GIANTX defeated Eternal Fire on Split and Ascent in VCT EMEA Stage 2. Ara led the winners across two different map stories. Eternal Fire stayed level longer on its own selection.
GIANTX created the first advantage through a strong Split attack. The team later broke an even Ascent after the side change. Favian supplied Eternal Fire’s most consistent resistance.
GIANTX build the Split lead on attack
GIANTX selected Split after the opening bans. The team started on attack and won nine first-half rounds. Eternal Fire collected three before the side change. That advantage gave GIANTX a direct route toward the opening map.
Ara led the attacking half with fifteen kills. NeT followed with fourteen and supplied six assists. Flickless added twelve kills during the same period. Three strong totals prevented Eternal Fire from focusing on one opponent.
GIANTX repeatedly entered sites with enough players alive for trades. Jesse recorded eleven assists during the attacking half. Westside supported the later exchanges and protected the planted spike. Eternal Fire struggled to complete retakes against that group.
Favian supplied Eternal Fire’s strongest first-half resistance. He recorded eight kills and only four deaths before the interval. The remaining four players did not match that positive difference. GIANTX therefore kept its large lead despite several individual stops.
GIANTX protect the Split advantage
Eternal Fire attacked after the interval and needed an early response. GIANTX denied the first clean route through the map. That defence protected the large lead from the opening half.
Ara continued to find damage without separating from his teammates. NeT and Flickless followed the first contact with quick trades. Westside helped protect the planted spike during the earlier attacks.
Jesse connected the group through utility and repeated assists. His work gave the main damage players clearer fights. Eternal Fire struggled to isolate one opponent during retakes.
Favian produced the strongest resistance for Eternal Fire. The rest of the lineup could not match his consistency. GIANTX closed Split before the defence lost control.
Ascent remains level through the first half
The teams divided the opening twelve rounds evenly on Ascent. Eternal Fire attacked first and reached six rounds. GIANTX also collected six on defence. Neither lineup carried a score advantage into the side change.
Favian again led Eternal Fire during the stronger period. Spear added useful first eliminations and finished the map with fifteen kills. Echo and nekky supported the middle exchanges. The even half gave Eternal Fire a real chance to level the series.
| Result | GIANTX 2-0 Eternal Fire |
|---|---|
| Maps | Split 13-5, Ascent 13-7 |
| Top fragger | ara, 40 kills |
| Competition | VCT EMEA Stage 2 |
GIANTX received another fast start from ara. He found fourteen kills during the first half. NeT and Flickless each added eight or more. Their damage kept the map level while the sides traded short runs.
The opening half did not repeat Split’s one-sided score. Eternal Fire completed attacks and forced GIANTX into retakes. GIANTX still prevented a lasting economy advantage. The map entered its decisive phase at six rounds each.
GIANTX pull away on Ascent after half-time
Ascent remained level through the opening half. Eternal Fire completed several attacks and forced difficult retakes. GIANTX prevented those rounds from becoming a long run.
The map changed when GIANTX moved onto attack. Ara created space, while NeT and Flickless stayed close for trades. Jesse again supported the entries with well-timed utility.
Favian remained dangerous during the defensive phase. Eternal Fire received fewer follow-up eliminations around him. GIANTX therefore kept enough players alive after entering each site.
The two maps required different answers from the winners. Split began with a large advantage, while Ascent stayed close longer. GIANTX controlled both endings and completed the series.
The second halves separate the teams
Ara led the server with forty kills across the series. NeT and Flickless remained close enough to share the pressure. That spread stopped Eternal Fire from avoiding one dangerous matchup. GIANTX found openings through several parts of both maps.
Split gave GIANTX the strongest start of the match. The team won most of its attacking rounds before changing sides. Eternal Fire then needed an immediate defensive recovery. Four GIANTX rounds ended that possibility quickly.
Ascent was level at the middle of the map. Eternal Fire had traded the early rounds with much greater success. GIANTX changed the pace after moving onto attack. Only one round escaped the winning side during the closing run.
The second half separated a competitive map from the final score. GIANTX entered sites with enough utility for the follow-up fights. Eternal Fire rarely saved multiple defenders for the retake. The series ended before a deciding map became necessary.
GIANTX preserved enough utility for the last stage of its Ascent attacks. Eternal Fire often met the first entry but struggled against the follow-up. Ara’s pressure drew attention before another teammate reached the site. That sequence created safer plants and stronger positions for the closing fights.
