Photo: Helena Kristiansson / ESL
James "Firebat" Kostesich is the first notable name to be eliminated from the Numericable M-House Cup. The American couldn't overcome the European resistance and goes home with a 1-6 total score.
Being ranked top 3 in the world as well as titled 2014 World Champion, Firebat was expected to do well by the viewers who tuned in to Millenium Cup today. Although he was placed in the same group as Liquid heavy-hitter Janne "Savjz" Mikkonen, Firebat was to open against tournament underdog Grégoire "Un33d" Bodin, an arguably easier opponent than the accomplished Finn.
Instead, the match ended up a slaughterfest. Running the new-wave mech Mage popularized by Brian Kibler and piloted by Cong "StrifeCro" Shu on his way to the Kinguin Invitational title, the Frenchman dealt a 3-0 loss to Team Archon's headliner, banning his warlock and trampling his druid, rogue and hunter.
Sent to the losers bracket, Firebat was to play another open qualifier winner Darkstar's Jon "Orange" Westberg. Game one went to Firebat's hunter but that's all he would win that day. Orange returned with the other tier 1 deck in the meta right now - control Warrior - and 3-1 the world champion from there, eliminating him from the tournament,
Orange almost took the head of Savjz as well, winning game one on the back of great RNG rolls on his mech mage but the Liquid player persisted. The two traded set for set until Savjz's warlock was able to take two in a row, scoreboarding a final 3-2 and making his way to the playoffs.
Part of the Group B matches will also be played today. In the opening games, Amaz is facing Bestmarmotte, while Gnimsh goes against Thefishou.
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