ex-RUBY Clinch Hard-Fought Victory Against STATE in CCT Europe Series #20

On April 5, 2026, ex-RUBY emerged victorious over STATE in a compelling best-of-three series at the CCT Europe Series #20, securing a 2-1 win. The series began with STATE asserting dominance on their map pick, Mirage, taking it 16-12 and putting ex-RUBY on the back foot. However, ex-RUBY quickly retaliated on their own pick, Inferno, where a strong T-side performance led them to a decisive 16-10 victory, forcing a decider map. The final map, Ancient, was a nail-biter, seeing both teams trade rounds in a highly contested affair. Ultimately, ex-RUBY held their nerve in the crucial late rounds, closing out Ancient 16-14 to complete the reverse sweep and claim the series.

The decisive moment arrived on Ancient, with the scoreline teetering at 14-14. It was in this high-pressure round that ex-RUBY's rifler, 'Zenith,' stepped up to deliver a crucial 1v2 clutch, defusing the bomb with milliseconds to spare and securing match point. His individual brilliance not only broke STATE’s economy but also shattered their momentum, paving the way for ex-RUBY to close out the next round. Zenith's consistent impact throughout the series, highlighted by an impressive overall ADR and multiple clutch rounds, earned him the Player of the Match title. His ability to perform under pressure was instrumental in turning the tide for ex-RUBY after their initial map loss.

This hard-fought 2-1 victory is a significant start for ex-RUBY in the CCT Europe Series #20. Kicking off the tournament with a win against a resilient STATE squad places them in a strong position within their group, easing pressure for their upcoming matches and boosting their chances for a deeper run into the playoffs. For STATE, while the performance showed flashes of potential, the loss means they’ll need to regroup quickly and secure wins in subsequent matches to keep their tournament aspirations alive. The CCT Europe Series #20 promises to be a competitive gauntlet, and this early result sets an exciting tone for the battles to come as teams vie for the top spots.