Fnatic and Virtus.pro triumph in ELeague semifinals

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TIMOTHY LEE via <a href="http://espn.go.com/" title="ESPN" class="espn_sc_byline">ESPN </a>
via
July 30, 2016, 12:20 PM ET
2 min read

— -- The semifinals for TBS' Counter-Strike: Global Offensive league ELeague did not disappoint. The Fnatic lineup played exceptionally well in the semifinals' first match against Natus Vincere as it demonstrated the team's return to dominance. In the second match, Virtus.pro made easy work of mousesports for its bid for the final showdown. By the end of the night, Fnatic and Virtus.pro had secured their spots in the grand finals, where they'll fight for a first place prize of $390,000.

Fnatic (FNC) versus Natus Vincere (NaVi) is a classic matchup between two consistent and world-class teams, but the series didn't start that way. Despite NaVi's small lead in the beginning, FNC won 12 straight rounds on the counter-terrorist side and even played a round where every team member had an AWP. The first map was a FNC blowout at 16-4.

It was a closer affair on Train, the second map, with a 16-14 FNC victory. NaVi showcased its amazing ability to keep its composure and Ladislav "Guardian" Kovács almost carried his team to a third map, but FNC's steady rifler Dennis "dennis" Edman matched him every step of the way. FNC is a team that looks unstoppable even in a matchup that could have been the grand finals of any major tournament.

The finale of the night pitted tournament dark horse mousesports against the ever-consistent Virtus.pro (VP). VP plowed through Train on map one. The map, a VP signature, would have been a difficult mountain to climb for even the toughest opponents, and mousesports were outmatched. Whether it was Pawel "byali" Bielinski or VP's classic star Janusz "Snax" Pogorzelski, the squad never ran out of answers or bullets.

Map two exemplified VP's advantage in experience, patience, and composure. Mousesports ended the first half with the lead, but VP's ability to tilt its opponents came through. VP's slow pace, patience despite deficits, and ability to trade efficiently crushed through the opposing team. Unfortunately for mousesports' fans, the talented Nikola "NiKo" Kovac just couldn't deliver. VP will move on to fight FNC for the ELeague grand finals.