Day two of DreamHack ZOWIE Open: Austin 2016 has concluded, we bring you our concise recap of all of the matches that took place yesterday.?
Cloud9 vs. Counter Logic Gaming – 14:1, 2:0 (16:1)
Winner: Cloud9
Map: de_Cobblestone
MVP: Jordan "n0thing" Gilbert
Quite an unexpected score line for this match was to be seen. The first half saw the refreshed Cloud9 roster's CT side absolutely decimate CLG's advances on to bomb sites. Time after time C9 were able to shut down their opponents, allowing for but a mere round to be secured upon the half time point. What followed was a coup de grâce, ending all of CLG's struggles in two consecutive rounds, closing de_Cobblestone at an absolutely astonishing 16:1.
Team Liquid vs. Selfless Gaming – 9:6, 7:4 (16:10)
Winner: Team Liquid
Map: de_Cache
MVP: Kenneth "koosta" Suen
A fairly close matchup between the two North American teams. It all started off with Liquid demonstrating a fine T side on de_Cache, allowing for a very formidable half time score. The team was able to effectively land entry frags, as well as efficiently trade, securing a 9:6 half time lead. Following a strong start, Team Liquid held off bomb sites from their opponents, slipping only but four rounds into Selfless' favour, landing a 16:10 finish.
Luminosity Gaming vs. Cloud9 – 15:0, 1:3 (16:3)
Winner: Luminosity Gaming
Map: de_Mirage
MVP: Tacio "TACO" Filho
Cloud9 had a beautiful performance against CLG to kick the day off; unfortunately for the North Americans they seemingly received a dose of their own medicine. Luminosity Gaming were on fire, playing on one of their strongest maps out of the seven in the competitive map pool. Cloud9 were all out of luck as LG were capable of shutting down all advances from their opponents, reminiscent of their match against CLG. The Brazilians managed to dominate the first half, closing it on a 15:0 note. Cloud9 didn't entirely give up as the team was able to secure the pistol round, along with two additional rounds, shortly after which the Brazilians bought rifles and landed the killing blow onto the Americans, closing out de_Mirage at a 16:3 score.
Tempo Storm vs. Team Liquid – 11:4, 5:6 (16:10)
Winner: Tempo Storm
Map: de_Cobblestone
MVP: Lucas "lucas" Teles
Tempo Storm kicked off on the harder side of de_Cobblestone, the terrorists. The team seemed composed, making very few mistakes as the game progressed. This meant that the team was able to focus on securing bomb sites, landing much needed entry frags and generally speaking outplayed their opponents for the most part of the first half. This lead to a stellar 11:4 half time for the Brazilians. The second half played out to a pretty much equal score, however simply because Tempo Storm were able to land the early lead, they took away the best-of-one on a 16:10 note.
Counter Logic Gaming vs. Splyce – 4:11, 11:4, 4:1 (19:16); 11:4, 5:6 (16:10)
Winner: Counter Logic Gaming
Maps: de_Train, de_Dust2
MVP: Josh "jdm64" Marzano
After an appalling start to the day, CLG were back on the ball and it showed. The teams kicked off on de_Train, where CLG were defending bomb sites over the course of the first half. Initially it seemed the match was lop-sided, as Splyce managed to secure 11:4 and the half time point, however CLG retaliated with a mirror score, pushing the match into overtime. This is where the team shined through, managing to lock out a 4:1 overtime score, cutting the cards at 19:16.
Next up was de_Dust2, where CLG were again defending first. The guys demonstrated a decent performance, where they managed to push back Splyce's aggressions consistently. Round after round went in favour of CLG, with only four spilling over to Splyce. Said performance lead to an 11:6 half time for CLG. On their T side, CLG seemed a bit more shaky, as mistakes were made on several occasions. It was looking like Splyce had a chance at a comeback, however their opponents composed themselves and closed out the match at 16:10.
