Today marked the first day of the MLG: Columbus major tournament, where we saw a total of sixteen teams cross swords in a bid to secure an important spot in the playoffs of this event.
Ninjas in Pyjamas vs. 
FlipSid3 Tactics 19:17
Map: de_Cache, best of one
A very close match between the Ukrainian and Swedish teams. The first pistol round went in favour of FlipSid3 Tactics, where the team managed to carry on the momentum setting the score at 4:1. NiP was decisive when it came to further rounds as the Swedes managed to take round after round, landing them a 9:6 finish on the T side.
The second pistol round went to NiP in contrast to the first. Most of the half saw back and forth motion, however later rounds were skewed towards the Swedes. On the twenty-first round we saw NiP’s coach, Björn "THREAT" Pers, who is standing in for Jacob "pyth" Mourujärvi, drop three members of FlipSid3 Tactics in a clutch that resulted in his team securing a very crucial round. In the end NiP were not able to close out the match despite a round surplus, pushing the best-of-one into overtime.
FlipSid3 took the first round of the overtime, which was immediately countered by NiP by securing one of their own. The Swedes followed up with a consecutive round, pushing their lead to 17:16, in turn ending the first half of the first overtime on the T side.
Christopher "GeT_RiGhT" Alesund was able to secure the first round of the second half, killing two members of the Ukrainian roster in a 1v2 clutch situation. In the following round we saw Aleksandr “shara” Gordeev demolish NiP in a 4k, dismantling their B push. Despite all attempts at a comeback, FlipSid3 were unable to push over the Swedes, allowing them to take the match with a 19:17 score.
Luminosity Gaming vs. 
Mousesports 16:13
Map: de_Mirage, best of one
The first half saw a very dominant performance from Luminosity’s CT side. The Brazilians effectively held off advances from the Germans, reminding the world exactly why they are considered one of the favourites going into this major. Mouz secured the first pistol round, however LG abruptly cut any potential momentum transition as they force-bought and shut them down. A stellar performance landed Luminosity Gaming a 10:5 finish, concluding the first half.
Mousesports were able to land the second pistol round, followed by an additional two, however as soon as the Brazilians bought rifles they started amassing rounds. The Germans weren’t about to go out without a fight, ensuring thirteen rounds to Luminosity’s sixteen.
FaZe Clan vs. 
Team Liquid 11:16
Map: de_Cache, best of one
Team Liquid had a beautiful showing. The NA team secured the pistol round, along with a further four rounds, setting their early lead at 5:0. FaZe Clan were able to steal a few rounds off the Americans, however their opponents absolutely dominated the first half, ending it 12:3.
The second half saw the European mix resurface after a disappointing start. FaZe managed to secure the second pistol round along with an incredible seven consecutive rounds, essentially levelling the seemingly lost game. Despite this amazing attempt at a comeback the EU squad fell short falling 16:11 to Team Liquid.
Fnatic vs. Splyce 16:5
Map: de_Train, best of one
This was never going to be an easy match-up for Splyce. Fnatic grabbed the first pistol round, gave up the subsequent second round to the NA representative, only to go on to grab a whopping seven consecutive rounds. Splyce managed to snatch a single round off the Swedes, unfortunately for them this was all that was salvaged, finalising the first half at 13:2.
The second half saw the Americans grab an extra three rounds before Fnatic decided it was over for the aspiring team.
Team EnVyUs vs. Counter Logic Gaming 8:16
Map: de_Cobblestone, best of one
A very close match-up between the North American and French teams. EnVyUs started the map off by securing the pistol round along with the following two. What ensued was an absolute grind between two similarly skilled teams. Neither team at any point gave up a round deficit of more than two rounds, resulting in the conclusion of the first half at 8:7 in favour of CLG’s CT side.
CLG grabbed the second pistol round, securing two further rounds, propelling the NA representatives to an 8:10 lead. The lead was extended by a further six rounds with absolutely no retaliation from the Frenchmen.
Astralis vs. 
Gambit 16:10
Map: de_Train, best of one
Gambit set a good pace early into the match, where they managed to come back from a lost pistol round, securing five rounds despite losing one of the most important rounds of the match. Following this winning streak Astralis called for a tactical pause, which amounted to a pretty serious string of won rounds, ending the first half at 9:6 in favour of the Danes’ T side.
The second half saw Gambit secure the pistol round, however they were in for some medicine of their own sort as Astralis grabbed the second round of the half, pushing the Russian roster a step back. The Danes convincingly held and retook bomb sites despite all efforts of the opponents, ending the match at 16:10.
Natus Vincere vs. Cloud9 16:9
Map: de_Train, best of one
Cloud9 had a very stellar start to the match, where they managed to land a string of six consequent rounds, demoralising Na’Vi greatly. Following this predicament the CIS mix called for a tactical pause which seemed to work wonders for them, resulting in an incredible comeback for the team. Na’Vi gave up a single round to Cloud9, locking out the first half with an 8:7 lead on their T side.
The second half saw Na’Vi secure the pistol round, as well as two subsequent rounds. Back and forth motion was seen after this; however the European representatives seemed to be that much stronger, closing out the best-of-one at 16:9.
Virtus.Pro vs. G2 Esports 16:1
Map: de_Train, best of one
Those predicting this match would have had a sceptical outlook on Virtus.Pro’s performance, however the Poles showed a fantastic contrast in play during this match against G2 Esports. The team managed to secure the first pistol round on their T side, along with a very impressive eight rounds in a row. The Frenchmen managed to scrap a single round over the course of the entire half, putting themselves in quite the pickle.
The second half saw Virtus.Pro clear out bank, whitewashing G2 Esports 16:1.
Stay tuned to Gosugamers.net for further recaps of MLG: Columbus, as well as other eSports related news.
