MLG: Columbus - Day 3 Recap

Day three of the MLG: Columbus major has concluded, deciding all teams that proceed to the playoffs of the event.

Ninjas in Pyjamas vs. Mousesports - 2:1

Maps: de_cobblestone, de_cache and de_overpass, best of three.

De_Cobblestone - 16:5

Winner: NiP

A convincing win by the Swedes. Starting off on the T side, NiP were able to effectively storm sites, with a slight preference towards the B bomb site. Stellar execution and effective rotations landed the team an 11:4 finish against mouz.

Despite valiant efforts mousesports were not able to penetrate the defence set by NiP. The Swedes had a great showing, evaporating any chance for the Germans to land a comeback. A single round was exchanged, however the map finalised at 16:5 in favour of Ninjas in Pyjamas.

De_Cache - 16:12

Winner: Mousesports

A very close map where Mousesports managed to overpower their opponent. The Germans started off on the CT side, where they grinded out NiP’s advances, taking a slight lead in conclusion of the first half, 8:7.

The Ninjas in Pyjamas gave their best shot at defending the bombsites, however mouz’s Nikola "NiKo" Kovač was not about to let his team’s advancement to the playoffs go to jeopardy, propelling the team to a 16:12 finish.

De_Overpass - 16:9

Winner: NiP

A great relief for the Swedish roster as they managed to secure their Legendary title, as well as a spot in the playoffs of the tournament. The first half saw a three round advantage in favour of NiP, as the team managed to successfully repel the Germans' attempts at taking bombsites. The first half ended 9:6 to NiP.

A disappointing performance from Mousesports as they were unable to hold sites. The team will have issues to discuss post-game, whilst NiP enjoy their 16:9 win, as well as a minimum top 4 finish in the tournament.



Fnatic vs. FaZe Clan - 2:0

Maps: de_mirage, de_cobblestone and de_cache, best of three

De_Mirage - 16:10

Winner: Fnatic

Fnatic demonstrating the classic dominance that they're so well known for. The first half saw a great run with the Swedes stringing together seven consecutive rounds. FaZe were able to cut this rampage short, securing a total of five rounds, ending the half at 10:5 in favour of Fnatic's CT side.

In the second half FaZe seemed like they were going to give away the match without securing a single round, however this proved to be false as the European mix managed to claw round after round on the defence. The effort was admirable but insufficient, as Fnatic closed out the map at 16:10.

De_Cobblestone - 16:6

Winner: Fnatic

Another good CT half from the Swedes, whereby the favourites managed to shut down pushes from the European mix. No doubt FaZe showed a decent performance, managing to land five rounds on the aggressive side of the map, concluding the first half at 10:5 in favour of Fnatic.

The second half saw a pretty lop-sided game, where Fnatic demolished their opponent, preventing them from securing any more than a single round. The tournament favourite proceeds to the quarter-finals of MLG: Columbus 2016 after taking de_cobblestone 16:6.

Gambit vs. Counter Logic Gaming - 1:2

Maps: de_cache, de_cobblestone and de_mirage, best of three.

De_Cache - 16:13

Winner: Gambit

Gambit showed a strong T side over the course of the first half on Cache. Focused advancements, strong coordination and communication landed the Russians a solid lead over the locals. While the away team did see success, CLG were able to land five rounds of their own, culminating in a 10:5 lead for Gambit at half time.

The second half saw a very passive CT performance from Gambit. CLG made sure to exploit this via good coordination and entry fragging that landed them a very formidable round score. Both teams made various mistakes, the highlight of which was CLG donating a round to Gambit due to round timing issues, over the course of the second half, with Gambit apparently making less, closing out de_cache at a 16:13 lead.

De_Cobblestone - 16:11

Winner: CLG

CLG started off with a decent CT side, fending off the Russian aggressors on bomb sites. This, coupled with the great aiming potential of the individuals on the team allowed the North American representatives to land a very strong 11:4 finish.

In the second half Gambit attempted to make a comeback. The Russians were determined to close out the second map and take the series, however their plans were interrupted as CLG swooped them off their legs and finally secured the five rounds that they needed in order to push the series to a third map. 16:11 in favour of CLG’s T side.

De_Mirage - 16:10

Winner: CLG

This map would decide it all and both teams were well aware. CLG started off on the terrorist side, which is arguably the more difficult half of the map. Regardless the Americans successfully raided bomb sites, smashing through the defence of Gambit. CLG propelled themselves to an early 9:6 lead.

At this point Gambit were in a predicament. A three round deficit coupled with the pressure of qualifying for the playoffs of a major tournament really got through to them and it showed. All attempts were made to secure as many rounds as possible, however CLG walked away with the series after getting the seven extra rounds that they needed. 16:10, CLG advance to the playoffs.

G2 Esports vs. Virtus.Pro - 1:2

Maps: de_train, de_inferno and de_cobblestone, best of three.

De_Train - 16:9

Winner: Virtus.Pro

The Poles are known to be a menace on Train and they really showed it. Starting off on the T side they were able to knock round after round out of the hands of the Frenchmen. Despite having a string of bad performances in recent times, Virtus.Pro were able to remind viewers of the past with a 10:5 lead on their T side.

The second half saw a fairly close round score; however the Polish defence was far too strong for the Frenchmen to penetrate, ending the map at 16:9 in favour of Virtus.Pro.

De_Inferno - 16:9

Winner: G2 Esports

G2 Esports were set to retaliate. Inferno is known to be a favourite of V.P’s, however the French weren’t about to let that stop them from taking it. The first half saw a very even performance from both teams, which basically meant that G2, starting off on the more difficult, T side, were at an advantage. 8:7 in favour of V.P.

The second half was an absolute whitewash, no chance was given to the Poles in proceeding past the stalwart defenders that were G2 Esports. A mere round was secured by Virtus.Pro, with an impressive nine going in favour of the Frenchmen, closing the map out at 16:9.

De_Cobblestone - 16:7

Winner: Virtus.Pro

The final map of the day, viewers would say the most favoured as well. Virtus.Pro were not about to let this chance slip and that really showed. They started off hitting sites hard on the T side, reminiscent of the Virtus.plow times. This culminated in a 10:5 lead at half time.

The second half was simply polished off, with V.P managing to fend off the French menace via effectively holding and retaking sites. The Poles sent the French back to the hotel to pack their belonging, 16:7 in favour of Virtus.Pro.