G2 Esports to face FaZe Clan for Shanghai Major 2024 Grand Finals spot
The first round of the playoffs in Shanghai set the stage on fire with all teams fighting tooth and nail for a spot in the semi finals. Now, only four titans remain in the death bracket with FaZe Clan standing out as the unexpected wildcard.
The Shanghai Oriental Sports Center witnessed fierce competition and grit, as no team qualified convincingly including G2 Esports who fought the hard battle against Heroic. As expected, the BO3 format in the playoffs proved to be detrimental as no team is a cut above the other, especially with Team Vitality’s elimination evening the odds across the board.
As we head into the semi finals of the Perfect World Shanghai Major, who will top and flop in the race towards the grand final? Here’s our preview and predictions for the second game of the stage.
Image is exclusive to Strafe EsportsFaZe Clan vs. G2 Esports
FaZe Clan’s upset against Team Vitality shuffled the odds, making it a tough nut to crack and adding a layer of confusion as to what to make of it. On one hand, defeating the hottest contender for the title should reestablish their prominence. And on the other, it might be a one-and-done performance before they get back to their losing ways.
On paper, G2 are the clear favorites since they already dismantled Finn "karrigan" Andersen’s squad in the Elimination Stage 13-3, 13-4, extending their head to head record this year with five victories over a single win for FaZe Clan. Although G2 had a nail-biter against Heroic to qualify, the individual level of their star players is consistent, especially Nikola "NiKo" Kovač who’s determined to break his Major curse.
FaZe Clan's winning formula
This is a crucial aspect which FaZe Clan lacks since their winning formula consists of essential components including a fearless Helvijs "broky" Saukants and a deadly accurate rifler. Robin "ropz" Kool did most of the heavy lifting throughout the event, and while his efforts are commendable, it isn’t enough to defeat a star-subbed team like G2.
As noted in the quarter finals against Team Vitality, an activated broky is essential for FaZe Clan to win, otherwise, Ilya "m0NESY" Osipov will set a rendezvous against donk in the grand final to crown not only a champion but also the best player in the world.
G2's clutch factor
Despite Janusz "Snax" Pogorzelski holding the record for the most clutches in Counter-Strike history, G2’s true clutch factor lies with Mario "malbsMd" Samayoa. The Guatemalan has proven himself time and again, most notably during the Europe RMR against Spirit, where his clutch secured his team’s qualification. He also delivered in the quarterfinals against Heroic with a crucial 1v3 that denied Heroic a series point.
Since joining G2, malbsMd has become an integral part of their success, contributing massively to their wins at BLAST Fall and the World Finals. He’s not just performing on the big stage; he’s earning praise from some of the best riflers in the game.
While it’s true that malbsMd doesn’t always dominate the server, you can never count him out. Whether it’s his multikill rounds or clutch plays, he consistently makes the difference when it matters most.
Map veto:
FaZe should prioritize banning Nuke, given their previous loss to Vitality on the map and G2’s dominance on it. That would leave Inferno and Ancient as the remaining picks, especially since G2 struggles on the latter. For G2, Mirage or Dust 2 will likely be their go-to picks, with Anubis serving as the decider.
Prediction: We expect the series to be a bloodbath, potentially reaching the decider map if FaZe’s key players show up. However, if they don’t, G2 should have them in the palm of their hand and secure their spot in the grand final.
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To track everything about the Perfect World Major, check out our Playoffs preview for the match schedule, head-to-head analysis and more!
Featured Image Credits: Perfect World Shanghai Major // Strafe
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