On day three of cs_summit SK Gaming were able to secure a spot in the grand final, whilst Gambit were forced to await their match-up with OpTic Gaming from the losers' bracket.
Cloud9 vs. 
Ninjas in Pyjamas - 2-0 (16:10, 16:14)
de_Inferno - 16:10 (9:6, 7:4)
Map one kicked off with Cloud9 picking up the pistol round, followed by a force buy from the Swedes that came to fruition. The Americans were unable to develop a lead following the early success, as NiP managed to put together three consecutive rounds, amassing a 3:1 lead. Round five was a pivotal point for Cloud9's T side, as the team started working hard to score Ws. The hard work paid off, as the team was able to string together a strong seven rounds, producing a 8:3 lead. After this performance the team was able to grab but a single additional round, with the rest falling in favour of NiP at 9:6. The second pistol once again went in favour of Cloud9, this time the team was able to develop the momentum further than a single victory, securing a further two rounds. In the remainder of the map the two teams exchange four rounds each, leading to a 16:10 conclusion in favour of the local representatives.
de_Cache - 16:14 (8:7, 8:7)
An incredibly close second, and final map of the series, where Cloud9 are able to keep it short and sweet, knocking out the Swedes in a two map sweep. The initial half saw the Americans on the T side, where they were able to just about out-grind their opponents. Initial dominance was seen from Cloud9, followed by Ninjas in Pyjamas showing up in the latter half copping the last four rounds to produce an 8:7 lead in favour of the Ts. After switching sides the close nature of the match continued, with both teams going blow for blow. Aforementioned performance lead to a 14:14 stalemate, with both teams feeling the pressure mounting on their shoulders. Cloud9 emerged victorious after securing two consecutive rounds, culminating the series with a nail-biting 16:14 score.
OpTic Gaming vs. Team Liquid - 2-1 (16:10, 10:16, 16:9)
de_Nuke - 16:10 (12:3, 4:7)
Match-up number two kicked off with a commanding CT side performance from OpTic Gaming. The initial pistol was taken, followed up by three rounds, landing a 4:0 initial lead. Liquid grab the first round of three in the initial half, shortly followed by further pummelling from OpTic, as the team accrues an additional five in their favour, extending the lead to 10:1. The majority of the final five rounds fell in favour of Team Liquid, leading to a 12:3 half time score. Having switched to the T side the Green Wall seemed to experience some issues when attempting to close out. The pistol and two following rounds once again went in their favour, bringing the score to the edge at 15:3. Despite such a high pressure situation, Liquid were able to compose and started grinding out round after round. This performance meant a whopping seven round streak that was unfortunately prevented from developing further, as OpTic Gaming closed out in round 26 with a 16:10 score line.
de_Train - 10:16 (4:11,6:5)
Team Liquid extend their stay in the tournament after a good performance on Train. The team started on the CT side of the map, where a stoic defence was demonstrated. The Green Wall was able to secure as few as four rounds against the team, giving Team Liquid an incredible chance to come back into the series and push it into map three. An 11:4 surplus at half time meant a strong lead prior to switching onto the aggression for TL. Having switched, OpTic Gaming secured the pistol round on the defence and started developing strong momentum. Five rounds dropped in their favour prior to Liquid's resurgence, where the team secured four of their own, followed by a single round exchange, ultimately leading to a 16:10 finish in favour of Team Liquid, pushing the series into map three.
de_Mirage - 16:9 (7:8, 9:2)
In the final map of the series both teams initially demonstrated a very equal performance, whilst the latter half saw OpTic take off and dominate on the defence, securing the series victory. Team Liquid started off on the CT side of Mirage, where the team smashed the first three rounds to amass a crucial lead at 3:0. The consecutive streak was briefly interrupted as the Green Wall managed to upset during round four, however TL kept at it after this minor setback to produce a 6:1 lead by round seven. At this point it was OpTic's turn to dominate, securing six of the remaining eight rounds to close out the initial half at a single round deficit at 7:8. After switching over to a side they were more comfortable on, OpTic started raking in the rounds one after another. Like a snowball the team kept absorbing the rounds, hitting roadblocks on only two occasions during rounds 20 and 25, where the conceded the two rounds of the second half. This performance culminated in a strong latter half on the defence and, ultimately, a victory.
SK Gaming vs. 
