The Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024: European RMR B concluded on November 24, determining the last seven European teams to qualify for the upcoming Major. With a mix of expected names and shocking underdog performances, the RMR delivered plenty of excitement and surprises. The qualified teams split between two stages of the Major: four advancing directly to the Elimination Stage, and three proceeding to the Opening Stage.
3:0 Results
BIG, 3DMAX
The 3:0 results left fans and analysts stunned as two underdog teams swept through their matches.
BIG, while benefiting from slightly easier matchups, impressed by handling HEROIC in a BO1 and sealing their Major qualification against Passion UA. The German roster demonstrated a sharp resurgence after a lackluster season, showing their potential on the big stage.
3:1 Results
Virtus.pro, HEROIC, G2
These three teams performed well enough to secure Elimination Stage spots, despite moments of inconsistency.
- Virtus.pro silenced critics with a stable run. Much of their success was thanks to Dzhami "Jame" Ali’s strategic brilliance and Evgeniy "FL1T" Lebedev’s consistent fragging. Their disciplined gameplay carried them to a well-earned 3:1 record.
- HEROIC, despite losing early to BIG, rebounded with victories over Passion UA and other underdog teams. Guy "NertZ" Iluz stood out as the team's top performer, carrying his form from previous tournaments.
- G2, although shaken by their loss to 3DMAX, proved their pedigree by overcoming Spirit in a nail-biting BO3. Despite being favorites for a 3:0 result, the team showed resilience in securing their spot.
3:2 Results
Passion UA, Spirit
The most inspiring story of the RMR was Passion UA. Owned by Ukrainian football star Oleksandr Zinchenko, this young and relatively inexperienced squad shocked the scene. After beating Virtus.pro and Spirit in BO1s, they stumbled against BIG and HEROIC, leaving their Major hopes hanging by a thread. However, in a decisive match against Astralis, they showed incredible composure, becoming the first fully Ukrainian team to qualify for a Major.
Spirit, on the other hand, faced immense pressure as they struggled through the RMR. Losses to G2 and Passion UA cast doubt on their ability to qualify. However, they regrouped on the final day, dominating Sashi and NIP to secure the final Major spot. Missing out would have been a disaster for a team of their caliber.
Biggest Disappointments
The RMR also brought heartbreak for some notable teams:
- Eternal Fire, a top-8 team from PGL Major Copenhagen 2024, failed to find their rhythm. Their early elimination highlighted their ongoing struggles after their success earlier this year.
- B8, a team with high expectations, exited 0:3, failing to capitalize on their recent momentum. Despite earlier promising performances, their RMR run was a disaster.
- Astralis continues their streak of missing Majors, making this their fourth consecutive absence. Even with a stand-in for Nicolai "dev1ce" Reedtz, their performance was lackluster, and changes seem inevitable.
Expert opinion
We also reached out to current Maincast studio analyst and popular blogger Oleksandr "petr1k" Petryk about his opinion on the results of Passion UA, the future of the Eternal Fire roster, and more.
How would you rate the final seven teams from RMR B?
In general, everyone who was supposed to go through, went through. The only surprise was that Eternal Fire didn’t go through. Although, given their unstable results before, this was quite expected. I also expected more from B8, but I understood that they might not be able to cope morally, as was the case in previous tournaments. Unfortunately, a lot of things happened again. However, very strong teams, such as Passion UA, BIG, 3DMAX, qualified instead of them. These are teams that have long deserved to participate in such competitions.
What upset me the most was that the final seven teams were determined according to the Swiss system. In my opinion, this is unfair. NIP, for example, lost their chance because of this format. The Swiss system, where the number of wins plays an important role, led to a situation where 3DMAX and NIP had the same results. But for some reason, it was NIP and Spirit who had to play a match for the last slot. This decision seems illogical and needs to be changed. Especially if there will be no more PMR, this format is already losing relevance.
Can Passion UA achieve anything at the major?
As for Passion UA, they are a promising team that has shown the ability to prepare for Tier-1 opponents. They beat Spirit and VP, which shows their potential. At the Major, the BO1 format can help them: they have a chance to prepare sensational victories in the Elimination Stage, although the Opening Stage may be more difficult for them. This is a "dark horse" that should not be underestimated, because it is very dangerous.
Will the 3:0 teams (3DMAX and BIG) make it to the major playoffs?
As for BIG and 3DMAX, I don't think they'll make it to the playoffs. There's always a chance, but the competition is very high. Their 3-0 record in Swiss isn't a sign of any particular strength. It's more of a sign that they just played three games well, like other teams with three wins.
Should we expect changes in the Eternal Fire lineup?
Regarding Eternal Fire, MAJ3R's interview after their elimination, where he directly blamed the players for their poor performance, suggests possible changes to the team. We'll likely see one or two changes to the roster, if not more.
Will there be any changes in the B8 squad? Npl could move to a better team.
As for B8, it's a shame. They've been in good form, but they need to make some changes to make further progress. Perhaps a player or coach replacement would be a logical step. I hope their core remains the same so the team doesn't lose all the experience. It's also interesting to see how the situation with npl and other NAVI players will develop. Theoretically, each of them could move to another team. But the question of which team would be better for them remains open.
MVP and EVPs
MVP: Lucas "Lucky" Chastang
Rating: 7.7, 1.02 KPR, 101 ADR. The French star led 3DMAX to their first Major since 2015. His consistent high-level gameplay was crucial for the team’s incredible performance.
EVP: Guy "NertZ" Iluz
Rating: 7.5, 0.98 KPR, 99 ADR. HEROIC’s standout player, delivering impactful rounds in any moments.Definitely the player that makes a huge impact in the team’s results during the whole year.
EVP: Bryan "Maka" Canda
Rating: 6.9, 0.83 KPR, 77 ADR. As an IGL and AWPer, Maka was instrumental in leading 3DMAX through their historic run. His long time and hard work finally paid out and after many attempts he will debut at the Major.
EVP: Evgeniy "FL1T" Lebedev
Rating: 6.8, 0.83 KPR, 87 ADR. FL1T’s consistency was a cornerstone of Virtus.pro’s success at the RMR.
Looking Ahead
The Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 will run from November 30 to December 15, featuring 24 teams and a $1,250,000 prize pool. The Opening Stage kicks off the tournament, where 16 teams, including Passion UA and Spirit, will battle for spots in the Elimination Stage. Stay tuned for the action!
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