Apeks veterans help outlast OG

Apeks became the first team to qualify for the playoffs at the Brazy Party after defeating OG in a two-map series. The European squad's victories over Eternal Fire in the opening round and OG in the progression match earned them a spot in the quarter-finals, where they will face off against a second-placed team from the other three groups. Playing from a boot camp in preparation for the Paris Major, Apeks will be pleased with their showing.

The first map of the series, Ancient, went into overtime after the teams couldn't be separated in regulation. Apeks was able to edge ahead in the second overtime, however, securing a 22-20 win on their opponents' map pick. The second map, Anubis, saw Apeks outlast OG again, this time in a 29-round affair. A solid T side gave them a three-round advantage going into the second half, enough for them to secure a 16-13 victory and take first place in Group A.

Joakim "jkaem" Myrbostad and Justinas "jL" Lekavicius were key players in Apeks' narrow victory, with the Lithuanian putting up a 1.34-rated performance the Norwegian just behind at 1.31. Damjan "kyxsan" Stoilkovski, who leads the squad, played a crucial role in the series and looked like a good fit for Apeks.

Losing to a fellow Paris Major Challengers Stage team for OG was undoubtedly disappointing. However, the team still has a chance to earn a playoff berth as they face off against Eternal Fire on Sunday at 14:30. Abdul "degster" Gasanov and his team will need to step up their game to avoid elimination and continue their journey in the Brazy Party.

Brazy Party 2023

Bo3

Apeks

2 - 0

All maps

Apeks	K - D	+/-	ADR	KAST	Rating 2.0
Justinas 'jL' Lekavicius	61 - 45	+16	92.0	78.9%	1.34
Joakim 'jkaem' Myrbostad	60 - 49	+11	88.7	76.1%	1.31
Damjan 'kyxsan' Stoilkovski	52 - 49	+3	83.2	74.6%	1.17
Tim 'nawwk' Jonasson	38 - 43	-5	58.6	73.2%	0.93
Martin 'STYKO' Styk	38 - 43	-5	51.8	63.4%	0.85

OG	K - D	+/-	ADR	KAST	Rating 2.0
Abdul 'degster' Gasanov	60 - 47	+13	84.9	70.4%	1.23
Nikolaj 'niko' Kristensen	51 - 53	-2	87.5	66.2%	1.12
Shahar 'flameZ' Shushan	39 - 47	-8	62.0	67.6%	0.93
Adam 'NEOFRAG' Zouhar	42 - 52	-10	67.4	67.6%	0.91
Maciej 'F1KU' Miklas	34 - 52	-18	53.4	62.0%	0.76