The great final. After almost two weeks of struggle in Katowice, it all came down to this one, last match. The decisive pair was made by G2 Esports with FaZe Clan. Both sides divided the fans gathered in Spodek. Thousands of fans in the arena and millions in front of the screens supported the teams. Only one of them could ultimately lift the trophy and go down in the history of Counter Strike as the winner of IEM Katowice 2022.
A beginning worthy of a final
The series began with Inferno. Though FaZe chose it, the G2 fired like a slingshot at the start. The “samurai” were all the time one step ahead of their opponent. Their defense turned out to be practically overcome. FaZe was collecting points one at a time, but was unable to stabilize its finances, which made the scales tilt back to the rival’s side. After the first half, G2 was leading 11: 4.
In such a situation, FaZe was practically forced to win the pistol round. So it happened, but the American organization did not enjoy success for long. The G2 took a toll after the rifles were purchased. The “samurai” quickly led to the map point. They were winning 15: 7 and they only needed one more round. But then the breakthrough came.
At the end of the day, the killed game is defended most fiercely. And so did FaZe. Undaunted, cold-blooded, they began to make up for the loss. They were taking step by step and the disproportion decreased. In fact, each of their players significantly improved their scores in relation to the beginning of the map. Ultimately, the duelist Robin “ropz” Kool led to extra time. FaZe has accomplished the impossible.
But it wasn’t over. The American organization played brilliantly in the decisive part of Inferno. In extra time she won four rounds in a row, earning the first map point to her account.
G2 has not collapsed
G2 had Inferno in hand, and still let it go. It promised to be a brilliant start to the series, while the rival took the lead. Did it break the “Samurai”? It seemed so, because at Mirage they initially presented extremely poorly.
From the beginning of the second map it was FaZe who dealt the cards. The opponent’s tactics were successfully blocked. In fact, among G2 there were individual players, not a tight team. Nikola “NiKo” Kovac was doing very poorly, but his older cousin Nemanja “huNter” Kovac made up for it. FaZe played consistently and it was their line-up that dominated the first half.
Roles are reversed after swapping sides – literally. Suddenly it was G2 that took the initiative. A script similar to that of Inferno started to be written. The Spanish organization caught the rhythm by keeping FaZe short. A solid defense once again proved how important the ability to play the role of CT is nowadays. G2 kept track of point by point until the score was finally even. Overtime was needed again.
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That’s right – extra time, because it didn’t end with one. In total, five were played. Each one is full of individual displays. The tension was at its peak and the game was by no means over. It seemed that the meeting would go on forever. Although it is only February, the statement that it was the map of the year is no controversy. After hours of battle, FaZe managed to play a brilliant three rounds on the TT side. G2 has been placed against the wall again. “Samurai” had to answer the rival exactly the same. Despite their titanic efforts, they couldn’t do it anymore. Mirage ended two hours and seven minutes after it started. It was the longest map in the history of the struggle in Katowice. FaZe strengthened their lead, and they only needed one more map point to triumph.
FaZe on the home straight
Dust2. This iconic map may prove to be the last straightforward path to success for some, while for others a path through torments, in order to maintain hope of victory. FaZe started it off great. The aggressive play on the attacking side was bearing fruit. The players of the American organization won more and more individual matches, and this translated into further rounds won. G2 was drowning, but the eco round turned out to be the razor to catch, which the “Samurai” unexpectedly managed to win. It stabilized the band’s economy, making it possible to make up for the initial loss. That way it was very hot to the end of the first half – FaZe Clan was leading 8: 7.
G2, however, did not intend to submit a weapon. These were the first rounds after switching sides. FaZe did not allow any further escape and again the disproportions became minimal. And it was like that until the very end. FaZe Clan was the first to reach the match point ceiling, but the two previous maps had plenty of extra time. This time the map was closed in a classic format. FaZe was won by Dusta, and thus became the winner of IEM Katowice 2022.
FaZe has lost the final of the Katowice tournament twice in its history. Today they were lucky and they broke the long curse. Apart from the trophy, their account was also credited with $ 400,000.
FaZe Clan 3: 0 G2 Esports
- Inferno 19:15
- Mirage 31:27
- Dust2 16:14
Source: Sport
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
