Astralis advance to Katowice grand final at expense of MIBR

Astralis have bested MIBR 2-0 on Overpass (16-14) and Inferno (16-7), now set to face ENCE in the grand final of IEM Katowice 2019.

The second semi-final kicked off on Overpass, where favourites Astralis opened up their CT side with early dominance. An initial pistol victory was succeeded by a further three consecutive rounds, extending the Danes' lead to a 4-0 surplus in spite of MIBR's rifle round. The Brazilian squad rebound from a string of fall-throughs with three of their own, resetting Astralis' economy and closing the round difference to just one. A brawl ensued, seeing to an additional two victories in the court of Lukas "⁠gla1ve⁠" Rossander and company, however the Danes were unable to stabilise economically after these successes, conceding the final five rounds to MIBR at 6-9.

A consecutive pistol round went in the way of Astralis, after a brisk B take proved effective. The same could not be said for MIBR's upgraded pistols, as the Danes closed the round discrepancy to zero at a 9-9 scoreline come round 18. The CTs scored their first round after the initial onslaught, only for Nicolai "⁠device⁠" Reedtz to set them back economically after a 1v2 situation was converted in the Danes' favour. Having conceded a further three rounds off the back of this play, MIBR finally found some footing on the CT side, equalising the scoreline at 14-14. The comeback was denied, however, as Astralis closed out the remaining two rounds, securing Overpass at 16-14.

Astralis transferred their pistol round dominance to Inferno's T side, once more securing the first round of the map. Consistent with their performance on Overpass, the Danes made work of their adversaries despite the presence of rifles, amassing a 5-0 lead off the bat. Back-to-back 2ks from João "⁠felps⁠" Vasconcellos assisted MIBR in procuring two rounds, immediately followed up by a financial reset, yielding the aggressors a further three. Fortunately, the CTs were able to compose in the remaining rounds, clawing four of the remaining five to lessen the deficit to 6-9.

Despite spectacular individual play from Gabriel "⁠FalleN⁠" Toledo, who nearly converted a 1v3 situation into a pistol victory, Astralis landed their fourth pistol round of the series. Contrary to previous performances, MIBR were able to upset the opponents' early momentum after conceding two, however the Brazilian squad failed to capitalise on this opening, financially reset in round 18. This proved to be the team's undoing as Astralis extended their lead to series point. An economy in tatters, as well as limited utility in round 23 meant a 0-2 loss for MIBR, as Astralis emerged victorious on Inferno with a 16-7 score.