G2 advance to the Grand Final!

Only four teams remain in the PGL Major 2021 in Stockholm. This, of course, means that our Grand Finalists are about to be found. The four remaining teams are Heroic, G2, Natus Vincere, and Gambit. The first Semi-final of the day is between the Danish Heroic and the European G2 roster. Both teams have proved themselves repeatedly throughout the event, so an intense brawl was definitely on the cards. Heroic were the slight favorites going into the series, but you are never to count out “NiKo” and his troops. As expected, the Bo3-series went all the way with Inferno as the deciding map. Ultimately, stellar performances from both rosters concluded with G2 as the victor. With the 2-1 victory against Heroic, the G2 roster is through to the Grand Final of the PGL Major 2021 where they will face the winner of Natus Vincere vs Gambit.

The first map was the choice of Heroic and saw the Semi-final start on Nuke. The map of Nuke is the most picked and played map of the Danish Heroic roster. Despite Nuke being Heroics home ground, the G2 roster is by no means strangers to the map and has managed a 67% win rate (6 maps) on Nuke over the past three months. It was the Danes to start the Bo3-series of the strongest with a confident start on their T-side. Securing an early lead at the scoreline of 6-1 it seemed as if Heroic knew every move of G2. The first half, however, didn’t continue as one-sided as it had started. Managing to get themselves going “NiKo” and his troops began clawing themselves back into their CT-side. At the scoreline of 8-7, slightly favoring Heroic, it was as close as possible going into the second half. Continuing as the first half had concluded it was a close battle between the two sides. Ultimately, however, the defense of Heroic was enough to get them over the line and at the scoreline of 16-12, the Danes were able to walk away with the victory on Nuke.

The second map of the series was to be played on Mirage and was, of course, picked by G2. Just as Nuke is Heroics most played map, the map of Mirage is by far the most played map in the past three months of the G2 roster. Despite being a confident map for the side of G2, however, it was once again Heroic to come flying out of the gate on map two of the Bo3-series. Gaining an early 6-1 lead once again it seemed as if G2 was destined to lose on Mirage. This was only until the beast known as “NiKo” awakened, however. A slow start from the Bosnian superstar proved to be the reason for G2’s troubles, as he turned the entire map on its head and began outperforming the entire server. Managing an early comeback, it was as close as possible going into the second half of the series at the scoreline of 8-7. The second half saw G2 establish a strong defense and slowly pick apart the Danes from Heroic. Only allowing Heroic two T-sided rounds it was G2 to take home Mirage at the scoreline of 16-10.

As mentioned, the third and final map was to be played on Inferno, a map that both teams are incredibly strong on. The trend from the two first maps continued on Inferno as it was Heroic on their T-side to gain a slight lead from early on. This time, however, it wasn’t long until G2 woke up and shifted into gear. With “NiKo” and “huNter-“ leading the charge it was the European roster of G2 to finish the first half the strongest at the scoreline of 9-6. The second half saw an in-form G2 roll through the Danish defense with confidence and aggression. “cadiaN” and the rest of his boys were left scrambling for weaponry as the CT economy had been broken repeatedly by G2. At 13-6, it seemed as if Heroic had no chance against G2. But things weren’t over just yet, as Heroic began to construct a legendary comeback. Climbing out of the depths of despair, it was the charismatic Danes to force overtime in an extraordinary fashion. In the end, however, the comeback attempt was all for nothing, as G2 went undefeated in overtime and could walk away from the stage with a 2-1 victory and a spot in the Grand Finals of the PGL Major 2021

Highlight of the BO3-series

G2 – Heroic (2-1) | PGL Major Stockholm 2021 (Semi-finals)

16-12 (Nuke) |

NiKo – 1.55 Rating / 25-18 K-D / 106.1 ADR

16-10 (Mirage) |

NiKo – 1.57 Rating / 24-15 K-D / 105.8 ADR

19-15 (Inferno) |

NiKo – 1.35 Rating / 32-20 K-D / 93.6 ADR

MVP: 

Nikola ”NiKo” Kovač| 1.48 Rating / 81-53 K-D / 101.2 ADR