There is just something about China that brings out the worst in MiBR.
Brazil’s top team posted another disappointing performance at StarSeries & i-League CS:GO Season 7. Despite being one of the strongest bets to win the event, the squad washed out of the group stage with a 1-3 record after suffering a defeat at the hands of North.
Things were initially trending in a good direction for MiBR. Playing on Overpass, the Brazilians exploded out of the gate with a 5-1 lead despite playing as the disadvantaged T side. Things went off the rails from there as a strong showing from Nicklas “gade” Gade helped North to break off 12 consecutive rounds. MiBR was able to walk that tightrope for a time, but ultimately fell 16-10.
From there the series moved to Inferno, a map that has given MiBR fits in recent months. Though the team started off strong thanks to some vintage Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo play, North managed to settle down, close out the half with the lead, and started strong after the switch. MiBR once again found itself going from a solid advantage to having to claw its way out of a deep hole, but this time it faded even more quickly with North winning 16-8 to close out the series.
It’s a rough turn of events for MiBR.
Though it began the tournament with a squash of Panda Gaming, MiBR was brought back to earth by a 2-1 loss to Renegades. While that series was a competitive one, the team was then steamrolled by NRG Esports who pushed them into this elimination match.
It is the second flop at a Chinese tournament in less than a month for the Brazilians. In March, the team was handed a shock loss by Windigo Gaming at WESG 2018, a tournament it was widely expected to win. The scene was eerily reminiscent of the squad’s early exit from WESG 2017 under the SK Gaming banner, a defeat that saw the team split with entry fragger Epitácio “TACO” de Melo. Those struggles haven’t been exclusive to China however, as the team finished dead last in its own backyard at BLAST Pro Series: Sao Paulo.
There are no visible signs of strife with MiBR at this time, but it’s easy wonder if something is amiss with the team.
Also eliminated alongside MiBR with 1-3 records are Vici Gaming and TyLoo. Vici started the event strong with an upset victory over favorite Natus Vincere, but suffered swift defeats at the hands FaZe Clan and ENCE Esports before being eliminated by Ninjas in Pyjamas. While Vici enjoys the moral victory of besting a world class team, TyLoo’s sole win came over a flimsy Panda Gaming with losses coming from Renegades, Team Spirit, and BIG.
North will compete in the final round of the group stages in an elimination match against FaZe. Also on the docket are NRG vs. BIG and Ninjas in Pyjamas vs. Team Spirit.
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