:16
14:16
0
0
4
0
6
Anexis
06:16
09:16
12:16
14:16
0
0
4
0
… – de_train … – de_inferno … – de_tuskan … – de_nuke … – de_mirage … – de_forge … – de_dust2
In the last round SK To play de_TRain with Tyloo , And Ukrainians on De_tuscan were waiting for sworn friends from Esc. The Swedes won with a score of 16: 4, which was secured by both themselves and the Poles. In the last match, it was decided who would come out: the Chinese or Ukrainians. Meanwhile, the Poles, meanwhile, were motivated before the match by the ears, because they had a great opportunity to send home one of the main favorites and greatly facilitate (and others at the same time) playing at the playoffs, where Na’vi is usually a sea knee.
In the most dramatic match of the first group Na’vi – ESC The Poles began to protect (the weaker side on de_tuscan) and won with a score of 9: 6. The main sniper ESC was especially trying Pasha , which has grown a lot lately. Changing the side, the Poles took the pistol round and the next few, bringing the score to 14:10. In the ultimate success of Na’vi, less and less were believed ..
But for the umpteenth time, a miracle happened-Na’vi kambeki in a different way. As in the match with ANEXIS, Ukrainians took six rounds in a row (in the last Starix, armed with AWP, arranged massive cutting for walnuts) and obtained an archive victory with a score of 16:14. The Ukrainian team celebrated the victory so loudly, as if a dozen million dollars were flairing, and not simply left the group.
[[Bullet]] na’vi in the power of spirit and will stretch the second rocket of the match and come out of the second place.
Daniil Teslenko (Zeus) will later say that the last two matches with ANEXIS and ESC by intensity, he can only compare with the 2010 WCG final against MTW. Thus, after miraculous salvation Na’vi (Zeus, Markeloff, CEH9, Edward, Starix) ranks second in the group, and ESC (TAZ, Loord, Kuben, Pasha, Neo) become third. First place and direct ticket to the semifinals – at SK (Robban, Face, Forest, Get_right, Trace).
Group a
Group a
1
2
3
4
5
6
IN
N
P
ABOUT
SK
Na’vi
ESC
Tyloo
Mouz
Anexis
1
SK
#######
15:15
16:04
16:04
16:12
16:06
4
1
0
13
2
Na’vi
15:15
#######
16:14
06:16
16:14
16:14
3
1
1
10
3
ESC
04:16
14:16
#######
16:06
16:09
16:09
3
0
2
9
4
Tyloo
04:16
16:06
06:16
#######
16:06
16:12
3
0
2
9
5
Mousesports
12:16
14:16
09:16
06:16
16:02
1
0
4
3
6
Anexis
06:16
14:16
09:16
12:16
02:16
0
0
5
0
… – de_train … – de_inferno … – de_tuskan … – de_nuke … – de_mirage … – de_forge … – de_dust2
We add that Na’vi fans, perhaps, have never sat on such a stiff “validal diet” as on the day of Group A. True, such a strong group in the history of tournaments CS 1.6 And it is difficult to recall.
Group B: Swan song Carn’a
The second group b ( Winfakt , Fnatic , M5 , Semxorah , Esahara , Lions ) The composition was smoother and much weaker than the previous. Any team could get out of it: Fnatic and M5 had a little higher chances, a little lower – Esahara and Brazilians.
The starting match against Esahara on de_nuke has decently lingered – the French were late for an hour. In the first half it was clear that the M5 had not yet been played, because ED1K’U And his comrades failed the simplest, seemingly fragments (11: 4 in favor of Esahara). But this score still did not mean anything, the M5 has a very strong attack, and few doubted that they would win.
And so it happened: the Brothers Stolyarovs ( Dosia And Fox ) In the second half, opponents mowed like a clover in the meadow. True, the French mix (there were no at the tournament MSX And Sixer ) rested his teeth and claws, and Drizzer I even made a colorful "Ace", but this was not enough for a draw. In the score of 15:14 in their favor, the Russians took round 3 in 5 and prevailed.
[[Bullet]] as a player of the French Drizzer dodged, but did not manage to protect his team from defeat.
The second game M5 also took place on de_nuke, this time – against the Brazilians Semxorah. Our guys have finally dispersed and brought the matter to victory-account 16: 9.
It's funny that the third match against the Finns Winfakt Passed on the same de_nuke. We won our defense 8: 7, but now the attack on this map dominates. In the second half, Muscovites retained positions (especially rejoiced XEK: he perfectly shot an opponent from the automatic rifle SIG SG 550) and brought the score to 15:11. But … Victory wagged her tail, “hot Finnish guys”, making a great fluff, equalized (15:15).
