KOI eliminates Heretics from LCQ in El Clásico rematch

KOI KOI Europe Rank #166 kamo Kamil Frąckowiak ShadoW Tobias Flodström grubinho Grzegorz Ryczko starxo Patryk Kopczynski sheydos Bogdan Naumov took down regional rivals Team Heretics Team Heretics Europe Rank #22 MiniBoo Dominykas Lukaševičius Wo0t Mert Alkan RieNs Enes Ecirli benjyfishy Benjy David Fish Boo Ričardas Lukaševičius 2-1 in the knockout round of the EMEA Last Chance Qualifier. As a result, KOI stays in with a shot at Champions and will have to face Natus Vincere Natus Vincere Europe Rank #5 ANGE1 Kyrylo Karasov Shao Andrey Kiprsky Zyppan Pontus Eek SUYGETSU Dmitry Ilyushin ardiis Ardis Svarenieks next in the upper semifinal, while Team Heretics are eliminated from LCQ contention.

(Photo by: Hara Amorós / Riot Games / LVP)

KOI drew first blood in the series by taking their own Fracture pick 13-8 with a near-flawless attack half. Heretics responded on Pearl, rebounding from an 8-4 deficit at halftime to take the map 13-10. KOI reigned supreme on Haven, taking the series with a convincing 13-6 scoreline.

The two Spanish orgs ended their regular seasons with identical 2-7 records, although KOI got the better of Heretics when they matched up in the penultimate week of league play. With the addition of benjyfishy to their roster, replacing the departing zeek , Heretics were hoping to turn fortunes in their favor and beat their rivals in the rematch.

For KOI's Wolfen , this match was his redemption. The Bulgarian was the worst-performing Jett player during the season, managing just a 0.80 rating and 191 ACS on average on the agent. This series, he lit up the scoreboard with his Jett, putting up a 1.25 rating and 300 ACS.

With a 13-8 victory, KOI opened the series by taking their own map pick. Fracture started well for the new iteration of Heretics, as they took an early 4-1 lead and converted it into a 7-5 half. keloqz – pulling out the Raze for the first time this year – had already racked up 16 kills in the first half. However, it all came crumbling down for Heretics on KOI's attack side, as koldamenta 's squad bulldozed their opponents while losing just one more single round.

Heretics struggled again on their own map pick of Pearl: 16 frags from Wolfen allowed KOI to take an 8-4 lead going into halftime. However, on defense, Heretics were able to utilize Mixwell 's signature Yoru to its full effect, regaining the lead and taking the map 13-10, losing just two rounds on defense.

The deciding Haven map saw KOI convert a 4-0 lead into another 8-4 half. Unlike on Pearl, KOI managed to take the second pistol and anti-eco, extending their lead by another two rounds. A pair of rounds took Heretics' tally up to six, but KOI decisively shut them down by taking the last three rounds. With a 13-6 on the final map, they eliminated their rivals from LCQ.

The duo of starxo and trexx lead the way to victory for KOI, with both players boasting a 1.28 rating across the series. starxo's efforts locking down the A site on the third map were crucial in helping his team achieve victory. On the other side, while benjyfishy's first endeavor in franchising might not have resulted in a victory, he still put up some respectable numbers, even topping the scoreboard for his team on Pearl with a 1.15 rating.

KOI's route through the Last Chance Qualifier takes them past another familiar opponent in NAVI. During the regular season, the only two wins KOI managed to pick up were against Heretics and NAVI. After already beating Heretics for a second time, KOI will be looking to repeat the feat against NAVI tomorrow.

For Team Heretics, a swift exit from LCQ means their 2023 VCT season is over, and they will have to regather themselves for next year.