Selfless Gaming vs. NRG eSports – 10:5, 5:10, 4:1 (19:16); 3:12, 4:8 (11:16); 8:7, 8:1 (16:8)
Winner: Selfless Gaming
Maps: de_Overpass, de_Train, de_Cache
MVP: Skyler "Relyks" Weaver
Quite a level matchup between both teams, stretching out into three maps out of three. de_Overpass saw an exact mirror score in both halves, with teams grinding each other 5:10. This, as previously mentioned, made for an incredibly interesting and tense game, as both teams were desperate to win. The end of the second half saw 15:15, pushing the first map into an overtime. The overtime was dominated by Selfless, securing four rounds to NRG's one, finalising de_Overpass at 19:16 in favour of Selfless Gaming.
Next was de_Train, where NRG kicked off on the CT side. The team managed to demonstrate a very solid CT side, fending off advances from Selfless. A dominant performance lead to a significant half time lead of 12:3. During the second half we saw a resurgence, whereby Selfless were capable of slowly closing the gap in rounds. Whilst this effort was formidable, it was insufficient, leading to a 16:11 win for NRG eSports.
To decide the series we saw de_Cache. Selfless demonstrated a mediocre CT side over the first half, where they pretty much went even against NRG. Both teams had a chance to take away the series, as the first half concluded at 8:7 in favour of Selfless' CT side. What ensued could only be described as complete dominance. Selfless managed to penetrate the defences of NRG time after time and to the dismay of their opponents, Selfless took away the series after securing a whopping eight rounds to one, culminating the best-of-three series at 16:8.
Cloud9 vs. Counter Logic Gaming – 5:10, 10:5, 4:1 (19:16); 12:4, 0:12 (12:16); 5:10, 11:1 (16:11)
Winner: Cloud9
Maps: de_Cache, de_Mirage, de_Dust2
MVP: Jordan "n0thing" Gilbert
A triple match grind was seen between the two North American representatives. It all started on de_Cache, where Cloud9 looked shaky to start off with. On their CT side n0thing and co. were unable to impress the crowd, as they were incapable of consistently pushing back the aggression of CLG. Said complications lead to 5:10 first half conclusion in favour of CLG. Cloud9 reciprocated the score right back on CLG, causing a rather unexpected overtime to take place. During the course of the overtime, Cloud9 managed to secure a very impressive lead, causing a final 4:1 lead in their favour.
Next up was de_Mirage. This map demonstrated an absolutely phenomenal outcome as CLG were able to mount a comeback. The map started off with Cloud9 securing a serious CT half, where the team was able to land some reads on their opponents tactics and advancements, ultimately landing them a 12:4 lead. If there was a time for CLG to step up, it was now. The team composed themselves and played flawlessly, to a point where they didn't allow their opponents to pick up a single round over the course of the second half. CLG demonstrated a performance of a lifetime, closing out the map 16:12.
Closing out the series was de_Dust2. Cloud9 kicked off on the T side of the map, showing a mediocre performance. It seemed that the odds were stacked in favour of CLG upon conclusion of the first half, where CLG were leading 10:5. Said result didn't phase the Cloud9 boys, given they were capable of composing themselves as a unit and effectively communicating all needed adjustments to gameplay. Aforementioned composure meant that Cloud9 took round after round on their CT side, cutting the match at 16:11 in their favour, kicking CLG out of the race.
Team Liquid vs. Selfless Gaming – 12:3, 4:0 (16:3); 11:4, 5:4 (16:8)
Winner: Team Liquid
Maps: de_Dust2, de_Train
MVP: Nick "nitr0" Cannella
The final series of the day commenced on de_Dust2, a rather unpredictable map that came down to the raw aim of each team. Team Liquid showed a very confident performance on the CT side of the map, as they were able to protect bomb sites and re-take them. Round by round went in their favour, culminating at a 16:3 finish on de_ Dust2.
Next up was de_Train, where Liquid showed a similarly dominant performance, this time on their T side. Things weren't going Selfless' way, as the team was unable to repel the numerous advances from their opponents. Time and time again the team was struggling against TL, leading to an 11:4 lead on Liquid's T side. Following this result over the first half Selfless weren't able to put up much of a fight and Liquid were able to end the series at 16:8, securing a spot in the semi-finals.
