Team Liquid vs FaZe Clan – Epicenter 2018 CSGO – Semi-finals

Epicenter is one of the best eSports events that take place in Russia and includes two disciplines: CS: GO and Dota 2. Of the top 10 world rankings, the second, third, fourth, sixth and ninth teams of the world arrived in Moscow. This is the elite of the world CS: GO. The tournament was recognized as the best event in Europe in the Live Entertainment industry at the main European award EUBEA 2016. Last year’s final, which was held in St. Petersburg, was attended by over 12 thousand spectators, and more than 30 million people watched Internet broadcasts.

This year, Epicenter 2018 is taking place at the Park of Legends Ice Palace, Moscow featuring a prize pool of $ 295,000.

It all started on October 22 with qualification: four teams that won their regional qualifying tournaments, according to the double-elimination format, it determined the two best teams. While the remaining teams were invited.

The eight teams were divided into two groups. The top two teams from each group made their way to the playoffs. The group stage took place from 23 to 25 October. Then a pause of a couple of days, the semi-finals – on October 27, and the final – on the 28th.

FaZe Clan

Recently, FaZe Clan is called “Real Madrid” from eSports, which has the composition of the best players in the world. Just like at the dawn of the 2000s Real Madrid did. The cybersport analog of Galaktikos has certain problems with mutual understanding, team play, and results. In a single match, the American organization with the Europeans in the team can beat anyone on pure skill. But this rule works and vice versa: at any moment.

The arrival of such a team at Epicenter is a problem or everyone. Fans continue to support the stars that play a very cool, but unpredictable CS.

One of the main problems of Faze right now is coordination of actions. This is usually the responsibility of the captain. At Major, this role was entrusted to one of the best shooters in the world, Niko. The way the Bosnian coped with this task, everyone saw. So, the question of the role of team leader remains open.

Player: Nikola “Niko” Kovacs Team: Faze Clan: Bosnia and Herzegovina Age: 21 years

The best shooter of the world from Bosnia has collected an incredible number of individual awards. He made his first appearance on the world stage for Mousesports, and in 2017 he moved to FaZe Clan. If CS: GO was an individual game, then Kovac would have been the best, since he has certain problems while interacting with other players. Right now, Niko has tried on a new role as the captain and team leader of FaZe Clan. It turns out that the Bosnian has kept his skill set high as he won a 4v1 clutch against Ninjas in Pyjamas in the quarter-finals of Epicenter 2018.

Player: Havard “Rain” Nigard Team: Faze Clan: Norway Age: 24 years

Slowly but surely this Norwegian talent made its way into the top teams. First, Rain played for Team Kinguin, then G2, and in January 2016, he moved to be the star of Faze. At the end of 2017, Rain became the fourth best player in the world. 2018 is a little more difficult for a Norwegian, but on the whole, he holds his own individual level. If it were not for the problems in the team game, Rain could even fight for the top 3 players in the world, but there is no progress yet. However, the Norwegian is still in great form as he is clinical for FaZe Clan at the moment.

Player: Ladislav “Guardian” Kovacs Team: Faze Clan: Slovakia Age: 27 years

The famous Slovak is a living legend of CS since 1.6. He received the greatest popularity in the game for his performances with Natus Vincere, where he played the role of a center sniper. For the past six years, he has consistently been in the top 20 best players in the world. Unfortunately for all Ladislav fans, he is not always good enough in the competition.

Team Liquid

Recently, the second in the world ranking, only behind Astralis, Team Liquid has been looking for the optimal composition for a long time and in 2018 were finally able to find it. Nitro and Elige duo teamed up with the experienced players, Twistzz and NAF. The latest addition of this composition was the Brazilian TACO, who achieved almost everything at SK Gaming and decided to look for something new. Right now, the only problem of this team is TACO, who does not always understand how some of the maps are played out.

For example, Dust_2 – the Brazilians always ban this map first and try not to play at all. But this is only a matter of experience, so in the near future, Americans should become an almost invulnerable team, which even at a distance can try to impose the fight on Astralis. If everything goes according to plan, Team Liquid has a solid chance of lifting the Epicenter 2018 trophy.

It’s hard to choose the best with such a strong line-up, but right now Twistzz has simply been formidable.

Player: Russell “Twistzz” Van Dulken Team: Team Liquid Country: Canada Age: 18 years old

With a very even composition of Team Liquid, they still have a statistical leader. The youngest player of the American team to the last ESL One New York came not only with a cool hairstyle but with a powerful shooting. There, the Americans destroyed all, and Twistzz received the title of MVP. Already, Russell is in the top ten players in the world, but you can move on.

Final Verdict

The matchup is quite hard to predict but I guess my vote goes for Team Liquid which has been an unstoppable force throughout the whole tournament. The fact cannot be denied that FaZe Clan were in an impressive form against Ninjas in Pyjamas. However, Ninjas in Pyjamas are themselves struggling to cope up with their gameplay and are not really in a good spot right now. Therefore, achieving this kind of result was almost certain for FaZe Clan.

Team Liquid 2 – 1 FaZe Clan

Odds on bookmakers

Bookmakers	Team Liquid Odds		FaZe Clan Odds
	European	American	European	American
EGB.com	1.44	-225	2.46	+146.00
1Xbet	1.49	-204	2.61	+161.00
Loot.bet	1.50	-200	2.60	+160.00
GG.bet	1.50	-200	2.58	+158.00
Bet365	1.44	-225	2.62	+162.00