In a nail-biting series, NAVI emerged victorious over Eternal Fire to lift the ESL Pro League 20 trophy. The Ukrainian powerhouse sealed their win with a 3-2 scoreline, overcoming intense resistance from the Turkish team. The triumph not only crowned NAVI as champions but also earned them the grand prize of $170,000.
A Thrilling Grand Final in Malta
The ESL Pro League 20, one of the premier Counter-Strike 2 tournaments, concluded with NAVI cementing their dominance. Starting on September 3, the event brought together 32 of the world’s best teams, culminating in this Sunday’s showdown between NAVI and the tournament’s dark horse, Eternal Fire.
Despite NAVI being the favorites, Eternal Fire had stunned the competition, eliminating top teams like TheMongolZ, Vitality, and MIBR on their way to the final.
Match Breakdown: Eternal Fire’s Fight to the End
The Grand Final kicked off with Eternal Fire surprising NAVI by taking Nuke, NAVI’s pick, with a decisive 13-8 victory. However, NAVI quickly retaliated, winning Anubis in a tightly contested 13-11 score, leveling the series. The momentum swung back to NAVI in Ancient, where another close 13-11 win brought them to match point.
Facing elimination, Eternal Fire roared back on Inferno, crushing NAVI with a 13-4 performance and forcing the match to a decider. The championship was ultimately decided on Dust II, where both teams battled fiercely. NAVI finally clinched the series with a 13-10 score, securing the championship.
NAVI’s Road to Glory
NAVI’s victory in the ESL Pro League 20 solidified their position as one of the best teams in Counter-Strike 2. With jL being named MVP and key performances from Aleksib, iM, b1t, and w0nderful, NAVI continues to ride high after also winning the Copenhagen Major and the Esports World Cup earlier this year.
Looking Ahead: Shanghai Major
As the Counter-Strike world turns its attention toward the Shanghai Major from November 30 to December 10, NAVI has firmly established itself as a team to watch. With their ESL Pro League 20 win, they are likely to rise to the top of the HLTV rankings, carrying immense momentum into the biggest tournament of the year.
Conclusion
NAVI’s win at the ESL Pro League 20 not only ended Aleksib’s curse but also reaffirmed their status as one of the top CS2 teams in the world. With the Shanghai Major just around the corner, the team is poised to continue its dominant run.
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