A shaky NAVI coming into Cologne has outperformed expectations set on it by the critics to book a semi-finals match against Team Spirit in the semi-finals of IEM Cologne. Not only have they beaten MongolZ, who bested them on multiple occasions in the last season, NAVI is coming into the semi-finals as serious contenders.
VETO
- Natus Vincere removed Dust2
- The MongolZ removed Train
- Natus Vincere picked Inferno
- The MongolZ picked Ancient
- Natus Vincere removed Overpass
- The MongolZ removed Nuke
- Mirage was left over
Map 1: Inferno; Pick: NAVI; Winner: NAVI
The first half of Inferno kicked off with a convincing MongolZ defence, leading to NAVI going on the back foot on their map pick. While the second half started on a similar note for the Asian side, NAVI managed to regain control of the game and replicate the scoreline from the first half, leading to overtime. While both teams seemed inseparable in the first two overtimes, the third and final one saw NAVI put up a perfect run, winning all the rounds and taking home their map pick from the clutches of defeat.
With W0nderful getting 36 kills and b1t showing impact, NAVI managed to take the pick of MongolZ of MongolZ with a map under their belt.
Map 2: Ancient; Pick: MongolZ ; Winner: NAVI
Starting on the defence, NAVI went on a tear as MongolZ underwent total domination by the crew, leading to them winning a single round in the entirety of the first half. Holding an insurmountable lead, NAVI let MongolZ rope in a few rounds on their defense, but wasted no time in closing the map with a statement performance before going into the semi-finals.
The new kid on the block, Makazze pulled off a stunning performance in his first appearance at the Cathedral with 20 kills and 1.64 IR.
MongolZ’s Cologne run comes to an end, most disappointingly after making it to the Major finals last season. They have shown the world that they are capable of hanging with the world’s best, and one performance cannot take it away.