Team Vitality vs Vega Squadron

IEM Katowice 2019 Main Qualifier

In this tip, we will be taking a close look at a best of one match-up between teams Vitality and Vega Squadron in round 3 of the IEM Katowice 2019 Main Qualifier. Vitality is currently favored in this matchup with the current odds at time of writing being a 1.54 and they are also the team I am convinced will win this matchup. I will explain why in the following tip.

Vitality:

Vitality has given me some hope for the French scene. Since EnvyUs as an organization departed from the French scene last year and G2 has basically fallen flat on their face in an attempt to create the best French team ever assembled. However, this Vitality lineup, though not too different than last iterations of other French teams, they do have one factor that has been different than all of the others; Zywoo. Zywoo in my eyes has singlehandedly saved the French scene. He is the French S1mple, it's as easy as that to explain. If he stays consistent with his form and level of play, he will make the top 20 players of 2019. If the rest of his team can keep up and elevate him to where he needs to be in order to carry, Vitality will have a long prosperous 2019. I've seen other players have stand out moments as well because of this new young talent coming into the scene and making everyone sweat. NBK has shown a much needed boost in confidence that has allowed him to step up when needed. Which is a great thing to see, multiple members of a single team having a carry potential whilst still being able to work into the overall unit of the core.

Vega Squadron:

Vega Squadron is an interesting team. They made it into these qualifiers by not going 0-3 at the previous FACEIT London Major back in late 2018. It's surprising just how little one team has to do in order to continue to play and get sticker money from a Major. Since the 15th of September, Vega Squadron has played a grand total of 17 series where 8 of them were at least best of threes. I find the lack of participation in any real events rather strange, the only noticeable event from these past few months that they have played was in StarSeries i-League, where they came in second behind that of ENCE. Besides this lack of play, I can;t say too much is left to even say about Vega Squadron. They barely edged out Spirit, who is currently about to go 0-3 and just barely lost to G2, who have shown that they can no longer hang with the upper tier teams. Vega Squadron are lost in the middle and with no real edge to be given, Vitality have the advantage.

Maps:

A best of one is the end result of three bans from each side with the remaining map being played. Vitality will get to ban out their three worst maps; Train, Dust 2, and Nuke. Vega Squadron will ban out Inferno, Mirage, and Overpass in an attempt to thwart Vitality. Leaving only Cache to be played. Honestly, in any set of bans, Vitality is the favored team.

Final Statement:

As a final result, I feel strongly that Zywoo and company will have what it takes to topple a team that has barely put any time towards chasing more top tier events. It seem like Vega is only playing to retain a Major spot for the sticker money and now they they won one game, they can stop. Vitality all the way for this matchup