Ghost defeat FURIA to win ZOTAC Cup Masters Americas Finals

Ghost swept FURIA 2-0 (16-14 on Cache and 16-4 on Overpass) in the grand final of the ZOTAC Cup Masters 2018 Americas Regionals Finals to secure a spot at the main tournament.

The grand final between FURIA and Ghost kicked off on Cache, where the Brazilian side came out red-hot with a quick 3-0 lead after claiming the pistol and the following anti-ecos. Joshua "⁠steel⁠" Nissan and his men were able to end the streak with a firm hold on B, but FURIA's robust offense struck back with two in a row to make it 5-1.

A smooth retake from Ghost in the following round granted them their second of the half, which they followed up with another to reduce the deficit to two (3-5). FURIA's offense managed to wedge another on the board, but Ghost held the line with three consecutive rounds to even things out at 6-6. The Brazilians weren't going down without a fight, however, and rallied back to settle the half with a 9-6 lead at halftime.

FURIA continued their success in the second half, securing the CT pistol, but a combative Ghost side came marching back, with Yassine "⁠Subroza⁠" Taoufik's 1vs2 post-plant clutch securing them their third in a row (10-10). The North Americans continued their streak, adding one more on the board, before the two sides went back and forth, until Ghost eventually snapped FURIA's economy to reach map point and secure the 16-14 victory.

Overpass followed as the next map in the series. Ghost got off to a flying start as CTs and displayed a near perfect defensive side to take a convincing 14-1 lead over the Brazilians at halftime. In the second half, steel and his men wasted no time taking control of B and holding off FURIA on the retake to reach map point.

A shoddy buy from the Brazilian side was enough to hold off Ghost's push on B, which then allowed FURIA to begin chipping away at the North Americans' lead. But in the end, a 1vs1 from steel secured the 2-0 series win for Ghost and a spot at the main ZOTAC Cup Masters event.

ZOTAC Cup Masters 2018 Americas Finals standings:

1. Ghost - $10,000 + spot at ZOTAC Cup Masters
2. FURIA - $5,000
3-4. eUnited - $2,500
3-4. Sharks - $2,500
5-6. Complexity
5-6. Swole Patrol

With Ghost securing the final qualifying spot for the ZOTAC Cup Masters, one invite remains to complete the eight-team list for the event, in Hong Kong, set to take place from August 24-26 with $300,000 on the line.

The current team list looks as follows: