FURIA Ends Title Drought with Elisa Masters Espoo 2023 Victory
FURIA, the Brazilian Counter Strike powerhouse, has clinched victory at Elisa Masters Espoo 2023, breaking a long-standing title drought on international LANs. The four-map final against European contender Apeks was an intense battle that ended 3-1 in favor of the South American squad.
A Triumph Over Adversity
The win marked the end of FURIA's trophyless period in international LANs. Which dates back to their triumph at the Arctic Invitational in September 2019, also held in Finland. The team's recently appointed captain, Andrei "arT" Piovezan, acknowledged the significance of the victory, attributing their success to the Finnish atmosphere. He stated,
"It's been a while since we last won a tournament. Winning here is amazing.”
The Series Unfolds
The best-of-five series commenced on Apeks' map pick, Inferno. Despite an early deficit, FURIA showcased resilience, securing an 8-4 lead at halftime. Apeks attempted a comeback in the second half, but FURIA's dominance prevailed, with arT delivering a crucial quad kill for victory.
Yuri "yuurih" Santos initiated the action on Ancient with a powerful trio of frags in the pistol round, propelling FURIA to an initial 3-0 lead. However, as both teams secured resources, Apeks tightened their defense, dominating the latter half of the first round and concluding with an 8-4 lead at halftime, spearheaded by Joakim "jkaem" Myrbostad. The second half mirrored the initial pattern, with FURIA starting strong but Apeks gaining momentum in gun rounds, once again led by the impactful plays of the Norwegian, ultimately securing victory in the map.
Vertigo witnessed a strong start for Apeks, reaching a 5-1 lead on the CT side. FURIA rallied back, securing crucial rounds and maintaining composure even in the face of challenges. The Brazilians closed out the map and set the stage for Mirage.
Moving to Mirage, a map where FURIA had previously tasted success in Espoo, the Brazilians stormed to an early 5-1 lead. Apeks, however, managed to equalize at 6-6 before halftime, hinting at the potential for a decisive fifth map. Yet, FURIA, playing on the T side, orchestrated a remarkable 7-0 run, firmly taking control and securing not only the map but also the championship, concluding the series in their favor.
Furia manage to clinch the title under IGL arT, making it their first LAN title since 2019.Image Source: Elisa Esports
Get more information on the Match-up HERE.
Player Insights: Emotions and Commitment
After the victory, Kaike "KSCERATO" Cerato expressed his elation, stating,
"I feel so good bro, it’s so good to have this feeling, it’s been a while as I said yesterday!"
He emphasized the team's unity and dedication, expressing confidence in their ability to continue succeeding.
Coach Nicholas "guerri" Nogueira thanked Finland for its support. Also noting the significance of winning his second trophy in the Nordic country. He highlighted the impact of adding Gabriel "FalleN" Toledo and Marcelo "chelo" Cespedes to the team, stating, "It's just the beginning."
The Road Ahead
Looking forward, FURIA is set to compete at BetBoom Dacha in Dubai. ArT believes the recent victory will provide the team with added confidence for upcoming tournaments.
"It gives us confidence for the next tournaments. We're going to be way more confident,"
-Andrei "arT" Piovezan
Their triumph at Elisa Masters Espoo 2023 marks a significant resurgence for the Brazilian squad. They ended a prolonged title drought and showcased their dominance on the international stage. With the addition of new players and a renewed sense of confidence, FURIA is poised for further success in the competitive CS2 scene.
Featured Image Source: Eslisa Esports on X (formerly Twitter)
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