The French championship ESWC has been nine years old. It was held for the first time back in 2003 and since then is rightly considered one of the most prestigious in computer sports.
Interest in the Paris championship was always high, and this year especially, since one of the main disciplines became Counter-Strike: Global Offensive from the company Valve.
This year, among the usual tournament disciplines, a new and very ambiguous game settled. This, of course, is about the new brainchild of the company Valve – CS: GO. A game that must reconcile two forever disputing communities (CS 1.6 and CSS), I got to the Paris tournament enough raw.
► ESports are bored and uninteresting? Tell us about all these spectators!
Since there are very few large CS: Go tournaments, misunderstandings with the rules were discussed with might and main. Especially hot disputes a few weeks before the start ESWC called Molotov’s cocktail, fundamentally changing the gameplay. Due to the use of incendiary mixture, the game has significantly lost in dynamics. Most leading professional teams opposed Molotov’s cocktail, but the organizers nevertheless left him in the game.
► lovely French women as might have entertained spectators in breaks between games on the main stage.
However, on this the innovations ended. The tournament used updated versions of Dust2, Nuke, Mirage and other CS: Go analogues of the usual cards from all cards CS 1.6. It is a pity that not a single new card appeared, but this, apparently, once again emphasizes the continuity of CS: GO.
Be that as it may, the tournament gathered a wonderful list of participants. To the battle for the championship in Paris ten really strongest CS: GO -teams from nine different countries of the world. You can get acquainted with the participants below:
Ninja in Pyjamas (Get_right, F0rest, Xizt, Fifflaren, Friberg) – Sweden;
Mousesports (Troubley, Approx, Stavros, Nex, Strux1) – Germany;
Area 51 (Dazed, Hiko, Tck, Sgares, Semphis) – USA;
Progaming. TD (Cogu, Steel, Rzk, Zakk, Zqk) – Brazil;
Lowlandlions (Chrisj, Ferrid, Stefan, Gerrah, Spartacus) – Holland;
FM.Toxic (Weber, Whindanski, Zed, Neilzinho, Barbarr) – England;
Anexis (MSL, PIMP, Nille, Cajunb, Ruggah) – Denmark;
ESC Gaming (Kuben, Taz, Neo, Loord, Pasha) – Poland;
Verygames (EX6Tenz, Smithzz, Kennys, NBK, RPK) – France;
n!Faculty (Kirby, Asmo, Disruptor, QK-Mantis, SMN) – Germany.
The Germans from n!Faculty ended up at the tournament, by and large, by chance. Initially, the slot belonged to our guys from Rush3d (Dosia, Fox, Seized, Hally, Romjke), but they, unfortunately, could not come.
► Former player in CS 1.6, and now the coach CS: the Go-Mousesports Go-to-Street Than Vinja is closely observing the actions of his wards.
As for the favorites, most often the community spoke of the Swedes from NIP , as well as about the local team Verygames. Both teams have been training in a new game for a long time and even managed to play in the final Dreamhack Valencia -One of the first Lan tournaments on CS: GO. There were good chances to get into the prize area Area51 , Mousesports And Progaming.TD.
The latter were particularly interested in our viewer – the Brazilians included the legendary sniper of the long past years Rafael Kamargo ( Cogu ). Understanding that at home from Cogu and the company are waiting for the smaller medals, the Brazilians responsibly approached training and spent several weeks in the Stockholm Computer Club Inferno Online.
► The legendary Brazilian Rafael Kamargo (Cogu) did not show half the fact that he demonstrated at the ESWC 2006 championship victorious for MIBR.
Ten teams scattered into two groups; Matches played on the Best of One system. The best teams from each group fell straight to the semifinals, the matches of which (as well as the final) were already held by Best of Three.
As a result of the draw for group A NIP , Mousesports , Area 51 , Progaming. TD And Lowlandlions ; To group B, respectively, FM. Toxic , Anexis , Escgaming , n!Faculty And Verygames. The first group “On paper” looked somewhat stronger than the second, although it was terribly difficult for us to predict the performance of the “golden” Polish five from ESC.
