The Recap - EP18

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.

The Overseas Trophy Drought has been broken

There were many firsts at this ESL Challenger Atlanta, there were two Australian teams at an overseas event outside of ESL Pro League. Secondly, and shockingly, an Australian team won it.

The last time that an Australian team won an overseas event was the Starladder i-League Invitational in 2017, but this time it was FlyQuest who have cracked the streak and put OCE in the winner’s circle after a victory over BIG in the grand final

FlyQuest and Rooster were both in group A and people were getting concerned that they would play each other in the elimination or decider match. Fortunately, fate had a different opinion on the issue.

FlyQuest would win both Bo1s to advance directly to the semi-final with a crushing victory over BetBoom and a close arm wrestle over SAW.

They’d face Wildcard in the semi-finals who had recently upset M80 in the decider. The first two maps were close with FlyQuest winning Wildcard’s pick and proceeding to lose their own. The third map was a slaughter as FlyQuest launched to a 9-3 with a flawless CT side to seal the deal and their place in the Grand Final.

FlyQuest would meet BIG in the grand final. This would be the second time that Dexter and INS have met BIG in a grand final; I can only imagine if the memories of Leipzig would repeat in their mind as BIG essentially slaughtered them to claim their crown.

Also, the current outfit has faced BIG so many times that they might as well be considered a wall at this point with losses at the IEM Cologne Play-in 2024 and IEM Dallas 2024.. The maps were Ancient (BIG), Vertigo (FlyQuest), and Dust 2 (decider).

FlyQuest had a dream start with a 10-2 CT side on Ancient with an amazing team effort from dexter, Liazz, and aliStar. However, there was one person who didn’t want that— Krimbo.

Krimbo leaped into action with a 1.92 ADR and essentially willed BIG into almost tying the game. However, a few last gasps from FlyQuest got themselves over the line and stole away BIG’s map pick.

Vertigo isn’t just a feeling but a description of how map two went. The score graph looks like a sine wave after round six. There was so much back-and-forth action between both BIG and FlyQuest. Krimbo was immense with the support of rigoN and tabseN which guided them to map point. FlyQuest with a last-minute surge was able to secure overtime and grant themselves an extra lifeline. Unfortunately, the boys would falter in overtime as BIG won 16-14.

It would all come down to the final map of Dust 2. It was Leipzig 2020 all over again where the final map (well, second map and where BIG won in 2020…) would be Dust 2. A bit of de ja vu for dexter and INS!

FlyQuest flew out to an amazing start leading 9-3 at the end of the half. Once again, Krimbo shoved the kid clutching his FlyQuest jersey in his hands stating that he didn’t want to let go of his dreams. BIG had managed to wrangle the scoreline to a 9-10 scoreline but fate had an interesting turn.

Alistair, the heavily criticised AWPer was in a 1v2 against syrsoN and Krimbo after Liazz fell. The next 20 seconds will go down in history as one of ANZ CS’s memorable clutches. Alistair sniped down syrsoN and then proceeded to no scope Krimbo in the chest. He shoved Krimbo back down and told him to sign the FlyQuest jerse-I mean, the trophy.

That moment changed everything as FlyQuest danced through the final two rounds that they needed to secure ESL Challenger Atlanta.

ZOWIE Extremesland Asia 2024 – Oceania Closed Qualifiers

There were eight teams and one Oceanic spot on the line for a sport at the ZOWIE eXTREMESLAND Asia 2024. Semper Fi was looking to be the hot favourites for the spot, followed by Mindfreak.

The first casualties were the ESEA Open hopefuls in Rebound who were eliminated by Art of War and as expected Above the Rest was eliminated by Mantra.

Vantage opened impressively, sending The Art of War to the lower bracket and eliminating Mantra on the way to an unexpected semifinal appearance.

A major disappointment was Housebets who finished a meager 5th-6th which is considerably low given that there was no FlyQuest and Rooster at the event.

The Art of War fought back with an amazing lower-bracket run. After falling to Vantage early, The Art of War defeated Rebound, Housebets, Vantage (revenge!), and Mindfreak to make it to the grand final.

The final didn’t disappoint as Semper Fi was put through immense pressure. Semper Fi lost the opening map of Inferno (7-13) and given the start from Art of War on Anubis, it looked like an upset was on the rise. The Art of War led 7-5 at the half with Eddie leading the charge.

Semper Fi found their way back into it and it was through their in-game leader Keen and vision who paved their way to victory. Keen finished with 103 ADR and Vision finished with 106 ADR.

The depths of Ancient loomed as the final map of the tournament, and it started off terribly for The Art of War as Semper Fi cruised out to a 9-3 lead. The Art of War struck ferociously tying it up at 10-10 but it wasn’t enough. Semper Fi willed themselves over the line and booked their tickets to the Zowie Extremesland Asia 2024.

ESL Challenger League – Season 48 Oceania Results

September 30

• FlyQuest v Rooster (13-10, 13-9)

October 1

• Housebets v KZG (13-2, 16-13)

October 2

• Arcade v Vantage (13-0, 13-0 Forfeit Win)
• Art of War v DXA (13-5, 10-13)
• Mindfreak v KZG (13-6, 13-11)

We have our first victim to be directly relegated which is Vantage after their forfeit to Arcade due to the core 3 rule. It was a bit anti-climactic as everyone was expecting a huge battle between the pair.

Mindfreak and Housebets (given Vantage forfeits again) have stamped their tickets to the playoffs. There are two spots up for grabs and KZG versus Rooster could be the decider for it.

For relegations, DXA just has to win one map to escape direct relegation, Mantra has to sweep to avoid direct relegation and Arcade must sweep DXA to be safe as well.