Pro League recap: Astralis impress in Group A
ESL Pro League Season 19 week one is complete. Groups A and B were both played during the week, offering up some absolute banger games.
Astralis once again showed that they're a reinvigorated force now that device is the captain, while the other favourites like FaZe, Vitality and Virtus.pro with their new signing electroNic also impressed.
It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows for the BLAST Premier partner teams though; Falcons struggled once again while G2 saw themselves taking part in an unlikely rivalry.
An unlikely rivalry
Let's start off with that unlikely rivalry.
M80 have been impressive domestically in North America in the last few months, although losing their former IGL maNkz left them somewhat in limbo.
However, with s1n now taking the reins following his move from BIG, M80 are back on track to make waves internationally over 2024.
After falling to BetBoom in the opening round, M80 were pitted against G2 in the lower bracket.
Photo: Michal KonkolDespite being massive underdogs in that match, M80 performed admirably as their Guatemalan star malbsMd and German AWPer slaxz- made it seem like NiKo and m0NESY were the underdogs in a 2-1 win.
The two teams would later face each other again in the Group B Last Chance Stage, and M80 found themselves in a favourable position once again on map one.
However, as overtime began, NiKo went into overdrive and hit 21 kills to shut down his North American opponents.
The Bosnian's form broke M80, and they were sadly eliminated from the event after falling to G2 2-0.
Photo: Michal KonkolFalcons' woes continue
When Falcons announced their project alongside the signing of zonic, the Counter-Strike world was put on notice by the promise of the Saudi organisation building a team of world-beaters.
However, months later, Falcons only impressive result was a top-four finish at IEM Katowice 2024, which was immediately offset by failure to qualify for the PGL Major Copenhagen.
Photo: Stephanie LindgrenWith dupreeh now in the team in place of BOROS, there was hope that Falcons may have been able to turn their fortunes around, but that wasn't the case at Pro League.
Falcons lost all three of the games they played, including losses to supposed underdogs TheMongolz and BetBoom.
In the Last Chance Stage they then lost to a resurgent G2, although Falcons will be expected to win those sorts of games if they are ever to live up to their promise.
Astralis impress in Group A
The big story from Group A was the continued rise of Astralis.
The Danish organisation's upward trajectory is now undeniable, they didn't drop a map as they blasted their way through to the quarter-finals.
It wasn't like they played massive underdogs, either. They beat Eternal Fire, FaZe, and 3DMAX on their road to playoff qualification.
Photo: Michal KonkolDespite the loss to Astralis, FaZe still qualified for the playoffs with a third-place finish in Group A. They had to overcome VP and Eternal Fire to do so, so it's clear they're still in fine form.
VP also overcame losses to qualify for playoffs, including one in their opening fixture against fnatic. They needed a rematch win against fnatic as well as two wins over SAW to make the playoffs, but they will now have more time to develop as a team with their new signing.
All the advancing teams from Group A
Vitality dominant in Group B
Astralis weren't the only team to advance to the playoffs with a flawless record, BLAST.tv Paris Major winners Vitality also managed to pull off the feat.
However, Vitality's run to the playoffs was inarguably easier than the Danes', they faced Sharks, TheMongolz, and BetBoom on their road to Group B first place.
Photo: Stephanie LindgrenTheMongolz, who finished in second place in Group B, were arguably the more impressive team.
The Mongolians kicked off their campaign with a confident victory against Falcons, including a 13-3 battering on Mirage. They then took down G2 with a clean 2-0 scoreline before falling to Vitality in the group final.
All the advancing teams in Group B
- Vitality
- TheMongolz
- BetBoom
- G2