The grand final of ESL Pro League Season 20 brings together two teams with vastly different backgrounds but a shared ambition: lifting the trophy and taking home the $170,000 prize. NAVI, the clear favorite, faces off against a resurgent Eternal Fire in a best-of-five showdown. Both teams have showcased impressive performances throughout the tournament, but only one can claim the title.
Eternal Fire’s Unexpected Rise
Eternal Fire has been one of the most pleasant surprises of the tournament. The Turkish squad, led by the ever-reliable İsmailсan "XANTARES" Dörtkardeş, has emerged as a formidable force, showing they are more than capable of competing against the world’s best. XANTARES has been in phenomenal form, with a rating of 6.6, 0.75 kills per round (KPR), and an average damage per round (ADR) of 85.
Eternal Fire’s road to the final has been anything but easy. They faced multiple top-tier teams, but perhaps their most impressive victory came against Vitality. The French squad was heavily favored, especially coming off a win at IEM Cologne 2024. However, Eternal Fire took advantage of a favorable map pool and showed incredible mental fortitude, securing a double-overtime victory on Inferno to advance to the semifinals. From there, they breezed past MIBR, winning 2-0 and becoming the first Turkish team to reach the final of an S-tier event.
Eternal Fire's impressive run has been driven by a combination of XANTARES' stellar performances and the growing synergy between other key players like Özgür "woxic" Eker and Ali "Wicadia" Haydar Yalçın. Their ability to elevate their team play, especially in crucial moments, has been the hallmark of their success. However, while Eternal Fire has proven they can go toe-to-toe with the best, they now face their toughest challenge yet in NAVI.
NAVI’s Dominance
NAVI, on the other hand, has looked nearly unbeatable this season. They started 2024 with a bang, winning the Esports World Cup, qualifying for the BLAST Premier: Fall Final 2024, and reaching the final of IEM Cologne 2024. NAVI’s lineup, featuring some of the best players in the world, has been firing on all cylinders. Justinas "jL" Lekavičius has been particularly dominant, earning MVP honors in multiple matches, including their semifinal victory over G2.
Throughout ESL Pro League Season 20, NAVI has continued to demonstrate their world-class form. They’ve consistently outplayed their opponents, with clean victories over teams like Spirit and G2. Their map pool is deep, and their tactical approach under in-game leader Aleksi "Aleksib" Virolainen has been flawless. Each member of the team, from Valerii "b1t" Vakhovskyi to Ihor "w0nderful" Zhdanov, has contributed at a high level, making NAVI one of the most well-rounded teams in the world.
In their semifinal match against G2, NAVI showed resilience and discipline, winning 2-1 despite dropping a map. NAVI's versatility and ability to adapt to different situations make them incredibly hard to beat in a BO5 format. Their map stats over the last six months are impressive, with Dust2 (80%) and Mirage (79.2%) standing out as particularly strong picks.
Previous Encounter
The two teams already met in the group stage final of ESL Pro League Season 20, where NAVI won 2-0 in a convincing fashion. Eternal Fire struggled to contain NAVI's aggression and map control, with NAVI’s individual brilliance playing a major role in their victory. This history gives NAVI a psychological edge going into the final, as they have already proven they can outplay Eternal Fire in a high-stakes match.
Predicted Map Veto
- Eternal Fire pick Anubis
- NAVI pick Mirage
- Eternal Fire pick Inferno
- NAVI pick Nuke
- Decider: Dust2
With a BO5 format, both teams will have to dig deep into their map pools, but NAVI’s versatility and track record on multiple maps give them a significant advantage. Eternal Fire’s strength on Anubis and Inferno could earn them a map or two, but NAVI’s dominance on Dust2 and Mirage should see them through.
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Prediction: NAVI 3-1 Eternal Fire
While Eternal Fire’s journey to the final has been remarkable, NAVI’s consistency and depth across the board make them the clear favorite. NAVI has been dominant throughout the tournament, and their win against Eternal Fire in the group stage final suggests they have a strong understanding of how to approach this matchup. Eternal Fire may take a map, likely Anubis or Inferno, but NAVI’s superior firepower and strategic depth should allow them to secure the series 3-1 and lift the ESL Pro League Season 20 trophy.
This grand final promises to be an intense clash of styles, with Eternal Fire’s explosive aggression meeting NAVI’s methodical approach. However, NAVI’s form and experience in high-pressure situations make them the likeliest team to come out on top.
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