The final day of the CEVO CSS Pro Playoffs kicked off with lower bracket play. x3o took on the #2 seeded 94’ Knicks. The Knicks started the match off very strong with a commanding 9-3 first half. The second half made for a battle as x3o did not go down with out a fight and were able to fight back but came up short in the end.
94’ Knicks > x3o 13-9
This set the stage for the 94’ Knicks to play against Devastion, who played both matches extremely tight in day 1. This match was not close, however. As the 94’ Knicks kicked in to gear and never let up. Devastation seemed lost and was unable to put anything together.
94’ Knicks > Devastation 13-3
From the previous blowout we moved back to the upper bracket finals where the two CGS teams would meet again. The Carolina Core and the smoking hot Dallas Venom squared off to see who would advance directly to the finals. The first half was a virtual back and forth and it looked to be any one’s game. In the second half, Dallas stepped it up and were able to commandingly finish off the Core and take the match. Dallas would now have to wait for a few hours to see who they would be playing against for the $5000 grand prize and title of CEVO Champion.
Dallas Venom > Carolina Core 13-7
The Carolina Core would now have to turn around and play immediately again against the 94’ Knicks. The Knicks are coming off a two game win streak and were looking to carry that momentum in to the finals. The Core were not going to make that easy and instead turned this into a marathon match that would ultimately go to two over times. In regulation both halves would end in a dead tie at 6-6. The first overtime was a see saw that would end 5-5. In the second overtime it appeared as if Carolina was going to run off with the first half as they were up 3-1 and had a 5 on 1 situation in the final round of the half but Sauce was not willing to give up the round and proceeded to take out all 5 Carolina Core members and the bomb defuse. Hot off of the incredibly clutch performance of Sauce many people thought that the Knicks would carry that high into the second half and take the match but the Core were able to take the first round and take it to within one of game point. The 94’ Knicks immediately fired back and were able to commandingly take the second round without losing a member of their team. The 3rd round would go to the Carolina Core and put the Knicks in a do or die situation. Carolina was then able to carry this momentum and win the very next win to close out the double OT and win the match.
Carolina Core > 94’ Knicks 23-20
This would set up yet another match up of the Carolina Core and Dallas Venom. The series is definitely in favor of the Venom this year but in a best of 3 game it could go either way. The Dallas Venom came into the match defending their previous CEVO Championship and looking to become back to back champions. The Core come into the match virtually written off by most but battling through two overtime games to get to the finals.
The first map was dust2 and The Dallas Venom started on the Counter-Terrorist side. The Venom dominated the first half behind the fragging of Sunman who finished with a 16-4 count. Dallas finished the half 8-4. Core opened the second half with 4 quick wins and tie the match up. It was not until the fifth round that Dallas Venom was finally able to capture their first round of the second half. Zid was able to take out 3 of the Core members to lead the charge for their first round win. Carolina proceeded to dominate the next 5 rounds in a row and take the match to game point. Org came up huge in the 9th round with an ace. Org, Torrez and Daff all came to play in the second half all carrying double digit frags. Even though Core had a huge amount of momentum they were not able to close the match out and lost the next two rounds to make it 12-11 in the Core’s favor and yet another Core overtime was looking likely. Dallas was able to win the final 3 rounds to take it to overtime.
The first half of overtime was a complete back and forth as the Core started on CT and were able to pull off the first two rounds. Dallas the returned fire and came back with two wins of their own before the Core were able to close out the half winning the final round for a 3-2 first half win. The Core took the first round of the second half behind some fantastic AK work from Org. The Venom quickly answered back by taking the second round while only losing one member of their team. The third round went back to the Carolina Core and would set up a game point for the Core. The Core had game point for a while in regulation but were not able to close it out and take the map and in OT things looked no different as the Dallas Venom dominated the Core in the very next round, taking the round without losing a single player behind three AWP frags by Brawr. Unfortunately for the Dallas Venom, Mustang timed out in the middle of the final round and the Core were able to walk away with the final round and take the first map of the Championship match.
Map 1: Carolina Core > Dallas Venom 18-16
The second map of the finals was Train. Dallas started on the Terrorist side. This would be a big test for “America’s Ringer”, Hostile, as he would be taking the outside alone. This is a role that Sonny usually handles and handles well. The first few rounds were plagued with disconnects and Dallas was able to end up on top with a score of 2-1. The Core would then fire back with the next 5 consecutive rounds before Venom was able to get another round. This would make the overall score 6-3. At this point, Dominator had a problem with his computer and after a long delay play resumed with another round for Dallas which forced the Core to have to save. The Venom would quickly take this eco round from the Core bringing the score to 6-5 in the Core’s favor. The Core was able to take the final round and close the half with a 7-5 first half win. Though Carolina got the first half they certainly did not get as many rounds on the easier CT side as they would need to win the match. The second half was entirely Dallas Venom. Carolina Core never was able to get anything going and lost 8 straight rounds.
Map 2: Dallas Venom > Carolina Core 13-6
The entire championship all came down to just one map and that map would be Inferno. Dallas Venom would start the map on the CT side. The Core were able to open the map with a quick win but the Venom quickly responded with 6 rounds of their own. Zid had the map on lock down with some amazing AWP play. It was not until the 8th round that Carolina would finally be able to get another point on the board. The score was 6-2 at this point in the favor of Dallas. The Core was then able to put together 2 more rounds and suddenly we had a match. The Venom were able to close out the half strong and won the last two rounds to make the first half 8-4. The Core looked to have done their job on more difficult side of the match and going into the second half it looked to be anyone’s game. The Core opened the second half with a round but unfortunately lost Org in the second round due to connection problems and Venom were able to capitalize on the Core’s shortcoming. Org was able to reconnect and when he did he laid the smack down on the very next round getting 4 frags and taking the 3rd round for Carolina. In the next round the Venom were quickly able to over take a bombsite and plant. Org and Daffsta were in a 2 on four situation and were able to get 3 of the Dallas Venom players. Daff got within 1 second of the defuse but Dominator was able to pick up the final two Venom players and take the round for the Venom. Unfortunately, there was yet another disconnect as Org dropped yet again and Dallas was able to pick up the round and put the game to match point for the Dallas Venom. Org made it back for the next round and was able to help the Core win the next two rounds. Those would be the last rounds the Core would get as the Venom would close the game and championship with the 10th round. Despite many problems the Core never gave up but the Venom were able to come out on top and played an amazing tournament to defend their CEVO title and reclaim another one.
Dallas Venom > Carolina Core 13-9
FINALS
Dallas Venom > Carolina Core 2-1
It was a long but exciting day of Counter-Strike. Things wrapped up as many expected but it was a battle the entire way. We had several overtime matches and a couple of double OT matches along the way. Even the championship match went to all 3 maps. So, this was a highly contested battle and some top notch Counter-Strike was played by all. Congratulations to the Dallas Venom on their back to back CEVO titles.
FINAL STANDINGS
1st Dallas Venom - $5,000
2nd Carolina Core - $3,500
3rd 94’ Knicks - $1,500
4th Devastation