Vitality overcome Cloud9 in close three map encounter
Semi-final one is done and dusted and BLAST.tv Paris Major champions Vitality are the victors.
Their win versus Cloud9 was one of the closest of Fall Final so far, and if it's a sign of what is to come then we're set for a thrilling final in the Royal Arena.
Needed overtime to take Mirage
XTQZZZ told Banks he 'expects more from ZywOo', and the Frenchman delivered on Mirage. With a 26-14 statline, he was the top-fragger on the server as Vitality closed out the game 16-13.
It was CLoud9 who started best; their pistol round win was quickly converted to a 3-0 lead before apEX shut them down on the A site.
Two rounds later, it was ZywOo who was the hero. This VAC-worthy play on a B retake showed that he was ready to give the Royal Arena a masterclass.
apEX then took the mantle of a hero back from his AWPer as he dropped into Sandwich to decimate the Cloud9 post-plant and secure his team a seventh consecutive round win.
Cloud9 fought back to close out the first half 7-5 down but were immediately put on the back foot again as Vitality won their T pistol.
mezii then almost pulled off an excellent clutch, but it was Perfecto who saved the day with a MAC-10.
ZywOo kept his incredible game going in OT; he opened round 28 with a collateral kill from Window to Top Mid.
With series point thanks to that round, Vitality managed to close out the game 16-13.
Cloud9's Nuke T-side too strong
With their backs against the wall it was Cloud9's superstar rifler electroNic who carried the team to a third map.
With a 13-9 victory in favour of the Russians, the former NAVI player was an unstoppable force as he ended the map with a 20-10 statline.
It was veteran HObbit who had the first highlight of the game with a 1v2 while defending the A site.
He then picked up his second big moment a few rounds later as he hit a full-blind collat on flameZ and ZywOo in main.
eletroNic came up clutch when his team needed him most, this 1v2 secured map point for Cloud9.
With Vitality's bank broken, Cloud9 headed down to the B site to set up an impossible retake for their opponents. Vitality's minds were already focused on the decider on Inferno, and they would need a lot more out of Spinx if they were going to secure their spot in tomorrow's grand final.
electroNic was at his unstoppable best on map two. Photo: Stephanie LindgrenFinal spot secured on Inferno
Inferno has always been known as the classic decider map in Counter-Strike, and it didn't disappoint in our first semi-final.
Vitality were the quickest out of the gates. They raced to a 4-0 lead to set them up for a strong CT half.
New man mezii was tested against an Apps pop in round 11, and the Brit lived up the expectations with an incredible 3k hold.
The international squad were all smiles as they went into half-time with a two-round lead.
All smiles for Vitality. Photo: Stephanie LindgrenCloud9 wrestled back the advantage in the early stages of the second half as they went on a four-round winning streak. However, frustrations quickly began to boil over as Vitality found their way back into the game.
As Vitality closed out the game 13-11, it was Spinx who had delivered a top-frag performance to help them book their place in the final with a 24-14 statline.