Aurora Clinches First LAN Title at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
Aurora secured their inaugural LAN championship by defeating Legacy 3–2 in a thrilling grand final at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025. This victory marks a historic achievement for Turkish Counter-Strike, representing the team’s first major trophy and a significant milestone for İsmailcan “XANTARES” Dörtkardeş.
XANTARES Earns First LAN MVP Award
After years of near successes and impressive performances, XANTARES finally received his first LAN MVP award, a rare accolade that had eluded him until now at 30 years old.
Epic Best-of-Five Battle
The grand final was a grueling, nearly six-hour best-of-five series where Aurora and Legacy traded victories on every map. The opening map, Dust2, saw Aurora’s bold, aggressive tactics pay off, giving them an early lead.
Legacy responded on Train, keeping the match intensely competitive. The final maps showcased key performances from Ali “Wicadia” Haydar Yalçın and Samet “jottAAA” Köklü, who delivered under pressure to secure the 3–2 win for Aurora.
Significance of the Victory
For Aurora, this triumph goes beyond a trophy; it solidifies their status among Europe’s top teams and boosts their momentum heading into the Budapest Major later this season.
“Aurora has claimed their first-ever LAN tournament by taking down Legacy 3–2 in a thrilling grand final at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025. This victory makes it a historic moment for Turkish CS — not only for the team’s maiden trophy but also for İsmailcan ‘XANTARES’ Dörtkardeş, who earned his first career LAN MVP award after years of near-misses and standout performances.”
Months of steady improvement and previous heartbreaks on online and regional stages culminated in this memorable breakthrough on LAN for the Turkish squad.
Key Player Highlights
- İsmailcan “XANTARES” Dörtkardeş – MVP of the tournament
- Ali “Wicadia” Haydar Yalçın – Critical impact in deciding maps
- Samet “jottAAA” Köklü – Delivered in clutch moments
Author’s Summary: Aurora's victory at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 marks a breakthrough for Turkish CS, highlighted by XANTARES earning his first LAN MVP in a grueling final against Legacy.