NAVI Reachs EPL Season 23 Grand Finals

NAVI has put a stop to the FUT Cinderella run after beating them with a 2-1 scoreline to reach the Grand Finals of the ESL Pro League Season 23. Dominant showing on the first and final map, with FUT showing signs of causing an upset in the second, summarized an exciting clash in the semi-finals, with the more seasoned side making it into the next stage.

VETO

• FUT removed Inferno
• Natus Vincere removed Overpass
• FUT picked Mirage
• Natus Vincere picked Ancient
• FUT removed Anubis
• Natus Vincere removed Nuke
• Dust2 was left over

Map 1: Mirage; Pick: FUT; Winner: NAVI

Starting the map with a bang, NAVI mustered a 7-0 lead before FUT were given their first round. A dominant defence to kick off their opponents’ pick, NAVI read FUT like a book with an aggressive and proactive defence that would stop FUT from finding their footing in the first place. Losing just one more round before switching sides, NAVI had the map right under their belt with a 10-2 lead in the first half. Winning the pistol and converting the second round, NAVI hit the map point before slipping up to give FUT 3 rounds, but eventually closing the map dominantly with a 13-5 scoreline.

Map 2: Ancient; Pick: NAVI; Winner: FUT

Pistol win kicked off the offence for NAVI on their own map pick with FUT hitting the board with the first buy round. Round wins became a rare sight for FUT as they only managed 4 rounds on the defence, with NAVI walking away with 8, setting one foot in the Grand Finals. Winning the pistol round, FUT returned the favour to NAVI with a dominant offence of their own, which not only overcame the deficit but managed to outrun the team in reaching the finish line. Failing to defend against such a well-planned offence, FUT sent the map to a decider as they went away with a 13-11 scoreline. 18-year-old dem0n stood out with 21 kills to give his side a chance at the Grand Finals by taking us to the final map of the series.

Map 3: Dust2; Pick: Decider; Winner: NAVI

Winning the pistol FUT secured an early lead in the final map of the series before NAVI found their footing later in the half to level the scoreline before switching sides. As NAVI started from a levelled scoreline after recovering in the first half, the second showed a much more dominant display of Counter Strike despite losing out to the force buy for FUT. Hitting back in the following round with a force buy of their own, NAVI went on to remain flawless till the end of the series and eliminate FUT from EPL Season 23. 23 kills from iM showcased why he remains one of the most consistent riflers in tier 1 Counter-Strike.

FUT’s miracle run comes to an end gloriously as they fall out to NAVI, who has been one of the best sides in the tournament. Following their performances in the QFs, it is clear that they are not just an online team, but LAN requires experience, which, with time, the team will gather, and we shall see it in the coming days.