VP to Major final ahead of SK

29-1-2017 01:34

Virtus.pro reaches their second Major final by edging the win over SK in the semi final 2-0. (19-17 on Train & 16-14 on Cobblestone)

SK picked Train for the first map, having their faith in the fortress reinvigorated from the quarterfinal against FaZe, and they got the much-needed boost to the T-side with a straightforward blitz onto the A-site in the pistol. Virtus.pro were looking to restore the CT-meta on the map straight from the first gun round which Wiktor "⁠TaZ⁠" Wojtas single-handedly sparked off with a blistering quad kill hold on the B bomb train and the ignition resulted in a 7-3 score for the Plow.

A hail-mary Tec-9 in the last round managed pulled the deficit back to 5-10 for SK and once again they got off to a good run following another successful pistol round in a chaotic 5v5 retake on B. Consecutive bomb plants resulted in an early full buy for Filip "⁠NEO⁠" Kubski and co. which they duly took advantage of to put the pressure back on the defending champions.

The next rounds were traded back and forth in the most unusual ways despite sub-optimal equipment on both teams, notably a scavenged AWP on Jarosław "⁠pashaBiceps⁠" Jarząbkowski working wonders with two sneaky kills that threw the Brazillian defense into disarray.

The grand old men move into their second Major final

When it mattered the most to stop the Polish momentum and re-break the economy however, Fernando "⁠fer⁠" Alvarenga stepped up massively as he fearlessly waded through a smoke to get two opening kills, now drawing for 13-13. VP buckled down for their last timeout and they almost executed their way out to close the map, but with a saved AWP on Gabriel "⁠FalleN⁠" Toledo they were denied and went into overtime.

NEO secured a crucial T-round clutching a 1v2 with unreal positioning and crosshair placement, surviving with only 8 HP. That was an omen of the veteran going deep into the code of the game itself as he was instrumental in all the remaining rounds to end the map 19-17.

SK defied the expectations for playing with a stand-in

Next up Virtus.pro was looking to redeem their mishap of yesterday's T-side on Cobblestone and in spite of losing yet another pistol round they were looking much sharper on their drop and split timings, swiftly cutting into SK's initial five round lead with three of their own and resuming the assault straight after FalleN's side got another.

The Polish powerhouse equalized for 6-6, but Ricardo "⁠fox⁠" Pacheco began to deliver some crucial picks with the big sniper rifle to seize a 9-6 lead for his team. Finally though, TaZ and the boys got themselves a pistol round and the boost of economy necessary to string together a 11-9 lead. The reset for the T-economy came in after their first round as the iron defense from the game against North was being held again securing a 14-10 scoreline for Virtus.pro.

The Brazillian side were making dents into the Polish armor with their pistols though, meaning they could regain some momentum again to break the money on the CT's. No match ends for VP without nailbiting as SK ran it back to 14-15, but the Poles were destined to end it here and now, which they did. 16-14 on Cobblestone.

ELEAGUE Major 2017Best of 3

Virtus.pro

Matchpage

28th January 2017

Train

Cobblestone

Virtus.pro	K - D	+/-	ADR	KAST	Rating2.0
Wiktor 'TaZ' Wojtas TaZ	52 - 39	+13	72.0	72.7%	1.17
Janusz 'Snax' Pogorzelski Snax	48 - 41	+7	75.0	74.2%	1.12
Jarosław 'pashaBiceps' Jarząbkowski pashaBiceps	46 - 43	+3	71.9	62.1%	1.06
Filip 'NEO' Kubski NEO	39 - 41	-2	70.2	69.7%	1.02
Paweł 'byali' Bieliński byali	38 - 47	-9	70.2	72.7%	0.97

SK	K - D	+/-	ADR	KAST	Rating2.0
Marcelo 'coldzera' David coldzera	52 - 42	+10	79.1	66.7%	1.11
Ricardo 'fox' Pacheco fox	45 - 42	+3	79.3	66.7%	1.05
Gabriel 'FalleN' Toledo FalleN	41 - 39	+2	68.9	65.2%	1.01
Epitacio 'TACO' de Melo TACO	39 - 50	-11	60.6	69.7%	0.86
Fernando 'fer' Alvarenga fer	34 - 50	-16	60.3	60.6%	0.78

