Defending champions ready for IEM Rio

FaZe Clan is ready to try and complete their insane 2022 run with another Major title in November. The team had on paper a flawless run at the RMR tournament going 3-0, but the matches were all won by the smallest of margins.

The last of their three games were today against Sprout. The revitalized German Organization (now with three Danes onboard) pressured FaZe to the limits again today. For the third map in a row, it took overtime for FaZe to win the first map. On their own map pick of Nuke, FaZe went behind 10-5 at the break after another tough map for Twistzz, who has not played up to his usual high standards at the RMR.

The second half was a game of “catch me if you can”, where Sprout desperately tried to get the six points needed for a third decider map. But once again the individuals of FaZe heated up, and suddenly Twistzz went from 0-9 in K-D to 19-20 to help his team to another comeback to force the match into another overtime series. Here Sprout regained their composure and was able to take home FaZe's map pick.

It was the seventh overtime series for FaZe during this RMR and the first one that they lost. So how were they going to respond on Mirage?

The answer came quickly. With fire! With Twistzz and ropz activated, FaZe destroyed Sprout in the first half by 12-3. The lead effectively put a damper on Sprout, who could not retaliate and make Mirage as exciting as the previous two maps. Not everything seems to be in perfect sync right now in FaZe, but the defending champions are nonetheless the first team to qualify for Rio.

Sprout still has two chances to make it through, and judging from their match today, the new lineup could definitely make it.

FaZe – Sprout 2-1 | IEM Road to Rio RMR (Group A)

19-17 (Ancient) | lauNX – 1.37 Rating / 37–25 K-D / 97.4 ADR

16-19 (Nuke) | broky – 1.19 Rating / 29–24 K-D / 81.1 ADR

16-5 (Mirage) | Twistzz – 1.74 Rating / 24–11 K-D / 98.7 ADR

Player of the Match: Helvijs "broky" Saukants - 1.27 Rating / 74–52 K-D / 80.9 ADR