First full BO3: NAVI clinch tight series win over G2

Yesterday at BLAST Premier Spring Groups 2024 we saw NAVI overcome Complexity in a scrappy affair and G2 looked comfortable as they took down NIP.

Today, with the two teams set to play each other in a winners match for a spot in the Group C group final, we were delivered a banger.

Let's take a look at the action.

Map one - Overpass (NAVI's pick)

NAVI got off to a strong start on Overpass with a pistol round win, but that mattered for very little by round two as m0NESY continued his strong from day one with a crisp Deagle 3k.

Despite the heroics of the Russian, NAVI immediately got back on the board with a flurry of rounds that saw them pick up a 5-1 lead.

However, as is normally the case on Overpass, the CT side picked up steam and G2 managed to close out the half with the score 7-5 in their favour. m0NESY continued to be the hero in that spell, he ended the half with 12 kills.

The second half began as the first ended, with the CT side taking all the rounds. It took just two for NAVI to tie the score, and G2 were powerless to prevent them from picking up three more even with m0NESY continuing to pop off with his trusty pocket cannon.

G2 would eventually swing momentum back in their favour, they went on a five-round winning streak to secure map point.

That being said, NAVI refused to quit, and as they forced overtime they continued to clean sweep that overtime and take the game 16-12, partially because of an incredible b1t 3k to close out the game. The Ukrainian prodigy was the star of map one, he ended 29-18 with an impressive 107.9 ADR.

Photo: Michal Konkol

Map two: Inferno (G2's pick)

G2 may have been down, but they were definitely not out, and with their home map of Inferno set to be played, they went into map two knowing they could easily secure themselves an avenue back into the series.

The first half was a confident showing from G2, nexa topped the scoreboard with ten kills as the entire team put in a good shift to secure an 8-4 lead at the break.

NAVI fought back strong, picking up three rounds at the start of the second half to bring the score close at 8-7.

G2 managed to then get a footing in the second half, but may not have done if this round had gone better for poor jL.

NAVI managed to secure one more round in the second half, but despite w0nderful top-fragging the server with 18 kills, it wasn't enough to prevent G2 from closing out the map 13-10.

Map three - Anubis (Decider)

With it all to play for on map three, it was NAVI who were to start on the more favourable T side.

Keen to ensure they got the maximum value out of their advantage, they opened up the map with three, relatively clean round wins.

A hard-fought half, G2 battled back to claim five rounds of their own, but the duo of iM and w0nderful proved to be too strong as they combined for 22 kills and gave NAVI a 7-5 lead at the break.

Photo: Michal Konkol

Just like NAVI in the first half, G2 opened their T side with a flurry of round wins, including this incredibly close round closed out by a vintage NiKo 1v1.

As G2 looked like they were beginning to get a grip on the map, iM decided enough was enough. The best performing player on NAVI's CT side with 13 kills when all was said and done, he broke G2's backs with this incredible 1v3.

The clutch would prove to be the kicker, and NAVI continued to close out the game 13-9.

What's next for the two teams?

NAVI will now play in the Group C Group Final, while G2 will play in the consolidation final against the winner of Complexity vs NIP.

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