Cloud9 Crowned ELEAGUE Major 2018 Champions!

While underdogs Vega Squadron and Quantum Bellator Fire were the big stories through the Qualifier and Group Stage of the ELEAGUE Major 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts, with the former securing a spot in the Major after stunning #2 team in the world and eventual Grand Final competitor FaZe in the Qualifier and QB Fire launching themselves into Legends status after surprising everyone with a 3-1 group stage at their entire roster's first appearances in a Major, it was Cloud9 beating the other 4 top-ranked teams in the world on their way to a North American squad's first-ever Major championship- all on home soil- that ultimately stole the show.

As mentioned, Cloud9 went through all 4 of the other top 5 ranked teams in the world in route to their title. They took a win from a disorganized Astralis in the Group Stage in route to 4 out of 5 of their players' first appearance in a Major playoff (AWPer Skadoodle had made the Group Stage eight times, all without advancing). In the playoffs, they managed to take best-of-three series from, consecutively, G2 (whom they beat easily), #1 ranked team in the world SK, and then FaZe in the Grand Final.

In that best-of-three Grand Final, which was roundly applauded as one of the most exciting CSGO Major Grandfinals of all time, Cloud9 came back from a 1 match deficit to secure two matches in a row including a double-overtime final map (Inferno) to beat what is rumored to be the most expensive line-up of all time.

Check out this frag movie from the Major Grand Final by Fraakarts:

Post-Major Shakeups

As is usually the case after a Major (the 'Superbowl' of CSGO), we've already seen a few roster shake-ups (and a handful of rumors).

Danish side North, who had a promising start to 2017 before benching their best player in Magisk, carried their poor form into the major where they were one of two teams to go out 0-3 in groups. Following their disappointing showing in the Major, they benched cajunb and promoted Mertz from their academy team. Unsatisfied with one roster move, they would the next day announce they were once again benching their best player: k0nfig, who also happened to be ranked #14 this year by HLTV.

The Scandinavian pro players' scene took this confusing turn of events as an opportunity to have a bit of fun on Twitter:

Envyus, who bombed out in the qualifier for the major but had failed to capture anyone's imagination for some time previously, followed up by benching xms. It's been reported that they are looking to re-sign 2x major champion Kioshima, whose experience might be what's needed in a team that's struggled to find form despite possessing some of the top talent in the French scene.

mousesports, who did about as well as expected in securing a top-8 finish at the Major, are in talks with GODSENT to acquire dennis who would replace STYKO on the active roster. While STYKO has shown (inconsistent) talent, dennis, named 20th best player of 2016 by HLTV, and renowned for his insane pistol acumen, would be a welcome upgrade for an organization that has for some time seemed to hang around the top tier of counter-strike without actually claiming a permanent place within it.

North-American squad Misfits were unable to qualify for the major and that seemed to be enough of a disincentive to make things work when 3/5ths of their contracts expired immediately afterwards. SicK has already moved on, signing with Rogue, while the remaining 4 have expressed interest in sticking together in a new team, although their next move is unclear while the two French players, devoduvek and AmaNEk, remain under contract. It's been reported that the Misfits organization wants to sign the ex-Gale Force roster once negotiations are complete.

One of the most perplexing stories of the past few months continues to give fruits as 100Thieves were unable to attend the Major despite holding a legend spot after the organization bought out the contracts of HEN1, LUCAS1, and kNgV- from Immortals. While missing the Major and forfeiting a future Legends spot was no joke, it appeared as if 100Thieves problems were limited to visa issues.

In an unexpected turn, however, kNgV-, who had been previously disciplined by Immortals for conducting himself poorly on social media, inserted himself into a Twitter conversation when he became offended by a joke someone was making about the ex-Immortals' trio's reported missing of the start of a 2017 tournament grand final due to partying too much the night before. He used a sexual slur in his tirade against the user. 100Thieves responded by saying they were seeking to replace kNgV.

Finally, 100Thieves followed up today by announcing they were releasing their entire CSGO roster before any of the players had a chance to compete in even one map. While it was speculated that the players would stick together as they sought a new, preferably North-American organization to represent, bit has announced via a TwitLonger that himself, HEN1, LUCAS1, fnx, and their coach will be sticking together but are not planning on working with kNgV- any longer.

In other moves, compleXity signed ex-CLG in-game leader FNS while ex-CLG AWPer koosta signed with GX.

Follow this link for a frag movie highlighting the best clips from the ELEAGUE Major and qualifier: https://www.hltv.org/news/22656/video-eleague-major-highlights

Thanks for reading!