EPL S18: Astralis and FURIA advance to the Mid Bracket Group A Semifinal

The emotions of the ESL Pro League S18 continue, and after several days of intense matches, we are very close to knowing which will be the four teams that will qualify for the playoffs for Group A. So far, Team Vitality and Movistar Riders have secured their place in the next phase after reaching the Upper Bracket Final.

However, on the most recent day, Astralis and FURIA advanced to the Mid Bracket’s semifinals, and the match’s winner will be present in the ESL Pro League S18 playoffs.

This was completely expected on the part of Astralis, as nobody thought they would lose in the first game of the Group against NiP. On the other hand, FURIA seems to have found the winning formula, as they managed to beat Grayhound and NiP to be just one win away from getting their ticket to the next phase.

Let’s see what happened on the previous day of the ESL Pro League S18.

Astralis destroy GamerLegion 2-0

The day’s first match saw Astralis unleash their full potential on the servers to crush and destroy GamerLegion 2-0. The squad, led by Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz and Benjamin “blameF” Bremer, stepped up to take this victory and be just one step away from clinching their ticket to the ESL Pro League S18 playoffs.

It all started at Vertigo, Astralis’ map pick, where we witnessed two somewhat different matches. Astralis’ dominance on their CT side was absolute in the first half, as they achieved a partial victory by 11-4. On the other hand, at the change of sides, GamerLegion implemented a great defense to set alarm bells ringing in Astralis. However, the team could only win 8 rounds to lose 12-16.

Then, the teams moved to Inferno, the GL map pick, where Astralis again demonstrated exceptional play in the first half on their CT side. After the first 15 rounds, Astralis won with a mind-blowing score of 14-1, almost impossible to return from at the highest competitive level. However, GL tried to do the heroics by winning 7 rounds at the change of sides, but it stayed there, as Astralis won the remaining 2 rounds to take the victory by 16-8.

.@AstralisCS wipe @GamerLegion out on the second map to close the series 2-0 and secure a spot in the LB Finals of Group A 💪

16-12 Vertigo
16-8 Inferno#ESLProLeague pic.twitter.com/An8kjz1lOF

— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) September 1, 2023

FURIA Esports apply a clean sweep against NiP

A somewhat unexpected result we had in the second match of the day, as FURIA Esports got a clean sweep against NiP to qualify for the semifinals of the Mid Bracket. Both matches ended with a score of 16-12, indicating they were intense from start to finish. However, the Brazilians seem to have found the formula that will lead them to victory.

It all started in Mirage, NiP’s map pick, where we watched both teams display their full potential on both sides. In the first half, NiP was very good on their T-side and took a narrow 8-7 partial victory. However, at the change of sides, FURIA’s aggressiveness and good offensive approach led them to overcome NiP’s defense, and, after winning 9 of the 13 rounds played, the Brazilian squad took the victory by 16-12.

In the second map, Nuke, things were very similar, but this time, FURIA Esports took the narrow victory in the first half by 8-7. Then, at the change of sides, NiP started very well, winning the first three rounds on their T-side, but this only woke up FURIA’s defense, which was commanded by Brazilian legend Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo and led them to a 16-12 victory.

.@FURIA are going to the lower bracket finals after defeating @NIPCS 2-0!

16-12 Mirage
16-12 Nuke#ESLProLeague pic.twitter.com/sgyHA3g5jt

— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) September 1, 2023

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