The boys didn't have long to enjoy the win, with the group stage playing out in quick succession. Immunity made light work of the competition from Greece and Portugal before facing up to the group favourites from Norway. Outgunned, Immunity lost their first match and with one to play a weird three-way tie for the group lead loomed if Dignitas were to beat Norway in the final round.
Some analysis of the rules and a tie would mean a 'goals scored' style count-back of the rounds won during the stage. Going into the final match against Georgia on Immunity's favourite map, Inferno, the maths showed we were behind on the count and had to dominate the match to have the best chance in a tied group. Showing impressive focus and determination, Immunity totally schooled the Georgians to take the match 30-0!
As if according to script, Dignitas beat Norway and the count was on. With their destruction of the Georgians, Immunity pushed past the Brits and qualified second from the group. A glorious moment, the boys took pride in sending the Brits home in a most undignified manner. Making the win even sweeter, Dignitas played the role of stereotypical whinging Poms and made an official complaint - because they didn't like how the count back rules were written! Our boys were thrilled to see them leave the arena like crying babies.
It's a knockout!A rest day came and went much as the pre-tournament, with another extended training session and some analysis of their knockout stage competition, GamePlay of Finland. The Finns had won their share of tournaments, but as ever Immunity took their underdog status as an opportunity to come up with a surprise win.
Back at the tournament and ready for action, an impressive crowd was gathering near the Immunity camp. It seemed word was spreading online and off that the Aussies were well worth a look, and as the match began they did not disappoint.
In a best-of-three-maps showdown, Immunity again showed their raw talent by winning the opening round and then taking the fight quickly to the Finns and never letting up. The whole team was on fire, but BenoR, the Australian star-player granted Chuck Norris status in many online discussions, truly brought his A game and pulled off some massive clutch kills to seal a win on the first map. Looking over to the Finns, there were signs of genuine disbelief, and then they stormed from the arena to regroup.
On return, the Finns threw insults at the Aussies through in-game chat, like sore losers, accusing BenoR of using hacks. But they really did regroup, taking the next map comfortably before they closed out the win in the third.
The team took the loss hard, having shown enough quality to see a few 'what if' moments in the match that could have turned the tide in their favour. The gathered crowd began to disperse, but many showed warm smiles and a sense of regret that these entertaining Australians were out of the tournament.
A word for our sponsors...Now out of the tournament, the team hit the town and drowned their sorrows at the bottom of many glasses of Kölsch (the native beer of Cologne - try it when you get a chance). But there were also some last sponsor duties to be performed, with special photos and video to be put together for their major sponsors, Intel.
The boys missed their original curtain call by some two hours, but once on the scene they shook off the remnants of a big night out and fought off the growing winter chill to put in a good show.
And with that the event was a wrap. At the outset, the unfancied Australians were only expected to come along, enjoy the trip and make up the numbers. By the end, the pro gaming scene had taken notice of this fun, brash, and confident crew. For the best in the world to feel their ranks were the better for having Team Immunity amongst them should be seen as a great result for Australian gaming in general. They came to play, and the world took notice.
What more could an underdog ask for?
Issue: 137 | June, 2012