“I’m actually disenchanted.” Vitality coach Rémy “XTQZZZ” Quoniam admitted after his crew’s newest heartbreak at BLAST Open London. “We had the sport on Inferno. However at 12-11, we simply didn’t look behind us they usually have been there.”
For a squad that stormed by means of the primary half of the season with seven straight titles, the previous few months have been a stark distinction. One other grand closing look ended with out silverware, and XTQZZZ was blunt concerning the feeling within the Vitality camp: “We wish to win. Merely reaching a closing isn’t sufficient.”
XTQZZZ spoke to Esports.internet instantly after the defeat to G2. Picture Credit score: BLAST
G2 strike at Vitality’s low level
Standing of their manner was G2 Esports, which had rediscovered its chew and claimed the London trophy in emphatic vogue. G2’s run by means of Group Spirit, FaZe Clan, FURIA, and now Vitality confirmed a stark turnaround in type from a crew that had truthfully struggled to place collectively a string of excellent outcomes all 12 months.
The grand closing started with humiliation for Vitality with a 13-2 collapse on Dust2 that made them look extra like a tier-three crew than reigning Main champions. Although they roared again with dominant wins on Mirage and Overpass, together with a flawless 16-0 T facet from Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, it was not sufficient.
Inferno proved to be the pivotal map. Vitality seemed on the point of sealing the collection and championship, when having a championship spherical at 12-11. G2 managed to power time beyond regulation with trophy-saving clutch. Sweeping the additional rounds 4-0, G2 grabbed maintain of the grand closing and refused to let the grip loosen.
“Then on Prepare, it’s a CT map, we misplaced each pistols, so it’s powerful,” XTQZZZ mentioned, as G2 closed the collection with a commanding 13-6 win. Match MVP Nikita “HeavyGod” Martynenko and teammate Matus “MATYS” Simko have been the standout performers on the deciding map.
A fading period?
With one other closing slipping by means of their fingers, questions concerning the decline of Vitality’s “period” are unavoidable. XTQZZZ himself didn’t deny the suggestion, however sounded weary: “I don’t know.”
He pointed to fatigue as a key issue: “The crew wants a break,” he defined, after seven relentless weeks of competitors. However he additionally acknowledged deeper issues: “We’re not as robust individually by 5 or ten % than in earlier months… and the mentality isn’t adequate. We’re annoyed manner quicker than earlier than, and that’s a problem. It’s technical and likewise psychological.”
Vitality now faces a vital reset interval earlier than the ESL Professional League begins on October 3. Whether or not that is really the tip of their dominance or only a non permanent stumble will rely on whether or not XTQZZZ and the roster can rediscover the unbelievable consistency they as soon as had. One factor’s for positive: the starvation to win stays.
