Albeit a one-sided first map, NUTURN and V1 battled out tooth-and-nail in one of the most competitive series yet at Masters: Reykjavík. In the end, the Koreans would come out with the spoils, on a 2-1 series score.
Having found success on Haven against Team Liquid, Version1 decided to pick it against the Koreans. NUTURN settled for Ascent as the second map, with Split as decider.
Just like in their match against the Europeans, the forces of Anthony “Vanity” Malaspina started on the defensive side of Haven.
Once again, Erik “Penny” Penny would shine on Jett as the team seized a one-sided first half. Without much ceremony, V1 closed out the first map on a 13-4 score.
Ascent would be a much closer affair, with the North American squad coming out on top at the first half, but by the much smaller margin of two rounds.
On the back of a pistol round win, NUTURN found their pace on defence. Once we got to double digits, Version1 started threatening to steal the momentum away.
Tied up at 11-11, Kim “Lakia” Jong-min ran through a Nano Swarm to pry the match-point, with an incredible 1v2 retake.
However, his heroics wouldn’t save the Koreans from going to Overtime. The decider map was starting to look more and more like a mirage, as Version1 secured the first round of extra time.
Carrying the hopes of their region, NUTURN would not falter. They would extend us to a second overtime and eventually conquer the right to fight on Split.
In the early stages of the third and decider map, the NUTURN boomer power-duo set out to prove that age does not wither. Punching their thirties, veterans Jung “Peri” Bum-ki and Kang “Solo” Geun-chul were at the top of the scoreboard.
Nonetheless, the hopes of a North-American derby at the Upper Bracket Finals would stay alive, as Version1 managed to fend off the late executes from NUTURN and turn the momentum in their favour.
V1 would get to match-point yet again, but two swift A hits from NUTURN would lock in Overtime. In their natural element, the Koreans would once again come out with the win, sealing the series on a 14-12.
In the Upper Finals of Masters: Reykjavík, NUTURN will meet the Sentinels. The team headlined by stars like Tyson “TenZ” Ngo is still undefeated at the tournament, and is hoping to continue this momentum to the last stages of the event.
Version1 will drop down to Round Three of the Lower Bracket, where they will face the winner of Fnatic – X10 Esports.
