The playoffs for the 53rd ESEA season kicked off recently, but within just a week most teams have already played two matches, meaning the first teams have been eliminated from the race for the top honours. Unfortunately, SLAKE was among them, having been knocked out after two defeats. However, those who follow the competition closely know full well that this is not the end of the story. Despite their failure in the playoff bracket, SLAKE secured promotion from the Intermediate division to the Main division. Now the team has a well-deserved breather and time to prepare thoroughly for a much tougher season.
Disappointment and success in one go – SLAKE are out, but promoted
SLAKE 0:2 The Secret Club
To kick off the play-offs, SLAKE faced a very strong opponent, The Secret Club, who had already shown consistent form during the regular season. The match promised to be evenly matched, but reality proved brutal. SLAKE failed to impose their tempo, whilst their opponents effectively seized every opportunity to take control of the match.
9:13 | Nuke
The series began on Nuke, a map that has been capable of surprising even the most experienced teams for years. SLAKE started the match with energy, trying to impose their own conditions, but it was The Secret Club who dictated the pace of the game from the outset. Their play was well-organised, which meant SLAKE struggled to close out rounds and consistently gain ground on the map.
The first half ended 4-8, which already put SLAKE in a difficult position. In the remainder of the match, the team tried to make up for their deficit and find their rhythm, but their opponents’ lead held until the end. The Secret Club maintained control of the match and closed out the map with a score of 9:13. Despite a few good moments, SLAKE lacked consistency and failed to finish off key rounds effectively.
6:13 | Ancient
The second map, Ancient, was supposed to be a chance to bounce back after a poor start to the series, but the match went the opponents’ way from the outset. SLAKE tried to put up a fight and stay close on the scoreboard, but The Secret Club wouldn’t let them get a foothold. A 4-8 score at half-time once again gave the opponents a psychological edge.
In the second half, the map was dictated entirely by one side. SLAKE tried to get back into the game, but with every round, their opponents’ advantage became increasingly clear. The final score of 6:13 left no doubt: The Secret Club were better prepared and more effective in executing their plans, which allowed them to close out the entire series in two maps.
Decider | Mirage
Mirage was set to be the decider in this series, but after losing two maps, SLAKE had no chance of continuing their fight in the upper half of the bracket. The Secret Club wrapped up the match in quick style, leaving no room for a third encounter. Although a closely contested match had been expected before the game, the course of the contest revealed a clear difference in form between the two teams.
The defeat sent SLAKE down to the losers’ bracket, where the team was given one more chance to stay in the running for the top spots. Despite a difficult start, the team still had everything in their own hands.
SLAKE 1:2 Taegeuk
In a do-or-die match, SLAKE faced Taegeuk, a team also fighting for survival in the losers’ bracket. The stakes were high, the pressure even greater, and every map could have decided the end of their playoff adventure. Unfortunately, despite a fierce battle on one of the arenas, the rivals proved more effective, eliminating SLAKE after a three-map series.
1:13 | Dust 2
The first map, Dust 2, went dramatically wrong for SLAKE from the very start. The team seemed taken aback by Taegeuk’s style of play, which set a blistering pace and left them virtually no time to catch their breath. Their opponents played aggressively but with a clear plan, frequently changing the tempo and rotating with great effectiveness. SLAKE were unable to respond to such pressure, which resulted in a disastrous score in the first half.
After the break, nothing happened that could have turned the match around. SLAKE needed a perfect start to the second half, but Taegeuk immediately sealed the match, leaving no doubt as to their dominance. A lack of coordination, difficulties adapting and a small number of individual duels won all contributed to a very painful 1-13 defeat. For SLAKE, it was a cold shower to start the series, which quickly put the team’s back against the wall.
13:11 | Ancient
The second map, Ancient, was supposed to be an opportunity for SLAKE to bounce back after a very poor start to the series. This time, the match was far more evenly matched, and the team performed much better. In the first half, we saw plenty of fighting for every point, and the 6-6 score at half-time perfectly reflects just how fierce the clash was. SLAKE finally found their rhythm and looked like a team ready to compete.
After the break, the lead changed hands several times, but it was SLAKE who kept their cool in the closing stages. They managed to win a few crucial rounds, which led to a 13-11 victory. It was by far the team’s best performance of the series; they showed real character, and the win on Ancient took the series to a decider, keeping their hopes of advancing alive.
3:13 | Nuke
The decisive map, Nuke, was set to determine the series winner and decide SLAKE’s fate in the playoffs. Unfortunately, after a promising performance on Ancient, the team was unable to maintain the momentum. Right from the start of the match, Taegeuk took the initiative, quickly building a lead and controlling the flow of the game. The 3:9 score at half-time left little room for error.
After the break, the situation did not improve; the opponents closed out the match without much trouble, giving SLAKE no chance of a comeback. The map ended 3-13, and thus the entire series 1-2. Although there were moments of hope, particularly on the second map, in the decisive moments it was Taegeuk who were the better and more consistent team. For SLAKE, this marked the end of their playoff run.
For SLAKE, ending the playoffs with two consecutive defeats is certainly disappointing, especially as the team showed flashes of good CS and fought until the very end. Nevertheless, the team can look to the future with their heads held high; promotion to the Main Division alone is a big step forward and a chance to develop at a higher level of competition. Now it is time for the players to rest, analyse and prepare for the new season, which is sure to bring even greater challenges.
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