We’ve already covered Team Fairus’s latest results here, and now it’s time to take a look at the match they played on 4 September at 7.30 pm as part of the ESEA Open9 play-offs. The stakes were high – defeat meant a definitive exit from the competition and failure to qualify for the higher division. The Polish side finished the regular season with a record of 8 wins and 6 losses, which put them in 36th place – right in the middle of the table. The start of the season was not a successful one. They began their campaign with a 0–3 record, but later found their form and secured a place in the knockout stage. Unfortunately, they didn’t stand much of a chance against the British side not so ybg.
A good start wasn’t enough
The first map, de_ancient, was picked by Team Fairus. The team hoped that their familiarity with this map would allow them to seize the initiative and gain an early advantage. The opening rounds offered cause for optimism. The Polish team tried to play aggressively, forcing their opponents into mistakes and utilising their tactics based on controlling key areas of the map. Over time, however, their rivals began to respond more and more effectively, taking control of the economy and forcing difficult decisions. The finish was very close, but it was the British who kept their cool at the crucial moments and won the map 13–11.
Second map dominated by the opponents
After a closely fought start, the teams moved to de_inferno – chosen by not so ybg. Right from the first few rounds, it was clear that this was a map on which they felt far more confident. Their attacks were fluid, they read the Poles’ positioning well, and their defence didn’t allow Fairus much room for creativity. Our players tried to change the pace of the game, resorted to risky plays and attempted to salvage the situation with individual efforts, but their opponents weren’t caught off guard. The 13–6 scoreline reflects this phase of the match – the British were simply more effective.
What’s next for Team Fairus?
Although the result of the match may be disappointing, it’s worth bearing in mind the wider context of the season. The team started the campaign with a run of three defeats, yet still managed to bounce back and secure a place in the play-offs. An 8–6 record and 36th place show that the team has potential, and the loss to not so ybg is merely a painful lesson from which valuable conclusions can be drawn. Key rounds on de_ancient and the lack of a response to the opponents’ well-prepared tactics on de_inferno are areas the team must work on ahead of the next season. The path to a higher division remains open, but it will require even greater consistency and stability in form.
Summary
Team Fairus failed to capitalise on their chance to take a step towards promotion to a higher division, losing 0–2 to the British team not so ybg in the ESEA Open9 play-offs. Despite putting up a spirited fight on the first map and trying to battle it out until the very end, the second map was dominated by their opponents. The Polish side end the season with a positive record and valuable experience that may pay dividends in the future.
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