The ESEA Main competition is entering the decisive phase of the season, and for many teams, every subsequent match is becoming increasingly important. In our previous round-up, we focused on the first eight rounds, which brought about completely different outcomes for the two teams in question. One tried to rebuild after a difficult start, whilst the other sought a way to halt a run of poor results. This time, however, we return to the competition following another four matches, which in both cases have significantly impacted the current league table.
Today, the spotlight is on two teams from the ESEA Main division, and we’ll be taking a closer look at the performances of Superion Gaming and Constrict Gaming. Both teams have had a demanding period, full of tough matches against sides from across Europe. Although there were moments in several matches that offered hope of a better result, the final scores meant that the situation for both teams became significantly more complicated.
For Superion Gaming, the last few weeks have been a continuation of the losing streak that began towards the end of the previous round-up. Constrict Gaming, on the other hand, after an earlier resurgence and a run of victories, once again had to face a more difficult period. So, let’s take a look at how the subsequent matches for both teams went and how they affected their current record in ESEA Main.
Superion Gaming still without a breakthrough
Even after the first eight rounds, there was still hope that Superion Gaming would manage to get back on track. Despite two walkovers and a painful defeat in dominant style, the team maintained a 4–4 record at the time, which left them with a good chance of improving their situation later in ESEA Season 57. Unfortunately, the next four matches did not bring the long-awaited breakthrough.
The series of matches described today ended in a clean sweep of defeats for Superion Gaming, dropping the team to a 4–8 record. What’s more, the team now has only the final two matches of the regular season remaining, which will be their chance to improve their final tally. Although there were moments of fightback and attempts to get back into the game in a few matches, their opponents regularly exploited Superion’s weaker moments, particularly after the sides switched sides.
aAa’s dominance from the opening rounds
Superion Gaming’s first match in this series was played against the French side aAa on the Dust 2 map. From the very first rounds, it was clear that the opponents were very well prepared for this clash and quickly began to take full control of the match. Superion had huge problems both in stopping their opponents’ aggressive pushes and in building up their own economy, which made it very difficult to put up a competitive fight.
The French side dictated the pace of the game for virtually the entire first half, steadily increasing their lead. Superion Gaming occasionally tried to respond with the odd round win. However, they were unable to find a way to stabilise their play. As a result, the 2-10 score at the end of the first half left the Polish team in an extremely difficult position even before the sides switched sides.
After the break, Superion looked slightly better and managed to secure a few crucial rounds, which allowed them to at least partially reduce the deficit. Despite this, the lead built up earlier by aAa was substantial enough that the rivals were able to comfortably control the closing stages of the match and prevent a tense finish. Ultimately, the match ended in a 6-13 defeat for Superion Gaming, and the fixture itself marked the start of another difficult run for the Polish side.
A better start wasn’t enough against GENESIS
Superion Gaming’s second match was against the Estonian side GENESIS and was once again played on the Dust 2 map. Although the final result turned out to be identical to the previous match, the course of the game itself looked far more promising for the Polish team, particularly in the first half.
This time, Superion Gaming kept pace with their opponents from the start, and for much of the match the score remained very close. Unlike in the earlier clash, the team was able to respond more frequently to their opponents’ round wins. As a result, GENESIS was unable to build up a significant lead quickly. The first half ended 5-7, leaving the outcome open before the sides switched sides and offering hope of a fight for victory in the remainder of the match.
After the break, however, the situation began to unfold increasingly under the Estonian side’s control. GENESIS started the second half very strongly and quickly began to take full control of the match. Superion Gaming found it increasingly difficult to win rounds consistently, and their opponents capitalised effectively on the Polish team’s successive mistakes. Despite a better start than in the previous match, the closing stages clearly belonged to GENESIS, who finished the match with a score of 6:13 and added another victory to their tally.
Two overtime periods and a narrow defeat in the marathon
The third match between Superion Gaming and the German side ARROW proved far more thrilling. Once again, the contest took place on Dust 2… However, this time it was clear from the very start that both teams were capable of putting up an even fight. It was by far Superion’s most evenly matched game in the entire series.
The first half ended 5-7 in ARROW’s favour, though the margin was much narrower than in previous matches. Superion Gaming consistently responded to their opponents’ round wins and stayed close throughout. After the break, the Polish side looked even better and managed to make up the deficit, leading to a very close finish in regular time.
However, neither team was able to close out the match before the end of the twenty-fourth round, so extra time was required. The first extra round series also failed to produce a winner, which only highlighted just how fiercely contested the match was. It was only the second overtime that determined the winner of the match. Unfortunately for Superion Gaming, the final moments belonged to the German side, who remained more clinical at the crucial moments of the match and ultimately won 17-19. Despite the defeat, however, this was by far Superion’s best performance in this part of the ESEA season.
Vitality Academy controlled the match
Superion Gaming’s final match in this series was a clash against the French side Vitality Academy, played on the Ancient map. Following an extremely close match against ARROW, there were hopes that the Polish team would build on their momentum and put up a fight against this challenging opponent as well. However, the start of the match quickly showed that the task would be far from easy.
Vitality Academy got off to a flying start and began building a lead from the very first rounds. Superion Gaming struggled to effectively stop their opponents’ attacks. Meanwhile, the French team consistently capitalised on opportunities to extend their lead. Although the Polish side tried to keep pace with their opponents, the first half ended with Vitality Academy holding a clear 3-9 lead.
