With the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024: European RMR B kicking off, we had the privilege of speaking to Oleksii "yXo" Maletskyi, a renowned caster and CEO of the organization Lazer Cats. Known for his sharp insights and deep understanding of Counter-Strike, yXo shared his expert predictions and opinions on the teams vying for the seven coveted Major spots.
Favorites for 3-0: G2 and Spirit
The two top teams with a score of 3-0 are probably G2 and Spirit. There is a suspicion that G2, as always in such stages, will have a ‘choke’. Spirit consistently passes such stages, they have enough experience.
Safe Bets for 3-1
For the 3-1 contenders, yXo pointed to Eternal Fire, Virtus.pro, and Astralis, noting their stability and ability to perform in high-stakes matches.
Eternal Fire has been consistent lately, and their form is perfect for a group like this. They’ve shown they can handle the pressure, and I expect them to deliver another strong performance.
Discussing Virtus.pro, he pointed that VP is reliable—they may not be flashy, but they get the job done. Their structure and team play will shine here, making them a solid bet for 3-1.
As for Astralis, yXo shared his hopes for their performance. They’re in a tough spot with device stepping away, but Astralis is still Astralis. They’ve got the talent and leadership to make it through. Plus, there’s an added motivation—they’ve got the chance to knock out some less savory teams, and I’d love to see them do it.
The next three teams to go are Eternal Fire, who have been quite stable lately and this group is well within their grasp. Then VP, also a consistently strong team, and this stage should be completed in the black. And Astralis, despite the difficult replacement of device, I want them not to let a couple Russians qualify, they have skill for that.
B8: The Dark Horse
When asked about the team with the potential to surprise everyone, yXo was quick to highlight B8 as the tournament’s dark horse. B8 has been grinding hard all year, and it’s finally paying off. They’ve got a balanced roster with great firepower, and their experience is starting to show. I truly believe they can make it to the Major this time. This team has so much hidden potential, and I’m rooting for them to break through.
B8 is a dark horse, I really believe in them. They already have enough experience and a balanced line-up. I really want B8 to go to the major. This team has a great firepower, as well as hidden potential :)
Teams Likely to Struggle
Not all teams are poised for success, and yXo identified 9 Pandas and Sashi as the ones likely to fall short. These teams simply don’t have the LAN experience needed for an event of this scale. It’s a huge jump from online play, and I don’t think they’re ready for it. Their skill level isn’t on par with the top teams here, and it’ll show in their results.
Two outsiders are 9 Pandas and Sashi, or Passion UA. These are just teams that have little LAN experience of such tours, and they simply won't take out the skill.
Final Thoughts
YXo's analysis sets the stage for an exciting European RMR B. With dominant favorites like G2 and Spirit leading the pack, consistent performers like Eternal Fire and Virtus.pro expected to follow, and underdogs like B8 poised to challenge expectations, this tournament promises plenty of surprises.
As the battle unfolds in Shanghai, the competition will be fierce, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Only the seven best teams will secure their place at the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024, and every match will matter.
Stay tuned for more updates, exclusive interviews, and results as the action continues in the final RMR before the Major!
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