{"id":371404,"date":"2026-03-15T22:01:45","date_gmt":"2026-03-15T22:01:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/community.skin.club\/?p=371404"},"modified":"2026-03-15T22:06:50","modified_gmt":"2026-03-15T22:06:50","slug":"navi-defeat-aurora-win-esl-pro-league-season-23","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.skin.club\/en\/news\/navi-defeat-aurora-win-esl-pro-league-season-23","title":{"rendered":"w0nderful leads NAVI past Aurora to win ESL Pro League Season 23"},"content":{"rendered":"

Natus Vincere have been crowned champions of ESL Pro League Season 23 after defeating Aurora 3\u20131 in the grand final. The Ukrainian organization delivered a confident performance across the best-of-five series, winning Mirage, Nuke and Dust2 to secure the trophy and complete a strong playoff run. Aurora managed to claim one map on Anubis, but NAVI maintained control of the series overall, powered by consistent team play and standout performances from w0nderful and makazze.<\/p>\n

Path through the tournament<\/h3>\n

Both teams had impressive runs through the playoffs before meeting in the grand final.<\/p>\n

NAVI reached the title match after defeating The MongolZ in the quarterfinals and FUT in the semifinals. The team showed strong form throughout the playoffs, steadily improving as the tournament progressed before delivering their best performance in the final.<\/p>\n

Aurora, meanwhile, arrived in the grand final following victories over Legacy in the quarterfinals and Astralis in the semifinals. The Turkish roster entered the final on a strong win streak and proved to be one of the biggest surprises of the event.<\/p>\n\n

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\n Astralis battle past FUT to claim EPL Season 23 third place<\/a>\n \n
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Mar 15<\/div>\n News<\/a> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

NAVI 3\u20131 Aurora<\/h3>\n

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Mirage \u2014 NAVI start strong (13\u20137)<\/strong><\/p>\n

The grand final opened on Mirage, NAVI\u2019s map pick, and the team quickly established control of the match. Early round aggression and confident mid control allowed NAVI to dictate the pace of the game.<\/p>\n

Aurora struggled to consistently break through NAVI\u2019s defensive setups, while makazze and w0nderful repeatedly found key opening duels. NAVI steadily extended their lead and closed the map 13\u20137, taking the first point of the series.<\/p>\n

Anubis \u2014 Aurora strike back (13\u201311)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Aurora responded on Anubis, their map pick, delivering a much more competitive performance. The Turkish roster found early success on their T side, winning several key mid-round situations to build momentum. Despite a late comeback attempt from NAVI, Aurora held their composure in the closing rounds. Strong impact from woxic and MAJ3R allowed Aurora to secure the map 13\u201311, tying the series.<\/p>\n

Nuke \u2014 NAVI regain control (13\u20138)<\/strong><\/p>\n

On Nuke, NAVI quickly regained control of the series. Their defensive structure proved extremely difficult for Aurora to break, forcing the Turkish side into several unsuccessful late-round executes.<\/p>\n

With strong coordination and consistent trading, NAVI gradually built a comfortable lead. Aurora struggled to adapt to NAVI\u2019s setups, allowing the Ukrainian organization to close the map 13\u20138 and move one map away from the title.<\/p>\n

Dust2 \u2014 NAVI seal the championship (13\u20139)<\/strong><\/p>\n

The fourth map, Dust2, ultimately decided the grand final. Both teams traded rounds early, with Aurora attempting to force a fifth map through aggressive T-side plays. However, NAVI\u2019s experience began to show as the map progressed. Well-timed rotations and clutch moments helped them secure crucial rounds in the late stages of the game. NAVI eventually closed Dust2 13\u20139, securing the 3\u20131 series victory and becoming ESL Pro League Season 23 champions.<\/p>\n

Match statistics<\/h3>\n

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Player of the Match \u2014 Ihor \u201cw0nderful\u201d Zhdanov<\/h3>\n