Catch up with the biggest news in competitive Counter-Strike from the past week and stay up to date with the scene.
Gambit Esports secure the PGL Major Kraków 2017 Champions' title
Gambit Esports were crowned Champions of the PGL Major Kraków 2017 last night, as the CIS mix was able to overcome their opponents in Immortals with a 2-1 score. The series saw a lop-sided, start whereby the Brazilians managed a dominant 16:4 start, utterly stomping Gambit on their map pick, de_inferno. The subsequent title holders retaliated on their own map pick de_train, able to equalise the map score at 1-1 after a 16:11 score line was picked up. Finally the teams clashed on de_inferno, where the initial half was looking rather bleak for Immortals after sustaining a 4:11 deficit come its conclusion. All efforts were made by the Brazilians to re-engage in the match, however Gambit took things into their own hands by the end of it, culminating the series with a 16:10 score, lifting the Major trophy.
Team EnVyUs secure DreamHack Atlanta 2017 title
The French roster of Team EnVyUs was crowned Champions of DreamHack Atlanta 2017 following their 2-1 victory over Danish squad Heroic. The grand final saw all three maps played out, namely de_mirage, de_overpass and in conclusion, de_inferno. The initial map saw a dominant performance from Heroic with a 16:12 score. EnVyUs equalised in map two, doubling their opponents' score at 16:8. Concluding the series was an absolute stomp by the Frenchmen on de_inferno, where Heroic were able to accrue as few as two rounds to their opponents' sixteen. Team EnVyUs lifted the trophy following their victory, in addition to pocketing fifty per cent of the prize pool at $50,000.
ESL reveal adjustments to cheating sanctions
Earlier today prominent tournament organiser ESL announced adjustments to their sanctions regarding cheating in esports. The organisation cooperated with the Esports Integrity Coalition (ESIC) to conduct a survey amongst 7,000 esports fans and professionals within the industry to determine appropriate rulings for cheating-related offences. The rule adjustments will be live as of August 1st, 2017, affecting ESL-sanctioned tournaments including IEM, ESL One, ESL Pro League series, as well as the ESEA Leagues and amateur competitions.
Rogue sign new CS:GO roster
Rogue, an organisation backed by popular house music DJ, Steve Aoki have signed a brand new CS:GO roster. Spearheading operations will be Josh ‘shinobi’ Abastado as in-game leader of the team, complemented by ex-Team Liquid representative Spencer 'Hiko' Martin, and two former Enigma6 Group representatives in Collin 'wrath" McSweegan and Daniel 'vice' Kim. Coaching the aforementioned will be ex-Counter Logic Gaming Coach, Garrett "GRT" Bambrough. Currently composed of four players and a coach, the team is yet to have announced their final player.
Announcement of the €120,000 eSports Balkan League
Fortuna eSports announced the €120,000 eSports Balkan League, the largest prize pool event ever seen in the Balkan region. Two esport titles will be presented at the event, namely Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and League of Legends. The league will be taking place over the duration of Autumn 2017-Autumn 2018, offering contestants from ten different countries in the region a chance at participating at the event. The first iteration of the league will see eight teams invited directly to participate, whilst succeeding ones will offer open qualifiers for all interested participants.
