Vitality clashed with Team Liquid in a high-stakes elimination match at the BLAST Premier World Finals lower bracket, and it was Shahar “flameZ” Shushan who stepped up, leading his team to victory and sending Liquid out of the tournament.
Both teams went all-out, but Vitality’s resilience, particularly through flameZ’s standout performance, secured their place in the next round.
Map Overview and Ban Selections
The match began with each team removing maps where they felt they had a disadvantage. Liquid banned Vertigo, while Vitality removed Ancient. Liquid opted for Anubis as their first map pick, while Vitality went with Dust2. The remaining maps saw Liquid remove Mirage and Vitality take out Inferno, leaving Nuke as the deciding map.
Starting Lineups:
- Vitality: Dan “apEX” Madesclaire, Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, Lotan “Spinx” Giladi, Shahar “flameZ” Shushan, Audric “JACKZ” Jug
- Liquid: Keith “NAF” Markovic, Mareks “YEKINDAR” Gaļinskis, Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken, Roland “ultimate” Tomkowiak, Justin “jks” Savage
Map 1 – Anubis: Strong Start for Liquid as Vitality Struggles
Liquid came out strong on Anubis, pushing ahead with an early 5-2 lead, thanks largely to Twistzz and NAF, whose precision kept Vitality on the defensive. However, ZywOo and Spinx turned the game around with impressive clutches, helping Vitality secure a tied half.
In the second half, Liquid regained control, moving to a 10-7 lead as Twistzz pulled off a critical 1v3 play. Vitality struggled to respond, with flameZ notably absent from major plays, and the team couldn’t find their footing on the A-site defense, eventually conceding the map to Liquid.
Map 2 – Dust2: flameZ Shines as Vitality Rebounds
Moving into Dust2, Vitality showed why it’s one of their strongest maps. flameZ’s resurgence was the highlight here, as he dominated the scoreboard with multi-kills, effectively denying Liquid any momentum. Despite ZywOo being quieter than usual, Vitality quickly built up a solid 9-3 lead in the half.
In the pistol round, JACKZ, standing in for Vitality, showcased his remarkable skill with two perfectly placed USP-S bullets that derailed any chance of a Liquid comeback. Vitality ultimately closed out the map with ease, setting up a tense final showdown on Nuke.
Map 3 – Nuke: flameZ’s Clutch Performance Eliminates Liquid
The third map, Nuke, opened with both teams trading rounds to a 2-2 scoreline. Despite Liquid’s best efforts, including an unexpected Tec-9 round win, flameZ and ZywOo combined for over 30 kills to give Vitality an 8-4 lead by halftime.
Liquid fought back valiantly, but JACKZ once again made his mark, winning a crucial pistol round that propelled Vitality’s lead to double digits. In round 17, Vitality’s lineup managed a 5-glock miracle, breaking through Liquid’s ramp defense and pushing their way into the lower site.
As Liquid neared overtime, XTQZZZ called a well-timed timeout that helped Vitality regain their composure, ultimately securing the map with a 13-11 scoreline and eliminating Liquid from the tournament.
What’s Next for Vitality?
Vitality advances in the BLAST Premier World Finals and will face MOUZ in the quarterfinals. With confidence running high after defeating Liquid, Vitality will be eager to continue their winning streak, particularly after MOUZ’s recent loss to Astralis. Fans are sure to watch eagerly as flameZ, ZywOo, and the rest of the lineup aim to secure another high-stakes victory.
Conclusion
Vitality’s victory over Liquid at the BLAST Premier World Finals underscores the team’s resilience and flameZ’s rising influence as a playmaker. As they prepare to face MOUZ, Vitality’s performance demonstrates how teamwork, strategic map choices, and individual skill can turn the tide in an intense competitive setting.
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