Grats to Virtus.plow for making it to finals after a long time and they finally overcome SK on major. Tremendous performances by NEO on train and TaZ on cobblestone, thats why this guys are legends. Remember when pasha said SK using their strats on train, actually it was true. FalleN just analyzes all teams and taking their best strats and adapts it to SK but since fnx kicked fox as standin just tried what ever he has been told even thou he did absolutely good job still SK was missing synergy between each other. It was one of the best matches to watch on this major, thanks to both teams for giving us such moments. Seems no team will be able to achieve taking major title 3 times in a row, perhaps maybe there is a curse for getting 2 titles in a row :P

2017-01-29 01:35

25 replies

3 replies

"SK defied the expectations for playing with a stand-in" What they meant to say was that no-one could've expected FOX to reach a major semi-final.

2017-01-29 12:44

2 replies

He already reached a major semifinal once before tho

2017-01-29 12:46

1 reply

Yes.

2017-01-29 12:54

VP to win it all :D

8 replies

Fox did nice job Grats VP

2017-01-29 01:36

5 replies

+1 Nj to fox and to SK making the top 4 of pretty much any tournament they attended even after a sub. VP killed it though! This is a team that has stuck together and adapted to all changes that CS GO has thrown at them! Congrats on the finals VP, go all the way! NEO if you read this stuff, you are a cs God!

2017-01-29 02:26

Taz as well (Tazwell)

2017-01-29 08:47

Age means nothing if you are still passionate, they surely are legends

2017-01-29 11:24

Fosho!

2017-01-29 20:25

great job? FOX saved their asses too many times + topped the score almost every map he played. if it wasn't for him they won't even reach quarters.

2017-01-29 10:58

Are you halousinating? Astralis has shown more stable gameplay throughout the whole tournament.

2017-01-29 08:40

Yes thats Why they needed 5 games to move to playoffs :p :p :p

2017-01-29 09:02

Foxj > world

2017-01-29 01:46

every team watchs other demos and adapt strats. this is normal. Astralis adapt sk dust 2 tbh.

2017-01-29 02:00

Lol even if i am a SK fan i think they r shit at d2. When astralis was still TSM they were best d2 team

2017-01-29 08:21

"Tremendous performances by NEO on train and TaZ on cobblestone, thats why this guys are legends." *these

2017-01-29 04:54

If that's the only grammatical error you found, then I'm not sure why you're correcting in the first place lol. Chill out dork

2017-01-29 07:27

4 replies

Cry

2017-01-29 07:38

that's what you're doing mate

2017-01-29 08:36

Mad germansky hahaha

2017-01-29 12:35

Lol

2017-01-31 07:25

No 3 titles in a row cuz its valve game

2017-01-29 08:28

Fox is better was better than fnx that day /close

2017-01-29 10:53

2017-01-29 11:10

nt sk

ez for papa <3

ez for fallen ez 3rd major

deserved. astralis vs vp is gonna be good :)

I think that SK pushed VP to the limit even with a STAND-IN...it is gonna be very difficult for the danes! VP is gonna take this one! I guess!

2017-01-29 07:18

They still won't against astralis with the standard in

2017-01-29 10:07

wp bois

wtf

ez for virtus.plow and taz ;)

nice

Lovely <3

wowww

gj vp <3

taz beast

EZ 4 VP

thanks SK

Well deserved

wow

Nice vp

vp very boring playstyle

Mouz beautiful playstyle

2017-01-29 02:40

2017-01-29 10:00

lol

simply the best....

#RUNVP

STRONK

gl VP against astralis!

wp both teams.

Get that Major Championship tomorrow VP. Let's go!

ez for biceps

SK and Immortals can finally announce the fnx-felps swap.

really good match GO VP

finally a major final without hardwork.exe. now I can safely buy some popcorn for excellent finals.

lul Astralis is even worse in this certain tournament Mr.Shaky

2017-01-29 01:45

nah we'll have an excellent series. they're pretty even and with no weak maps from either side. astralis won their mental hurdle, they're here to win now and not to lose.

2017-01-29 01:47

I guess Astralis still have the upperhand as they seem to be constant while you never know which VP shows up. Atleast VP's mentality is on point as it seems

2017-01-29 02:07

LETS GO VP! TAKE THIS MAJOR!!!

This will be good. finally people will come back to watching when favelas are out

cold is a bad player you know

The precision of vp aim was just on point,!! Les go VEEEPEEE!!

