FURIA outlast Aurora to make EPL S22 playoffs

YEKINDAR was the star of the show with a 1.37 rating.

FURIA became the next team to qualify for the ESL Pro League S22 playoffs after beating Aurora in a three-map series (Inferno 13-3, Mirage 9-13, Overpass 16-12).

The win marks FURIA's third playoff appearance in a row. Gabriel "⁠FalleN⁠" Toledo's troops made the top four at BLAST Open London before winning FISSURE Playground 2 in September, and now have a chance to add another deep run to their resume.

Meanwhile, Aurora aren't out after the loss, as they now join the 2-2 pool that already features Natus Vincere, with The MongolZ and FaZe also favored to move to the last day of Stage 2 action.

The series began on Inferno, where FURIA's CT side was headlined by Mareks "⁠YEKINDAR⁠" Gaļinskis's relentless aggression on Banana. While the Latvian rifler won just two of his seven opening duels on the CT side, his assertive plays forced Aurora away from the B site and gave FURIA the platform for a one-sided 10-2 half.

The Turkish side remained disjointed on their CT side, as FURIA's second-round forcebuy condemned them to a 3-13 loss on their map pick.

The script flipped on Mirage as Aurora went 12-4 up, only to struggle closing out the game. But just as the flashbacks from their match against The MongolZ at BLAST Bounty, where they lost the map after an 11-1 lead, grew louder and louder, a 2vs2 conversion by Özgür "⁠woxic⁠" Eker and Engin "⁠MAJ3R⁠" Küpeli forced out the decider.

On Overpass, Ali "⁠Wicadia⁠" Haydar Yalçın was the sole reason that Aurora managed to go into the second half just 4-8 down after a couple of crucial multikills and clutches, and that was enough to keep the Turkish squad in the game. The teams remained close for the remainder of the map before FURIA finally took the series in a 16-12 win in overtime thanks to some impactful AWPing by Danil "⁠molodoy⁠" Golubenko.

More highlights from FURIA vs. Aurora:

• FURIA capitalize on Aurora's chaotic rotations

• KSCERATO and molodoy combine for 2vs4

• Wicadia's unlucky timing costs Aurora the round

• Wicadia's last-second plant denial

• MAJ3R lets out a scream after failed 1vs2

• YEKINDAR's smoke push gets FURIA to 10

• molodoy 3k saves the day