Dignitas fe defeat CLG Red to defend Intel Challenge title
The Intel Challenge 2019 Final took place earlier today in Katowice, with Dignitas fe looking to defend their title against regional rivals CLG Red. The teams were fighting for the title and $25,000 in prize money, and set to play on Mirage, Nuke and Inferno as a decider.
The game started on Mirage, selected by CLG Red. This did not go so well for Mounira "GooseBreeder" Dobie and co. as her former team pushed away strongly at the start, taking the pistol and anti-eco rounds. Although CLG Red picked up the third round, they were pushed back in the next and then had their hopes dashed by a Emmalee "EMUHLEET" Garrido 1v2 the round after, with Kiara "milk" Makua performing the same feat the round after that. CLG Red then came back with a set of rounds towards the middle of the half, but Dignitas fe just rolled them up and secured an 11-4 lead at the break.
The second half belonged exclusively to Dignitas fe, as they won every single round to secure the first map with a 16-4 scoreline. Catherine "CAth" Leroux and Emmalee "EMUHLEET" Garrido were the star performers for the team, achieving 124.8 and 109.7 ADR respectively.
Nuke followed, and from the start it looked like a change in fortunes for CLG Red. After losing the pistol round, they won the following forcebuy and pushed on for the next three rounds on the T-side. This did not last long, however, as once Dignitas fe picked up a full slate of weaponry they got back into gear on the favored side. CAth helped along with three kills to put her team into a solid position to continue the lead, and that they did with a monster nine-round run. CLG Red secured two rounds at the end of the half to limit the damage, but Dignitas fe were 10-5 ahead at the break.
The second half started strong for CLG Red, as they picked up the pistol and anti-eco to narrow the gap. Dignitas fe weren't going to take this lying down, as Carolyn "artStar" Noquez executed a swift 1v2 bomb plant to take the next round. But CLG Red weren't out just yet, as they reset their opponents in the round immediately following that which allowed Jennifer "refinnej" Le to secure a defensive 3k in the round after. Although CLG Red narrowed the gap to 10-11, they wouldn't be able to close it any further as Dignitas fe closed out all of the remaining rounds for a 16-10 map win, and the series 2-0. CAth once again was the strongest performer on the server, taking 30 kills with 122.3 ADR.
This result meant that Dignitas fe lifted their second Intel Challenge title in a row, and took home the $25,000 top prize.
The full standings for the Intel Challenge 2019 are as follows:
- 1st: Dignitas fe - $25,00
- 2nd: CLG Red - $12,000
- 3rd: Besiktas - $8,000
- 4th: Assassins - $5,000
- 5-6th: paiN fe
- 5-6th: Crowns fe
- 7-8th: Orgless fe
- 7-8th: Carnage fe