Northern ninja is stronger!
First, the teams of group A entered the battle, and in the first two rounds there was a real surprise. The best team of Brazil took turns lost to the Americans and the Germans – their direct competitors for leaving the group. The first match was especially painful against Area 51 , in which the North Americans defeated the southern neighbors with a crushing score 16: 0!
► It was simply impossible to play the first half worse.
Already at the end of the tournament, Cogu complained that their mice and rugs were lost at the airport, and they did not really have time to play out. Be that as it may, in fact, another thing is important – two failures were put in a row on all the hopes of the Latino Americans to get into the winners a big cross.
If the Brazilian car at the start stalled, then the Germans, on the contrary, rushed from place to quarry. Match against the Dutch from Lowlandlions ended with a very important victory 16:14, after which the Brazilians were beaten and the third game with Area 51 We managed to draw.
Did not lag behind the "mice" and formidable Vikings Ninja in Pyjamas. During the first day of XIZT and the company in three matches, three victories were obtained, however, they were given to the chief favorite (16: 9 against Lowlandlions, 16:13 against Progaming.TD, 16:10 against area 51).
► Mousesports player Manuel Tsitz (Approx) confidently cuts off with Brazilians using a very powerful P250 pistol
There were no surprises in other matches, and before the last game NIP With Mousesports (she was moved to the second day) Both teams had an equal number of points. The fate of the second place of Group A was in the hands of NIP – the winner of the group could play through the sleeves and let the “mice” further, and could follow the Fair Play rule, and then he would have hit the semifinals Area 51. It was just that this happened, and by the best difference in the rounds of Corey Frisen ( Semphis ) and the company landed in the four of the best.
The difficulties of Polish adaptation
Frankly, in this group we were fading after the gentry from ESC. They relatively recently switched to CS: GO and have already managed to become the best in their native Poland. True, the rivals were much more serious on the ESWC Paris, and anything could be expected. To cheer up to multiple champions ESWC (True, in CS 1.6) It would be nice to win in two starting games Anexis And FM.Toxic.
► concentrated Swedish players of the NIP team-who-who, and these guys know what is the secret of success in the new game for themselves.
No sooner said than done! Philip Kubski ( Neo ) Comrades are difficult, but still overcome the British and Danes (16:12 against Anexis, 16: 9 against FM.Toxic). Now they are opposed by the favorites of the local public Verygames.
The game on the updated version of the classic de_nuke was to be the first serious test of the Poles for strength. Naturally, before the tournament, NEO has repeatedly noticed that CS: GO still raw and in mechanics is more like Source, but no one expected accounts 2:16. Despite all the efforts of Viktor Voitas ( TAZ ), the French just torn to shreds ESC , a little touching their pride.
Unable to quickly recover from the offensive defeat, in the last round the Poles unexpectedly lost to De_inferno_se to the dark horse of the tournament – to the Germans from n!Faculty (Kirby, Asmo, Disruptor, QK-Mantis, SMN). Among other results, we note a draw Anexis (not to confuse the composition with what was on CS 1.6!) And Verygames : Danes had five or six matches, but still failed to win.
► the Germans from n!Faculty emotions over the edge – the next archive round has been won!
The second ticket to the playoffs in group B (first-at VG) was played out in the Anexis and N match!Faculty. Germans, blowing on inferno_se in the first round five FM.Toxic , They made the necessary conclusions during the tournament and then only won on this map. The victories won over the Poles and ANEXIS equalized the number of ESC commands and n!Faculty , And the second of the group came out of the group.
Departure ESC , Of course, he affected the number of spectators in semifinal matches. Many fans CS 1.6 We watched the tournament by CS: GO It is because of this team, hoping to see them in the Best of Three -series against Patrick Lindberg ( F0rest ) and companies.
