In the first semi-final of IEM Cologne 2024, Team Vitality confidently defeated Portuguese outsiders SAW 2-0. This win opened the door for the European squad to their third 2024 final, creating an important chance to win their first trophy of the season.
This win is important for Vitality, as they remain one of the few top teams that have yet to take the trophy in 2024. On the other hand, for SAW, this defeat was the end of their best performance at a major event, where they managed to beat teams like G2 and FaZe and for the first time played in front of a huge audience like the one in Cologne.
Drama on Nuke and the ruthless Dust2
The first map, Nuke, was chosen by SAW. The Portuguese were able to hold equality for most of the first half of the game, seizing the initiative on offense early on. However, after losing a pistol round and a clutch from Vitality's captain, apEX, SAW quickly lost the lead. Vitality managed to gain rounds and lost just one round, finishing the first map with a score of 13-6.
On the second map, Dust2, the Vitality team had already taken full control of the match. They dominated SAW on offense, winning the first half with a score of 10-2. With a change of sides they won the pistol round and lost three rounds later, but still managed to come back and not lose their advantage and finished the game with a score of 13-5. The best player of the match was apEX with a high rating of 8.4
Comments and perspectives
Vitality's captain, Dan “apEX" Madesclaire, noted after the game, “We saw what happened yesterday with FaZe, and we didn't underestimate SAW. They had such a strong series, but we focused on ourselves and it paid off.” This comment highlights how seriously the team took their preparation despite SAW's status as outsiders.
Final Thoughts
For Vitality, this is their third attempt at the title in 2024, and their win over SAW confirms their willingness to fight their way to the top. For SAW, on the other hand, this tournament was an important milestone in their career, despite the loss, as they proved themselves worthy opponents on the international stage.
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