The NAVI team led by Aleksib has equaled FaZe in the number of wins in the fifth season of the Intel Grand Slam by winning the title at IEM Rio 2024. This is NAVI's second victory of the ESL Pro Tour 2024 season, and now they have eight chances to win two more titles to win the $1,000,000 prize.
NAVI's historic comeback
NAVI's victory at IEM Rio 2024 was special not only because of the importance of the trophy, but also because of the incredible comeback that the B1ad3 head coach said: “We did something special. It was an absolute cinema!”. With this victory, NAVI became the first team to win two consecutive ESL Pro Tour tournaments in 2024, adding IEM Rio to the ESL Pro League Season 20.
FaZe - limited opportunities
FaZe also has two wins in the Intel Grand Slam season, having won titles at IEM Sydney 2023 and IEM Chengdu 2024. However, they have only two chances to complete their Grand Slam run, and one of these tournaments must be a championship level (IEM Katowice, IEM Cologne, or Major).
MOUZ and their prospects
MOUZ, who also played at IEM Rio, lost their opportunity after losing in the final to NAVI. Their title from Pro League Season 18 no longer counts towards the Intel Grand Slam race, and now they need to win three tournaments, including one championship level, to keep their chances of winning the million.
The first team to win 2 #ESLProTour events in a row in 2024!@natusvincere's win at #IEM Rio 2024 marks their second notch in season 5 of the #IntelGrandSlam! pic.twitter.com/fKHBDZD67S
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) October 13, 2024
Current status of the Intel Grand Slam
At the moment, the status of the teams in the season looks like this: Natus Vincere has two wins and eight opportunities to complete the race for the Intel Grand Slam. FaZe Clan has also won two victories, but they have only two chances to win two more titles to get the grand prize. Vitality currently has one victory and seven opportunities to continue their journey to the million-dollar prize. G2 Esports have one victory and six chances to complete the chase. MOUZ have also won one title, leaving five opportunities for the Grand Slam, and Spirit have one win and three chances to complete their journey to this achievement.
NAVI are in an excellent position before the start of 2025 with a great chance to end the Grand Slam season in their favor.
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