Esports organization Cloud9 is back on top of the CS:GO professional scene after being crowned Champions of the Intel Extreme Masters XVII – Dallas (IEM Dallas 2022) earlier this week.
Earlier this year, Cloud9 acquired the Gambit Esports lineup consisting of the following members, after the org's one year break from the CS:GO scene.
- Abay “Hobbit” Khassenov (player)
- Dmitrii “sh1ro” Sokolov (player)
- Sergei “Ax1Le” Rykhtorov (player)
- Vladislav “nafany” Gorshkov (player, in-game leader)
- Timofei “interz” Iakushin (player)
- Konstantin “groove” Pikiner (coach)
- Ivan “F_1N” Kochugov (analyst)
According to Ax1Le, he didn't expect Cloud9 to be interested in the Gambit roster. “We were a little bit shocked when they made us the offer to join them.” He and the rest of the squad felt at home in Cloud9. “They're always cheering for us and helping us, like giving us merchandise. So they help us with everything and we are so happy,” he added.
Cloud9 Co-Founder and CEO also Jack Etienne shared some words regarding this move. “This is an exciting time for Counter Strike, with LAN events returning we’re seeing incredible interest amongst fans. I would definitely say the resurgence is well under way.”
And resurgence it was. While the Cloud9 CSGO roster did not have much luck in the PGL Major Antwerp as they bowed out in its Legends Stage, this became a formative experience for the roster and the org as a whole. By the time IEM Dallas 2022 came, they were ready to go.
In the Group Stage, Cloud9 CSGO were quickly sent to the Lower Bracket after a 0-2 defeat against FURIA Esports. They proceeded to sweep their next two matches to qualify for the Quarterfinals. Here, C9 faced both FaZe Clan and BIG, both of which they defeated after a 2-1. In the Grand Final they faced Finnish team ENCE.
The two teams faced off in Mirage first. ENCE concluded their CT half 10-5, but C9 managed to turn the tables and took the map 16-12. Overpass was a similar story, but C9 held the 10-5 lead after the first half and rode the momentum to win 16-11. Their third map was Ancient, and Cloud9 had a hot date as they didn't even give ENCE the chance to play and wiped the floor with them 16-3.
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