With a 2-1 victory over Karmine Corp, Natus Vincere advanced past the first round of the lower bracket of the EMEA LCQ. NAVI advances to the lower bracket final while KCorp is ousted from the competition. The match went on for all three maps, namely Lotus, Ascent, and Pearl. Ironically, both the teams performed poorly on their own map picks. Here's how the match went down
Also read: VCT EMEA Last Chance Qualifier 2023: Format And Schedule
VCT EMEA LCQ: Karmine Corps vs. Natus Vincere Recap
Lotus started by Scream getting a triple kill in the pistol round to clinch the pistol round for KC. However, NAVI won the anti-eco round by buying sheriffs. Even though Scream got numerous multi-kills, KC trailed at the half by 7-5. NAVI won the second pistol and managed to keep the lead by winning the bonus round. Round 16 saw a 1v2 clutch by ZE1SH to get KC their first round for the second half. NAVI showed sheer domination as they won 13-6, dropping just one round on their attacking side.
Ascent saw the pistol round being won by KC as ZE1SH got a triple kill. The scores went close at 5-5, but KC managed to take the lead at 7-5. KC extended their lead and won map 2, only dropping two rounds in the second half, bringing the score to 13-7. Scream had a total of 6 first kills.
Pearl started with KC winning the pistol round as well as the anti-eco round, taking an early 3-1 lead . NAVI got a thrifty win in round 5 that quickly turned the tide. This round helped them break KC's momentum as they eventually led the first half with a 4-8 lead.
NAVI won the second pistol round as well as the anti-eco round eventually leading at 11-5. KC made an effort to reduce that six-round disadvantage but ultimately fell short at 13-7. For Karmine Corp., this marks the end of a very unimpressive season. The team only managed to win two maps during the regular season, both of which came in a 2-1 victory over KOI after their opening victory against BBL was revealed to be a fluke.