Games (EDT)
- 10:30 a.m: Complexity (coL) vs. FaZe Clan (FaZe)
- 2:00 p.m: Natus Vincere (NaVi) vs. Vitality (VIT)
- 5:30 p.m: FURIA (FUR) vs. Evil Geniuses (EG)
Complexity vs. FaZe Clan
The first match of the day is the upper bracket final in Europe and a very unexpected match between an up-and-coming Complexity side and a new look FaZe Clan. Complexity have been the story of the tournament so far, making the upper bracket final when many projected them and OG to be at the very bottom of the BLAST Spring results. FaZe Clan have been in excellent, but volatile, form - with the addition of Bymas this team continued to add youthful firepower to a veteran core, and it's a chance that has produced very variable results. On one day FaZe Clan could be dispatched with ease by BIG Clan, the next they might shrug Vitality off like a team of amateurs. The map veto should be quite interesting in the first showdown between these two sides, as they have nearly identical map pools with heavy preferences towards Mirage and Dust2. Complexity could pull out an advantage with their dominant Nuke and above average Inferno, though FaZe Clan's firepower could prove too much, especially on Nuke. Overall FaZe Clan should have more than enough firepower to overcome Complexity but the international outfit from Complexity are quickly becoming giant slayer's. If blameF or k0nfig produce like they have been Complexity could prove to be a threat for FaZe Clan, and continue
Games (EDT)
- 10:30 a.m: Complexity (coL) vs. FaZe Clan (FaZe)
- 2:00 p.m: Natus Vincere (NaVi) vs. Vitality (VIT)
- 5:30 p.m: FURIA (FUR) vs. Evil Geniuses (EG)
Complexity vs. FaZe Clan
The first match of the day is the upper bracket final in Europe and a very unexpected match between an up-and-coming Complexity side and a new look FaZe Clan. Complexity have been the story of the tournament so far, making the upper bracket final when many projected them and OG to be at the very bottom of the BLAST Spring results. FaZe Clan have been in excellent, but volatile, form - with the addition of Bymas this team continued to add youthful firepower to a veteran core, and it's a chance that has produced very variable results. On one day FaZe Clan could be dispatched with ease by BIG Clan, the next they might shrug Vitality off like a team of amateurs. The map veto should be quite interesting in the first showdown between these two sides, as they have nearly identical map pools with heavy preferences towards Mirage and Dust2. Complexity could pull out an advantage with their dominant Nuke and above average Inferno, though FaZe Clan's firepower could prove too much, especially on Nuke. Overall FaZe Clan should have more than enough firepower to overcome Complexity but the international outfit from Complexity are quickly becoming giant slayer's. If blameF or k0nfig produce like they have been Complexity could prove to be a threat for FaZe Clan, and continue their upper bracket run.
Prediction: 2-1 FaZe Clan
- coL Players to Target: blameF ($12,600 Captain, $8,400 Flex), k0nfig ($10,800 Captain, $7,200 Flex)
- FaZe Players to Target: broky ($11,100 Captain, $7,400 Flex), Bymas ($9,300 Captain, $6,200 Flex)
Natus Vincere vs. Vitality
The second match of the day continue in Europe this time in the lower bracket with the lower bracket final, and a match of the two best players in the world. s1mple and ZywOo will face off once more, and it looks to be one of the most interesting matches in the world. ZywOo normally had to face s1mple and electronic alone, AWP vs. the AWP and rifle of Na'Vi, while this time shox is in incredible form and could help balance out the match providing a superstar rifle alongside ZywOo's legendary AWPing. These teams have met a total of 14 times and split the honors right down the middle, though in their most recent clash Na'Vi took the prize 2-1. This map veto will be crucial, yet most likely predictable: The last four times these teams have faced-off the veto included Dust2 and Nuke, normally alongside Inferno, a trio of very neutral maps that both teams will like their chances on. It's hard to look past the superstar AWPer's but that depth could be the difference maker on Saturday, especially the rifles of electronic and shox, two superstars in their own right who have struggled for consistency but on their day are two of the best in the world. In the end Na'Vi have won the last two meetings, and unless ZywOo and shox pull out a magical performance Saturday's showdown looks likely to end the same way.
Prediction: 2-1 Na'Vi
- NaVi Players to Target: s1mple ($13,800 Captain, $9,200 Flex), electronic ($12,000 Captain, $8,000 Flex)
- Vitality Players to Target: ZywOo ($13,500 Captain, $9,000 Flex), shox ($9,900 Captain, $6,600 Flex)
FURIA vs. Evil Geniuses
The final match of the day is the North American consolidation final, and possibly the most one-sided match of the day as FURIA look to complete their lower bracket run to a rematch with MiBR. FURIA have been the best team in North America in the last three months and it hasn't been particularly close, if they are at their best, they should dominate Evil Geniuses top to bottom. That said the one team that FURIA have struggled against -- is Evil Geniuses, whether it's match up dependent, or simply down to a mental barrier. Evil Geniuses have the best record against FURIA in North America with a 15-to-three head to head, most recently sweeping the Brazilians 2-0 in ESL Pro League. These teams play the same three maps nearly religiously with Mirage, Train and Nuke being the nearly unanimous veto, though the inclusion of Inferno or Vertigo could throw a wrench in the works. Vertigo especially would be interesting as EG have shown that they are one of the very best Vertigo teams in the world, and it is a map that they consistently take away from nearly anyone. The one map EG will have to avoid is Mirage, a map that FURIA haven't been defeated on in over three months across 13 showings. Overall FURIA should have the upper hand in nearly every way, especially with the form that yuurih and KSCERATO have shown, but if CeRq or Brehze can have a star game, EG could easily continue their dominance over the world No. 4 Brazilian side.
Prediction: 2-0 FURIA
