LOUD keep their Champions hopes alive with a statement 2-1 win against pre-tournament favorites, FNATIC. This matchup was a repeat of the LOCK//IN final earlier in the year, as well as a rematch for their opener in this Champions' playoffs. In that series, LOUD became one of only two teams this year to have bested FNATIC. Additionally, both teams were the only remaining teams that have previously won an international title. The first map was FNATIC's selection, Split. LOUD took the early lead with the pistol round and the bonus, and the second half started in the same manner. The map ended with uncharacteristically poor performances from Leo and Chronicle, the only players to not have a rating higher than 0.90. FNATIC coach Mini was unsatisfied with their performance. “I'm reallSaadhak annoyed, I'm really angry at that game,” he said. saadhak and Less, meanwhile, were instrumental in the victory, leading the scoreboard with a 1.47 and 1.51 rating, respectively. Important calls and productive lurking from the duo let them secure retakes and dominate in terms of map control. The beginning of Ascent was more of the same, as LOUD once again won the first three rounds of the map. FNATIC answered back, but were unable to find their footing, losing the half 7-5 off the back of an apparent breakdown in communication. Coming back from the break, FNATIC returned the blow. Boaster essentially secured the half for his team with an early clutch and a couple of multiple kills.
The last time LOUD lost Haven was over a year ago. “I was feeling really happy,” Saadhak said regarding the map veto. And it showed. LOUD dominated the opening half of the map 8-4, their signature Harbor-Viper composition overwhelming FNATIC's entry. Aspas was also crucial in taking the lead, getting three first kills with aggressive Operator plays.
FNATIC did win the final pistol round of the game, but they would only take two more rounds in their defensive half. In the end, LOUD closed out the decider 13-7 and eliminated FNATIC from the tournament. Aspas continued his dominance with another three opening kills and ended the map with a 1.70 rating. “Their Haven comp deals with ours extremely well,” Mini said. “It's designed to beat our comp, I think.” This is only FNATIC's third loss in 2023, but it marks the end of their year. For LOUD, however, the victory means an opportunity to defend their Champions title. Should they fail, either Evil Geniuses or Paper Rex would claim their first trophy and give us a new Champion for the third year in a row. LOUD will now face Evil Geniuses in a Bo5 to determine which team goes to the grand final. “We're going to be doing our best,” Saadhak said. “We're finally playing well.”
LOUD continues lower bracket run with 2-1 over FNATIC
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