NAVI survive against Fnatic, start EPL S14 with a win

A much closer affair than expected.

Natus Vincere, the world ranking leaders opened their ESL Pro League Season 14 campaign against a new Fnatic lineup, which has not played a game in months and made roster changes during the player break.

Fnatic managed to reduce the deficit in the first half of Overpass, trailing by five rounds before the switch and then took the lead in the second half, as their defence appeared to be much better than the offence. Natus Vincere still broke European mix’s economy while down “13-14” and appeared poised to close the map in regulation, but Fnatic not only forced an overtime with a low buy round win, but survived against two more map points in the first OT. Second, however, proved to be too much, as the CIS squad won the map, “22-19”. Nuke was back and forth, as the European team had a three round lead and added a pistol round to start the second half, but Natus Vincere instantly won the second round and closed the game “16-12”, taking the series, “2-0”.

Tomorrow Fnatic will face off against BIG, who took down Evil Geniuses earlier tonight, while Natus Vincere are going to clash off against mousesports, who are yet to play their first match against FaZe Clan in EPL S14.