The stakes are high as NAVI and G2 meet in the group final of BLAST Premier: Fall Final 2024, with the winner securing a direct spot in the semifinals and the loser falling to the lower bracket. The BLAST Premier Fall Final boasts a prize pool of $425,000, with the ultimate winner taking home a grand prize of $200,000 and a spot at the BLAST Premier: World Final. For NAVI, this match is another opportunity to reaffirm their dominance, while G2 faces the challenge of overcoming their recent inconsistencies and rising to the occasion.
NAVI’s Unstoppable Form
NAVI comes into this match riding high on momentum. The team has been nearly flawless in 2024, having already secured victories at the Esports World Cup and ESL Pro League Season 20, and making a deep run to the final of IEM Cologne 2024. Their form has been nothing short of spectacular, with all players contributing to their success.
The team’s synergy has been its biggest strength. With Justinas "jL" Lekavičius earning multiple MVP titles and Ihor "w0nderful" Zhdanov developing into a top-tier AWPer, NAVI’s individual and collective skill have allowed them to control matches with ease. jL has been a star in his aggressive rifling roles, while w0nderful has consistently delivered in key moments. Their ability to combine individual brilliance with tactical discipline has made them a nightmare for opponents.
At BLAST Premier Fall Final, NAVI already demonstrated their superiority by defeating G2 2-0 in the group stages. Their dominance extended to a commanding victory over FaZe, showing that they are the team to beat in the tournament. NAVI's record against G2 is equally impressive, as they have won nine consecutive series against them, establishing themselves as G2's kryptonite.
G2’s Battle with Inconsistency
G2, while certainly talented, has struggled to find the consistency needed to challenge NAVI. Their year has been a rollercoaster of performances, with highs such as their run to the Esports World Cup final, but also lows, including a rough showing at IEM Cologne where they were eliminated by MOUZ. G2’s results at ESL Pro League showed flashes of brilliance, but their inconsistency reared its head once again when they barely scraped by Liquid in the quarterfinals.
Ilya "m0NESY" Osipov has been the backbone of G2, constantly delivering top-tier performances with his AWP. His ability to find crucial frags and turn rounds in G2’s favor has been unmatched, but the rest of the team has often struggled to match his output. The introduction of Janusz "Snax" Pogorzelski as the team’s IGL has brought some unpredictability. While Snax has been a positive addition in some aspects, his lack of consistent individual performance has been a concern.
At BLAST Premier, G2 managed to grind out a win against FaZe in the opening match, but their overall performance has been shaky. Their quarterfinal victory over Vitality showcased both their potential and their flaws, as FaZe failed to close out key rounds. G2 capitalized on their opponent’s mistakes, but they will need to bring a higher level of play to stand a chance against NAVI.
Map Veto Breakdown
The map veto will play a crucial role in determining how the series unfolds. Both teams have shown strong preferences, and the veto is expected to favor NAVI, given their dominance in the current map pool.
- G2 pick Inferno: With a 75% win rate, Inferno has been G2's go-to map, and they will likely lean on this comfort pick. However, NAVI has proven that they can compete on Inferno, and G2 will need to bring their best to win here.
- NAVI pick Ancient: NAVI has been near unbeatable on Ancient, boasting an 83.3% win rate. This is where they can assert their dominance, as G2 has struggled on this map in the past.
- G2 pick Nuke: G2 has a solid 70% win rate on Nuke, but NAVI has shown they can challenge top teams on this map. This will be a critical battleground, where G2 must capitalize on their pick to stay competitive.
- NAVI pick Dust2: NAVI’s 83.3% win rate on Dust2 makes it a safe choice for them, and they will look to close out the series here if the maps play out as expected.
- Decider: Anubis: If the series goes the distance, Anubis will likely be the decider. Both teams are competent on this map, but NAVI’s overall form gives them the edge.
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Prediction: NAVI to Continue Their Dominance
Given NAVI’s incredible form, it’s hard to see G2 overcoming their nine-series losing streak against them. NAVI’s structured playstyle, combined with their superior individual performances, should allow them to control the series and secure a 3-1 victory. While G2 has the potential to take a map, particularly on Inferno or Nuke, NAVI’s overall consistency, tactical depth, and mental fortitude make them the clear favorite to advance to the semifinals.
NAVI’s momentum, bolstered by their standout performers jL and w0nderful, should be enough to carry them through this match. G2, while dangerous, will need more than just m0NESY to upset the best team in the world.
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