Predictions for the playoffs of PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 (Part 1)
The anticipation is palpable as we eagerly await the pinnacle of the CS 2 Major. This tournament has been a rollercoaster of intense gameplay, nail-biting moments, and breathtaking displays of skill. As we approach the final stages, the excitement reaches its peak. This Sunday will mark the culmination of countless hours of practice, preparation, and dedication from the participating teams. But before we reach the grand finale, we have the playoff stage to savor. Starting this Thursday, two epic matches will kick off the proceedings, setting the stage for an unforgettable showdown. The atmosphere will be electric as the world’s best CS 2 teams battle it out in intense best-of-three clashes.
As fans, we can’t help but analyze and speculate on the outcomes of these matchups. Each team’s strengths, strategies, and individual player performances will be under scrutiny as they vie for victory. The tension will be palpable as the stakes are raised, and the pressure to perform reaches its zenith. These playoff matches are more than just games. They represent the culmination of months of hard work, sacrifice, and determination. The players will leave everything on the virtual battlefield, showcasing their skills, adaptability, and teamwork. And as spectators, we will be treated to a display of virtuosity that only the CS 2 Major can deliver. So let’s gather around, engage in passionate discussions, and make our predictions. Let’s revel in the excitement, camaraderie, and competitive spirit that defines the CS 2 Major. Brace yourselves for an epic spectacle that will captivate us until the final round. This is the epitome of esports, where talent meets strategy, and where moments of brilliance etch themselves into the annals of gaming history.
Table of Contents
Cloud9 vs Vitality
Four months ago, everyone would have agreed that Vitality couldn’t lose this match because their lineup was too strong. The French team won three important trophies in the latter part of the 2023 season and a total of five, including the Paris Major. Furthermore, they have ZywOo, who is widely regarded as the best player in the world and is approaching legendary status in this discipline. If he is in good form, Vitality could easily reach the semifinals and even the final of the Major. However, we should not forget the factor that during the elimination stage, the French player fell ill and felt terrible, and that naturally affected his performance. As for Cloud9, among the team members are the same Major winners, albeit as part of Natus Vincere. Nevertheless, in our opinion, the skill level of Cloud9 players is noticeably weaker than that of Vitality. For Boombl4, Perfecto, and electronic, defeating Vitality would be a leap to new heights, as they would truly have a chance to compete for the title after so many years. Is it possible? Certainly, but it would require the alignment of many factors all at once. For Vitality, it is enough to know that their main firepower is ready to dominate opponents on the server. Vitality was once the number one team in Counter-Strike, and that was not so long ago, just about 7-8 months ago. Since then, they have changed their team coach and two players. In the new lineup, there are two French players who have been part of Vitality since 2018. One of them, apEX, is the in-game leader.
The other, ZywOo, is not only the best player but also likely the highest-paid player in the world at the moment. The new lineup was built around this strong core. One of the new players, Spinx, undoubtedly ranks among the top ten in terms of individual skill and finished 2023 in 5th place in the HLTV rankings. Once again, it should be emphasized that this match will be very important for both teams, and each of them could win. It all depends on the form and confidence of the sides. In our opinion, Vitality will be the favorites in this BO3, and our Pick’Em bet will be on the French team. The only risk we take is not knowing the condition of the main star of the “bees,” but the break between stages should have had a very positive impact on Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut’s well-being. Another significant factor and perhaps the main reason why we see Vitality as the favorites is the absence of a main sniper for Cloud9. Yes, Boombl4 formally fulfills this role, but do you understand the gap between ZywOo and a player who has been inactive and played for Tier-3 teams? However, returning to Tier 1 level requires a player to put in a lot of effort and spend a significant amount of time. Kirill has spent too little time in Cloud9 to claim a full comeback. Yes, Cloud9 passed the previous stages more easily than Vitality, FaZe, and even G2, but that cannot be considered proof that we will see the same story in the Major playoffs. After all, this is a different stage, with a completely different atmosphere, pressure, and the break, which can either help or harm.
OUR PREDICTION: Team Vitality victory
Team Spirit vs FaZe Clan
Considering the performances we have witnessed in the previous matches, it is not difficult to speculate who many regard as not just the favorite but also a genuine contender for the trophy in Copenhagen. And, of course, we are not referring to FaZe Clan, who had an outright disappointing Elimination stage. However, it is essential to remind ourselves that we are currently amidst a Major, an event where anything can happen. Can a top-tier team, one of the best on the global stage, falter, fail to find their footing, and barely scrape through to the playoffs? The answer is an unequivocal yes, and what’s more, nobody can predict the psychological state in which FaZe will enter the match. Nevertheless, the fact that the venerable Karrigan will surely be able to rally his team adds a degree of assurance. On the other hand, we have a team that undeniably stands as the prime candidate to hoist the cup after the grand finale. The only cause for concern lies in the fact that Spirit has discovered their own equivalent of a “s1mple” and built their entire strategy around that player. This “donk-centric” approach could potentially backfire on the dragons. No one can accurately gauge how Donk, who is about to experience his first-ever event of such magnitude in his career, will perform on the Major stage. However, it is mildly comforting to note that a similar situation occurred for the squad at IEM Katowice, where their “rising star” continued to shine brightly and delivered a stellar debut at a prominent LAN event. Will the “Major factor” exert any influence on them? It is worth emphasizing that this match will not transpire within the confines of isolated rooms, where players need not concern themselves with anything beyond the game itself.
Instead, it will take place in a colossal arena, replete with thousands of fervent fans. In such an atmosphere, nerves can get the better of anyone, not solely the fledgling Donk. Let us be candid—FaZe possesses a considerable advantage over Spirit in this aspect. At present, FaZe is experiencing a minor downturn. Whereas, during the initial stages of CS2’s release, they were hailed as the undisputed monarchs of the new game version, reaching every final and clinching trophies. Alas, that is no longer the case. In contrast, Spirit cannot yet be definitively crowned as such, but they are unquestionably a team on the ascent. In their last two tournaments, Spirit emerged triumphant despite facing formidable opposition. One of these tournaments was IEM Katowice, and the other was the BLAST Premier: Spring Showdown. This remarkable team has emerged victorious in 16 out of their last 17 matches, with only MOUZ managing to secure a win against them in the European RMR. During the Elimination stage, Spirit clashed with Cloud9, Imperial Esports, and Natus Vincere. Ultimately, two of these teams successfully advanced to the playoffs. Notably, the dragons emerged triumphant against all three opponents. Both teams recently squared off in the Grand Finals of IEM Katowice, a mere two months ago. Spirit emerged victorious with a commanding 3-0 score, albeit encountering some difficulties in the early stages of the first two maps. Overall, the upcoming match promises to be an arduous and captivating battle, yet our wager rests on FaZe Clan’s wealth of experience!
OUR PREDICTION: victory for FaZe Clan
Forecasts for the remaining quarterfinals in the next part, which we will publish after this one.
