s1mple clinches record-breaking eighth MVP award of the year.
Natus Vincere wrapped up their most successful year in CS:GO history as they clinched the BLAST Premier World Final title, edging out Gambit in the final. Gambit had started off strongly, but NAVI bounced back and showcased just why they have been almost untouchable this year, rounding off a dominating year with a one-sided victory on the decider map in the finals.
NAVI, who suffered a major shock on the opening day—losing to Team Liquid—had to fight through the Lower Bracket to make it to the finals, but following that loss to the North American team, there were no more hiccups for the Major champions. Their star player, s1mple, once again delivered the goods for the team, but it was an entire team effort that saw them through, with B1T, Perfecto, electronic and Boom14 stepping up whenever needed.
With their win, NAVI secured their sixth title of the year and now head into the winter break having started off their own ‘era’.
The BLAST Premier World Final was not only the final tournament of the year but also one final tournament together for a couple of the rosters. Team Liquid, Vitality and G2 all have impending roster changes, which are set to happen in 2022.
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It was an all-CIS final at the last event of 2021, and it was only right that NAVI and Gambit were playing each other given how strong both the teams have been over the year.
NAVI picked Mirage, while Gambit surprised a few with their pick of Ancient, a map that had not been played in the previous two tournaments at all. Inferno was chosen as the decider.
Gambit took the pistol on Mirage and got off to a 3-0 start before NAVI to post their first round. Even though they managed to put a few rounds together, NAVI just didn’t get going on Mirage and ended the first half 6-9. Gambit made short work of NAVI on their T side, and with Ax1Le and nafany stepping up for Gambit, they sealed NAVI’s map pick 16-11.
With their back against the wall, going into Gambit’s map pick, NAVI looked at their talisman to get them out of a messy spot. And that is exactly what s1mple did.
s1mple made sure the Grand Final went to a decider as he took NAVI over the line with a strong show on Ancient, wrapping up the map 16-11 in the Ukrainian team’s favour.
On paper, it should have been an even fight on Inferno, although NAVI had a slight edge. Once the players got on the server, though, it was a one-sided show. s1mple and B1T led from the front as NAVI demolished Gambit 16- 6 on the decider to clinch the BLAST WORLD Premier Finals. And quite poetically, it was B1T who got the final kill of the tournament and that of the year as well.
The rookie, B1T, has been an absolute sensation and has taken the CS:GO scene by storm in his first year. His arrival and strong performances have also taken the added pressure off s1mple, who has begun to perform at a level above everyone else.
With six titles in the bag from 2021, the NAVI era is underway, and it remains to be seen whether they can continue the domination in 2022 and beyond.
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