G2 in Search for a Breakthrough at BLAST Premier Spring Final 2022

They came in 2nd at Intel Extreme Masters Season XVI - Katowice just after FaZe, even beating the legendary NAVI to the spot. They redeemed their poor PGL Major Antwerp 2022 performance by making it into the quarter finals of Intel Extreme Masters Season XVII - Dallas.

The famous European mix squad of G2 is now getting ready for the BLAST Premier Spring Final 2022. Let’s take a look at their recent performance and see what can be expected of them:

G2 at IEM Dallas

G2 is currently ranked #8th in HLTV’s World Standings with 400 points under their name, receding from their number 6 slot after being eliminated in the IEM Dallas. The team made quite an impression in their last tournament though:

The European team had faltered in the Legends Stage of the PGL Major Antwerp, missing out on a stage performance, but they have made amends in Texas, battling their way through Group A's lower bracket and rebounding from a defeat against ENCE to reach the quarter-finals.

The elimination match that led to the playoffs between G2 and Vitality began on Dust2, the French-Danish team's preferred map. G2 kicked things off with a dominating CT side, with every member of the European mix squad putting in a strong showing. They lead 13-2, and despite a pistol round win and subsequent round conversions by the Vitality side, the gap was simply too large, as they were down one map in the series with a 16-7 loss.

The series' second map was Inferno, a map on which G2 had a perfect record in the previous three months. They demonstrated their map skill by winning seven rounds with an excellent T side. Their defence unit struggled at first, falling down 13-9 before regaining their composure and won seven of the next eight rounds to win the series 2-0.

After a hard-fought victory over Vitality, G2 was able to secure a spot in the IEM Dallas playoffs. After a string of lacklustre performances, the European mix team sought to continue their winning ways against the FURIA.

After the team defeated Vitality to win their berth. Nikola "NiKo" Kovac told his opinions on how G2 has progressed with the signings of Ilya "m0NESY" Osipov, Aleksi "Aleksib" Virolainen, and Rémy "XTQZZZ" Quoniam to HLTV.

The Bosnian star revealed what they've been concentrating on and how their young new AWPer M0NESY’s skill has progressed since his arrival. NiKo also discussed his personal drop in individual form from last year, expressing a minor lack of confidence that he intends to regain.

They were indeed getting consistently -rather slowly- better and better.

G2 Stopped by FURIA

Maybe third time's the charm because their nemesis FURIA, once again after the PGL Antwerp, eliminated the European mix team from the tournament.

FURIA defeated G2 2-1 in the IEM Dallas 2022 semifinals, advancing them to the event's semi-finals. G2 were one step away from avenging their ouster from the Major at the hands of FURIA, but they fell short on the final map once again.

The European team took the series lead on Inferno (16-13) in the opening game in front of the Texan audience before the Brazilians equalised with a comeback on Vertigo (19-16). The series was eventually decided in favour of FURIA after a one way battle on Mirage (16-5).

The Aleksi "Aleksib" Virolainen-led team was eliminated from the competition as a result of the loss. G2 has victories against Astralis and Vitality to their credit, but their flaws were exposed in their games against ENCE and FURIA.

Through the course of the match NiKo was again on fire, his skills are unquestionable and absolute. Yet it is not enough on its own to catapult G2 into championship. Where G2 lackis in is the tactics used in the early rounds before they can gain the momentum. Once they reach their speed they are a formidable force to be reckoned with.

G2's failure to convert pistol shots greatly limits their chances of building momentum, while Aleksib and JACKZ struggle to find the impact and consistency in their game. If G2 improves their early tactics and does good on its homework, namely the FURIA team, they will be a force to be reckoned with. They could have more luck in an official major next time if all goes well.

G2 in BLAST Premier Spring Final 2022

They will be lucky in the BLAST Premier though. First there won't be a FURIA attending the tournament and in their opening match they will once again face Vitality, and with their opponent's current performance it's easy prey for G2. Unless of course Vitality seriously studied their homework, then it can take advantage of a G2 with a low guard.