The second day of ESL One: Cologne 2016 has concluded, with four quarter-finalists determined.
Gambit Gaming vs. Astralis – 9:6, 7:0 (16:6)
Winner: Gambit Gaming
Map: de_Dust2
MVP: Dauren "AdreN" Kystaubayev
The winners' match of group A saw Russia's Gambit surpass the Danish Astralis in a quick succession. The victors kicked off on the T side of Dust2, where they were able to successfully secure a decent lead over their opponents. Gambit demonstrated some beautiful team play, allowing the team a 9:6 finish upon reaching half time. After switching onto the CT side, Gambit shut down Astralis as best they could, leading to a commanding second half, whereby not a single round was picked up by Denmark's finest team, whilst the Russians ran away with seven consecutive rounds. The Eastern European representatives land a placement in the quarter-finals of ESL One: Cologne 2016 and are branded Legends.
Team Dignitas vs. Counter Logic Gaming – 14:1, 2:0 (16:1)
Winner: Team Dignitas
Map: de_Cobblestone
MVP: Ruben "RUBINO" Villarroel
The losers' match of group A saw Team Dignitas obliterate Counter Logic Gaming. The Danes set off on the T side of Cobblestone, where they simply clicked and ran away with the first half. CLG were simply not able to fend off their opponents, allowing Dignitas to secure a 14:1 half time finish. At this point there was no comeback for the North American representatives, be it moral or physical. The Danes cull CLG at a rather astonishing 16:1 score.
CLG are sent packing, whereas Dignitas will face a weakened Astralis tonight, fighting for a spot at the quarter-finals of ESL One: Cologne 2016.
Natus Vincere vs. Ninjas in Pyjamas – 6:9, 10:3 (16:12)
Winner: Natus Vincere
Map: de_Cobblestone
MVP: Egor "flamie" Vasilyev
Group B's winners' match saw two very strong teams butt heads for a placement in the 1/8 of the tournament. Na'Vi kick off on the CT side of Cobblestone, where they have a decent CT side. NiP were able to secure quite a few rounds in their favour, setting themselves a 9:6 lead upon the conclusion of the first half. This lead was short lived; however, as the CIS mix mounted a strong comeback on the T side of the map. The team managed to secure a whopping 10:3 second half, finalising the match at a strong 16:12. Na'Vi are through to the quarter-finals of ESL One: Cologne 2016.
FlipSid3 Tactics vs. OpTic Gaming – 6:9, 10:4 (16:13)
Winner: FlipSid3 Tactics
Map: de_Train
MVP: Georgi "WorldEdit" Yaskin
The losers' match of group B saw a great performance from FlipSid3 Tactics. The Ukrainian representatives started on the CT side of Train. The start was shaky for the victors; however it seemed that the first half didn't accurately demonstrate what F3 had in mind. OpTic managed to secure a 9:6 first half. FlipSid3 switched over to the T side of Train and started amassing rounds. Successful executes and efficient trades meant that the Ukrainians ended up pulling OpTic apart, finalising the match at 16:13.
FlipSid3 move on to face Sweden's finest, NiP, in a bid to secure a placement in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, OpTic will be focused on analysing mistakes and packing suitcases.
Virtus.Pro vs. Team Liquid – 6:9, 10:3 (16:12)
Winner: Virtus.Pro
Map: de_Cobblestone
MVP: Janusz "Snax" Pogorzelski
Next on the agenda was the very exciting group C, where we saw two equally exciting teams face each other for a spot in the quarter finals. Virtus.Pro kick off on the less-favoured CT side of the map, where they demonstrated decent holds and retakes of bombsites. Liquid speed slightly ahead of their Polish opponents, cutting the first half at 9:6 on their T side. At this point it was time to plow the earth under Liquid's feet and Virtus.Pro delivered. A fascinating T side coming from the Poles, exploiting various weak spots of the North American team. Virtus.Pro mauled Liquid in a 10:3 second half, securing a 16:12 final score, as well as a placement in the quarter-finals of the tournament.
Mousesports vs. Team EnVyUs – 8:7, 8:5 (16:12)
Winner: Mousesports
Map: de_Train
MVP: Chris "chrisJ" de Jong
The losers' match of group C saw mouz derail EnVyUs on de_Train. It all started off quite promising for both teams, as there was no clear leader by the end of the first half. Both teams knew exactly what was at stake, playing carefully and calculatedly. This lead to a slight lead in score for mouz's CT side, 8:7. The second half was, again, skewed slightly towards the German side, where the roster was able to successfully storm the French defences. Mouz grind EnVyUs out of the tournament on a 16:12 note.
Team EnVyUs are left with very little to envy, as they will be spectating the rest of the ESL One: Cologne 2016 from the comfort of their hotel rooms, whilst Mousesports go on to face the Polish powerhouse, Virtus.Pro.
SK Gaming vs. FaZe Clan – 12:3, 4:3 (16:6)
Winner: SK Gaming
Map: de_Cobblestone
MVP: Marcelo "coldzera" David
The final group, D, of the day was host to tournament favourites, SK Gaming, where they reinstated why the title of favourites is theirs to bear. The Brazilians had a phenomenal performance on their starting, CT, side of Cobblestone, whereby they had every answer to FaZe Clan's assaults. Time went by, as did rounds, to no ado for the European mix. SK Gaming pull out of the first half with a 12:3 score on the board. On the T side of the map, SK practically went even with FaZe, but they only needed four rounds to close off the match, and those four rounds were found, with FazE picking up but 3. SK Gaming move on up to the quarter-finals, whilst FaZe prepare for their match against the winner of the losers' bracket of group D.
Fnatic vs. G2 Esports – 8:7, 8:6 (16:13)
Winner: Fnatic
Map: de_Train
MVP: Freddy "KRIMZ" Johansson
The final match of the day saw a close-call match between two strong contenders for the Champions' title, however only a single team could prevail. The initial half saw another grind, where both teams were reluctant to give up rounds. The Swedes ended up getting the upper hand on their French opponents, having a single round lead (8:7) at the end of the first half. After switching over to the T side of Train, Fnatic were able to methodically outplay G2, taking the match to a total of twenty-nine rounds, slightly short of overtime.
Fnatic go 16:13 against G2, facing FaZe Clan in the second chance brackets, whilst G2 evaluate what went wrong over the course of the match.
