Photo: HLTV
Is esport a sport? The debate is fully open and everyone will have their opinion on the matter. Without entering into this interminable and long-travelled debate, we will note above all that G2 and FaZe Clan ran a real marathon finally. The two teams made the fun last and chained the uppercuts and direct law to try to gain the upper hand. Even though on the scoreboard, the North American-born structure won it 3-0, the scores look more like du volleyball than CS:GO. The three rounds all went to the thirtieth round minimum and the second round on Mirage ended after a 5th overtime (31-27).
The players wet the jersey and even though there could only be one winner, both teams deserve our applause. You had to be mentally and physically strong to withstand the shock. We are inevitably a little disappointed for G2 Esports which once again loses a grand final (Stockholm 2021 Major, IEM Cologne 2021, IEM Katowice 2020…). But Finn’s explosion of joy”karrigan“Andersen was communicative and we have to be happy for him.
Can we really have regrets at G2 Esports?
If we look at only one side of the coin, we can easily find reasons to regret this defeat among the Samurai. The team was diminished and played without its coach, given that XTQZZZ tested positive for coronavirus and was unable to make it to the arena amid gladiators. But if we are honest, this excuse will not be enough, given that at FaZe Clan we have also been hit by a twist of fate: rain was deprived of the playoffs and the team played and above all won with a stand-in, the australian jks. The latter, benched by Complexity, showed great things. He leaves Poland with a lot of memories, a very big trophy and above all a very good publicity to be recruited full time by a T1 team in the future.
Beyond the context, we can also point out that G2 dropped a few cartridges during the match. We obviously think of the first round where the team found itself in a position of strength by dominating Infernos 15-7. The Samurai had 8 chances to conclude, but they fumbled to be totally turned around and lost the first map 15-19 by taking no less than 12 rounds in a row… We don’t always know what happens in the head of karrigan. But the Danish veteran has an outstanding CS:GO IQ and he ate the brains of G2 Esports in the banana. More than one would have been touched in the mind after this remount, but G2 did not collapse at all. On the contrary, during the 2nd round it is hunter and his teammates who pulled off a huge comeback after being down 6-14. Unfortunately, despite the hunter’s 57 kills, FaZe Clan won this round after the 5th overtime.
Led 0-2, the Samurai were still valiant on Dust2. They once again tied the game with FaZe Clan and hunter made the powder speak again. Unfortunately, the Samurai cracked at the end, overwhelmed by the success, the inspiration and above all the brilliant blows of their opponents (14-16). Danger came from everywhere yesterday and collectively, FaZe Clan was better. Niko (-11) was a little disappointed and we had the right to expect a little better from him. But overall, there are no regrets to be had. G2 just fell on stronger than her.