Reading Time:

Published: July 3, 2023

Written by: Stoyan Todorov

  • The Russians take the match 2-0 following a grueling bout
  • IHC displayed resolve and skill despite eventually losing to the Russian team
  • Outsiders’ next opponent is Fnatic in Group A’s upper bracket

The opening match of the ESL Pro League saw underdogs IHC put up a stubborn fight against fan favorites Rio Major winners Outsiders.

Outsiders Beat IHC 

Being the champions of the 2022 IEM Rio Major, Outsiders have a reputation to uphold. This has proven to be more difficult than the team probably expected as Outsiders had a quarter-final finish at IEM Katowice, failing to live up to the expectations created after the Brazilian tournament. 

Now, the Russian team has another chance to prove itself at the ESL Pro League. Outsiders already started the League’s 17th season with a decisive 2-0 victory over the Mongolian team IHC. The Mongolians came to the Malta tournament as underdogs with upset potential, however, they have not started their run well.

The game started on Inferno, a classic map that both teams prefer. With the playing field being level, viewers expected a close game and this is what they got. Outsiders took the first pistol round on the defense and only barely survived against a full pistol save to follow. Both teams proceeded to trade rounds until the end of the first half came, with the scoreboard reading 9-6 in favor of Outsiders.

The second half of Inferno played in much the same way as the previous one with the opposing teams going back and forth. Petr “⁠fame⁠” Bolyshev and Alexey “⁠Qikert⁠” Golubev turned around a 2vs4 in the second pistol round and scored double digits by the end of the hotly contested first half. Newcomer Aleksandr “⁠KaiR0N-⁠” Anashkin seemed to be Outsoders’ weak link as he got just a 0.37 rating and three kills on the attack. Following a tough slog, the Russian team managed to snatch a 16-13 victory on Inferno.

IHC was proving to be more than just a nuisance for the Russian team and that only continued on Overpass. The Mongolians got the first round but the scoreboard was equalized to 2-2. It was at this moment that Outsiders a critical mistake on B site. This gave a near full eco gave Sodbayar “⁠Techno⁠” Munkhbold the chance to get a knife killed followed by a crucial 1vs3 clutch. Outsiders took a massive psychological hit because of this but managed to stay on par with their Mongolian adversaries, even finishing the first half with a slight 9-3 advantage. 

It was at this point that Outsiders had enough of IHC and woke up. The Russians failed the pistol round but that was the only one IHC would win until the rest of the game, as Outsiders brute forced the map, winning it 16-7 and claiming a 2-0 victory over the Mongolian team.

Outsiders’ next opponents are Fnatic in the Group A upper bracket. Meanwhile, IHC will have to face MIBR for a chance to avoid the triple-elimination last-chance bracket.

Check out Bitcasino for the best bonuses

From our 5 star review…

“In fact, we would argue that Bitcasino’s esports product is one of the best we have experienced. It’s simple, clear-cut, and offers a variety of products and options that other platforms are failing to deliver on.”

MORE INFO
Tags
CS:GO ESL Pro League Updates
Author Image
Stoyan Todorov

Stoyan is passionate about video games and electronic sports and has played and covered virtually every single competitive title - from Farming Simulator to Dota 2!

    Array
(
    [0] => Array
        (
            [_id] => 9pandasmouznxt1695733200000
            [type] => 0
            [origin_id] => 20163567
            [status] => active
            [start_time] => 2023-09-26T13:00:00.000Z
            [score] => 
            [competitors] => Array
                (
                    [0] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => 9 Pandas
                            [side] => home
                        )

                    [1] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => mouz NXT
                            [side] => away
                        )

                )

            [markets] => Array
                (
                    [winner] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 651162bf224f24a6c7733524
                            [event_id] => 9pandasmouznxt1695733200000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.33
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 2.88
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [total_maps] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 651162bf224f24a6c7733525
                            [event_id] => 9pandasmouznxt1695733200000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => over_2.5
                                            [1] => 2.15
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => under_2.5
                                            [1] => 1.58
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [correct_score_in_maps] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 651162bf224f24a6c7733526
                            [event_id] => 9pandasmouznxt1695733200000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => 2:0
                                            [1] => 2.01
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => 0:2
                                            [1] => 5.3
                                        )

                                    [2] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => 2:1
                                            [1] => 3.25
                                        )