After the break, Superion managed to win a few rounds and at times looked slightly more confident than before, but the deficit built up by their opponents was too great to pose a real threat to the final result. Vitality Academy calmly controlled the pace of the game and steadily moved towards closing out the match. Ultimately, the match ended with a score of 7-13 in favour of the French side. Superion Gaming, meanwhile, finished the series with four consecutive defeats.
Constrict Gaming must once again find their rhythm in this ESEA season
Just a few rounds ago, Constrict Gaming’s situation looked far more optimistic. The team started the 57th ESEA season with four consecutive defeats. However, they later managed to turn their situation around completely and recorded a run of four wins, bringing their record back to 4–4. It seemed at the time that the team had found their rhythm and would be able to fight for an even better result in the final stages of the season.
Unfortunately, the next four matches proved to be very challenging once again. Constrict Gaming started this run with three consecutive defeats, and the breakthrough only came in the final match. Ultimately, the team finished this stage of the competition with a 5–7 record, leaving themselves a chance to improve their position in the final two rounds.
A good start wasn’t enough against Z17
Constrict Gaming’s first opponent in this series was the Russian side Z17, and the match was played on the Anubis map. The start of the match gave the Polish team some cause for optimism. For a long time, both teams remained very evenly matched, and neither side was able to establish a clear advantage.
Constrict Gaming responded well to their opponents’ successive round wins and, despite a few difficult moments, remained close to their opponents throughout. The first half ended 5-7, which, given the course of the match, left the final result still up for grabs. A two-round deficit did not seem like a major problem, especially as the match was genuinely even at times.
After the sides switched sides, however, the situation began to unfold increasingly under the Russian team’s control. Z17 gradually took full control of the match and effectively capitalised on the mistakes made by Constrict Gaming. The Polish team found it increasingly difficult to win rounds consistently, whilst their opponents steadily extended their lead. Although the start of the match suggested a more evenly matched contest, the final stages clearly belonged to Z17. The opponents ultimately closed out the match with a 6-13 scoreline, marking the start of a difficult period for Constrict Gaming.
GOAL Esports took the initiative after the side change
Constrict Gaming’s second match was played against the Greek side GOAL Esports on the Ancient map. This time, the first half of the match looked even more evenly matched than before, and for a long time, both teams regularly traded rounds.
Constrict Gaming looked much more confident than at the end of the previous match and managed to keep pace with their opponents for practically the entire first half. Neither side was able to take full control of the match. Consequently, after twelve rounds, the scoreboard showed a 6-6 draw. This result promised a very exciting second half and left the Polish team with a realistic chance of fighting for victory.
After the sides switched ends, however, the complexion of the game began to change markedly. GOAL Esports started the second half very strongly and quickly began to take the initiative. The Greek side effectively controlled the pace of the game and did not allow Constrict Gaming to build up longer runs of rounds. The Polish team still tried to keep up with their opponents. However, with each successive round, the situation became increasingly difficult. Ultimately, GOAL Esports comfortably saw the match through to the end and won 7-13, adding another defeat to Constrict Gaming’s record.
A tough clash on Nuke
The third match proved to be by far Constrict Gaming’s toughest game in the entire series. The Polish team’s opponent was the Estonian side UNKNOWN, and the match was played on the Nuke map. From the very first rounds, it was clear that the opponents were in excellent form and intended to dictate the pace of the game from the outset.
Constrict Gaming struggled immensely to find their feet in the match and spent practically the entire first half playing catch-up. The Estonian side looked very confident, steadily increasing their lead. The Polish team tried to respond with the occasional round win… However, they were unable to stop their rampant opponents. As a result, the first half ended 3-9, putting Constrict in an extremely difficult position before the sides switched sides.
After the break, the situation did not improve much. UNKNOWN continued to control the match and consistently capitalised on their opponents’ mistakes. Constrict Gaming couldn’t find their rhythm. Meanwhile, their opponents’ advantage became increasingly clear with every round. Ultimately, the Estonian team closed out the match with a 4:13 scoreline, securing a very convincing victory and extending the Polish side’s losing streak.
A breakthrough after overtime against INCEPTOR
After three consecutive defeats, Constrict Gaming had the chance to break their losing streak in a match against the Finnish side INCEPTOR. The match was played on the Nuke map, and from the very start it was clear that this time fans could expect a much more evenly matched contest.
Both teams went round for round throughout the regular playing time. Neither side was able to establish a clear advantage. The result, however, remained in the balance right until the very end. The first half ended in a 6-6 draw, and after the sides switched sides, the situation looked almost identical. Constrict Gaming responded well to the rounds won by their rivals, and as a result, after twenty-four rounds, the scoreboard once again showed a draw.
Overtime was therefore needed to decide the winner. In the extra rounds, however, the Polish team looked far more confident and made better use of their opportunities. Constrict Gaming managed to tip the balance in their favour in the very first overtime, ending the match with a score of 16:14. This was an extremely important breakthrough following their earlier defeats. It was also Constrict Gaming’s first win in this part of the ESEA Main season.
The end of the ESEA season is drawing ever closer
After twelve rounds, the situation for both teams in ESEA Main remains challenging. Superion Gaming is still waiting to break out of a difficult run and, ahead of the final two matches, has a 4–8 record, which significantly complicates the end of the season. Constrict Gaming is in a slightly better position thanks to their latest victory. However, a 5–7 record also means that every subsequent map could be of huge importance.
Despite their struggling results, both teams have still shown moments that could inspire optimism. Both Superion Gaming and Constrict Gaming were able to put up a close fight against their rivals, with some matches only being decided in the closing stages or in extra time. However, the teams now have only their final two regular-season matches remaining. These will be an opportunity to improve their record and end the season on a high note.
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