Fnatic has long been one of the most storied organizations in Counter-Strike, with a legacy that includes three Major titles and countless iconic moments. Yet, at the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024, fnatic set an unfortunate record: their worst Major performance ever. They finished last in the Opening Stage with a dismal 0-3 record, marking a dramatic fall from their historic heights.
This shocking outcome wasn’t just a blow to their fans—it was a significant moment for the organization, which had recently returned to Major contention after missing several key events in recent years. How did this happen? What went wrong? And what does the future hold for one of Counter-Strike’s most famous names?
In the wake of fnatic's disappointing performance at the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024, we also reached out to Konstantin "Leniniw" Sivko, a respected commentator in the CS:GO and CS2 scene and a long time fnatic fan, for his insights.
Historical Context
Fnatic's glory days include three Major wins at EMS One Katowice 2015, ESL One Cologne 2015, and DreamHack Winter 2013, making them one of the most successful teams in Major history. However, their performance has steadily declined in recent years. Their previous worst showing was a 12-14th place finish at the IEM Katowice 2019 Challengers Stage. Since then, fnatic has missed several Majors entirely, including PGL Major Copenhagen 2024.
Simply qualifying for the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 was a significant milestone for the organization. The guaranteed stickers alone are a crucial revenue stream for fnatic. Yet, their path to the Major was far from impressive, with victories over weaker teams like Rebels, BetBoom, and ECLOT during the European RMR. This set the stage for their underwhelming performance in Shanghai.
What Went Wrong?
Wildcard (7-13)
Fnatic’s first match against Wildcard on Mirage set the tone for their disappointing run. Despite securing a few standout moments, such as Benjamin "blameF" Bremer’s entry frags and clutch rounds, they struggled to capitalize on their advantages. Wildcard's young talent Joshua "JBa" Barutt dominated the game with multiple multi-kill rounds and an outstanding CT-side performance, securing a 16:3 frag record for this side.
Cloud9 (10-13)
Fnatic’s second match against Cloud9 on Ancient showcased their lack of cohesion. While they had moments of brilliance, including a force-buy win with pistols in the fourth round, they couldn’t maintain momentum. Cloud9’s Kaisar "ICY" Faiznurov was the star of the show, delivering 21 kills, 116 ADR, and clutching multiple rounds, including a ninja defuse in a 1v3 situation. Fnatic’s poor mid-round decisions and lackluster defense allowed Cloud9 to take control.
Rare Atom (1-2)
The elimination match against Rare Atom on Vertigo was a historic low point. Rare Atom, the lowest seed in the tournament, stunned fnatic with their resilience. Despite losing Ancient, Rare Atom tied the series on Inferno and dominated Vertigo, sending fnatic home. This victory marked Rare Atom as the first Chinese team to win a Major BO3 match since 2018, adding salt to fnatic’s wounds.
How surprising was Fnatic’s last-place finish at the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024?
I didn't expect last place, but I also definitely didn't expect the team to go through to the next stage. With their current form, 1-3 would have been a natural result. They made a mistake, allowing Wildcard to use the Mirage trick, and Rare Atom just needed this win more.Konstantin "Leniniw" Sivko
Why This Result Was Predictable
Fnatic’s disastrous showing at the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 didn’t come out of nowhere—there were clear warning signs leading up to this event that many overlooked.
Overestimated Stage Buff and Legacy
Fnatic has historically been considered a team that thrives under pressure, particularly on big stages. Fans and analysts alike expected this experience to give them an edge against less seasoned opponents. However, the supposed "stage buff" never materialized. Fnatic looked just as lost as any inexperienced team, especially against opponents like Rare Atom, who fed off the energy of the home crowd. The aura of fnatic’s legacy—three Major wins and numerous playoff appearances—was more a burden than a benefit. It created expectations that this iteration of the team simply couldn’t meet.
Not the best Opponents at the RMR
Fnatic’s qualification for the Major came through wins against Rebels, BetBoom, and ECLOT, teams that are far below the caliber of competition at the Major. Their RMR run gave a false impression of the team’s strength, as they didn’t face any significant challenges. The lack of wins versus strong opposition in the qualifiers allowed fnatic to qualify without being tested under true pressure, leaving them unprepared for the higher level of competition at the Opening Stage.