                                    [3] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => 1:2
                                            [1] => 4.61
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [map_handicap] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 651162bf224f24a6c7733527
                            [event_id] => 9pandasmouznxt1695733200000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home_-1.5
                                            [1] => 2.02
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away_1.5
                                            [1] => 1.66
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [winner_map1] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 651162bf224f24a6c7733528
                            [event_id] => 9pandasmouznxt1695733200000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.44
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 2.47
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [winner_map2] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 651162bf224f24a6c7733529
                            [event_id] => 9pandasmouznxt1695733200000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.36
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 2.75
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [winner_map3] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 651162bf224f24a6c773352a
                            [event_id] => 9pandasmouznxt1695733200000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.47
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 2.38
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                )

            [sport] => Array
                (
                    [_id] => counter-strike
                    [name] => Counter-Strike
                    [esport] => 1
                )

            [tournament] => Array
                (
                    [_id] => counter-strike-international-esea-premier-division
                    [name] => ESEA Premier Division
                )

            [category] => Array
                (
                    [_id] => 628a1181620f414f95577c7d
                    [key] => international
                    [name] => International
                )

        )

    [1] => Array
        (
            [_id] => apeksforze1695734100000
            [type] => 0
            [origin_id] => 20169138
            [status] => active
            [start_time] => 2023-09-26T13:15:00.000Z
            [score] => 
            [competitors] => Array
                (
                    [0] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Apeks
                            [side] => home
                        )

                    [1] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Forze
                            [side] => away
                        )

                )

            [markets] => Array
                (
                    [winner] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 65121a6aade9640acf475162
                            [event_id] => apeksforze1695734100000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.88
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 1.78
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [total_maps] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 65121a6aade9640acf475163
                            [event_id] => apeksforze1695734100000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => over_2.5
                                            [1] => 1.94
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => under_2.5
                                            [1] => 1.74
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [map_handicap] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 65121a6aade9640acf475164
                            [event_id] => apeksforze1695734100000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home_1.5
                                            [1] => 1.29
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home_-1.5
                                            [1] => 3.33
                                        )

                                    [2] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away_-1.5
                                            [1] => 3.1
                                        )

                                    [3] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away_1.5
                                            [1] => 1.26
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [winner_map1] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 65121a6aade9640acf475165
                            [event_id] => apeksforze1695734100000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.81
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 1.84
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [winner_map2] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 65121a6aade9640acf475166
                            [event_id] => apeksforze1695734100000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.83
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 1.83
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [winner_map3] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 65121a6aade9640acf475167
                            [event_id] => apeksforze1695734100000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.87
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 1.79
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                )

            [sport] => Array
                (
                    [_id] => counter-strike
                    [name] => Counter-Strike
                    [esport] => 1
                )

            [tournament] => Array
                (
                    [_id] => counter-strike-international-t9242-cct-east-europe-series
                    [name] => CCT East Europe Series
                )

            [category] => Array
                (
                    [_id] => 628a1181620f414f95577c7d
                    [key] => international
                    [name] => International
                )

        )

    [2] => Array
        (
            [_id] => fnaticmonte1695735900000
            [type] => 0
            [origin_id] => 20160793
            [status] => active
            [start_time] => 2023-09-26T13:45:00.000Z
            [score] => 
            [competitors] => Array
                (
                    [0] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Fnatic
                            [side] => home
                        )

                    [1] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Monte
                            [side] => away
                        )

                )

            [markets] => Array
                (
                    [winner] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 65121a6aade9640acf475143
                            [event_id] => fnaticmonte1695735900000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.76
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 2.08
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [total_maps] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 65121a6aade9640acf475144
                            [event_id] => fnaticmonte1695735900000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => over_2.5
                                            [1] => 2.04
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => under_2.5
                                            [1] => 1.79
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [correct_score_in_maps] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 65121a6aade9640acf475145
                            [event_id] => fnaticmonte1695735900000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => 2:0
                                            [1] => 3.16
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => 0:2
                                            [1] => 3.65
                                        )

                                    [2] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => 2:1
                                            [1] => 3.54
                                        )

                                    [3] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => 1:2
                                            [1] => 4.13
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [map_handicap] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 65121a6aade9640acf475146
                            [event_id] => fnaticmonte1695735900000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home_-1.5
                                            [1] => 3.18
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home_1.5
                                            [1] => 1.28
                                        )

                                    [2] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away_1.5
                                            [1] => 1.36
                                        )

                                    [3] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away_-1.5
                                            [1] => 3.73
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [winner_map1] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 65121a6aade9640acf475147
                            [event_id] => fnaticmonte1695735900000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.94
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 1.87
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [winner_map2] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 65121a6aade9640acf475148
                            [event_id] => fnaticmonte1695735900000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.71
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 2.14
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [winner_map3] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 65121a6aade9640acf475149
                            [event_id] => fnaticmonte1695735900000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.76
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 2.08
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                )