Insanely well played by SK-Gaming! Even FOX stepped up to the plate, and once SK gets their new permanent member, they're back for their third major-win!

7 replies

Im thinking, since fox played well on whole tournament, is there a chance they sign him as permanent player? I haven't been following scene much lately.

2017-01-29 01:42

6 replies

No felps has already left Immortals and has been travelling with SK. 100% chance he gets signed.

Nah, Fox played great, but Felps is a done deal. There is still some communication issues between PT-BR and PT-PT and Fox is about to become a dad. Anyway, hope Fox gets himself into a nice team, he fucking deserves it!

2017-01-29 05:38

Fox is already confirmed by Jkaem to play in his new team :)

2017-01-29 06:34

RIP why would anyone make a team with jkaem trash?

2017-01-29 06:43

Cause it's not only about winning. For Fox now it is about making the most €€ out of any given opportunity given to him. He's old and he has a kid on his way.

2017-01-29 11:16

Fox was playing really well with sk, doubt he can replicate same performance I'm a new team :/

2017-01-29 12:38

VP is actually very blatant... so sad what has happened.

2017-01-29 01:37

u r absolutly right. But what You will do loosing 2 times in row with so blatant FALLEN and coldzer0 ? In my opinion i will pay ko1n and back to TOP. Showing favellas that with *.EXE anybody anywhere can win the TITLE !

2017-01-29 11:49

respect for fox, he played really good

WP VPVPVPVPVPVP

my two favorite teams aside from NiP this reminds me of old fnatic SK matches where it was so tight everytime GRATZ VP

2017-01-29 01:38

wp VP FalleN is definitely the one to blame. Every round doing the same thing. Executing on B site with 30 seconds left. It wasn't working, when it actually started working they almost lost the rounds. They had a better chance of winning the round going for quick executes, or at least trying to get the first pick. And it's not like VP weren't capable of reading what they were doing, such a simple play. But I know FalleN will learn what went wrong and improve SK's cobble with felps. Ending top 4 with a stand-in is a great result

+1 fallen trying to get picks until 30 seconds...this aint matchmaking where ppl peek in obvious spots every round

2017-01-29 01:40

If he did this a few times, yeah, but they were doing this round after round. And it wasn't working, so no reason to keep it. I didn't remember a single A execute with rifles, or a quick B execute with rifles as well, it was the same thing every round, any igl in the world could easily read what they were doing

2017-01-29 01:48

finally VP in Major final again! let's win it boooys

wake me up when coldzera gets a negative rating at an event

Have a nice slumber. You'll probably never wake uo

2017-01-29 02:03

Somebody would need to get his hand chopped off

2017-01-29 02:23

That was an amazing result for a team with a stand-in. Again, when FalleN plays like this, SK won't win the title. They can go far on tournaments, but if he keeps missing lots of awp shots, SK won't touch any trophy again.

TBf they haven't touched one in 6-7 months, and the played like 6-7 tournaments. And ppl getting excited for felps it's crazy, they need time to adjust to his playstyle/role.

2017-01-29 01:56

GGWp Virtus.pro, Sk with complete reach to top 4. I'm so sad, but they deserved. #RunSk to DreamHack Las Vegas And now fuck them Astralis.

VP vs Astralis in Final, I wished this to happen at the start of major, my favourite two teams, whoever wins i will be so happy, gonna be fun...

gg bois taz is a beast hope vp wins tomorrow

I really really happy for VP !!! hope dont see toxic SK fanns till 2018 VP 2--0 C R Y FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.....rekt

2017-01-29 01:41

Great series to watch. Would love to see VP win another major. SK had a great tournament, all things considered. Fox did a great job.

pff, expected. ef second major win for VP.

LUL

2017-01-29 21:05

deserved

Although Fnatic gave me bad taste by beating Gambit and being destroyed by Astralis after, and lack of NaVi in semifinal competiiton, I think these are going to be really great finals! Can't wait to see Astralis vs VP, two best teams in the world.

2017-01-29 01:43

Huge respect to SK and TaZ for that matter. That he is cheering for SK and gives time to say such nice words about the squad just shows how great it is when we have big tournaments. I can't wait for the final tomorrow. It's going to be one of the hell tough match for Astralis, but of course I'm still confident that our danish stars will go all the way and lift the trophy. #ToTheStars

All 4 quarter final results : 2-1 Both semi final results : 2-0 Final result : ?