In the next match of Russians against Lions on de_mirage, the Swedes quickly burst forward and won half with a score of 12: 3.
THIS IS INTERESTING: The M5 match against Lions began with the fact that the Swede NIKO In the round on the knives, he was left alone against five and shred them alternately. Although the “knives” won and do not give much advantages on this map, you see, a fantastic spectacle!
[[Bullet]] Lions player Niko showed our guys how to cut enemies to sausage.
Subsequently, Muscovites reduced the lag to 12: 8, but in the twenty -first round, the Swedes made a quick attack on “A” and, correctly blinding DOSIA, fixed at the point. Then playing a numerical advantage on the exchange was a matter of technology. All other rounds passed as a carbon copy: a quick dispersal grenade to point A, then a pause, so that the opponent has time to throw the grenades, and approaching the point from different sides. M5 did not realize how to resist this, and lost with a score of 8:16.
In other matches of the group, we can only note the unexpected defeat of Fnatic from Winfakt with a score of 3:16. It seems that the words of the captain of the Finns Tomi Kovanen ( Lurrpis ) about the prospects of the new young composition begin to make excuses.
THIS IS INTERESTING: It was this tournament that was the last for the permanent captain and leader of Fnatic Patrick Sattermon ( Carn ), who, at the end, announced that he was completing his career as a professional player.
In the last round, the M5 group was once again defeated Fnatic on de_inferno (16: 9). The first pistol round was especially important to go to the Muscovite piggy bank due to excellent shooting from the USP Mikhail Stolyarov (Dosia), he confidently outplayed the Swedes at point A. The first half remained with the Russians (9: 6), and in the second Swedes they could not turn the course of the match.
[[Bullet]] Fnatic really wanted to please their captain Patrick Sattermon and win his last tournament in his career, but alas ..Thus, after all matches, the group was unexpectedly led Lions (Threat, Niko, Zneel, Fyr773, Khrystal), M5 (Dosia, Edik, Fox, Xek, Romjke) became the second, and Fnatic (Carn, Friis, Xizt, Gux, Moddii) closed the three leaders.
Group b
Group b
1
2
3
4
5
6
IN
N
P
ABOUT
Lions
M5
Fnatic
Winfakt
SX
Esahara
1
Lions
#######
16:08
08:16
16:09
16:12
16:07
4
0
1
12
2
M5
08:16
#######
16:09
15:15
16:09
16:14
3
1
1
10
3
Fnatic
16:08
09:16
#######
03:16
16:14
16:08
3
0
2
9
4
Winfakt
09:16
15:15
16:03
########
16:05
15:15
2
2
1
8
5
Semxorah
12:16
09:16
14:16
05:16
#######
16:12
1
0
4
3
6
Esahara
07:16
14:16
08:16
15:15
12:16
#######
0
1
4
1
… – de_train … – de_inferno … – de_tuskan … – de_nuke … – de_mirage … – de_forge … – de_dust2
Exit games
In the quarterfinals (these were two matches – the second and third places in groups) were played by both of our teams, and they showed the results opposite. Na’vi got off with Fnatic No problems (2: 0 on cards – 16: 7 on de_tuscan, 16: 4 on de_train). But the M5 Poles from ESC lost, but in a very stubborn struggle (the same 2: 0 on cards – 16:14 on de_tuscan, 16: 5 on de_nuke). To honor Moscow Five , They had every chance to save the game on de_tuscan, but gave the decisive last round. The round, in which the Poles had only Digles … and then “sailed” on the second map.
Some of our fans and emotional owners of the team took this result as a fiasco, but we strongly cannot say this about the performance of M5.
[[Bullet]] Moscow Five again in disheveled feelings. This time the perpetrators are Poles ESC.The semifinals opened Na’VI and Lions. Clear favorites were Ukrainians who have a history of a good story of matches against this Swedish team. On the first map De_DUST2, the Slavs began to defend and lost the pistol, and followed by two eco-ranges, but they took the first weapons in time.
In the fifth round, the Swedes tried to take point B, but they were stopped by the AWP of Sergei Jashchuk. In general, I must say, they attacked too uncertainly. Na’vi read the opponent perfectly and completely replayed it. After a light victory on the first map (16: 6), it seemed that the match would be short -lived, but no: the Swedes took the de_tuscan in revenge, and we were waiting for a third and decisive battle on de_inferno. Ukrainian five began to defend.
[[Bullet]] Daniil Teslenko (Zeus) has been playing at point B for several years and how no one knows how to stop the opponent.
