It was an incredible series. FaZe Clan beat G2 Esports in the final of the "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive" tournament IEM Katowice. The team sat down with 3:0 (19:15; 31:27; 16:14) but every card went at least the full distance.
"This is the third time I've been in the final here. And then to win 3-0 with a substitute player is incredible," FaZe announcer Finn "karrigan" Andersen said in an interview after the game. "I should have won it in 2018, but I didn't. Now I'm back and win this cup!»
IEM Katowice: FaZe makes a big comeback
For FaZe, it is the perfect start to the new season: with Robin "ropz" Kool from Mouz, the team had filled the fifth place in the lineup, which had not been permanently occupied for a long time. G2 had also invested and signed Ilya "m0NESY" Osipov, a top Navi talent. However, due to corona infections, FaZe had to compete with Justin "jks" Savage as a substitute player.
Already the first card fulfilled the hopes for an exciting series. G2 started wide awake, and had to win only one lap to the lead at 15:7. But suddenly FaZe was back: G2 gave away eight chances to win, until an ace from ropz restored the tie. FaZe saved himself in extra time and completed a comeback-marked G2 with four laps in a row.
FaZe took the momentum into the second card, and went straight into the lead with a score of 7:0. But even this advantage dissipated in the end, as G2 defended a 15:10 gap strongly. This meant that it went into extra time again, and it was going to take a long time: it was not until the fifth attempt that FaZe again kept his nerve and decided the card for himself after more than two hours with 31:27.
The close exchange of blows continued into the third card. The series remained open until the end, both teams constantly alternated with the lead - but in the end it was FaZe again who secured the tournament point and turned directly to the title victory.
An emotional moment for karrigan
For the organization it is the first triumph at the IEM Katowice. Karrigan, who also holds a German passport, was also emotional in tears in the filled Spodek Arena: "Everyone here calls my name. It's a dream come true.»
