Aleksib Breaks CS2 Grand Final Curse as NAVI Denies Eternal Fire’s Fairytale Ending
The 20th ESL Pro League final extended deep into the Maltese evening, featuring a surprising showdown between NAVI and Eternal Fire. Despite the underdog story of Eternal Fire, NAVI emerged victorious in what was a gripping best-of-five Counter-Strike final, marking a significant milestone for Aleksib who finally won a best-of-five CS2 grand final.
NAVI’s Expected Dominance
NAVI entered the match as the clear favorites, having made four consecutive grand final appearances at major events. Their consistent performance set high expectations, particularly against Eternal Fire, the world’s tenth-ranked team. Eternal Fire had displayed remarkable improvement, a stark contrast to their 21-28th place finish in the previous Pro League season.
Eternal Fire’s Underdog Journey
Eternal Fire’s journey to the final was nothing short of spectacular. They defeated Team Vitality, earning their spot in the grand final and drawing significant attention. However, Aleksib and his team found a way to extinguish Eternal Fire’s Cinderella story, securing another S-Tier title for NAVI.
A Close Contest
The grand final was a rematch of the Group A upper bracket final held two weeks prior, which featured a close 22-20 opening map on Anubis. The grand final maintained this intensity, with both teams pushing the series to five maps.
Eternal Fire surprised NAVI with a strategic Mirage ban during the map veto. They then secured NAVI’s first map pick, Nuke, with a 13-8 scoreline. NAVI responded with a narrow 13-11 victory on Anubis and repeated the feat on Ancient to take the lead. Eternal Fire struck back on Inferno with a 13-4 win, setting the stage for a decisive final map.
Breaking the Curse
Despite Eternal Fire’s efforts, Aleksib finally broke his best-of-five curse. NAVI had a 7-5 lead at halftime on the T side and secured an important pistol round win, setting the stage for their victory. The b1t and w0nderful duo played crucial roles, with jL contributing at a key moment to secure the championship point. NAVI won the final map 13-10, ending Aleksib’s streak of eight best-of-five final losses.
Post-Match Reflections
Aleksib reflected on the victory, emphasizing the team’s resilience and consistency. “It didn’t feel like the same NAVI this final. We’ve lost two best-of-fives, now it was starting to slip away against a team we had a clean record against. But here we are, winners,” he said. He also acknowledged Vitality’s strong performance throughout the year.
Conclusion
NAVI’s victory in the ESL Pro League final highlights their dominance in the Counter-Strike scene while also showcasing Eternal Fire’s potential as a rising force. This tournament will be remembered for its intense competition and unexpected twists, making it a memorable event for fans and players alike.
