LOUD outclass OpTic Gaming to win Champions Istanbul

Today’s matchup between LOUD and OpTic Gaming marks the culmination of VCT 2022 - Champions Istanbul, the final event of VCT 2022. What an event it has been from the matchup between Paper Rex and the international debutants Edward Gaming to the Grand Finals today. Every series played out over the last two-weeks has featured a unique narrative alongside several intense and thrilling gunfights.

There was no doubt that the match between LOUD and OpTic would make for an interesting Grand Finals considering that it would essentially be a rematch of the Upper Bracket Finals where the Brazilians had bested OpTic over two consecutive maps: Bind and Ascent. They did not hesitate to repeat history in today’s matchup doing so over four maps, with only Bind going OpTic’s way.

Ascent:

Proceedings commenced on Ascent and LOUD was quick to take the first couple of rounds, but they couldn’t capitalize on this momentum for much longer as the NA Challengers embarked on a six round streak, which eventually helped them post a 7-5 lead at halftime.

Unfortunately, the lead wasn’t as effective in holding LOUD back as their offensive efforts were rendered futile to a great extent allowing LOUD to force Overtime and level up the playing field. The success of LOUD’s defensive run was largely due to Gustavo "Sacy" Rossi’s efforts and tactical use of Sova’s abilities earning him a 1.95 Ranking with 361 ACS and 2.25 KD.

Bind:

When both teams transitioned to Bind, OpTic’s pick, the audience quickly realized that there would be a shift in the display of performance from OpTic. However, no one had expected the vast difference in skill that was apparent from the get-go. OpTic opened up the maps with four consecutive rounds, fell back for a couple of rounds, but inevitably found their footing again and took over six more rounds in rapid succession.

Who else but Jaccob "yay" Whiteaker and Jimmy "Marved" Nguyen were leading the charge for OpTic boasting a KD of 2.80 and 1.75 respectively. When teams switched sides, LOUD seemed to have regained control over their predicament with four back-to-back rounds. Before they could get their hopes up any higher, OpTic dealt the final blow and leveled up the series 1-1.

Breeze:

Breeze was the next map to host both teams, and this time around, too, OpTic got off to a fascinating start stringing together almost six consecutive rounds and just when LOUD seemed to be at a disadvantage, they struck back with six rounds of their own to tie up the series. With both teams tied, the second half would decide which team will get the Upper Hand in the matchup.

However, both teams alternated between rounds till Optic had 12-11 lead. Before they could close out the map, LOUD executed a flawless round following Erick "aspas" Santos’s 3K and Felipe "Less" Basso’s 2K. After Overtime was forced, both teams kept toe-to-toe for four more rounds before LOUD put an end to the map after a close battle.

Haven:

With LOUD only being one round away from victory, they did not hesitate to get off to a strong start taking three rounds to start the half. OpTic tried to retaliate and were successful only briefly, though, as LOUD still ended up with a 7-5 lead at halftime. A two-point deficit isn’t difficult to overcome for a team with the vast experience OpTic has. However, when faced up against LOUD’s aggression, OpTic couldn’t keep up and LOUD strolled calmly to their 13 rounds to hold up the trophy for the first time as the Brazilian representatives.