fighting dreamers win OZF 28 Main!

Congratulations Main winners fighting dreamers

Logs

Metalworks - 2 - 1 (GC)
Process - 2 - 0
Match Thread

Congratulations to fighting dreamers on winning the OZF 28 Main Grand Final against Ascension 2.0.

In a rematch of the highly competitive upper page playoff, Ascension 2.0 were looking to repeat their hard-fought victory over fighting dreamers. Going into the map veto, both teams elected for a similar ban phase to their previous meeting, however as we entered the pick phase, Ascension 2.0 surprised bringing out cp_metalworks as our first map. fighting dreamers opted for the comfortable cp_process pick of which they had found plenty of success on throughout the season.

Smazza had this to say on the decision to pick cp_metalworks.

We tried to counter their superior dm with a brain pick.

Our first map began with fast double soldier aggression from the side of fighting dreamers resulting in a second to last stalemate with fighting dreamers holding all the cards. A sequence of trades from both sides eventually saw Ascension 2.0 push their foe to their last. A crucial demo pick in conjunction with a sentry sap saw Ascension 2.0 secure a favourable trade in which they would clean fighting dreamers up and secure the first round. Ascension 2.0 sought to keep up their momentum with some great high-soldier-bombs into the next mid, although fighting dreamers appeared to be up to the task with their Scouts finding three cleanup kills guiding their team to an uncontested second capture. fighting dreamers, not keen on letting Ascension 2.0 dictate this game, took an aggressive trade into last off the back of no advantages! In what should have been a comfortable hold from the side of Ascension 2.0, fighting dreamers managed to find 3 kills, including the Demoman, and seemed poised to take the point. However an immense clutch from the Pyro of Fennex including a pipe-reflect double kill, saw Ascension 2.0 stabilise and look to push into and cap second. Having been relegated to the bottom of the scoreboard, fighting dreamers Pocket Soldier honk honk, made what I deem to be the match winning play for his side in this moment, securing the kill onto the medic of a pushing Ascension 2.0, leaving his side with a healthy 30% Uber advantage. Making no mistake, fighting dreamers push into last and take the round, tying the scores at 1:1 with 30 seconds left in regulation. Golden cap would start and end rather similarly, with the soldiers of fighting dreamers creating a lot of space on mid, and taking the Ascension 2.0 Demoman with them to the grave. Not wanting to risk anything, Ascension 2.0 immediately fell back to their last as fighting dreamers could surely taste victory. Another risky no-advantage trade into last occurs with the soldiers of fighting dreamers creating plenty of space in post for their team, allowing them to easily win the dm fight and consequently secure the first map of the grand final.

The Soldiers of Ascension 2.0 would surely have to lift their game going into process if they were to find victory, and on the first mid they showed their class, powering their side to an easy capture, creating space and living to begin pressuring the 2nd point of which fighting dreamers had taken up a defensive hold. Many a sac would occur, eventually resulting in Ascension 2.0 taking an aggressive trade into 2nd. Reading the situation perfectly, fighting dreamers milked their Uber and used their scouts well to secure the mid point. A partial stalemate would occur, with fighting dreamers Sniper trev finding an opening pick onto the opposing Demoman, forcing Ascension 2.0 out to their last. Trusting in their dm ability, fighting dreamers once more take an aggressive trade into last, finding an even exchange but losing three players on their rotate from lobby. Ascension 2.0 would have some difficulty entering second from last, losing two players but finding the cap in return, only for it to be taken back by the spawners of fighting dreamers. In what was without doubt the slowest portion of this map, both teams exchanged sacs in and out of last, with neither team finding a substantial advantage to push off of. After ten minutes, fighting dreamers fancied their chances at another aggressive trade, using their uber through door one, finding the force onto the enemy medic and subsequently rotating their team in through door four. Using some excellent positioning and utilising the space-making ability of the Soldier class, fighting dreamers stormed through their opposition, capping the last point and making everyone watching wonder why they hadn't tried this earlier! Now a map and a lengthy round down, the side of Ascension 2.0 would have been hopeful going into the second mid of the map, however, the soldiers out of fighting dreamers swiftly put an end to any aspirations their adversaries were accruing, forcing the side of Ascension 2.0 out to their last. With less time on their hands than before, and possessing the knowledge of "how to win last push process map", fighting dreamers confidently repeated their previous last push, again cleaning up the dm fight and easily capping the point to secure their 2nd round of the map. With barely 7 minutes left on the clock, Ascension 2.0 were in dire need of at least a mid victory. Early positioning by the side of fighting dreamers looked precarious, with a soldier dying early, however a missed opportunity by Ascension 2.0 to capitalise on the tentativeness being shown by their opposition resulted in the stabilisation and clean-up of the vanquished side, with fighting dreamers storming through middle and looking poised to take an easy third round. A failed last push, failed push out from last and a few sacs later, fighting dreamers were sitting pretty on Ascension 2.0's second point as the game reached dead time. A rather drawn out ending seemed apt for what was an exceptional grand final, with both teams showing prowess in their own preferred styles of play. fighting dreamers closed out the series 2 - 0 to become your OZF 28 Main champions!

Thank you to all the players, support staff and patrons that helped make this season possible. We'll see you all again soon!

Placements

1st - fighting dreamers
2nd - Ascension 2.0
3rd - back 2 the bones daycare

Awards

Champions: fighting dreamers
Best Demoman: BigFellaGoose
Best Medic: Raina
Best Pocket: Rangi
Best Roamer: jarry from wagga
Best Pocket Scout: Smazza
Best Flank Scout: sentar and _xypH
Best Utility: xtra

Most Improved Player: GuS
Most Valuable Player: Smazza

Friendliest Team: Build Cube Maps and back 2 the bones daycare
Most Improved Team: Ascension 2.0
Best Dressed Team: MTIN
Best Caster: BigFellaGoose