Americans, Swedes, Germans and French
In the first semifinals, Area 51 met and Verygames , And it turned out to be an order of magnitude more interesting than the second semifinals. The main time of the tense game on de_Dust2_se ended in a draw. Unfortunately the local public, in additional rounds, the Americans took the top (19:17).
Loss at the hands Area 51 was the first for the French at the tournament. If they had not added on the next maps, the same thing could have happened to them as LGD on The International 2 By Dota 2. Then, recall, the team, having won 17-18 matches in a row, suddenly blew out Ukrainians from Na’vi and went to the lower net. There was no lower net here, and the second given card would send NBK and his guys play for bronze.
► The best North American team in CS: GO, called Area 51.
The second card of the American-French confrontation was de_nuke_ve. The owners of the championship began to defend and, having won the pistol round, went into the gap. The first round Area 51 I was able to take only with the score of 9: 0 in favor of the French, https://slots-muse-casino.co.uk/ who perfectly "read" the opponent's game.
In almost every round, overseas guests unsuccessfully tried to occupy the lower floor, which, thanks to recent changes in the card, became much easier to capture. Taking eleven rounds for protection, Verygames allowed themselves to relax a bit and ended half with a score of 11: 4.
► the closer to the decisive matches, the more spectators became.
In order to “return” to the game, AREA 51 was obliged to win a pistol round, but Napoleon's compatriots, successfully “germinating” the ramp, made the score completely crushing. The missing rounds were a matter of time. Verygames Won – 16: 5, and the account in the series was equal (1: 1).
“Give us another train!"
The decisive third card for access to the final of the first ESWC By CS: GO became de_train_se. CS 1 lovers.6 Among all tournament cards of the new brainchild Valve It is this one that causes the greatest disgust. Some decisions of the developers are incomprehensible to this day: the stairs on the wagons are now on the side (the player, when he climbs, is visible), but the place for installing the bomb at point A is in the very center!
Maybe over time they will correct.
► Record of the game on the decisive semi -final card de_train_se: area 51 against Verygames
Be that as it may, the first half ended with a score of 10: 5 in favor of the United States, but the second was dominated by the French, who produced the treasured 16 rounds (16:11). Verygames won with a score of 2: 1 on cards and became the first finalists of the championship. Company to the owners ESWC 2012 compiled in the final the Swedes from NIP , easily dealt with the "opening of the tournament" n!Faculty (16: 7 on nuke_ve, 16:05 on Train_se).
The battle of the titans
In the finale, like several months ago in Valencia, met NIP And Verygames – The strongest at the moment of the teams in the world CS: GO. VeryGames player Nathan Shmidt in an interview with HLTV portal.Org called the upcoming match with the Swedes "Battle of Titans". For the owners of the tournament, the final became perfect – they had a chance to rehabilitate themselves before his native audience for the lost in Spain Dreamhack.
Knowing how frantic support for “their own” in Paris, we expected that in the finale of Kennys And the companies will grow wings, like the heavenly angels, and the Swedes, on the contrary, will be in the role of demons extended deep to the ground. Perhaps this would happen if it were not for the strange decision of the organizers to remove the CS: GO final from the main scene and hold the match in the gaming room.
► Record of the first final card from a account of 10: 0 in favor of Ninja in Pyjamas
Since in the final each team chose one map, the first French took De_DUST2_SE. This is what, according to the captain of the Swedes Richard Landstrom ( XIZT ), – the weakest card, although it is quite spacious and well familiar to everyone who played in CS 1.6.
The Swedes began to defend, and the first pistol round left just in their piggy bank. Having played a couple of eco-rounds, Verygames The first weapons were blowing, and the team "sailed". The first half ended with a devastating score of 14: 1.
The reason for failure, perhaps, is in great desire and incredible excitement. The team played in their homeland in the final of the largest tournament for the entire existence of the game, and even against the principal opponent, which was lost the last time. Hurrying and a strong desire to prove themselves led to mistakes, and the guys gradually closed in themselves.
► VeryGames is the main hope of local lovers of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
Changing the sides, Verygames could win another or two rounds, but no more. Ninja in Pyjamas won – 16: 3, and took a serious step towards the treasured trophy.
