BetBoom eliminate SAW to reach seventh-place decider in EU RMR A

nafany's side still needs one more series win to secure a spot in the Shanghai Major.

BetBoom have eliminated SAW from Perfect World Shanghai Major contention following a two-map series in the 2-2 pool of Europe RMR A (13-9 Vertigo, 13-9 Ancient).

The Russian team isn't through to the Major yet, however, and will be required to play in the seventh-place decider later in the day for the final spot out of Europe RMR A due to their Bucholz score.

Date	Matches
Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 Europe RMR A
20/11/2024	BetBoom 14:25 GamerLegion	Match

SAW's Major hopes come to an early end after a rocky RMR campaign which started with a loss SINNERS before they beat UNiTY and Falcons, only to lose 0-2 to both Natus Vincere and BetBoom in the advancement rounds.

Ricardo "⁠roman⁠" Oliveira's side arrived in China mere weeks after lifting the trophy at ESL Challenger Katowice with newcomer André "⁠Ag1l⁠" Gil replacing Rafael "⁠arrozdoce⁠" Wing, but couldn't deliver the same consistency as they had with their old lurker in their dream run to the IEM Cologne semi-finals.

The team lacked tactical depth and particularly struggled with cohesion on the defense, failing to tally a single CT round on Vertigo and going down 1-8 on Ancient before a late recovery effort.

It was a tale of T sides for both teams for much of the series, with BetBoom emerging the victors after a masterclass effort on Vertigo and another strong shift on Ancient.

SAW came out of the gates swinging and drummed up a 9-3 lead on their Vertigo pick off the back of stellar rifle work from Michel "⁠ewjerkz⁠" Pinto and an early 1v2 clutch by João "⁠story⁠" Vieira, but were outclassed by exceptional calls from Vladislav "⁠nafany⁠" Gorshkov in the second half as BetBoom won ten straight to steal away the win.

BetBoom continued to pile on the misery on Ancient, varied round openings helping them score eight of the first nine rounds on the attack (helped by a 1v2 by Aleksandr "⁠KaiR0N-⁠" Anashkin) to make it an 18-1 run since halftime on Vertigo.

SAW lost three 1v1 situations in that run and put in an effort to stabilize at the end of the half, winning the last three rounds and adding another four to their tally after winning the second pistol round.

Once BetBoom had guns in hand, however, the cosmetic comeback was completely shut down, Aleksandr "⁠zorte⁠" Zagodyrenko's proactive rotations and nafany's openers swinging momentum back in favor of the Russian side to make for a quick victory.