2017-01-29 01:44

3-2 Bo5 pls valve

Only Astralis ia a huge surprise to be at final. Astralis lost matches to teams like GODSENT at group stage and close against OpTiC. Altough Bo1 is pretty unfair to teams, but spectator-friendly instead. I really think Virtus.Pro will take this major.

Astralis won ECS and is placed #1 on HLTV World rankings. Explain to me how it is a "huge surprise" that they are in the final? The only really bad game they had was that GODSENT game

2017-01-29 02:06

Optic is #2,out in groups NIP is #4,did not qualify Na'vi #11 This is the first final for astralis?

2017-01-29 12:40

This is the first major final for Astralis, but they have still had 2 finals recently in stacked tournaments. To say that it is a "huge surprise" is a massive overstatement, don't you think? - also pretty much all the experts have named Astralis one of the favorites before the tournament even started.

2017-01-29 15:06

no major tag on the tournament, all opponents are shit. hltv logic :|

2017-01-29 19:00

2017-01-29 20:03

lol "huge surprise" :D before major everyone expected Astralis in the finals

2017-01-29 09:59

Yes yes Fallen make overt gestures to fox to remind everyone of your excuse before even leaving the stage.

Also that feeling when stand-in topfraggind and u use him as excuse of the loss)

2017-01-29 02:59

good intense game like Always taz suprisse me and fer disapoint me

yeah, like how that 40 yo played on that high level and how fer got only 8 frags

2017-01-29 02:44

I'm really happy that pasha is playing nearly as good as in 2014 :D maybe still not 2014 level but he is really close.

VP played great cs and they deserved it, such a long time since the last tike they got to a final of a major. I stick to what I said earlier, the winner of this semi is going to win the final.

We finally made it again to a Major Final. And now VP you can make you to no doubtable LEGENDS! It is their last Chance probably to win a Major, while Astralis will probably have a few more. VP please you've done the magical 9 Maps! It will be difficult as Astralis are having incredible amount of luck, mostly surviving with under 5 hp, kills through smokes, kjaerbye shaking through everything and gla1ve looking like a monsterious Aimer, which he ain't

Luck, the oldest excuse in the book. Surely their training, experience and years of playing on the top of the scene have nothing to do with their results, right? Every team gets lucky/unlucky in a competition, VP included, that's part of the game, but that's not what defines those who win and those who lose, it's only a small factor.

2017-01-29 01:59

I guess you understood me wrong, but still nice effort with some solid arguments by you :-)

2017-01-29 02:05

What did I misunderstand?

2017-01-29 03:50

that last round was a disaster by SK

2017-01-29 01:49

Ufff, hltv doesn't crush... Thanks VP. VP maked plow into the monkeys brains.

2017-01-29 01:51

respect to SK.

2017-01-29 01:53

gg scontent-fra3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/1..

2017-01-29 01:54

Great game. So exciting to watch it. As a SK fan i hoped for the OT the two times, but well, a good job with a stand-in. Fox did a decent job. Too bad he won't go on, i always liked him as a person. Really humble guy. Now i really don't know for who to cheer. I like VP, but i would like to watch Astralis finally win a major.

Tommorow Astralis 2-1 VP (Overpass 16-11 Cbble 15-19 Nuke 16-8)

2017-01-29 02:01

VP most likely to choose Nuke instead of Cbble against Astralis

2017-01-29 13:12

fox wasn't the problem

2017-01-29 02:02

gg amazing match, with felps SK is gonna win next major EZ

what kind of keyboard did taco use inte this major? looks nice !

2017-01-29 02:09

wow gg vp!! so foking close match

i feel so warm and fuzzy

2017-01-29 02:14

GGWP I hope the plow get their second major. Huge respect for everyone on VP and also on SK for getting this far with a stand in.

2017-01-29 02:19

GODTaz did it. SK did above my expectations and fox seemed very solid. We might hear about him in future...

2017-01-29 02:20

Really heartwarming to see players like Taz performing so well despite his age. I really don't want legends like him to retire. Big congratz to VP! And respect to SK, semifinals with a standin is pretty good. Also hope this shows all the fox haters that while he may have had some legit criticism placed his way in the G2/Kinguin lineup, he does have the skill to prove his worth in a top team without the language barrier. Looking forward to the matchup vs Astralis in the final. Whoever wins, I'll be happy for them.

