With KerchNET beating Alternate and Coldfrag in its first two and Evil Geniuses losing to the Swedish team this match looked set for a potential upset, one which could let Coldfrag into the playoffs. It wasn't to be though as EG not only won the game but in very convincing fashion as the Ukranians struggled to get a handle on what the Americans were doing on either side of nuke.

Evil Geniuses 22:08 KerchNET (nuke 11:4 11:4)

First half

Looking at the final score it might be difficult to believe KerchNET had the lead in both halves, separately, as they were up 3:2 as CT. The 6th round then had two kills from gfn make it a 4v3 for EG which became a 3v3. n0thing did some of his headshot magic and EG took the round to tie up the game. The next two went to the Americans also to go up 5:3. KerchNET took back the 9th after an unsuccessful upper push from EG but the rest of the half was all EG all the time.

On the 11th round EG held their positions well enough to not even need to push anywhere but kill all the Ukranians, with n0thing taking out three. Ending the half 11:4 EG went into the second knowing they had the game in a stranglehold.


Second half

KerchNET again looked to make this a competitive affair as they took the pistol round, EG trying a four man push ramp initially. The round wound up a 1v2 for n0thing but he attempted to straight defuse and was killed. Kerch took the next three to go up 4:0, the 4th seeing three EG save once the bomb went down lower 4v3 for the Ukranians. That was the end of the Ukranian's half though as EG took over and never let up.

Five kills from n0thing over three rounds gave EG it's first two of the half. That run continued all the way until 16 and beyond as the Americans took all the remaining rounds. Set for a three-way tie if they beat the Ukranians but Coldfrag beat Alternate they made sure of their progression by taking all the rounds and ensuring the Swedes could do nothing to change their destiny.

(Photograph copyright of HLTV.org)