The semi-finals of the IEM Cologne conclude, setting up a historic Counter-Strike clash in the Grand Finals as Falcons, who outlasted Spirit, gear up to face FURIA, who knocked out Aurora. FURIA cruising past Aurora started the day in style, and a quick close to it took us to a nail-biter of a game where Falcons eliminated Spirit in what will now be called a Counter-Strike Major classic.
FURIA cruise past Aurora
Starting the game on Aurora’s pick of Dust2, FURIA managed to spoil Aurora’s solid start to the game by securing rounds late into the first half to close out the game with a narrow lead of 7-5 before switching sides. FURIA pushed ahead with a pistol round conversion, which saw them remain largely dominant and take away the first map with a rather shaky close to the game with a 13-9 scoreline.
Starting on the defense of Nuke with a pistol conversion, Aurora delivered one of the worst performances in the Major, with FURIA walking all over them on the less-favored side to secure a dominant lead at the half. With the solid close of the first half, FURIA called the curtains on Aurora, winning 5 rounds in a row on their defense as we saw one of the most dominant performances in a Major semi-final with FalleN booking his Grand Finals spot on the last Major of his career.
Falcons pull off historic win over Spirit
Falcons starting Anubis on a solid note gave them the much-needed confidence to carry into late rounds as Spirit managed to recover and level the first half before switching sides. As they looked to run away with the defense, Spirit stopped the Falcons’ offense right in the tracks to force the game into overtime, where the Falcons stood out as the better team, winning all the 3 rounds in their offense, which served as a buffer when they lost two rounds before closing out the final round of OT to win the game with a 16-14 scoreline.
Building on the momentum, the Falcons started strong on Mirage on the CT side, only for Spirit to recover and take the lead by winning 5 rounds in a row. Trading the remaining rounds evenly, the first half closed with a level scoreline before Spirit got their dominant side. As the Falcons pulled ahead with a pistol round conversion, Spirit hit the board with the first gun round, and the game decidedly went the way of the CIS side from this point onwards. Winning 7 rounds in a row, Spirit did not even let the Falcons make a case for themselves and levelled the series with a 13-8 win.
Falcons’ poor start to the game saw Spirit edge out the first half with a 7-5 scoreline. Spirit, playing like the better team, set themselves up for success, which they built on in the second half before the Falcons’ defense stabilised to secure a lead, only for Spirit to win the final round to push the game to OT. The Falcons’ defense had their foundations built off the back of unwinnable rounds with m0NESY and NiKo holding strong on the defense, TeSeS coming up with a 2v1 clutch, and a crazy karrigan push through the smoke to secure a round that should have been written off. With the Falcons pushing the game to OT, the Falcons remained flawless with a perfect defense and a clean close to secure a Grand Finals clash against FURIA.
With all the stories heading into the Grand Finals, NiKo has his day with destiny for the 3rd time in his career, and as we have come to say, maybe the 3rd time is the charm. FalleN will be waiting with his band of outfits, who are prepared to do everything to give him a Major for his farewell present. Only time will tell how the finals unfold, but we are bound to one of the most exciting Major Grand Finals in the history of Counter-Strike.
