FunPlus Phoenix eliminate KRÜ Esports, Fnatic advance to playoff stage
VCT 2022 - Champions Istanbul is currently in full swing, with the final four teams vying to secure their playoff spot to make their way to the grand finals. Today's two decider matches, which would have determined who would advance to the upper bracket playoffs, have resulted in the European representatives, Fnatic and FunPlus Phoenix coming out victorious. For those who had not enough time to watch all these stunning matches, here is the recap of the day.
FunPlus Phoenix vs KRÜ Esports
The European powerhouse, FunPlus Phoenix, and one of the underdogs in the VCT 2022 - Champions Istanbul, KRÜ Esports, went head-to-head to secure their tentative playoff spot. The series opened its doors on Icebox, which was picked by KRÜ to start off strong with the help of their distinctive macro approach. However, FunPlus Phoenix turned the momentum in their favor, having collected seven rounds in the first half. FPX triumphed over their respective opponents by keeping up the same performance on the remaining rounds of the map, led by their rising star Dmitrii "SUYGETSU" Iliushin. Additionally, it is worth pointing out that KRÜ Esports had to undertake an unconventional strategy to force FPX outside of their comfort zone.
FunPlus Phoenix kicked off Ascent much better than they did on the previous map, having pulled off the first five rounds to take the economical advantage. KRÜ Esports, on the other hand, were able to escape with three round wins in the first half, which required them to try risky moves to change the course of the match before it was too late. However, FunPlus Phoenix put on a great showing in the second half, preventing KRÜ to survive in the match by taking them under heavy pressure. The European lineup wasted no time to finish the series to qualify for the upper bracket finals, where they will go up against DRX.
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Despite the fact that Fnatic have previously looked formidable on their picks, it was not expected that they would have such a spectacular series debut on Bind. 100 Thieves, on the other, were unable to regain control once they lost consecutive rounds due to their disjointed fashion. Having dropped only two rounds in the first round, Fnatic were able to sweep the game without facing any resistance.
In order to take their opponents to the third map, 100 Thieves had to immediately rebound when they were on the brink of losing the series. Fnatic, on the other hand, defeated the NA powerhouse with the same approach that emphasizes cooperative gaming over skirmishes or aim fights, thereby undercutting their attempts to balance the series. 100 Thieves have knocked out from the VCT 2022 - Champions Istanbul because they struggled to adjust to their opponents throughout the series. Fnatic on the flip side have not set their sights on the upper bracket playoffs, where they will take on another North American team, XSET.
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