            [sport] => Array
                (
                    [_id] => counter-strike
                    [name] => Counter-Strike
                    [esport] => 1
                )

            [tournament] => Array
                (
                    [_id] => counter-strike-international-t16b0-cs-go-esl-pro-league
                    [name] => ESL Pro League
                )

            [category] => Array
                (
                    [_id] => 628a1181620f414f95577c7d
                    [key] => international
                    [name] => International
                )

        )

)
1
Live odds: CS:GO

13:00 PM

Home

Away

9Pa
mou
1.33
2.88

13:15 PM

Home

Away

Ape
For
1.88
1.78

13:45 PM

Home

Away

Fna
Mon
1.76
2.08

Similar posts

CS:GO
September 22, 2023
Eternal Fire Relegate 9INE to the ESL’s Last Chance Stage

Eternal Fire can feel a bit safe for their berth in the ESL Pro League after they defeated 9INE 2-0, sending them to the Last Chance Bracket. Eternal Fire Defeat 9INE Engin “MAJ3R” Küpeli and company continue in the Maltese event after they successfully defeated their Polish opponents from 9INE in the event’s lower bracket. […]
CS:GO
September 22, 2023
MSL Announces He Retires from Counter-Strike

Mathias “⁠MSL⁠” Lauridsen has decided to retire from competitive Counter-Strike, ending a decade-long career that started way back in CS: Source. MSL Retires There often comes a time when esports players retire from professional competition in order to focus on other aspects of their career and life and it looks like this time has come […]
CS:GO
September 21, 2023
BlameF Extends His Contract with Astralis Until 2025

After recently becoming the new in-game leader of the Danish Counter-Strike team Astralis, Benjamin “⁠blameF⁠” Bremer extended his contract by two more years. BlameF Signs Contract Extension Ever since he joined Astralis back in November of 2021, Benjamin “⁠blameF⁠” Bremer has been one of the key elements of the team, helping them throughout many events […]
CS:GO
September 20, 2023
Sangul Sign Former Moviestar Riders Player Sausol to Complete their CS:GO Roster

After being released as a free agent a couple of months ago, Spanish Counter-Strike player sausol has found a new home in Sangul’s lineup. Sangul Acquire Sausol Pere “⁠sausol⁠” Solsona Saumell has completed the Counter-Strike roster of Turkish/Dutch organization Sangul, the team announced yesterday. The 23-year-old player comes in to replace Caner “⁠Soulfly⁠” Kesici, who […]
CS:GO
September 18, 2023
9z Defeat 5yclone to Earn Final EPL Group C Berth

After finding themselves in the Last Chance bracket following two consecutive losses, 9z recovered and eventually took on 5yclone to claim the final Group C playoff spot. 9z Beat 5yclone It has been a real adventure for 9z at the ESL Pro League Season 18 as the team has had numerous failures, yet has somehow […]
CS:GO
September 18, 2023
Cloud9 Defeat Spirit To Grab Final BLAST Fall Showdown Spot

BLAST Fall Showdown Europe’s list of teams has been completed by Cloud9 who took the last berth after winning against Spirit on Anubis and Mirage. Cloud9 Defeat Spirit Denis “⁠electroNic⁠” Sharipov and company from Cloud9 have not had much success over the past couple of months. Fortunately for them, this changed earlier today. C9 currently […]
CS:GO
September 15, 2023
FaZe Defeat Fnatic to Qualify for EPL Playoffs

FaZe emerged victorious from an interesting match against fnatic in Malta, which saw both very close maps, as well as a totally one-sided affair. FaZe Secure Victory Some of the names to participate in the ESL Pro League’s playoffs are already decided and FaZe is one step closer to being on the list after the […]
CS:GO
September 15, 2023
Imperial Send 9z to the Last Chance Bracket on Malta

Brazilian CS:GO team Imperial relegated their regional rivals 9z to the Last Chance Bracket at Malta after defeating them on Nuke and Anubis. Imperial Defeat 9z ESL Pro League Season 18 is rapidly moving forward and some teams are already being sent to the last chance bracket. South American CS:GO team 9z is one of […]
CS:GO
September 14, 2023
FaZe Dominate 9z to Earn First EPL Win

FaZe’s mixed European roster is one step closer to securing a playoff berth at the EPL in Malta after defeating their South American opponents from 9z. FaZe Defeat 9z Playing for the first time since their disastrous 9-16th place run through Gamers8 a month ago, FaZe seem to have learned their lesson, as the squad […]