Cyber.Bet Cup Day 7 Finals Preview: Who Will Be Crowned Champion?
The stage is set. Eight teams from around Europe fought their way through a week’s worth of competition. Starting in the group stages, Movistar Riders and Heretics both successfully, finishing 1st without dropping a map in their group’s. Now they’re on the big stage. Who will take the lion-share of 10,000 dollars?
Movistar Riders
Movistar had a more leisurely start in the two groups. They had to beat the inexperienced and relatively new roster of NAVI Junior, and they had an easy time beating the CIS squad. Later on came another team from the same region. This time around it was the much more experienced Hard Legion roster. But this team hasn’t been looking good in terms of form. Here Movistar dropped a map on Train but still managed to fairly win the bo3 2-1. Their opponents in the playoffs were Syman Gaming. This is a skilled opponent and by far the toughest opponent they had to face. But like other teams in the past, Movistar managed to dismantle this CIS roster with ease.
One of the critical factors for Movistar is their cohesion as a roster. They’ve been together since October under the leadership of Lucas “steel” Lopes. The tactical nature of his squad’s help elevates this roster to new heights. Even though firepower might be a problem playing against Heretics, so far Alejandro “ALEX” Masanet Candela is the best player in the tournament. He’s sitting at the top of the hierarchy with a 1.39 rating and has been an essential piece for Movistar Riders.
Team Heretics
If Movistar Riders were put in the easier group, Heretics had to face the brunt of the opposition. Yet, they did a fantastic job beating anyone they met in the groups. For example, against Nordavind, they decimated them on the first map 16-4 and after some struggles, in the end, beat them 16-13. Even a team like Syman Gaming was supposed to be a more significant challenge, but they were taken down 2-0 in the bo3. In the playoffs, NAVI Junior couldn’t capitalize on their early leads and faltered in the end.
Just earlier we mentioned the best player in the tournament ALEX. Even though he occupies this position, all of the Heretics roster members are in the top 8 of the best players in the tournament. Trailing behind ALEX are four members of Heretics with a rating above 1.20. On an individual level, the Frenchmen are looking incredibly solid. But they are also a heavy momentum-based team, relying on their individuals to hit their stride.
Before the Grand Final commences, we must take a look at the plausible maps. From the get-go, Movistar Riders should remove Dust 2. It’s a map they ban 95% of the time, and currently, Heretics have a 100% win rate streak on it. Heretics could continue with their ban of Train, as it is a map Movistar tends to pick. After this first stage, Movistar Riders can push Heretics to their stronghold of Overpass. But after that, every other map will favour Heretics. They can punish Movistar for their lacklustre Vertigo or Nuke. As for a third map, it will likely be Mirage or Inferno, two maps that have been rapidly improving for Heretics. If Movistar wants to have a chance in the series, they must win their map pick. Otherwise, Heretics will be in a prime position for another 2-0 series.
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*Odds are subject to change.
