ENCE eSports vs Team Liquid

iquid > ENCE

I'll say it - I'm an ENCE fan. A hardcore ENCE fan. I'll be rooting for them tomorrow and if they win, I might open a beer or two.

That being said I think they actually got the hardest matchup they could've in this stage with Team Liquid. Their map pool clashes pretty badly with Liquid and the ensuing brawl will almost definitely be in the NA side's favor. In addition, Liquid is undoubtedly the better side when it comes to firepower. It certainly does not help that the Finnish prodigy sergej has been majorly underperforming throughout the tournament, although Aleksib has picked up the slack while simultaneously trying to IGL (and doing a good job at it). allu is being allu while Aerial and xseveN have kind of been floating around the scoreboard. Liquid has been very consistent fragging-wise, had no problem coming into the group stage and getting through. I can't really say anyone of them has been carrying the team, as they all pick up the slack when needed - a really solid team. Even their IGL's, nitr0's, fragging has been on point and he was a really impactful player in the Legends stage.

I'm expecting a veto as follows: Dust2 - Mirage - Overpass. It's a real shame ENCE won't get to play Train, which is very much so their best map. Not vetoing Train would be a huge mistake for Liquid and ENCE will most likely ban Cache. ENCE's Dust2 has been shaky at best and their T-sides have been generally very bad. This will most likely be a blowout for Team Liquid. Then we'll get to the Finns' pick, Mirage. While it is their second-best map it is also a very solid map for TL and I don't think the blue horse has any difficulties turning the match into a 2-0 here. 3rd map is Overpass which most likely won't matter. I will say this though: it is a very strong map for both and if it goes to this we should have a great map to watch in our hands.

As much as it pains me, Liquid will end ENCE's first major run with a fairly swift 2-0 victory. My booker gives me good odds for Liquid -1.5 @2.00 so I might go for that.