We're in the endgame now here at BLAST Premier Spring Final 2023, and the quarter finals more than lived up to the billing of the exciting action the previous two days have provided.
With a game between mid-card rivals Complexity and Imperial and a main event match between FaZe and Vitality to recap, let's go over today's games.
Imperial vs Complexity is a matchup that has consistently been fought since the formation of these two rosters. With results often swinging back and forth as either team gets one over on the other, both teams would have been keen to add another grudge match notch to their tallies.
It was the Brazilians of Imperial that won out today though, as AWP IGL FalleN starred in what could end up being one of his last games for what was originally intended to be his 'last dance'.
Winning out the AWP battle against sonic (a battle device didn't fare so well in yesterday) FalleN led by example to guide his team over the line. VINI and JOTA also had key performances on map two, but it was the beating issued by their captain on map one that set the tone for the series.
Complexity couldn't carry forward their momentum from their Astralis game on Vertigo in the first map, losing 16-14, and Imperial once again displayed excellent fundamentals on T side Overpass as they stormed to a 16-6 victory to close out the series.
The best team in the world right now, people were clearly wrong to be concerned when Vitality opened their account in Washington D.C. with a loss to Imperial. Now firmly back in form, they gave FaZe a spanking to secure their own spot in the semi-finals.
FaZe started brightly on Vitality's map pick of Anubis, but the Major champions returned fire in the second half, even being the first to reach map point before FaZe took it to overtime. It only required one overtime, Vitality secured the necessary four to take the map 19-17.
With momentum on Vitality's side, FaZe struggled to ever really get going on Mirage. Having lost the first half 9-6, holes in their CT defence were constantly exposed by Vitality as the apEX-led team tore them apart for an easy 16-8 win.
Twistzz and broky were arguably the stars of the series, their strong performances on Anubis doing enough to make up for the comparatively lacklustre displays of karrigan and rain. On the side of Vitality, ZywOo was predictably on top, although once again he was aided by the exploits of Spinx and Magisk.
FaZe and Complexity will unfortunately now be going home, meaning there will be no North Americans in the arena here in D.C.
Imperial will now go on to face Heroic in the semi finals, while G2 and Vitality are also set to face each other for a place in Sunday's final.
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