Their opponents received a chance to improve at de_train_se. The second card for the best team of France began with excellent frags performed NBK. In the pistol round, Nathan fired at the Swedes from his p -250 , And the French began to keep in the account. The first round of the Scandinavian round happened with a score of 3-0 in favor of VG – when Adam Friberg ( Friberg ) ONLY ONLY OUR OF AND NEW AND NEW.
► Record of the second final card between Verygames and Ninja in Pyjamas
Great game, perhaps, one of the weaker players NIP , According to many viewers, it has become a real surprise. Eighteen of Adam's most important frags provided the Swedes victory in the first half with a score of 11: 4-there were some five rounds before the championship Cup.
The second half of the card at first passed according to the scenario of the first – the French took several starting rounds in a row, but then the Swedes “woke up” and leveled the situation. Realizing that the attacks on an open point are not succeeded, NIP turned to a closed point B. Here RPK And EX6Tenz Over and over again, it was not possible to successfully meet the attack, and when the score was 15: 9 in favor of NIP, only a few did not believe in the Swedish championship ..
► Champions captain Richard Landstrom (Xizt) carefully listens to the questions of French journalists.
Stubborn Kennys "On the teeth" pulled several more rounds, but the latter still remained with the terrorists. After a series of exchanges Fifflaren , Left alone against two, he blew up the first grenade and calmly shot the second. Victory over Verygames Brought the Swedes the title of the best world of the world in CS: GO and ten thousand dollars in addition. Bravo, NIP! Bronze medals got area 51.
The final location of men's commands on ESWC 2012:
1. NIP (Sweden) – $ 10,000
2. Verygames (France) – $ 6,000
3. Area51 (USA) – $ 4,000
4. n!Faculty (Germany)
5-6. ESC Gaming (Poland)
5-6. Mousesports (Germany)
7–8. Progaming. TD (Brazil)
7–8. Anexis (Denmark)
9–10. Lowlandlions (Holland)
9–10. FM.Toxic (England)
Girls also play CS: GO
Let's say a few words about the women's championship – one of the few regular women's tournaments according to different versions Counter-STRIKE. Eight of the best teams from Spain, Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic and other countries came to Paris, and the Americans won, as always, as always.
► Record of one of the women's final cards between Ubinited and Alternate
Multiple triumphs ESWC Ubinited In a very tense match Alternate (7:16 on de_nuke_ve, 22:19 on de_dust2_se, 19:17 on de_inferno_se). What confirmed once again: this five is the best among women in perhaps any competitive shooter. The third became the English women from ReasonGaming.
► Following Alternate and Americans from Ubinited watched the full hall. Agree – this is epic!
The final location of women's commands on ESWC 2012:
1. Ubinited (USA) – $ 5,000
2. Alternate (Germany) – $ 3000
3. ReasonGaming (England) – $ 2000
4. Imaginarygaming (France)
5-6. Epsilonesports (Belgium)
5-6. 0+ (Sweden)
7–8. Infernityladies (Czech Republic)
7–8. Blackwidow (Spain)
* * *
IN CS: GO There is still enough flaws and controversial moments: unusual shooting, too strong pistols, a terrible Molotov cocktail, narrow and “compressed” cards. But only the strongest came to the tournament, and four to five teams claimed the championship, which in CS 1.6 The last time happened about two years ago.
► short atmospheric video about CS: GO in the framework of ESWC 2012
The output is new Counter-STRIKE revived a professional scene – new teams began to appear everywhere, and some players came to CS: Go even from Battlefield And Team Fortress 2. The musty smell was dispelled, which has been in the air for the past few years. Now it’s really interesting to monitor the development of events. At the winter Dreamhack We will see fnatic , And a few months later, they will go to the LAN and Na’vi.
Everything that remains for complete happiness is to competently “finish” the game itself, and this is a question of several patches. In the end, to the first Starcraft They were also released more than a dozen.
