Saturday, December 7, 2024

IEM Cologne 2024: Vitality Outplays FaZe Clan

Vitality Outplays FaZe Clan to Claim LANxess Arena Spot

Vitality has taken down FaZe Clan to book a spot in the Lanxess Arena while FaZe gets pushed down to the lower bracket where they will face Falcons for a chance to make it to the stage. Vitality has managed to overcome their recent struggles as they walk into the arena as heavy favorite.

Veto

  • FaZe removed Vertigo
  • Vitality removed Ancient
  • FaZe picked Inferno
  • Vitality picked Dust2
  • FaZe removed Mirage
  • Vitality removed Nuke
  • Anubis was left over

Map 1: Inferno; Pick: FaZe Clan; Winner: FaZe Clan

FaZe’s pistol round victory to open up the map quickly succumbed to a force buy conversion from Vitality but FaZe was quick to return the favor, winning the following rounds. After that, FaZe went on to put together a streak of 7 rounds which closed the first half of the map with a 9-3 score line.

FaZe walked into the second half of the game with a massive lead and despite Vitality’s best efforts, FaZe was able to close out the map. ropz, who has been struggling to maintain his form lately was the force to be reckoned with for Vitality, posting 19 frags with an IR of 1.51.

Map 2: Dust 2; Pick: Vitality; Winner: Vitality

Vitality stunningly began their map pick, after the beating they took on Inferno. ZyWoo managed to hit FaZe players crossing mid on almost every round, doing significant damage that put FaZe on the backfoot right from the get-go. FaZe couldn’t post a string of rounds up until the very end of the half when they managed 4 compared to Vitality’s 8.

FaZe managed to level the massive deficit of rounds and push the game to OT but failed to win a single round beyond that which caused Vitality to close the game after a rather hard-fought victory. Vitality had flameZ and ZyWoo performing at their best level and despite FaZe players putting up a show, they failed to close the game in Dust 2.

Map 3: Anubis; Pick: Decider: Winner: Vitality

FaZe started Anubis with a swift pistol round win which got Vitality to reply with a swift force buy conversion. FaZe and Vitality traded rounds for the better part of the first half as no team was able to post a significant lead by the end of the half which concluded with a leveled scoreline.

The second half started with FaZe building a minor lead before Vitality put a stop to their shenanigans. Vitality’s slow T side was able to systematically break apart FaZe Clan’s defense as, despite their best efforts and cutting it close on several rounds, they fell to the better side. Spinx and flameZ, the Israeli duo took charge of the map as instrumental players for Vitality who helped push the map over the line.

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