NaVi and Apeks deliver on their ESL Pro League S18 Group C debut

ESL Pro League S18 Group C is now underway, and we enjoyed the first four matches of the tournament and, above all, experienced many interesting and exciting rounds. However, it all started with an excellent win by NaVi and Apeks, who delivered by beating 5yclone and M80, respectively, 2-0.

There is no doubt that these were the expected results at the start of the tournament for both teams, as they are unquestionably superior in every way. Similarly, we all know how unpredictable the EPL S18 can be, and if not, ask Heroic, who were eliminated from the group stage.

Returning to Group C, we have that both M80 and 5yclone will have to start their journey in the Mid Bracket to fight for a place in the playoffs.

Without further ado, let’s see what happened in the matches of NaVi and Apeks at the start of Group C of the ESL Pro League S18.

NaVi suffer too much but got a clean sweep against 5yclone

While it is true that NaVi was the clear favorite to take the win in this first match, the 5yclone boys left everything in the series and made NaVi suffer. However, the team brought their talent and power to win a solid 2-0 victory.

It all started in Inferno, the map pick of the Chinese squad, where we observed NaVi with some problems getting into the desired rhythm of the game. However, in the first half, the Ukrainian squad managed a 9-6 win on their T-side to give them more confidence in the series. Then, at the change of sides, the Chinese would not stay with their arms crossed and even put the score by 11-14, but it was not enough, as NaVi won the last two rounds to take the first map by 16-11.

Then, the teams moved to Mirage, where we observed a strong Chinese team on their CT side, so much so that they got a close partial victory in the first half by 8-7. Finally, at the change of sides, NaVi pulled out a 9-4 win to win the map 16-12 and complete a clean sweep to stay in the Upper Bracket of Group C.

It’s a clean 2-0 for @natusvincere over 5yclone to start their #ESLProLeague Season 18 run 👊

16-11 Inferno
16-12 Mirage pic.twitter.com/4oFN36GGuX

— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) September 13, 2023

Apeks destroy M80 by 2-0

The other match that kicked off this ESL Pro League S18 Group C was between Apeks and M80, where the guys from Apeks showed all their power and got a solid 2-0 victory. M80 comes to this EPL S18 to pull off an upset, as they are a very strong team in the NA region. However, they will have to play for their lives in each of the series they play if they want to continue their dream of qualifying for the playoffs.

It all started at Inferno on M80’s map pick, where we had a pitched battle from start to finish, culminating in an overtime victory for the Apeks boys. M80 stuck out their chest in the first half and showed why they selected this map, as they got a partial win on their T-side by 8-7. Then, at the change of sides, Apeks woke up and started to hurt M80’s defense to the point of equalizing the actions by 15-15. Finally, after only 4 rounds in Overtime, Apeks took the win 19-15.

In the second map, Mirage, things changed radically, and from an intense and balanced match, we went to absolute domination by the European squad. In the first half, Apeks achieved an extraordinary partial victory by 12-3, which is difficult to overcome. Finally, in the end, 4 rounds were enough for Apeks to take the victory by 16-3 and thus stay in the Upper Bracket of Group C.

Their first ever win in #ESLProLeague!@apeksgg open up their Season 18 campaign with a 2-0 victory over @M80gg!

19-15 Inferno
16-3 Mirage pic.twitter.com/WSKkxmSr3V

— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) September 13, 2023

Header: ESL