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Published: October 23, 2023

Written by: Stefan Velikov

  • The team defeated Complexity 2-1 in the event’s grand finals
  • Both teams displayed excellent ability to come back from major setbacks
  • The match was so close it even required a second overtime

FaZe Clan have won IEM Sydney, the first Counter-Strike 2 Big Event to ever be hosted, in what was a thrilling three-map final against Complexity, with the final map even going two overtimes.

FaZe Defeated Complexity

FaZe can now proudly boast that they have won the first major CS2 event as they lifted the trophy above their heads on Sunday. The North American team took home the grand prize of $ 100,000 after defeating their opponents Complexity 2-1 in what proved to be a fitting finale for the event.

It was a long road for FaZe to get to this point and it was not obvious from the onset of the tournament that the team would go so far. In fact, things didn’t initially look well for FaZe who suffered a 19-15 defeat at the hands of GamerLegion on the opening day of IEM Sydney. However, this turned out to be the Clan’s only defeat throughout the tournament, as they quickly sprung back from their lower bracket and eliminated everyone in their way. The list even included getting back at GamerLegion whom FaZe eliminated to get to the event’s playoffs.

Here’s How The Finals Went

Just like their rematch against GL, FaZe’s final against Complexity was also very intense. The game started on Overpass, Complexity’s pick, and although FaZe’s Robin “⁠ropz⁠” Kool took the first round in a 1v2 situation, the team retook the initiative soon. However, it was still an intense map as the first half ended in a 7-5 thanks to FaZe’s Helvijs “⁠broky⁠” Saukants’s heroics on the AWP.

After the sides switched, things continued to be neck in neck, with FaZe even briefly taking the lead before losing it again. However, Complexity’s win in the 22nd round gave them a much-needed economic boost, which allowed the team to take Overpass 13-11.

It was not FaZe’s time to pick a map and they chose Nuke, but their opponents were the ones to win the pistol round. However, the team got back on its feet quickly, and even in defeat, players like Russel “⁠Twistzz⁠” Van Dulken downed three players in a 1vs5 to impart crucial economic damage. Acts like this allowed FaZe to seal a stable lead of 8-4 by the end of the half. When the sides switched, Complexity managed to get even. But FaZe continued the economic pressure, eventually leading the team to win a hard-fought 13-10 victory on Nuke.

Ancient would be the deciding map and it looked like it would be over quickly, as FaZe took nine rounds and even took the second pistol round, hitting double digits with a seven-round lead. However, FaZe perhaps got overconfident as a heroic play by Jonathan “⁠EliGE⁠” Jablonowski with two kills and an assist flying down Mid in a second-round forcebuy shifted the momentum. Complexity’s Håkon “⁠hallzerk⁠” Fjærli and Johnny “JT” Theodosiou were also crucial in gaining some rounds for the team and minimizing the gap in scores.

FaZe once again took the initiative thanks to a crucial clutch by broky on B-site. After that, rain won a back-breaking 1vs2 situation to get on match point, putting g FaZe in spitting distance of the victory. However, Complexity had other plans and successfully defended a push on A to bring the series to overtime.

However, even this was not enough for either team to claim victory as the overtime did not lift the stalemate, forcing a second one instead. It was then that FaZe found one last piece of strength to make a clean 3-0 overtime, ending the map 19-16 and winning the match 2-1.

With this excruciatingly hard-fought victory, FaZe becomes the winner of the first-ever big Counter-Strike 2 tournament.

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Stefan Velikov

Stefan is a well-versed gamer who loves every aspect of gaming - including its most competitive nature. He is bringing you the latest updates from the world of esports as he painstakingly tracks dozens of competitions. 

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1
Live odds: CS:GO

00:00 AM

Home

Away

Wil
NRG
1.85
1.84

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M80
FLU
1.06
8.85

02:30 AM

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Away

Par
BOS
1.75
1.95

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