The Recap - EP28

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.

APAC crumbles in the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024

After such a blistering start from The MongolZ and a strong finish from Team Liquid, you would assume that APAC would have a strong showing in the playoffs.

The calamity begun with a MongolZ upset by the “stage frightened” MOUZ roster. Senzu was basically invisible for the entire series. leaving Mzinho the only factor for the MongolZ with a 1.28 rating. Brollan and Jimpphat tore them apart with a 1.21 and 1.26 rating respectively. Liquid, meanwhile, had an impossible task — stopping the Donk. They tried valiantly with an epic comeback on Dust 2 but donk was just too much. Donk had a rating of 1.63 over the entire series.

From the depths of despair, Team Spirit arises

Team Spirit is your Perfect World Shanghai Major cchampion Team Spirit defeated FaZe (2-1) with an epic 1v2 clutch from sh1ro to end the series. There were no more tears to shed for him as he lifted up his first trophy.

You cannot ignore the Donk who struck fear in the hearts of FaZe along with an unlikely duo, Magixx. Donk and Magixx both recorded 69 kills over the entire series. Magixx was instrumental during the semi and grand finals of this event to get Spirit over the line.

He has truly lifted his career from the depths of despair after the pre-match segment dedicated to him being a liability on that Team Spirit roster. It turns out that Magixx has ordered more than a few crows for the analysts to munch on!

Talon and Mantra Flow secure their ESL Challenger Spots for Season 49

The ESEA Relegation Invite was exercised three days before the event and Talon were the worthy recipients.

Talon had a problem with AZR and mhL being stuck in Europe. They would need to bring out some old faces in malta, sterling, and Gratisfaction.

Talon powered through their first Bo3 against the Sharks, stumbled but stuck the landing against Above the Rest in Stage 1. In Stage 2, they smashed Underground and humiliated Mantra Flow to book their ticket. They only dropped one map which was to Above the Rest. Nettik and ADDICT were instrumental to their victories. 

Mantra had started in Stage 2 due to DXA withdrawing from the event. Mantra swept Above the Rest, but were thrashed by Talon.

Mantra navigated two incredibly tough comebacks against Underground to book their tickets back to the ESL Challenger League. This included a 9-1 deficit on Ancient (Underground’s map pick).

Semper Fi invited to United21 League

Semper Fi is currently in Europe preparing for eXTREMESLAND 2025. They’ve entered themselves into the United21 League for much needed match experience against the lower ends of tier two European Counter-Strike. They’ll need the experience before heading into the Dragon’s Den of Asia.

Let’s cheer them on!

That’s all folks!

That is it for the CS2 season for the tier one scene. I hope you guys enjoyed all the recaps and we’ll be definitely providing some during the summer especially with the monster Rostermania coming up!

Thank you all who read and enjoyed my recaps. It is my pleasure!

Joshua “OnlyJoshinTV” Warmington