In Katowice, Liquid aim to build on LAN experience

Liquid`CS:GO was announced exactly one month ago, yet the team has hardly had any time to practice together. That's actually not as bad as it sounds. Of course, everyone would've liked to get a few weeks of uninterrupted time to iron out strategies and find a rhythm as a team. But that's been impossible thanks to a breakneck LAN schedule that has been a huge blessing for a new roster lacking offline experience.

Just a week an a half after being revealed, the team was invited at the last second to MLG Aspen. Then, the next week the squad headed straight back to Colorado to attend Clutch Con. Two weeks later, they're back on the road at the offline qualifier for ESL One Katowice. Against a group of eight ambitious teams, Liquid must finish in the top half to advance to the main event and their first CS:GO major. It won't be easy, but having already attended two LANs in a month, the Liquidians will go in as seasoned pros.





The key challenge for Liquid will be adjusting to the European standard. While the North American scene is growing and the top teams are striving for the top, it's undisputed that the old world are the kings of CS:GO. There is a greater depth of talent and the top teams there are the top in the world. While the top eight finishers from the last major are already seeded into the main ESL One tournament, that does not mean that this qualifier lacks for strong teams.

The format is a simple bracket, with eight teams in two groups. Top four from each group advance.

Liquid will face the Flipsid3 in the first round. Here, the squad has caught a break, as the Ukranian team's star AWPer s1mple, is presently banned from ESL events. Flipsid3 are a talented team, counting among their number the well known ex-Na'Vi player markeloff. But with replacement player DavCost, they could well be vulnerable. Just two wins are all any team needs to advance. For Liquid, it's hard to overestimate the importance of starting out strong and getting some confidence against European opposition, all the while moving halfway to qualifying for the big event.



But that second win won't come any easier. This group is considered the harder of the two by a country mile. In the top half of the bracket are the group favorites are undoubtedly Titan. The French outfit is considered the strongest team in the entire qualifier, and it would be a monumental shock if they failed to advance. They often live and die by the performance of AWPer KennyS, but more often than not he gets the job done. If Liquid somehow end up facing Titan, it'll mean both teams are in trouble, because the two teams should not play except in the lower bracket.

Also in the half of the pool away from Liquid are Gamers2, Poland's up and coming stars. They've undergone a whirlwind week. Recently fingered as part of the ever expanding match-fixing scandal, the ex-ESC team was banned from this competition. But they were able to dispute the allegations and had their place restored. They will face off against our North American rivals, Counter Logic Gaming. CLG were tremendously hyped after they initially stole the show at MLG Aspen with a win over EnVyUs (then LDLC). But they came crashing back down to earth after a beating from Liquid, and struggled in ClutchCon. Although they do not play us directly, there will be a competition between the two teams over results. Finally in the top part of the bracket there is PiTER-ONLiNE. The Russian team won the CIS qualifier, but are extremely unknown.

Meanwhile, in Liquid's half of the bracket, LGB are a perpetual dark horse team, frequently billed as one of the next big things. The Norwegian squad have yet to truly live up to that billing, but show flashes of brilliance, and many will be pulling for them to advance. Their fellow Scandinavians, Copenhagen Wolves, are a quirky team that is new to this organization, and they can surprise. But overall, the Danes are the underdogs here.

Two wins. That's all we need to make it to the big time. But in their first matches in Europe, Liquid`CS:GO will have to confront the challenge with steely resolve. Having already played the best in the game like Fnatic and EnVyUs on LAN may prove invaluable experience for the trials ahead.

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