The Recap - EP14

by OnlyJoshinTV

Welcome to The Recap, a new weekly content series covering Counter-Strike in the ANZ region with a touch of global action here and there. We aim to provide a regular series covering our region, from ESEA Open, ECL, and global events, to local LAN and online tournaments hosted here at home.

FlyQuest fumble the ESL Pro League bag

FlyQuest were unable to emulate their previous success at EPL with an early exit at 6th-7th place after falling in the last chance bracket. 

EPL 20 started with groups A and B, with FlyQuest in Group A taking on the Turkish superteam in Eternal Fire. A nervous start on Inferno with FlyQuest tying it up at 6-6 before it heated up, with aliStair nailing an impressive boost onto XANTARES and a beautiful duel against woxic in Middle. The main question was could they maintain the rage for the full 24 rounds?

The simple answer was no. XANTARES and Calyx just rained havoc as the Turkish side took Inferno 13-10. The second map was Dust 2 which was incredibly close despite the ending scoreline being 13-7. FlyQuest was being tested by Eternal Fire and was simply hanging in there at a 7-5 half.

The second half was purely cursed as FlyQuest could not close out anything. A miracle clutch from Maj3r in the opening pistol round was the start and the end of the series. FlyQuest fumbled so many advantageous scenarios that it’ll most likely be haunting them in their nightmares.

Flyquest v FaZe

FlyQuest fell into the lower bracket to take on their favourite team, FaZe, because that is what happens to every team when they lose their first series at EPL—they take on a much better opponent. Wait, WHAT!? 

I swear this has occurred to FlyQuest three times now where they face a higher-rated opponent compared to their previous match. FlyQuest started off with a par score on Anubis leading on their T side at 8-4 but nothing prepared them for the Slovakian fury otherwise known as frozen. Frozen posted 130 ADR and a 2.37 rating on the T side of Anubis as FaZe romped their way to a 13-9 victory.

Ancient essentially started the same but you put FaZe instead of FlyQuest. However, the second half was a bit different. Frozen was still sending anyone that went within a millimetre of his crosshairs into the aether. The Aussies were coming back into it; the match  was tied at 11-11 at one stage, and it seemed that FaZe was going to map 3.

However, a crucial shutout of middle and lane in the 24th round allowed FaZe to seal it in regulation. FlyQuest tried to force a B rush in a 2v4 scenario but was unable to get it done.

FlyQuest v Lynn Vision

FlyQuest then fell to the last chance bracket where Lynn Vision awaited them. A preview of a possible Asia RMR match-up.

Anubis wasn’t very fun as Lynn Vision managed to score six CT rounds and absolutely ravaged FlyQuest’s CT side to make it 12. FlyQuest fumbled a few advantageous scenarios, but I don’t think it would have made any difference.

FlyQuest headed to their risky pick of Vertigo and well, it didn’t start off too well. Lynn Vision was up 6-0 at one stage. FlyQuest dug deep and managed to salvage the half down at 7-5. The second half was starting to look similar to Anubis as Lynn Vision added to their lead. Enter Vexite: The 20-year-old rifler (who celebrated his birthday at EPL) led a dominant seven-round blitz to hold three map points against Lynn Vision.They only needed two of them: Vexite ended up with a 1.64 rating on Vertigo as FlyQuest won their first map of the tournament.

The third map of Ancient was essentially testing on how much a human heart could take. The first half started brilliantly with FlyQuest edging out to an 8-4 lead. I swear the 8-4 lead is now the new 11-4 lead at this stage with so many chokes coming after an 8-4 half.

Lynn Vision won the following pistols but FlyQuest won the force and went out to a 11-5 lead. The Chinese squad dug deep on the back of z4kr who was single-handedly keeping them in this. LV managed to secure overtime into another set of rounds.

However, FlyQuest completely blanked Lynn Vision in the opening three rounds. Lynn Vision managed to get one back before FlyQuest won their first series at ESL Pro League eliminating Lynn Vision. Liazz was in Carry Potter mode with a 1.62 rating on Ancient.

FlyQuest v Sangal

If FlyQuest won, then I’d say that they would get to the playoffs as Sangal was the hardest team out of the four remaining teams. FlyQuest started incredibly well on Anubis racing out to a 8-4 lead (uh oh) and it could have been more!

FlyQuest won the following pistols and anti-eco to have a commanding 10-4 lead. However, they were on the CT side on the most T-sided map in the map pool. FlyQuest let the lead slip immensely as xFloud and LNZ romped their way home to a 13-11 finish. There were so many would, could, and should moments from FlyQuest in this opening map.

FlyQuest went to their map pick of Vertigo which was a confidence pick given Sangal had a 100% win rate on it—and this match showed why. It was an amazing series overall with so many epic clutches, fails, and everything—it just sucked that it had to end. FlyQuest started strongly with a 7-5 half that could have easily been another 8-4 half.

Sangal was feeling the heat because seven CT rounds on Vertigo is well above par but they had no issues getting there. JottAAA was putting on an absolute master class with 32 kills on Vertigo; however, it was SameY with an impressive 1v2 clutch to send it to overtime.

Sangal carried the momentum and blanked FlyQuest for a dominant 4-0 in Overtime to eliminate FlyQuest.

Unfortunately, this is another fumbled tournament for FlyQuest. Next week, Australia will be pinning their hopes on Rooster.

The Shed Showdown

I thought this was an interesting little tournament where the teams are completely randomised. It was designed so it is a fun experience for everyone and not watching teams getting decimated 13-0.

You can check out more on the tournament here. I think it is an interesting little adventure for lesser-known players to play with a large range of different players. You might even find a team from this event!  

Thanks for another beautiful week!