k1ck eSports Club won the XLParty title in CS:GO after defeating ASES 2-1 in the Grand Final.
Coming from the Upper Bracket after defeating none other than ASES, k1ck required just one map to win the title, whereas the Spaniards needed to win two to return home with the first prize of $5,000.
On de_inferno_se, ASES started out on the Terrorist side, and in the pistol round a quick push onto the A bombsite through middle caught k1ck's players by surprise and allowed them to take the lead in the game. The Portuguese team then went on two full ecos, with ASES comfortably winning those rounds to take the score to 3-0.
In the fourth round, k1ck got two early picks, which forced ASES to lower the tempo, and when they finally managed to enter the B bombsite, there was no time left on the clock to plant the bomb.
k1ck then took control of the match, winning five rounds in a row to make it 6-5 and take the lead for the first time in the game. A lot of rounds were then exchanged between the two sides, with the Portuguese side going into the second half up 8-7.
The second half was a one-way street as ASES, inspired by Xavi "Aguila" Casals, who racked up more than 20 frags, were too hot to handle on the CT side, conceding just one round during that half as they won the map 16-10.
k1ck spurned their one-map lead in the tie
de_train_se then followed, with ASES starting out on the highly-favoured CT side. But it was k1ck who claimed bragging rights first, winning the pistol round after a rush onto the outer bombsite as the bomb went off just when the CTs were trying to defuse it after taking down all opposition.
The next two rounds also went k1ck's way, but then ASES were finally able to respond, taking two rounds in a row to reduce the deficit to 3-2. However, k1ck were determined to make the most of their Terrorist side and won two more rounds to restore a three-round lead.
If Casals had impressed everyone during the first map, now it was Nicolas "GhosT" Milyayev's time to shine, as he picked up 22 frags as CT to prompt ASES to turn the score around, even thought all they got was a narrow 8-7 lead at the break.
k1ck got off to a flying start on the CT side, winning the first five rounds to take the score to 12-8 in their favour, with Ricardo "fox" Pacheco showing glimpses of the level of form that had made him a fans' favourite in 1.6. ASES refused to throw in the towel, though, and stunned k1ck by winning three consecutive rounds, but the home side regained control of the game and made it 14-11 to become just inches away from the title.
However, an eco round from ASES in which they rushed the outer bombsite caught k1ck's players by surprise and pushed them to make an impressive comeback to take the score to 15-14 in their favour, but they could not seal the deal as the Portuguese team won the very last round to take the game to overtime.
In overtime, k1ck gave a good account of themselves, taking two rounds as Terrorists after winning the first half 2-1 to walk out 19-16 winners in the tournament.
XLParty 2012 final standings:
1.
k1ck - $5,000
2.ASES- $2,000
3.
4.
5-6.
5-6.
7-8.
7-8.