Image courtesy of EPICENTER
Here’s a quick look at all the action from the EPICENTER: Moscow quarterfinals.
The quarterfinals of EPICENTER: Moscow were comprised of two best-of-three matches to determine who would claim the remaining semi-final spots. The winner of each match will go on to join Virtus.pro and Natus Vincere, the two teams that previously secured their place in the semi-finals.
Ro6 #1:
SK Gaming vs. 
G2 Esports
Winner: SK Gaming 15:0, 1:0 (16:0); 5:10, 5:6 (10:16); 9:6, 7:5 (16:11)
Maps: de_Train, de_Dust2, de_Cobblestone
MVP: Gabriel 'FalleN' Toledo
The first matchup was SK Gaming against G2 Esports, and it began on SK’s map choice, Train. SK started off strong by taking the CT pistol and they never looked back. With a mixture of early-round aggression and strong individual performances, the Brazilian squad posted a stunning 15-0 lead to end the first half. In the second half, G2, now on the CT side, looked keen to take the pistol, but SK managed to clutch a 2v5 situation to keep the dream alive and close out the map 16-0.
The second map to be played was G2’s pick, Dust II, and the French team started on the CT side. G2 got off to a good start, taking the first three rounds before the half turned into a back-and-forth affair, each team answering their opponent’s rounds more or less in kind, eventually ending 9-6 in favour of G2. The second half proceeded in much the same way as the first, with the CT’s, SK this time, winning the pistol and the next round before G2 answered back. With the reins in French hands now, G2 pushed forward, allowing SK only two more rounds before closing out the map 16-10.
The last map of the series, Cobblestone, saw G2 get off to a promising start on the more favoured T side, taking a 5-1 lead before SK picked themselves up and mounted their comeback. The Brazilians only relinquished one more round before closing out the half with a 9-6 score line. SK, keeping their momentum rolling, took the pistol and went quickly to match point before G2 could respond. The French team, now on the brink, managed to cobble a few rounds together, but it was too little too late as SK finally took the map 16-11 and closed out the series 2-1.
Ro6 #2:
Team Dignitas vs. 
fnatic
Winner: Team Dignitas 7:8, 2:8 (9:16); 11:4, 5:0 (16:4); 10:5, 6:8 (16:13)
Maps: de_Train, de_Cobblestone, de_Mirage
MVP: 
Ruben 'RUBINO' Villarroel
The second and last quarterfinal to be played was Team Dignitas vs. fnatic, and the first map was Train, fnatic’s pick. Starting on the favoured CT side, Dignitas took the pistol and the following two rounds before fnatic found their footing. The Swedish side slowly got back into the game round by round, eventually winning the half, if narrowly, 8-7. In the second half, Dignitas once again took the pistol round, but despite the added rounds, fnatic was too much to handle on Train, and the Swedes took the map 16-9.
The next map was Dignitas’ pick, Cobblestone, with fnatic starting on the CT side. The Swedish squad managed to take the pistol, but their hopes of a good start to the map were quickly dashed when Dignitas responded instantly with a round of their own. Fnatic would never quite recover from the force-buy win, only able to take a few more rounds in the half, finishing down 4-11. The Danes went on to take the second half pistol and close out the map comfortably, 16-4.
The third and final map was Mirage, with fnatic starting on the T side. Winning the pistol round netted the Swedes a quick 3-0 lead, but they wouldn’t get much more than that. Once the gun rounds began Dignitas was relentless, conceding only two more rounds to finish the half up 10-5. Dignitas took the pistol the second time around, but fnatic answered back with a force-buy which won them a couple of much needed rounds. Dignitas, unfazed, quickly marched up 15-8 and, despite a heroic late-game effort from the Swedes, closed the map 16-13, and the match 2-1.
SK Gaming and Team Dignitas will move on to the EPICENTER: Moscow semi-finals which will take place tomorrow.
