Liquid lose thriller decider against G2 at IEM Kraków Stage 1
Liquid were sent to the last-chance bracket after a 1-2 defeat against G2 at IEM Kraków. Even with Karim "Krimbo" Moussa standing in, Liquid and particularly Roland "ultimate" Tomkowiak put up a strong fight and nearly came back against the European squad.
Liquid started strong on their map pick of Mirage with a pistol win and early momentum. While they led 6-2, G2 responded with four straight rounds to tie the game 6-6 before the next half. Liquid lost the crucial second pistol, allowing G2 to build more momentum and run the rest of the map. Liquid lost their pick 8-13, dropping eleven of the last thirteen rounds.
Liquid found early success again on G2's pick of Inferno with a pistol and conversions to start up 3-0. Unlike Mirage, they didn't let the lead slip as they dominated the first half 11-1. Though they lost the second pistol and conversions, Liquid still managed to close it out 13-6 and force a third map.
Anubis was the decider, and Liquid were unable to get much going on their CT-side after losing the pistol and starting slow. They entered the second half down 3-9, but started strong with the pistol and mounds of impact from ultimate and NertZ to grab an 11-9 lead. G2 responded and tied the game 12-12 to send it to overtime. The rounds went back-and-forth, but Liquid failed to capitalize on the comeback and lost 14-16, ending the series 1-2.
ultimate and NertZ were a potent duo throughout the series with 118 kills, 28 multikill rounds, 24 opening kills between them, but it wasn't enough to get it over the line in the end.
LiquidG2| Liquid |
K - D | +/- | ADR | KAST | Rating 3.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Roland 'ultimate' Tomkowiak |
66 - 41 | +25 | 85.7 | 70.0% | 1.52 |
 Guy 'NertZ' Iluz |
52 - 49 | +3 | 83.6 | 68.6% | 1.12 |
 Karim 'Krimbo' Moussa |
37 - 44 | -7 | 56.7 | 68.6% | 0.95 |
 Jonathan 'EliGE' Jablonowski |
38 - 53 | -15 | 64.0 | 67.1% | 0.80 |
| Kamil 'siuhy' Szkaradek |
34 - 53 | -19 | 63.4 | 62.9% | 0.76 |
| G2 |
K - D | +/- | ADR | KAST | Rating 3.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Nemanja 'huNter-' Kovač |
54 - 47 | +7 | 87.8 | 77.1% | 1.33 |
 Mario 'malbsMd' Samayoa |
51 - 47 | +4 | 69.8 | 68.6% | 1.15 |
 Matúš 'MATYS' Šimko |
48 - 46 | +2 | 77.8 | 74.3% | 1.03 |
| Nikita 'HeavyGod' Martynenko |
51 - 47 | +4 | 73.0 | 72.9% | 1.00 |
 Álvaro 'SunPayus' García |
36 - 41 | -5 | 57.3 | 67.1% | 0.80 |
Liquid's next match will be tomorrow at 01:00PM against FUT where victory means Stage 2, and defeat means elimination.