2017-01-29 02:21

Taz <3 neo <3 kuben <3 pasha <3 .... oldschool loves u!

2017-01-29 02:33

yep. also pasha had a pretty nice performance on the major so far

So happy for the veterans. Even if they lose the final they proved they still can play the game at the top level and beat anybody.

2017-01-29 02:32

nice VP

2017-01-29 02:35

vp is love vp is life , papa <33

2017-01-29 02:39

fox <3

2017-01-29 02:43

All the way same words as grand. NOT sorry for any of the Brazilian toxic children on HLTV who haven't got their pubic hair growing yet. Shame. Fallen is a god. Much respect for Brazil scene. GL next time

2017-01-29 03:08

great game

2017-01-29 03:18

Snax will try to carry his team again Astralis will win Thorin will raise his ego Device MVP SK will win next major beating Na'Vi 2-0 EZ

2017-01-29 03:26

Keep dreaming.

2017-01-29 03:30

When will SK finally realise that to get back to top1 they need to replace taco for a better player? Taco seems like a nice guy and all, but he just isn't good enough for a top1 team. Felps was a nice addition to the team but had he replaced taco instead of fnx, SK's lineup would be scary as hell.

2017-01-29 04:00

+1 -taco +felps

2017-01-29 07:14

Astralis 2 - 1 Virtus Pro Map pool: Overpass Mirage Train

2017-01-29 05:10

#VirtusPlow

2017-01-29 06:32

Highlights: youtube.com/watch?v=SWZG-RoiLuY

2017-01-29 06:42

Semmler: "So s1ck!"

what a sick series! Congrats to VP and well played by SK!!!!

2017-01-29 07:22

"Tremendous performances by NEO on train and TaZ on cobblestone, thats why this guys are legends."

2017-01-29 09:04

Great match by both teams.GG VP

2017-01-29 09:22

Fox technically not a stand in. He s with them like 2 months now

2017-01-29 09:42

? he had 10 day bootcamp with SK

2017-01-29 09:54

gonna be easy for astralis

2017-01-29 09:56

byali really underperforming in this major. with him fragging like he used to, all these vp matches wouldnt have been so close. maybe he will show up in the final

2017-01-29 09:58

He never was VP's madfragger, he gets the important kills, that's enough

2017-01-29 12:24

Actually not as his impact was awful in this Major except of the first half on Train. And a bit on Cobble

2017-01-29 15:08

nice stats from vp players, from 70 adr to 75 adr as max in team

2017-01-29 10:21

End of the road for SK but very well played indeed, that too with a stand-in. Also, fox pulled his weight throughout the major and he deserves that credit. Good luck to him and jkaem for the new team! Onto the final, I think VP's got this. Astralis is strong at the moment but VP has the edge.

2017-01-29 10:37

VP fanboys will be sad after they´ll lose xPP

2017-01-29 10:55

Doesn't matter, atleast they made it to the finals...

2017-01-29 12:51

Glave to mi do loda morze, jurek pasza runda nasza

2017-01-29 11:33

SK problem TaCo, fox was good in SK, better than Fallen, if Sk will want be better, best choice : -Taco -fox +hen1 +felps

2017-01-29 11:41

lol hen1 can't do shit with rifles

2017-01-29 12:26

gg, wp

2017-01-29 12:06

vp deserve

2017-01-29 12:21

GJ VP and Respect for Fox he did nice work as stand in even vs monster team like VP

2017-01-29 12:39

Lez Go! 1. $500,000, Legends 2. $150,000, Legends 3-4. SK $70,000, Legends 3-4. fnatic $70,000, Legends 5-8. Natus Vincere $35,000, Legends 5-8. Gambit $35,000, Legends 5-8. FaZe $35,000, Legends 5-8. North $35,000, Legends 9-11. EnVyUs $8,750 9-11. GODSENT $8,750 9-11. Liquid $8,750 12-14. mousesports $8,750 12-14. G2 $8,750 12-14. OpTic $8,750 15-16. HellRaisers $8,750 15-16. FlipSid3 $8,750

2017-01-29 14:03

Ez4 felps at ESL Cologne 2017

2017-01-29 14:10

Thank you FOX for the awesome job you did. As a passionate Brazilian for SK I did not expect that much. SK had big problems with temporary substitution in the past. And thank you SK for the awesome job you guys did. You made us proud again.

2017-01-29 15:31