We’re slowly getting underway with the third round of the Galaxy Cup. Today, we’ll be focusing primarily on a round-up of Armitra NXT’s performances. Unfortunately, they haven’t been performing particularly well so far. It’s hard to say whether this is down to bad luck in the draw, whether the standard of the competition has proved too high for them, or perhaps they’re still struggling to gel with their new player. Either way, Armitra’s academy now has to fight to avoid relegation. Although they’ll be awarded a walkover win with a 0–2 record, the situation looks really bleak.
Struggles in the Galaxy Cup
Armitra NXT have played two matches in the Galaxy Cup and… have yet to secure a single victory. Although the start of the tournament was far from easy, the manner of their defeats may be a cause for concern amongst the academy’s supporters.
Armitra NXT 0–2 The Vynz
6:13 | Anubis
Armitra NXT’s performance on the first map wasn’t the worst, but compared to their opponents, they clearly lacked consistency. Although the 6:13 scoreline might suggest a relatively even match, in practice Armitra had huge problems maintaining control over the flow of the rounds. The Vynz players put in a solid performance both in defence and on the attack, without any major lulls in scoring.
Armitra managed to win individual rounds, but this did not translate into any real momentum. Often, after winning a round, they would immediately lose the next one, meaning they were unable to build up their economy or a scoring streak. Despite a few flashes of individual brilliance, overall they lacked the consistency needed to pose a real threat to their opponents. With each successive round, The Vynz consolidated their lead, and the final result was a natural consequence of this.
1:13 | Train
The second map was a brutal display of dominance from The Vynz. The 1:13 scoreline speaks for itself; Armitra NXT were non-existent on the server. Although Train is a map that demands good organisation, rotations and clear tactical decisions, Armitra looked as though they were completely unprepared for what their rivals demonstrated.
The single point scored by Armitra was merely a glimmer of hope, which was quickly snuffed out by their opponents. The Vynz displayed a very solid brand of CS. They played aggressively where they needed to seize the initiative, and calmly when the situation demanded it. Armitra’s players, on the other hand, seemed lost; they often played without a clear game plan and struggled to find their feet on both the CT and T sides.
Armitra NXT 0–2 ATP
15:19 | Anubis
The first map of the second match was by far the most thrilling and evenly matched contest for Armitra NXT so far. Anubis, chosen by the academy, started on the CT side, which didn’t bode well at first. They quickly found themselves in a difficult situation, trailing 2–7. However, in the following rounds, they showed fighting spirit and determination, which enabled them to reduce the deficit and go into the break with the score at 5–7.
The second half was nothing short of a thriller. Both teams traded rounds, maintaining a very high tempo and standard of play. ATP consistently held the lead but were unable to break their opponents’ resistance and close out the map. Although ATP led 8–12 at one point, Armitra NXT refused to give up and managed to force overtime, demonstrating that, despite the difficulties, they were capable of competing on equal terms.
The first tie-break did not decide the match, which highlighted the strength and tenacity of both teams. It was only in the second tie-break that ATP showed greater effectiveness and composure, eventually winning 15–19 and securing a crucial victory. It was a map that could have ended very differently had Armitra been able to capitalise on a few key opportunities earlier on.
7:13 | Nuke
The second map proved far less forgiving for Armitra’s academy. They started on the CT side and, just as on Anubis, got off to a very poor start, quickly falling behind 1–7. Despite this, they didn’t give up and managed to fight back until the end of the first half, bringing the score to 5:7.
After the side change, Armitra NXT tried to impose their own tempo on their opponents, particularly in attack, where they managed to win a few crucial rounds and close the gap. The score of 7:9 offered hope of turning the match around. Unfortunately, ATP’s defence proved too solid, and their experience allowed them to effectively snuff out Armitra’s attempts at a comeback. Despite a spirited fight, the academy were unable to break down their opponents and ultimately lost 7–13.
What next?
Despite two defeats on the Armitra NXT server, the team remains in the running. This is all thanks to a technical victory over a team that withdrew from the tournament. As a result, their record now stands at 1–2, which means one thing: they’re still in the running, but every subsequent match will be a do-or-die affair.
As you probably know, the Galaxy Cup is played using the Swiss system, so every team is eliminated after their third defeat. Armitra no longer has any margin for error; another loss means they’re out of the tournament. Now, only a win counts. And not just one, but two in a row, if they are to have any hope of progressing.
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