Constrict Gaming’s playoff run comes to an end
Our partners at Constrict Gaming
have had to bid farewell to this year’s ESEA play-offs following a thrilling clash. In the decisive match, they faced the Czech team STONEHENGE
, who ultimately proved to be the better side, winning the BO3 2–0.
Our coverage of the match is provided below.
Constrict Gaming 0–2 STONEHENGE
Dust 2
(STONEHENGE’s pick)
16:19
The match began with technical issues on the Czech side, who had to play the opening rounds with only four players. Constrict capitalised on this, securing the pistol round with an aggressive push down the centre of the map. In the third round, they tried to repeat this manoeuvre, but this time STONEHENGE, now back to full strength, stopped them in their tracks. In the seventh round, the Czechs went for a force buy and took the long route; they managed to plant the bomb, but it was our team who regained control and extended their lead to 5–2. Moments later, STONEHENGE responded with a superb push on bombsite A, despite playing only on pistols. The first half ended with Constrict leading 8–4.
After the side change, our partners once again won the pistol round, successfully moving from mid to bombsite B. STONEHENGE responded quickly, however, and in round 15, a successful ambush in the lower tunnel secured them the win. With each successive round, the Czech team played more and more aggressively, securing entry frags and seizing the initiative. With the score at 11–11, Constrict took a tactical timeout, but they were unable to read their opponents’ fast-paced style of play. DenisM
saved a crucial round in the closing stages of regular time, taking the match into overtime.
In the first series of extra rounds, it was Constrict who took the lead following a well-thought-out performance on the attacking side. Just one win on the CT side would have been enough to close out the map, but they failed to do so. STONEHENGE levelled the score and forced another overtime. The battle raged round by round, with neither side willing to give in. Ultimately, however, the Czechs coped better with the pressure and took the first map 19–16.
Train
(Constrict Gaming’s pick)
10–13
The second map began with a successful pistol round for Constrict, but in the very next round, over-complicating things cost them points. After several attempts to attack various bombsites, Constrict opted for a simple and effective B-site rush, which proved successful. Nevertheless, in the eighth round, STONEHENGE set a brilliant trap – Constrict tried to bypass the defence via A, but after planting the bomb, the Czechs easily cleared the side. The first half ended 8–4 to STONEHENGE, who had clearly dominated as the anti-terrorists.
After the side switch, the Czech team started with a confident pistol round, but Constrict had no intention of giving up – they won the force round and the next one, giving them a temporary boost. What’s more, they caught their opponents off guard with unconventional plays; on one occasion they got very close to the main site, whilst on another they positioned themselves for crossfire, which completely threw the Czechs off their stride. Unfortunately, it was only for a moment…
STONEHENGE quickly got back on track and sealed the match’s outcome with a swift push on B in the decisive round. The second map ended 13–10, with the Czech team winning the match 2–0.
Play-off Path
In the first round, Constrict Gaming received a bye.
The second round saw them lose to Cypriot side M4
, resulting in their relegation to the lower bracket B.
In the first lower bracket match, our partner were due to face NiP Impact
, but as fate would have it, the players failed to turn up on the server.
You can read about the course of both matches in the article below.
https://superion.gg/constrict-gaming-po-spadku-do-drabinki-przegranych-nadal-walczy-o-esea-main/
Next up were T-hamsters
https://superion.gg/constrict-gaming-przechodzi-do-nastepnej-rundy-playoffow/
Constrict Gaming’s playoff run ended with a defeat to STONEHENGE, leaving us, as always, wanting more. Next season, Constrict will once again compete in ESEA Intermediate. Although they didn’t manage to progress further this time, the team showed real fighting spirit. We believe that the experience gained this season will pay dividends in the future!
Constrict Gaming (x.com — Facebook — twitch.tv — team profile)
English 
Polish 