Gambit Esports - 2-0 (16:4, 16:7)
de_Cobblestone - 16:4 (11:4, 5:0)
SK Gaming commence on the CT side of the map, where they are able to dethrone the Kings of Cobblestone with ease. To start things off the Brazilians landed the initial pistol. With the economic advantage they got the ball rolling, grinding round after round in their favour. A small kink in the road was seen on round six, where Gambit managed to kill all members of SK Gaming, landing their first round for a 1:5 score. After this the ball kept on rolling, the frags kept coming and the Brazilians kept performing reminiscent of the back-to-back Major days, it truly was something to behold. In the last three rounds Gambit decide to get a grip and manage to scratch together three consecutive rounds, lowering the deficit to a 4:11 half time finish. As unfortunate as it was, the last-ditch effort proved futile, as the Brazilians scored the second pistol in their favour to then go on and smash a further four, closing out the first map at a swift 16:4, beating their opponents on their own map.
de_Cache - 16:7 (11:4, 5:3)
Gambit Esports come back strong, securing the pistol followed by two additional rounds to kick off with a 3:0 CT-side lead. Unfortunately, as you have already seen, the roster was able to scrape but a single further round in the half, whilst the remainder fell in favour of the Brazilian roster. It was simply down to just how well the Brazilians were performing and the capabilities of each of their players both individualistically and as a unit. They outplayed Gambit hard, conceding but round 13, culminating the initial half at a 11:4 lead. SK went on to secure the initial rounds of the latter half in the same nature as Gambit, extending the lead to a dangerous 14:4. In a final stand Gambit were able to accrue three rounds to their name prior to being knocked down into the losers' finals by SK Gaming, as the Brazilians grabbed two rounds to cut the cards at 16:7.
OpTic Gaming vs. Cloud9 - 2-1 (20:22, 16:11, 16:14)
de_Cache - 20:22 (8:7, 7:8, 5:7)
The final series of the day proved to be a long one, as the initial map saw the third overtime of the tournament. The initial half saw back and forth motion between both teams. The pistol fell in favour of Cloud9, after which the team was able to follow up to secure a 3:0 lead. Rounds kept exchanging up until the conclusion of the half, where OpTic had the last word on the CT side at 8:7. Much of the same was seen during the second half, however on this occasion Cloud9 were able to grab the pistol round. OpTic Gaming managed to grind the score to a close 12:12 and in the follow-up excel their lead to 15;12, however they were never able to close out, as Cloud9 fended off the offense effectively in the last three rounds of the map to push the initial map into overtime. Overtime saw a rather impressive thirteen rounds, seven of which fell in favour of Cloud9, the very same team that was on the verge of losing at 12:15, upsetting the Green Wall in spectacular fashion.
de_Cobblestone - 16:11 (11:4, 5:7)
OpTic Gaming kicked off on the T side of Cobble, where they were able to absolutely smash Cloud9 throughout the initial half. The pistol was secured, complemented by a couple more rounds for the 3:0 lead. The team kept going despite the occasional round loss to Cloud9, establishing a very strong lead prior to the second half at 11:4. After switching sides Cloud9 demonstrated some dominance of their own, accruing the first five rounds of the latter half in their favour. Two rounds each were exchange after, followed by the cull from OpTic Gaming, where the team secured a further three rounds to close out the series at 16:11.
de_Mirage - 16:14 (7:8, 9:6)
The final map came down to the very last round as neither team was willing to surrender. It all started with Cloud9 snatching the pistol round, as well as an early 3:0 lead. OpTic start accruing their own come the first gun round, equalising at 3:3. The team exchange a round each, followed by two strings of three consecutive rounds each, leading to a 7:7 score. Finalising the initial half was a victory for Cloud9, landing an 8:7 score. OpTic weren't about to let thing slip, grabbing a 10:8 lead by round thirteen. Cloud9's first gun round on the defence saw a win, however the performance didn't stop there, as the team went on to extend their numbers to 13:10, placing the opponent in an uncomfortable situation. The sway began at this point, as OpTic resurge to produce four rounds of their own and as a consequence a 14:13 predicament for Cloud9. The defence equalise at 14:14, only to concede the final two rounds of the map, falling short at 16:14.
Image courtesy of Beyond the Summit Flickr / Robert Paul
