Astralis crash out of IEM Cologne!

The Cologne campaign has already come to an end for HooXi and his teammates. In spite of a decent debut during Stage 1, which saw Astralis defeat B8 and paiN to qualify further, the main event turned quickly into a horror show. Let's review quickly how and why that last place happened.

Signs of life versus Vitality

Facing Vitality in an opening game is the toughest fate there is. Yet, Astralis gave their fans reasons to believe in a miracle. Nuke, the first map of the series, saw device shine and lead what could have very well been an impressive comeback. With 22 kills and 5 successful opening duels (out of 7), the danish legend did everything he could to stabilize the defense and force Vitality against the ropes. Unfortunately, flameZ' output was a little too tall to match and a few key entries propelled Vitality into the map victory.

As Overpass came around the corner, it was painfully clear that Vitality had Astralis' number figured out. What is supposed to be an extremly CT favored map turned into a slaughter as Vitality put up nine offensive rounds in the first half. There was no way to come back from this for the Danes. They bowed out 0-2 against Vitality but had yet no reason to be embarassed.

The disaster versus FURIA

Now, we'll try not to exaggerate for effect, but the series versus FURIA was a headscratcher. The disappearance of Astralis was total across the roster. As a telltale, considering the fact that HooXi ended up being the highest rated player of his team. This is not a snipe at the leader but an incriminating fact towards the rest of the line-up. None of the superstars showed up and the Astralis defense genuinely drowned on both maps played. Starting on the CT side in both occasions, Astralis won three rounds on Inferno and four on Nuke. Worse yet, no rounds were won on both second halves, zero.

Talking briefly to a media outlet after the game, HooXi left us with the impression that he was seemingly disappointed with the lack of commitment and energy put into such an important game by his teammates. It is a little puzzling when one considers the upward trajectory that Astralis was onto recently, with two second places back to back in Astana and at the FISSURE playground. What lies ahead remains to be seen but it is certain that a wreckage of this caliber in Cologne will leave marks and scars. Hopefully, a springboard to bounce back from for Astralis.