18:04 - bsl

The referee's controversial ruling:


eSTRO by one


ESWC's semi final drama explained




According to ESWC head referee, Gaetan "Sunray" Bertin (26), the referees rule on this inccident is final. eSTRO from Korea defeat Fnatic from Sweden by 19-18. This result might seem confusing; Bertin explains.

"- eSTRO was found to be in an illegal area," he said.

"- The rules state that it should warrant a three round penalty to the team in question. We deduct three points from their total score at that point, which was 22 rounds - giving them a total of 19 - and a 1 point win over Fnatic."

eSTRO won the first three rounds of the second overtime. In the first round of the second half of the second overtime "solo" was up on the illegal mountain near t spawn - he jumped down and eSTRO procedeed to win that round, and the match by a second overtime score of 4-0.

What seems strange about the decision is that the round where the player in question treaded on the rules was won - and allowed to count. If the round where the rule abuse happened had not been allowed to count the two teams would have been tied at 18-18, which might seem more logical.

The referees do not interpet the rules this way.

"- We do not interpet the game, but just stop it after the round in question and deduct three points from that team. This is the rationale we have been using throughout the tournament," Bertin said.

There is another point to consider as well. Overtimes at the ESWC are played with two halves of maxrounds 3.

Now, if the game is stopped after four out of six rounds with a score of 4-0 for eSTRO and three rounds are removed as a penalty that leaves the score at 1-0 for the Koreans - but with two rounds unplayed out of the six total.

These rounds could yield a 2-1 result, for either team, or give eSTRO a 3-0 win - had the overtime been played to its completion with the penalty of three rounds applied to the Koreans.

However, what's stated above is the official ruling - and it stands regardless of these perspectives, the circumstances and its consequences.

Fnatic has to prepare to face Mousesports in the consolation final while eSTRO get their shot at the world championship in the final with MYM.

17:37 - bsl

ESWC semi final drama

Referees decide Fnatic and eSTRO's fate



GotFrag approached "bail" of eSTRO about commenting on the situation. The player declined to comment as he felt his English was not good enough. The culprit, and star of the team "solo", also did not understand when asked about the walk on the mountain.

eSTRO's manager is apparantly fluent in English but was unable to comment as he was in a meeting with the ESWC admins - as was Oskar "Ins" Holm from Fnatic.

The other members were waiting outside. Harley "dsn" Örwall offered his comments:

"- This is rule violation," he stated.

Manager, and owner, Sam Matthews did not want to comment on the situation.

17:28 - bsl

ESWC semi final drama

Fnatic contests eSTRO's win



eSTRO's use of illegal areas on de_nuke has prompted Fnatic, and owner Samuel Matthews to put forth an official complaint to the ESWC admins.

The tournament area is in a state of confusion and disarray while the two teams, several journalists and other competitors are waiting for the decision.

17:25 - bsl

eSTRO's semi final win tainted

Picture proof of rule abuse



This picture is taken from the ESWC ruleset. It clearly outlines the part of the map that's in question.

Fnatic have now been made aware of eSTRO's illegal stroll on the disallowed mountain to the right of terrorist spawn on de_nuke. Their entire team and manager Sam Matthews are over by the refeers, and they are reviewing the rules while eSTRO wait.

17:04 - bsl

eSTRO won but...

...can bug abuse hurt them?



eSTRO just won three straight rounds as CT on de_nuke. As their terrorist half started this would leave the Korean team with three chances to win the game - and advance. They did in the first round, seemingly defeating the Swedish powerhouse - however - star player "solo" was on top of the mountain near t spawn for twenty, thirty seconds, albeit without killing anyone.

According to ESWC head referee, Gaetan "Sunray" Bertin (26) for Counter-Strike you are not allowed to be up on the mountain to the right of t spawn.

Fnatic does not know that his happened yet and we will have to wait to see what becomes of this. Information is sketchy at this point.

Update: After checking the ESWC rules GotFrag can confirm that being up on that particular point of the map is not allowed.