FaZe book ESL One Cologne playoff spot over MIBR

FaZe have sealed passage to the ESL One Cologne 2018 playoffs after defeating MIBR in two maps, 16-9 on Dust2 and 16-12 on Mirage.

It all started on MIBR's map pick, Dust2, with FaZe bagging a quick 3-0 lead after winning their CT pistol. The Brazilians responded well with three rounds of their own to equalize it.

MIBR did a fast mid to B execution, but FaZe replied with a successful retake to take control of proceedings. The European mixture kept shutting down their opponents to go up 10-3 without much effort. That was when Marcelo "⁠coldzera⁠" David and co. finally came back to life, stringing together the final two rounds of the half to reach their fifth.

Now playing as CTs, MIBR looked set to restore parity after going on a four-round winning streak, 9-10. However, a shoddy buy marked the start of a massive run from Finn "⁠karrigan⁠" Andersen's men, who did not stop from continuously breaking through the defence to finish things off, with the 28-year-old topping the scoreboard with a 1.38 rating.

Next up was Mirage, FaZe's map pick. MIBR started things off on the right foot, winning their CT pistol and the subsequent anti-ecos. As soon as FaZe won the first gun round, the Brazilians called for a tactical pause, but that was not enough to stop their opponents.

Down 3-7, MIBR called for their second tactical pause in another bid to halt FaZe, who were looking too hot to handle. That brought to light a way for the defence to counter FaZe, but the Europeans still managed to win two more rounds to lead 9-6 by half-time.

Håvard "⁠rain⁠" Nygaard opened up the action in the second half with two clean kills, but Nikola "⁠NiKo⁠" Kovač had to find two other opponents in a 2v2 situation to pick up the second pistol round for his team. Even though MIBR replied with a successful force-buy, FaZe kept proving they were the stronger team, hitting 15 rounds without response.

MIBR still attempted a comeback by winning five rounds in a row, but it was in vain as FaZe remained calm and collected to close out the map, 16-12.