Dynamic Takes First at LANchamp Baltimore

The third LANchamp event took place this past Saturday, this time at the Graphix Gaming Center in Baltimore, MD.  Like the past two events in Chicago and Los Angeles, this event showcased four of the top CS:S teams in North America, all competing for their share of the $10,000 prize pot.  And just like the past two LANchamp events, Dynamic made their third appearance in Baltimore after winning the two online qualifier matches.

Kicking off the day, Dynamic was pitted against Cyber Revolution - the same team that they beat in the ESEA finals the previous Sunday.  The best of three match began on de_contra, where both teams gave it everything they had, as throughout the entire match, neither team gained the clear upper hand.  Cyber Revolution won the final round to force overtime, but after that, it was all Dynamic.  Sweeping the first three rounds on CT side, Dynamic did not slow down after the switch to Terrorist side as they took the first round, and the map overall.  The next map played was de_inferno, and that turned out to be another story.  Beginning on T side of the generally heavily CT-sided map, Dynamic was able to grab 10 out of the 15 rounds at half.  Cyber Revolution could never recover from their poor start, as Dynamic wrapped up the match 16-10.  Cyber Revolution was pushed into the lower bracket where they were then knocked out to finish fourth place at the event.

Next up was Area 51 after their first round victory over SP.  The first map was de_train, another heavily CT-sided map.  Once again though, Dynamic managed to get off to a roaring start on T side as they took 11 rounds at the half.  On CT side, they only gave up one more, as they finished the map with a blowout 16-5 win against Area 51.  de_tuscan, the second map, allowed Area 51 to put up a little more of a fight.  A glitch in the first half dropped adreN from the server, leaving Dynamic at a disadvantage and Area 51 leading 9-6 at the half.  Dynamic regained strength though and never let up, only allowing Area 51 to gain one round win on CT side when the closed the match with a 16-10 win on de_tuscan.  Area 51 then had to face SP again, where they won a second time, guaranteeing themselves a spot in the finals match against Dynamic.

The first map of the finals was a return to de_contra which was Area 51's map choice.  Dynamic got off to a huge lead, but Area 51 was able to battle back, forcing the map into overtime.  Both teams grabbed three rounds in the first OT, but the second OT turned into the AZK show as he helped his team take four consecutive rounds, winning them the first map.  Dynamic then chose de_inferno for their map choice, and they once again began with a solid first half when Area 51 made a late run before the side switch.  Dynamic was up 10-5 at half - a pretty standard CT score on the map.  They came out swinging on T side though, and reached game point quickly.  Then a!m from Area 51 received the same glitch adreN did in the de_tuscan match, and was kicked from the server.  Though Dynamic gave them that round, Area 51 never recovered as Dynamic finished the map 16-8.

Overall the event was a huge success for Dynamic.  They took home first place and the $5,000 that title held.  Throughout the entire event, Dynamic played some very close matches on de_contra, but they still never gave up a single map at the LAN.  This marks their second LAN victory in just under one week when coupled with their ESEA victory the previous Sunday, making this weeks earnings an impressive $9,000 for just this week.  Though the LAN events are temporarily slowing down, Dynamic is not.  They are currently in the CEVO playoffs and the Newegg Wanfest online, so remember to check up with this website and #teamdynamic in IRC for the latest info.

Photos of the event can be found at:

http://www.eseanews.com/css/index.php?s=gallery&d=view_gallery&id=122

More in depth coverage of individual matches and screenshots can be found at:

http://www.eseanews.com/css/index.php?s=news&d=list&event_id=122