G2 waltz past FURIA as MIBR dominate Alliance

Thanks to the chaotic group stages at Fissure Playground 3, the playoffs are a bit peculiar.

The world #5 and #7 teams met in a quarter-final to earn a spot in a semi against BetBoom, while the other side of the bracket has only one top-20 team: Legacy. Not that we’re complaining — this arrangement gave us a great matchup this morning. Even if the other game was a bit… less than stellar.

So, let’s start off our recap with the banger:

G2 2-0 FURIA

This G2 team might be on to something.

We discussed their role changes in 5TWL for BLAST Porto and said we think it’s a positive move.

This game feels like a great example of exactly why.

After a good start for G2, FURIA seemed to get a grip on the game. They turned a 2:5 deficit into a 7:5 lead, followed up by winning the pistol round in the second half. Though G2 did win the force and a conversion, FURIA kept rolling, building the lead up to 11:7.

At that point, however, MATYS, G2’s great hope, woke up.

The Slovakian took over on the CT side, going 16-7 for the half, with a 1.65 rating to match. Combine that with the ever-reliable HeavyGod farming on CT as always, and suddenly FURIA found themselves running into a brick wall. It took an exceptionally misplayed 1v2 from G2 at the end of regulation to earn FURIA an overtime. They failed to capitalize, as G2 carried their form over and closed it 16:14.

Map two was less of a contest and more of an evisceration.

FURIA picked Dust II for the second map here, presumably because the last time they faced G2, they won convincingly. Evidently, though, the Samurais predicted this play. They looked far more prepared for D2 than FURIA themselves. Their CT-side was incredibly strong, with FURIA’s only real success coming from fast B plays they couldn’t sustain.

Unfortunately, this was another FURIA map where they looked completely lost.

Ever since their good spell of form towards the end of last season, they’ve had these bozo maps where they can’t find any solutions. On Dust II, r1nkle was walking all over them, and molodoy did nothing about it. One of the only T-rounds FURIA actually won had FalleN get the opening kill with the AWP, as he had a better spawn to fight B-site from tunnels.

Full credit to G2, though; they looked poised.

If they keep this structure and r1nkle maintains an upward trajectory, they might be in a good spot to compete this year.

This event would be the perfect kickoff point.

MIBR 2-0 Alliance

Well, the Swedish revival was fun while it lasted. For about three days.

Alliance looked dangerous throughout the group stages in China; they beat FaZe, TYLOO, and magic, all of which are good teams in their own right. FaZe and magic especially are real challenges, with FaZe being a rising name this season, and magic being one of Tier 2’s main gatekeepers.

With those wins in mind, we expected more from them against MIBR.

The Brazilians steamrolled Alliance with ease. Map one, Inferno, was picked by the Swedes, and they might as well not have bothered. MIBR shut down almost everything they wanted to do on their T-side, and on their CT-side, they couldn’t convert a single round to keep it close. Everyone on MIBR went comfortably positive, with only eraa matching that for Alliance.

Map two was a bit more competitive, but still not close.

The sides faced off on Cache, with Alliance gaining an early foothold. It didn’t last long, though, as when MIBR got their T-side rolling, it didn’t stop. They carried their momentum into every round, abusing the quality gap between the two teams. Alliance’s only soldier was twist, who fought his absolute heart out, but it wasn’t enough. When the sides switched, MIBR won pistol and carried their form, taking match point before Alliance could win another round and closing it soon after.

Thanks to their win here, MIBR have set up a date with Legacy in the semi-finals, a meeting of two Brazilian teams with distinctly different vibes.

That should be great TV.