The year is 2024, and gla1ve is back on top, winning Counter-Strike tournaments in front of cheering crowds. But this time, it’s not with Astralis. At the Elisa Masters Espoo 2024, gla1ve secured his first LAN victory since the BLAST Pro Series Global Final 2019, guiding ENCE to a decisive 3-1 win over Heroic.
Wondering how they pulled it off? Let’s break it down.
ENCE Clinches a Trophy Right Out of the Gate
Let’s be honest—ENCE’s 2024 season has been a disaster. But after parting ways with Kylar and Goofy, the two remaining players from the old 9INE lineup, the team showed a complete transformation at Espoo. With the additions of promising newcomers xKacpersky and Neityu, ENCE found immediate success, hinting at a brighter future.
The grand final didn’t start smoothly, as ENCE dropped the opening map. But they rallied to claim a 3-1 series win. The real drama unfolded on Vertigo, where ENCE squandered an 11-2 lead and were forced into overtime. Despite the stumble, they kept their composure to take the map, and from there, the final map felt like a mere formality. Securing a trophy on their first try with this new lineup is no small feat.
GLA1VE Rolls Back the Years with MVP Performance
The star of the show? None other than gla1ve. The veteran in-game leader wasn’t just calling strategies—he led from the front, posting 82 kills across the series, including a jaw-dropping 39 on Vertigo. It felt like a flashback to his 2018 prime. Supporting him were strong performances from young talent xKacpersky and the experienced sdy, whose calm leadership shone through in tough moments.
A Missed Opportunity for Heroic
For Heroic, the loss at Espoo stings. This was a golden opportunity to claim a trophy, especially against an ENCE roster featuring two inexperienced players—xKacpersky and Neityu—making their Tier 1 debuts on stage. After the grueling loss on Vertigo, Heroic seemed deflated, struggling to compete on Dust2, which made for a disappointing finish.
While the Elisa Masters Espoo isn’t the most prestigious event on the calendar, it would have been a nice addition to Heroic’s trophy cabinet. Still, after their top-four performance at IEM Rio 2024, Heroic can take solace in their improved form. They now shift their focus to the Thunderpick World Championship 2024 in just a few days, where they’ll get some much-needed preparation ahead of the RMR for the next Major.
