Astralis are through to Group C's decider match at the SL i-League StarSeries Season 2 finals after edging past Natus Vincere 19-16 on Dust2.

Day two of the StarSeries finals featured an exciting elimination match in Group C, with Astralis and Natus Vincere - the heavy favourites to reach the playoffs heading into the event - battling for survival in a best-of-one match.

The Danish side got out to a quick 4-0 lead on the CT side, with Ioann "⁠Edward⁠" Sukhariev then taking matters into his own hands has he won a 1vs2 clutch to give Na`Vi their first round on the board. Still, Astralis hit back right after, resetting their opponents' economy.

Down 1-6, Na`Vi went for a tactical pause in an effort to improve their offense, and the move paid off as they finally began stringing rounds together. The CIS team eventually brought the deficit to a minimum, but then Astralis won the final two rounds of the half to secure a 9-6 lead.



Astralis live to fight another day in Kiev

Na`Vi got off to a great start on the CT side, picking up the opening four rounds to take the lead for the very first time in the game. Astralis responded with a force-buy win to restore parity, and what followed was a frantic period as rounds went back and forth, with neither side stamping their authority on the game.

A fantastic 1v4 clutch from Egor "⁠flamie⁠" Vasilyev in the 25th round put Na`Vi back in the lead, with the CIS side following that up with another round. Na`Vi were now on the brink of victory, but Astralis stepped up to the plate and reached match point, only to waste a great chance to close it out as a 1v2 clutch by Denis "⁠seized⁠" Kostin spelled the end of regulation.

With Peter "⁠dupreeh⁠" Rasmussen carrying his impressive form into overtime, Astralis were simply far too hot for their opponents to handle, picking up two rounds in each half to hammer the final nail into Na`Vi's coffin.

SL i-League StarSeries Season 2 Finals Best of 1 Natus Vincere Matchpage 16 19 Astralis 16 Dust2 19