Cloud9 beat FORZE to win BetBoom Playlist Urbanistic

The Russian side takes home the $165,000 prize for first place at the online event.

Cloud9 have come out victorious from BetBoom Playlist Urbanistic 2023 after defeating FORZE 2-0 in the grand final. The Vladislav "⁠nafany⁠" Gorshkov-led squad was directly invited to the quarter-finals and made quick work of Falcons and GODSENT on their way to the last series.

On the other side, FORZE began their journey at the online tournament all the way back in February, when they took part in the opening Swiss-style group. Andrey "⁠Jerry⁠" Mekhryakov and company were on the verge of elimination after a 0-2 start in the first phase, but they turned their fortunes around by winning six consecutive best-of-three series to claim a spot in the final.

Their run included wins over ATK, 500, and Sangal to turn around their initial deficit in the Swiss group and qualify for the playoffs. Their qualification was quickly followed by with three sweeps on the bounce over Bad News Eagles, Virtus.pro, and MOUZ.

Nafany's team did not drop a single map across three fixtures

Dmitry "⁠sh1ro⁠" Sokolov finished as the highest-rated player at the event with a 1.49 rating averaged over six maps played. The Russian sniper also performed well in the final, registering a 1.52 score in the last match. Joel "⁠joel⁠" Holmlund and Iulian "⁠regali⁠" Harjău were two of the standout players at the tournament, especially the young Swede as he powered his team to the semi-finals with a 1.41 rating over 14 maps, the third-highest score overall.

Bad News Eagles were the highest-ranked team at the start of the tournament, but were unable to make it past the first playoff round as they were swept by a rising FORZE. The Russians also took down Virtus.pro, sending their regional rivals home without a single map win to their name. Another upset was seen in the quarter-final as BIG were eliminated by GODSENT, a team ranked 15 spots below them.

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Cloud9 secure BetBoom Playlist Urbanistic grand final spot

Maikil "⁠Golden⁠" Selim's men were eventually stopped by Cloud9 in the semi-finals, but their run through the tournament has been a highlight for the Swedish squad. They topped the Swiss group with a 3-0 record and claimed victories over Sprout, Sangal, and HEET before doubling down on the French side in the playoffs. GODSENT then took down BIG to secure their second top-four finish with their new lineup.

The final standings for BetBoom Playlist Urbanistic 2023 are:

1. Cloud9 - $165,000
2. FORZE- $75,000
3-4. MOUZ - $20,000
3-5. GODSENT - $20,000
5-8. Falcons - $5,000
5-8. Virtus.pro - $5,000
5-8. Apeks - $5,000
5-8. BIG - $5,000
9-12. Bad News Eagles
9-12. Aurora
9-12. 1win
9-12. HEET
13-15. Sangal
13-15. Into the Breach
13-15. Copenhagen Flames
16-18. Endpoint
16-18. 500
16-18. HONORIS
19-20. Sprout
19-20. ATK