Young Stars Academy are fighting to climb the table in this season’s ESEA Entry. Their main aim is, of course, to secure a place in the play-offs and, from there, promotion to higher leagues. The start of the league phase was a mixed bag for them. In our previous article, we described how, after their first four matches, they had a 2–2 record and had to fight to get back to a positive record. Since then, they have played two more matches, and here’s how they fared…
The Russians, as always, a dangerous side – Young Stars Academy vs VZ_Team
Their first opponent in the battle to improve their record was the Russian side VZ_Team. Just like our partner, this was their debut in the Entry League. The map was Mirage, where our partner’s academy started on the defending side. Thanks to a win in the pistol round, they quickly took a 2–0 lead and capitalised on their momentum to extend it to 4–0. However, their opponents then managed to fight back – twice, in fact – and things were starting to look dicey. The academy, however, steadied the ship by winning three consecutive rounds to take a 7–2 lead. By the end of the half, they were unable to maintain such a massive lead, and their opponents closed the gap to 5–7.
In the second half, they managed to win the first round again, but this time things weren’t quite so straightforward. The Russians managed to win a force, quickly levelling the score at 8–8. From that point on, the two teams were neck and neck, but Young Stars Academy managed to pull ahead, taking an 11–9 lead. Our opponents tried to fight back, but then our partner scored their 12th point and had two chances to win the match. Unfortunately, they failed to capitalise on the first, and the second ended the same way, so the winner had to be decided in extra time.
In extra time, unfortunately, the game became a one-goal affair. VZ_Team dominated the first half, taking a 15–12 lead. In the second half, they were just one point short and didn’t repeat the same mistake as Young Stars, going on to win the match 16–12. As a result, Young Stars Academy’s record dropped to 2–3.
Young Stars Academy
VZ_Team
A bounce-back after a narrow defeat? – Young Stars Academy vs Bez4ita
In the next match, Young Stars Academy once again faced an opponent from the east. This time it was Bez4ita, who are also making their debut in this league this season. The battle took place on Nuke, where our team had to start winning rounds on the defensive side right from the start. Thanks to a strong pistol round, they got off to a flying start and took a 2–0 lead. However, their rivals were quick to respond, levelling the score as early as the fourth round. Young Stars regained the lead, this time by as many as three points, but their opponents refused to give up and fought their way back from that deficit too. By the end of the first half, they had even managed to take the lead, leaving the Poles having to play catch-up from the very start of the second half.
It wasn’t easy, though, as Bez4ita extended their lead to 9–5 thanks to a victory in the pistol round. Young Stars responded, but their opponents refused to give in and also conceded a round. Young Stars Academy found themselves in a situation where they had to win rounds. With the score at 10–7 to their opponents, a turning point occurred. This initially gave the Young Stars a draw, and later, without conceding a single further round, a 13–10 victory. Jazeg certainly deserves a special mention, having recorded stats of 22/16. This was truly impressive compared to his teammates, none of whom managed to break the 20-kill barrier.
What matches are coming up?
- vs
Erciyes Wolves, Monday 4 August, 8.30 pm - vs :uk: Tropic Thunder, Wednesday 6 August, 8.30 pm
Young Stars (x.com — Facebook — team profile)
English 
Polish 