TSM qualified for ESL Pro League Season 5 after defeating RUSH 2-1 (16-9 Mirage, 16-19 Overpass, 16-9 Cobblestone) in the final of ESEA Premier Season 23.

The two teams played the final match of the North American division of ESEA Premier in a LAN environment at ESL's studios in Burbank, California - preceding the ESEA Global Challenge LAN.

With an ESL Pro League Season 5 spot on the line, TSM were forced to use their old lineup consisting of Pujan "⁠FNS⁠" Mehta and Kory "⁠SEMPHIS⁠" Friesen due to ESEA roster rules.

The fact that they were using an already broken up lineup didn't look like a big issue for TSM though, as Russel "⁠Twistzz⁠" Van Dulken and the removed SEMPHIS tore through Rush on Mirage, finishing the map with a comfortable 16-9 scoreline.



Twistzz's team qualified for ESL Pro League

Moving on to Overpass, Rush's pick, it was initially looking like a similar story as TSM got a big lead without much pushback. Rush quickly found themselves 14-6 down, but managed to claw their way back into the match thanks to some aggressive CT side play and crucial errors by their opponents.

After completing the comeback in overtime, Rush tied the score at 1-1 and pushed the series to the third map - Cobblestone.

The medieval castle-themed map didn't start well for Rush as they once again had a slow opening, ending the CT half 10-5 down. With Daniel "⁠virtus⁠" Carrillo's clutches holding them in the match little longer, Derrick "⁠LILMAN⁠" Boyne and co. got to nine rounds before ultimately falling to TSM.

This means Rush will be playing the rest of the EPL relegation stage online, with the following matchups to be played:

With this result and Kinguin beating LDLC earlier today, the groups for ESEA Season 23 Global Challenge, that starts tomorrow, will be as follows:

Professeur writes for HLTV.org and can be found on Twitter.