The upcoming match between G2 and 3DMAX at ESL Pro League Season 20 on September 5th is a critical game for both teams. G2, one of the heavyweights in the competition, are looking to solidify their position in the playoffs, while 3DMAX are fighting to prove their mettle after a string of solid performances. With a playoff spot on the line, this match will test both teams' consistency, strategy, and individual brilliance. Let's dive into the form, tactics, and key players that will define this match.
Team Background and Recent Form
3DMAX: 3DMAX has been on a steady rise this season, with their victory at the Skyesports Championship 2024 being their biggest achievement to date. The LAN event win earned them $120,000 and showed their ability to perform under pressure, especially after defeating The MongolZ in the final. This form carried over to ESL Pro League Season 20, where they once again bested The MongolZ, solidifying their place as a serious contender.
The team has been playing together for a long time, and this roster stability is now paying off as they’ve started to secure invitations to major LAN events, including a direct invite to the RMR. Over the last six months, their standout player has been Bryan "Maka" Canda, who plays both the role of AWPer and in-game leader (IGL). Maka’s stats (6.5 rating, 0.74 kills per round (KPR), 77 average damage per round (ADR)) reflect his impact on the team and his ability to influence rounds through both strategy and individual skill.
G2: G2 Esports is one of the most powerful rosters in CS2, but they have been plagued by inconsistency. After starting the season strong by reaching the finals of the Esports World Cup 2024, they stumbled at IEM Cologne 2024, where they were knocked out in the playoffs by MOUZ. However, G2 bounced back at ESL Pro League Season 20 with a dominant 2-0 win over KOI, showing glimpses of their full potential.
The key figure in G2’s lineup is undoubtedly their star AWPer, Ilya "m0NESY" Osipov, whose stats (6.8 rating, 0.81 KPR, 81 ADR) are among the best in the world. M0NESY is backed by other world-class players such as Mario "malbsMd" Samayoa and Nikola "NiKo" Kovač, making G2 a formidable opponent when they are firing on all cylinders.
Head-to-Head Analysis
3DMAX’s Strengths: 3DMAX’s biggest strength lies in their roster stability and tactical depth, which allows them to outmaneuver teams that rely solely on raw skill. Maka’s dual role as AWPer and IGL allows the team to be flexible in their approach, especially on maps like Nuke, where his leadership is key. The team’s experience together means they rarely make unforced errors, and they thrive on capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes.
G2’s Strengths: G2, on the other hand, is all about firepower. With m0NESY leading the charge as one of the best AWPers in the world and players like NiKo capable of taking over games individually, G2 has the ability to steamroll opponents when they get momentum. Their tactical approach has improved, but their reliance on individual brilliance can sometimes be their downfall when faced with highly organized teams like 3DMAX.
Previous Encounters: There hasn’t been a recent high-profile matchup between these two teams, but 3DMAX’s victory over The MongolZ—considered one of the top 10-15 teams globally—should serve as a warning to G2 that they can’t take this match lightly.
Tactical Analysis
Map Pool Comparison: The map veto will be a critical part of this matchup, as both teams have strong preferences and weaknesses. G2 has shown dominance on Inferno (82.6%) and Ancient (72.2%) over the last six months, while 3DMAX has been most successful on Nuke (65.9%) and Anubis (60.0%).
Predicted Map Veto:
- G2 pick Dust2: G2 will likely choose Dust2, where their raw firepower can overwhelm 3DMAX. Dust2 is a map that suits m0NESY’s aggressive AWPing style and NiKo’s aim-heavy play.
- 3DMAX pick Nuke: Nuke has been one of 3DMAX’s strongest maps, and they will likely pick it to exploit G2’s slightly weaker performance on the map.
- Decider: Ancient: If the match goes to a decider, Ancient is the most probable choice, as both teams have decent win rates on this map, and it provides a balanced playing field.
Match Prediction
Expected Match Flow: G2 should have the upper hand on Dust2, where their individual skill and fast-paced playstyle will likely overwhelm 3DMAX. However, 3DMAX has a strong chance to bounce back on Nuke, a map where their tactical depth and Maka’s leadership can cause problems for G2. If the match goes to Ancient, it could be a close contest, but G2’s superior firepower should give them the edge.
Prediction: While 3DMAX has shown great form recently, G2’s firepower and depth across multiple maps make them the favorites. However, 3DMAX’s ability to take Nuke means this could be a three-map series. The most likely outcome is a 2-1 victory for G2, with 3DMAX taking Nuke and G2 securing wins on Dust2 and Ancient.
Comments