Overreliance on blameF
BlameF had one of the best performances of his career at the RMR, carrying fnatic to victory in several crucial matches. This led to inflated expectations that he could maintain such form throughout the Major. However, it’s unrealistic to expect any player, even one as talented as blameF, to single-handedly carry a team through an event of this caliber. His performance at the Major was solid but far from the superhuman level needed to compensate for the team’s broader issues.
Underperformance of Key Players
Fnatic’s new AWPer, Tim "nawwk" Jonasson, was expected to fill a critical role for the team. However, his individual performance was lackluster throughout the Major. Given that fnatic’s previous AWPer was also underwhelming, the team needed nawwk to step up, but he failed to deliver. Meanwhile, other players like Matúš "matys" Šimko and Freddy "KRIMZ" Johansson showed flashes of potential but lacked consistency, further compounding the team’s struggles at this event.
Simplistic and Predictable Playstyle
Fnatic’s gameplay at the Major was overly simplistic and lacked the depth required to adapt to their opponents. Their reliance on basic strategies and inability to execute nuanced tactics made them easy to counter. This was particularly evident in their matches against Cloud9 and Rare Atom, where the opponents repeatedly punished fnatic’s predictable approaches and the narrowness of the map pool.
Do you think the high expectations for fnatic were justified, or were people too optimistic based on their RMR performance?
I don't know who you are talking about and who had high expectations of Fnatic after the RMR - I personally don't know anyone like that. Everyone who follows CS knows that Fnatic has been a very mediocre team for a long time, even at Tier-2. The only exception was the victory at RES ($100,000), but the final there was against Passion UA. They barely made it through the RMR with 3-2 after the match against ECLOT. I guess people still have faith in the tag, but it's an illusion now.Konstantin "Leniniw" Sivko
What’s Next for Fnatic?
Fnatic’s early exit raises serious questions about the team’s future. While they achieved their goal of qualifying for the Major, their disastrous showing suggests that changes are needed.
Roster Adjustments
One of the most pressing questions facing fnatic is whether they should stick with their current roster or make significant changes. At the heart of this debate lies the performance of blameF and matys, two of the team’s most consistent players. Their reliability makes them strong candidates to remain the foundation of any future iterations of the roster.
According to Leniniw, these two players are essential for rebuilding:
"Fnatic needs to build a completely new squad, leaving blameF and possibly matys. After the Major, there will be a lot of interesting options. What we have now is just a strange mix that has fulfilled the task of getting to the Major. Even the replacement of nawwk looked like a panic decision."
While nawwk has shown potential, his inconsistency has raised questions about his long-term fit. This has left the team in a difficult position: Should they continue to develop nawwk in hopes he stabilizes, or look for a more reliable AWPer? Leniniw’s remarks suggest that fnatic may need to take a bold approach if they want to climb back to the top.
Coaching and Leadership
Another critical area for evaluation is fnatic’s leadership. Alexandre "bodyy" Pianaro, the team’s current in-game leader, has not delivered the level of strategic depth the team desperately needs. His individual performance also doesn’t compensate for his shortcomings as a caller. A potential solution could be Rasmus "HooXi" Nielsen, who has proven his ability to work with star players during his time with G2 Esports.
Beyond the roster, there’s also the question of coaching. Jamie "keita" Hall has been with fnatic for more than three years, but the results under his leadership have been mixed. While the team achieved playoffs at IEM Rio Major 2022 and a win at Elisa Masters Espoo 2022, these achievements fall short of what a legendary organization like fnatic should aim for. A fresh perspective at the coaching position could help revitalize the team.
Strategic Focus: Top-Tier or Tier-1.5?
Realistically, can fnatic aim for a return to being a top-tier team, or should they adjust their ambitions for the near future? Leniniw offered a pragmatic view:
"I think fnatic scaled back their ambitions a long time ago. Last year, reports surfaced about serious financial difficulties. Their task now is to stay on the verge of invitations to tier-1.5 tournaments, secure prizes, and qualify for the next Major."
A Legacy in Question
Fnatic’s performance at the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 Opening Stage was not just their worst in history—it was a wake-up call for the organization. While the financial benefits of Major qualification cannot be ignored, the results highlight deeper issues that need addressing.
The next few months will be critical for fnatic. Can they bounce back and reclaim their place among the elite, or is this the beginning of a long road to obscurity? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: changes are inevitable.
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