Astralis through to ESL One Cologne playoffs over Vitality

Astralis secured a playoff spot by defeating Vitality on Nuke (16-8) and Dust2 (16-7) in the first Group B upper bracket semi-final.

Lucas "⁠Bubzkji⁠" Andersen and Patrick "⁠es3tag⁠" Hansen had another good showing after their opening victory against fnatic. The duo were the highest rated players on Astralis’ map pick, Nuke, doing their part to overcome Vitality in the Group B upper bracket semi-finals, whereas the old guard stepped up on Dust2 to secure a high seed playoff spot.

Vitality, who opened their tournament run with a victory over their Heretics countrymen, will now have to play FaZe in the Group B lower bracket semi-final in a do-or-die match that will end with elimination or a spot in the playoffs.

Richard "⁠shox⁠" Papillon picked up three as Vitality took the first pistol round on the defending side of Nuke, although Astralis hit right back the following round to tie it up. Three more kills by shox, this time with a Desert Eagle, kept the French team ahead. Bubzkji got two opening kills in the first full buy round which Astralis were able to win with a play on the upper bomb site, propelling the Danes to a 4-4 tie. Rounds then went back-and-forth as both teams fought to win the half, with Astralis coming out ahead 8-7.

Emil "⁠Magisk⁠" Reif and Peter "⁠dupreeh⁠" Rasmussen eliminated the attacking team to increase their lead in the CT side, furthering their buffer after the first gun round. Vitality were finally able to retaliate in the fifth round, but Astralis didn’t lose momentum on the defense and closed their map pick out 16-8.

Astralis are through to the playoffs after two matches

Astralis got ahead on the first pistol round of Dust2 with Nicolai "⁠device⁠" Reedtz downing three attacking players. Vitality won their first buy round, bringing it then to a 2-2 tie, but Astralis kept their lead after a successful forecebuy. The two teams then brawled, trading rounds to 4-4 before Astralis took control of the situation, leading 10-5 at the half.

Bubzkji killed three defenders in the second pistol round as Astralis increased their lead to 13-5. Dan "⁠apEX⁠" Madesclaire and Mathieu "⁠ZywOo⁠" Herbaut got doubles each in the first gun round to keep their team fighting to push the series to a decider, but Astralis won the following round with an A play to get within one of match point. Vitality delayed the inevitable with a low-money buy, but eventually caved as Astralis secured the map and series 16-7 to secure a spot in the playoffs.

ESL One Cologne 2020 EuropeBest of 3

Vitality

Matchpage

0

2

22nd August 2020

Astralis

8

Nuke

16

7

Dust2

16

Vitality	K - D	+/-	ADR	Rating 2.0
Richard 'shox' Papillonshox	33 - 34	-1	70.2	0.96
Dan 'apEX' MadesclaireapEX	26 - 34	-8	65.1	0.86
Cédric 'RpK' GuipouyRpK	28 - 40	-12	77.8	0.83
Mathieu 'ZywOo' HerbautZywOo	23 - 39	-16	58.8	0.72
Kévin 'misutaaa' Rabiermisutaaa	23 - 39	-16	52.5	0.63

Astralis	K - D	+/-	ADR	Rating 2.0
Emil 'Magisk' ReifMagisk	40 - 24	+16	80.5	1.34
Nicolai 'device' Reedtzdevice	37 - 29	+8	84.0	1.33
Peter 'dupreeh' Rasmussendupreeh	38 - 26	+12	76.9	1.32
Patrick 'es3tag' Hansenes3tag	34 - 27	+7	84.5	1.28
Lucas 'Bubzkji' AndersenBubzkji	37 - 28	+9	86.9	1.24