THIS IS INTERESTING: The first pistol round was taken thanks to Daniil Teslenko ( Zeus ) who killed for three three. The team permanently perked up, because in this tournament Ukrainians had very big problems in the “pistols”.
The key attacks of Lviv in the first half were at point B, but Arseny Trinozhenko ( CEH9 ) and Daniil Teslenko played out their positions simply on Yat, and most of these attacks choked. The only completely Swedish team in the tournament (Danatic plays for SK and FNATIC) could not rebuild during the match and lost 3:12. Changing the side, the “Born to Win” took away the missing four rounds and became the first finalists.
[[Bullet]] Natus Vincere defeats https://sister-site.org/rabbit-win/ the Swedes Lions and becomes the first finalist of the tournament.
In the second, very tense, semifinal ESC defeated SK. I especially want to note the third card – de_train. The Swedes lost the “knives” and began to attack (the weakest side on this map). In a similar group match, they in an attack on shreds broke the Commonwealth with a score of 16: 4. Probably Robert Dalstrom ( Robba N ) I hoped to repetition of the passed … But the Poles analyzed the defeat in the group, created a good backlog and won in defense with a crushing score of 14: 1. Only the victory in the pistol in the second half left the Swedes ghostly chances of salvation.
We must pay tribute to SK, they made every effort to save the duel. When the score became very slippery (14:15 in favor of ESC), the individual game of Yaroslav Yarzhabkovsky decided everything ( Pasha ). After several of his frags, the bomb was installed on “A”, and winning the situation 2 in 1 gentry was not difficult. ESC victory – 16:14, – and a very fundamental ending was waiting for us ahead.
[[Bullet]] In the second semifinal meeting, the Poles could not break the resistance SK for a long time.
THIS IS INTERESTING: SK player Christopher Alezund ( Get_Right ) After the defeat, he could barely hide the tears, and the whole team was so demoralized that she limply lost to compatriots from Lions a match for third place. In the “bronze” meeting, SK did not even give up twenty percent, although there were quite significant money at the stake (the difference in the prize between the third and fourth place was 4200 dollars).
Fire and sword
Polish-Ukrainian finals gradually become a kind of eastern El-Classico. So it was last year, and then Ukrainians prevailed. In general, the Poles who played the finals of this tournament four times won only in the very first season. Na’vi "genealogy" is much more noble – two tournaments and two victories.
[[Bullet]] Repetition of last year's finale: another East European derby.The first card was de_train, one of the best for both teams. ESC showed a good and informative game for the attack, and therefore Zeus very uncertainly played on "b". Ukrainians, giving key from an economic point of view of the rounds, were forced to buy nothing over and over again and save for the future.
However, the first half still ended with a score of 9: 6 in favor Natus Vincere. The situation of Ukrainians worsened significantly after losing the pistol round in the second half. At ½ and ¼ playing very brightly, in the final na’vi did not shine. All their attacks choked, and the first card remained for ESC (16:11).
[[Bullet]] Fragments from the game on de_train – the first card of the Hanover final between ESC and Na’VI.
The next was played by de_mirage, on which the Poles, it seems, did not at all hack. Ukrainians began protection and won the first half with a score of 10: 5. Having changed the side, the Zhovto-Blackny tried to make a quick Double Fake (the essence is as follows: having appeared on “b”, two players quickly attack “A”, and to remove the rest to “B”), but the Poles apparently expected this and calculated the situation.
There was an equal and tense game in which the teams alternately exchanged the ranges taken. So it was, until with the score of 13:12 Pasha, the archive round 1 at 2 at point B won. By and large, it was he who decided the outcome of the match: lose his ESC – and the Poles would have “Eco”, and the initiative would have departed to Ukrainians. And so with the score of 14:15 Na’vi launched the last desperate attack on “A”, where they formed. ESC victory – 16:14, – and with fifty thousand dollars in their pockets, they become two -time champions Intel Extreme Masters World Championship.
[Bullet]] Frag-clip of the best gaming moments Intel Extreme Masters World Championship
1st place- ESC Gaming (Poland), $ 50,000
2nd place- Na’vi (Ukraine), $ 20,000
3rd place- Lions (Sweden), $ 8,000
4th place- SK (Sweden – School), $ 3800
[[Bullet]] Due to Lions bronze, the prize three turned out to be somewhat unexpected.Post -factual
Recently, a lot has been said that competitive CS 1.6 Gradually dies. So or not, you can argue for a long time, but the final matches of the tournament at different streams watched about a hundred thousand spectators on the network, which exceeded the audience of the more “fresh” SC II. As they say, the old horse does not spoil the furrow-the game is still interesting to a lot of people.