BLAST Spring Group B Preview

FaZe

A sterling start to 2022 fizzled into mediocrity, but still considered to be the best team of the year, FaZe look to stamp their claim on 2023 with an early success story here at BLAST Spring Groups. Finn 'karrigan' Andersen will be confident that his team can re-find their form of last year and with the deadly rifle duo of Russel 'Twistzz' Van Dulken and Robin 'ropz' Kool giving  scintillating performances throughout the BLAST Premier World Final, the confidence will be flowing. Getting to the Spring Finals is a necessity for FaZe to continue their quest to reclaim their crown atop the world rankings and we expect nothing less.

Player to Watch:

Helvijs 'broky' Saukants

Complexity

Fate halted Complexity’s charge to the IEM Rio Major in the form of Imperial, and since, no tangible improvement has presented itself. Despite the efforts of Michael 'Grim' Wince, the team are yet to confidently grasp the mantle of #2 in North America, so facing off versus superior opposition here could prove difficult. Saving Håkon 'hallzerk' Fjærli from the ageing Swedish scene was a step in the right direction, yet more consistency is needed around him to truly allow Complexity to rise. Can they upset the big names of Group B and sneak a place at the Spring Finals, or will it be another trip to the gauntlet?

Player to Watch:

Justin 'FaNg' Coakley

Team Liquid 

Liquid have shown steady progression throughout the year and capping it off as runners up at ESL Pro League Season 16 and the BLAST Premier World Final gives them great momentum coming into the new season. Positive yet laborious progress from Josh 'oSee' Ohm has begun to elevate Liquid’s level, and I’d say they are slowly but surely morphing into potential title contenders. If Keith 'NAF' Markovic and Jonathan 'EliGE' Jablonowski can finish tournaments in the same fashion as they start them, Liquid can challenge the world’s best and continue to scythe through into the latter stages.

Player to Watch: 

Mareks 'YEKINDAR' Gaļinskis

OG

With their only wins at the IEM Rio Major coming over the Asian RMR minnows of IHC and Grayhound, OG’s performance left much to be desired. What followed was the community notion that OG weren’t worthy of BLAST Partner status, something they duly backed up by crashing out of the Fall Finals without winning a map. A late resurgence thanks to spite at the World Finals ended the year on a relative high, but it will take a lot to continue that momentum and take on the two favourites here in Group B. Shahar 'flameZ' Shushan will hope to maintain his form and take revenge for their semi-final loss at the World Finals. Can OG surprise us again?

Player to Watch:

Abdul 'degster' Gasanov

This group looks more of a two-horse race but the raw firepower on OG and the historical success Complexity has seen at BLAST events could prove potential difference makers.

Group B kicks off on the 20th January with FaZe taking on Complexity.