There are only a few days left before the start of this year's main CS:GO tournament. Two interesting teams will compete in the first round of the Challengers stage: the unpredictable Liquid and the dark horse of Europe, Apeks. In an exclusive commentary for Cover.gg, commentator Fedor KvaN Zakharov predicted who has the best chance to win the first match of the BLAST.tv Major Challengers Stage 2023.

Maps

Apeks took part in many tier-2 tournaments, unlike Liquid. So, the map pool of the Europeans is both more flexible and more played. Even if most Apeks’ matches were played against not the strongest teams, it is always important to keep in good shape, thanks to the officials.

Most likely, bo1 will be played on Ancient, with a smaller chance - on Overpass.

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Teams' form

The line-up of Apeks can hardly be called outstanding. They advanced to the Major, beat very average teams: Sprout, GamerLegion, and B8 on their way, and lost to FaZe and Bad News Eagles at RMR. At the last Brazy Party, the team could go to the playoffs, almost beating Astralis in the quarterfinals.

Liquid's international results in the last six months have been shaky: sometimes, they enter the top 4 and barely squeeze into the top 16. And even on the American RMR, everything was not smooth - there was a defeat by FURIA and the lost map to Nouns. After RMR, the Americans did not play a single tournament, so questions about their form may arise.

However, outside of their region, Liquid often plays and beats teams with a stronger level than Apeks, so the advantage in the team rating of Apeks is very deceptive.

KvaN’s prediction

It looks like a battle of the tier-1 and tier-2 teams, but remembering how Liquid squeaked past NA RMR, I have no particular faith in them. Of the positive sides, on paper, it is more "skillful," of the negative - a poor pool of maps, bad recent results, an incomprehensible level of motivation of the team.
If there is an upset, I will not be surprised.

Fedor KvaN Zakharov

The Liquid vs. Apeks match in the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023 Challengers stage will be held on May 8 at 3:30 p.m. As part of the first game day, both teams will play in another bo1 series.

The Challengers stage at the Paris Major will take place from May 8 to 11. Half of the 16 teams will advance to the Legends stage.