Can KRÜ Esports go from barely qualifying to winning it all in Masters Copenhagen?

When the VCT 2022 - LATAM - Stage 2 - Challengers Playoffs concluded and KRÜ Esports failed to secure the Masters Event, their domestic and international fans were in shock and rightly so since the team has known to be a dominant force in the region for as long as anyone can remember and losing the tournament put an end to their streak of being LATAM’s sole representatives at international events.

LATAM South Challengers:

Given the team’s consistent performances, their off-season was relatively uneventful. Their performance in the previous VCT season had given them a direct invite to VCT 2022 - LATAM South - Stage 2 - Challengers bypassing the Qualifiers stage.

The six qualified teams at the event engaged in battles over four consecutive weekends. One team after another fell victim to KRÜ’s dominance enabling their 5-0 finish at the conclusion of Group Stages and seeding them in the Grand final against Leviatán, which too ended with an effortless clean sweep.

LATAM Challengers Playoffs:

In the first matchup of VCT 2022 - LATAM - Stage 2 - Challengers Playoffs, KRÜ Esports were pitted against the runner-ups of VCT 2022 - LATAM North - Stage 2 - Challengers. E-Xolos LAZER’s couldn’t keep up with the ferocity KRU indulged them with and lost 13-5 and 13-10 on subsequent maps allowing KRU to progress further through the Upper Brackets. They now faced Fusion, which had made it this far after the win against Leviatán Esports.

To Fusion’s dismay, this matchup was an entirely one-sided affair from the get-go. Fusion couldn’t slow down KRÜ when they picked up the momentum; therefore, both maps slipped away from them before they could react. The matchup ended 2-0 to KRÜ after 13-7 and 13-10 wins on Breeze and Icebox respectively. This victory propelled them to the Grand Finals, which became a rematch against Leviatán.

As both teams left gate for the matchup, the opportunity to exact revenge manifested as reality and before anyone could digest the unfolding events, the matchup was over with a 3-0 score to Leviatán Esports with 13-10 on Haven, and even worse 13-5 on Ascent and 13-3 on Split. This win secured Leviatán Esports’ ticket to VCT 2022 - Stage 2 - Masters Copenhagen, while giving another opportunity in a matchup against Ninjas in Pyjamas at VCT 2022 - Stage 2 - Challengers - South America Playoff.

South America Playoffs:

KRÜ had another chance at redemption, and they did everything in their control to book a spot at the last Masters event of the current VCT season. Proceedings commenced on Breeze and they did not hesitate to demonstrate their intent to win the series by concluding the first half with a two-point lead and closing it out quickly as they switched sides and went on Offense. Fracture was almost like a walk in the park as Angelo "Keznit" Mori led the team with his 2.17 Rating, 412 ACS and 2.55 KD to a 13-5 finish.

Seeing their chances to make the Masters event slipping away, NiP retaliated strongly on Icebox almost turning the tables entirely after a strong start to the second half. Unfortunately, [player= 2275]’s 3K was enough to stop them and other players on the roster ramped up their efforts to capitalize on this opportunity and close out the series 3-0.

Preferred Maps:

Given the team’s versatility, narrowing their map picks to a specific one is extremely difficult. However, in terms of frequency, KRU has been spotted choosing Bind as their map pick in recent matchups and has had success almost every time.

Players to watch:

Angelo "Keznit" Mori

If there’s one player that teams at the event must be wary about is Angelo "Keznit" Mori. His performance has never ceased to amaze the onlookers, and his adaptability is mind-blowing. He has demonstrated unparalleled consistency in his performance despite playing on 5 different agents with an average 1.32 Rating on 273 ACS.

Going into the first matchup at VCT 2022 - Stage 2 - Masters Copenhagen, KRÜ Esports’ roster is as follows:

Juan Pablo "NagZet" Lopez Miranda Roberto "Mazino" Rivas Nicolas "Klaus" Martin Ferrari Joaquín Ignacio "delz1k" Espinoza Soto Angelo "Keznit" Mori

Leandro "Leazo" Liset (Coach) Alan Pablo "ddx" Salvati (Analyst)