The PGL Astana quarter-finals are finished, and so is MAJ3R’s time as a tier one IGL. Or at least it should be.

As good as MOUZ have looked with xertioN in piping hot form, it’s hard not to criticise Aurora when they consistently underdeliver on their talent, and when the aforementioned xertioN is brand new to IGLing.

Despite XANTARES underperforming, Aurora’s firepower was enough to keep their map one loss against MOUZ respectable at a score of 13-11 on Dust 2. But, with an IGL like MAJ3R, even peak-level firepower can only take you so far on a tactical map like Nuke.

Aurora won a measly three rounds on the T-side before being sent packing after a 13-8 loss.

O Captain, my captain…

Next up was Spirit versus G2. Unlike in Rio, G2 didn’t have to worry about playing with a stand-in. However, they did have to worry about Spirit actually using flashbangs, which practically never happened before Hally’s break.

The first map wasn’t even close as Spirit’s new look Dust2 T-side crushed G2, earning them a 9-3 lead at the break. An advantage easily converted, Spirit swiftly ended it at 13-6.

G2 - read: SunPayus - fought back hard on Ancient, he boasted an impressive 1.56 rating and 26 kills. Unfortunately for the Spanish sniper, this was offset by MATYS and his 0.50 rating, which held G2 back from pushing further than their eventual 13-11 defeat.

We didn’t know what to expect coming into 9z versus magic, and perhaps that was the case for each team here. magic claimed a 13-9 win on 9z’s map pick of Dust2, before 9z bounced back and did the same to magic on Mirage in a 13-2 stomp.

If it wasn’t for an AW masterclass, the third map of Ancient could have gone either way. His CT side wasn’t anything special, but on T-side he carried magic to a 13-11 triumph.

The best was saved for last as FURIA faced off against Falcons in a nail-biting series that spanned three maps and multiple overtimes.

It was hard to see Falcons coming away with a positive result after their 13-9 loss on Mirage, and our feelings didn’t much change after m0NESY dragged his team to a 22-20 win on Nuke - especially with karrigan playing like prime Hellen Keller.

But as much of a bot as karrigan is, we have to give credit where credit is due.

Immediately upon the Danish IGL’s arrival, he’s unlocked kyousuke in playoffs. The wonderkid was instrumental in Falcons closing out the series 19-17 on Dust2, dropping 32 kills and going 6-2 in opening duels.

Looks like jcobbb and broky really were the problem. Not that we didn’t know that already.