FaZe Clan is in the Grand Finals of the StarLadder Budapest Major after taking down NAVI from a map deficit. Step by step, facing every match like it was their last, FaZe have somehow dragged themselves from Stage 1 and all the way to the Grand Finals, a feat that no one believed they would achieve, but then again, it’s FaZe Clan.
VETO
- Natus Vincere removed Overpass
- FaZe removed Train
- Natus Vincere picked Ancient
- FaZe picked Nuke
- FaZe removed Mirage
- Natus Vincere removed Dust2
- Inferno was left over
Map 1: Ancient; Pick: NAVI; Winner: NAVI
Starting the map with a pistol round win, FaZe dropped the ball hard in the following round, which NAVI capitalized on for the rest of the half. Makazze getting multi-frags in almost every round dismantled the FaZe defense, who managed 1 more round before switching sides. Poor display across the half led to NAVI taking a massive 10-2 lead and thus closing the door on a comeback. Starting the second half with a 3-round streak, FaZe cut down on the lead before NAVI got back on the scoreboard as soon as the first gun round. Having already secured a massive lead, NAVI won 3 rounds in a row to close the map and take the series lead. 21 kills and 2.54 IR from Makazze marked one of the most notable Major performances of all time.
Map 2: Nuke; Pick: FaZe; Winner: FaZe
3-0 start for NAVI saw them win their first pistol of the series, but FaZe soon countered with 2 of their own. NAVI pulled the momentum back from the 6th round, leading to FaZe finding themselves far behind than expected, before Twistzz pulled them back with a 1v3 clutch to reignite his side and close the lead with an 8-4 deficit. A 3-0 start cut down the deficit for FaZe before NAVI pulled out a few rounds. FaZe truly came into their own later in the second half, with frozeN closing rounds with 1v3 clutch and a ninja defuse, broky flexing his close combat AWPing. The final four rounds of the second half have everything, from clutches to tense moments, but mostly some FaZe Clan magic to win the map with a 13-11 scoreline. 1.53 IR and 18 kills coloured a stellar frozeN performance to take us to a 3rd map.
Map 3: Inferno; Pick: Decider; Winner: FaZe
Having secured an impressive win in the previous map, FaZe Clan’s well-oiled machine brought their A game in the defense of Inferno. Jcobbb and Broky put on a masterclass, pulling in stunning rounds off the back of their individual brilliance as NAVI failed to get going at all. By the skin of their teeth, NAVI managed 3 rounds before FaZe roped in 9 before switching sides. NAVI winning the pistol round gave them some hope before a Deagle 1v3 from Twistzz put FaZe on the series point and crushed all hopes for a comeback at the same time. With series point secured, FaZe put together a contact B rush in the final map and sent NAVI packing with a 13-8 scoreline. With so many stars dropping highlights, Twistzz stood out with 20 kills and impactful rounds across both halves to secure their place in the Grand Finals of the Major.
FaZe Clan’s unthinkable win here in the semi-finals has put them in the Grand Finals against Team Vitality. Having lost to FaZe earlier in the tournament, Vitality will be coming into the game with eyes set on the prize and an opportunity to get that sweet revenge. It’s a superstar galore in the Grand Finals, with no clear favourites. We are in for a treat and arguably one of the most exciting Major Grand Finals matchups in quite some time.