IEM Sydney 2023 has reached its conclusion, with FaZe Clan popping out on prime of 16 groups within the Grand Closing of the first-ever CS2 match. It was an absolute banger of a closing, backed up by a booming Sydney crowd (Sydney CS2 Main when?). Let’s dive a little bit bit deeper into the motion!
FaZe Up
Credit score: Helena Kristiansson | © ESL
2023 has been a tricky 12 months for this FaZe roster. Thought of to be a superteam all through 2022, their star had considerably dimmed all through this 12 months, regardless of a powerful Intel Grand Slam win.
The arrival of Counter-Strike 2 was the proper alternative for FaZe to breathe new life into their play. They appeared like actual contenders all through the remainder of IEM Sydney 2023, however received off to a slower begin on this Grand Closing.
Overpass kicked off the sequence, and Complexity truly managed to take it 13:11. In our IEM Sydney 2023 Grand Final preview, we had FaZe profitable the sequence 2:0, however Complexity stamped that out instantly.
Nuke was the same buying and selling of blows, ending 13:10 in FaZe’s favor. Given the character of those maps, just a few swing rounds may’ve seen both group take a 2:0 sequence win right here. As an alternative, it went to an Historical decider.
The Closing Map
Credit score: Sarah Cooper | © ESL
Spare a thought for Complexity and this closing map. After being 10:3 down, they managed to battle FaZe all the way in which again to safe Time beyond regulation. EliGE and hallzerk had been significantly taking part in out of their minds, persistently pulling Complexity from the verge of defeat within the IEM Sydney 2023 Grand Closing.
Even a primary Time beyond regulation couldn’t separate these two groups – we’d want a second. Right here, it was FaZe’s expertise of endurance on the large stage that got here up trumps, as they finally secured 19 rounds to take the trophy. If there was any concern about MR12’s means to ship enormous video games, they will really be put to mattress after this one.
FaZe’s victory within the IEM Sydney 2023 Grand Closing makes karrigan a Tier 1 champion in all of CS 1.6, CS:GO, and CS2. It’s a monstrous present of longevity from the best in-game chief Counter-Strike has ever seen (sorry, gla1ve). So, what’s subsequent for these two groups?
The Way forward for FaZe Clan and Complexity
Credit score: IEM on Twitter
Regardless of FaZe’s victory on the day within the IEM Sydney 2023 Grand Closing, these are two groups that appear to be on very completely different trajectories. After Complexity’s mum or dad firm GameSquare acquired FaZe Clan, rumors have been spreading about these two rosters. For now, it appears Complexity will stay the identical, with this undertaking approaching leaps and bounds throughout IEM Sydney 2023. FaZe’s roster appears a little bit extra unsure.
Twistzz, the main target of a lot of the hypothesis, did little to subside any rumors, chopping a bittersweet determine in an interview post-Sydney win.
Whereas Twistzz doesn’t outright affirm something, his acknowledgment of the state of affairs is large. No matter what occurs, this FaZe roster have been one of many best CS teams of all time. Let’s hope IEM Sydney 2023 was the beginning of a brand new period relatively than a swansong.
