Over the years, there is one thing that has eluded NiKo in his Counter-Strike career. Cologne and Katowice? Done. But the Major is CS’ greatest prize, and NiKo is arguably the best CS player never to add one to his trophy collection.
It’s a narrative that dominates every Major NiKo plays in. Is this finally the one? At the ELEAGUE Major Boston 2018, he was one round from glory against underdogs Cloud9, and still couldn’t close it out with six chances. At PGL Major Stockholm 2021, his G2 side was outclassed by NAVI in the Final. These two failures at the final hurdle will haunt NiKo for as long as there’s a glaring gap in his trophy cabinet.
NiKo’s last Major final didn’t go to plan. Credit: Luc Bouchon | PGL
NiKo’s Falcons move could jeopardize his Major hopes
Soon to be 28 years old and almost a decade of competitive play under his belt, NiKo’s shelf-life at the top is extraordinary. He’s shown no signs of slowing down, but it’s well-publicized that NiKo is set to make the money move to Falcons after the PW Shanghai Major 2024. Their run in Shanghai has been touted as the “last dance” for this roster, but I reckon it might just be NiKo’s last dance when it comes to winning a Major.
When he goes to Falcons, he joins a team with seemingly endless resources. They can surround NiKo with the best players on the highest salaries in pursuit of victory. Yet, they did the same thing in 2024, and the results were frankly embarrassing. Failure after failure, their high-profile players looked a shadow of their former selves. Now, Falcons get to do it all over again in 2025. A new rebuild with new players.
Credit: Perfect World
Does this mean all Falcons players are in it for the money? No. NiKo’s iteration of the team could work out, and I’ll be left here looking very silly. But getting five players to join a team with some, let’s say, “reputation issues,” all in the name of winning a Major while remaining as hungry as ever, is difficult. Not impossible, but if 2024 has shown us anything, it’s that it will be NiKo’s greatest challenge yet.
This is made even more difficult by the new CS2 circuit throughout 2025. Invites for all Tier 1 tournaments will be made through the Valve Regional Standings. Falcons’ previous roster currently sits at 45 in these rankings, and with only Magisk staying, they’ll have to start from the bottom. NiKo, in 2025, grinding online CS2 tournaments for points. It’s a crazy thought, but it will be the only way this roster can be involved in a Major next year, let alone win one. That’s why we think Shanghai 2024 could be his last shot at glory.
PW Shanghai Major 2024 is NiKo’s best chance in years
Credit: Perfect World
Take a look at the Playoffs Bracket for the PW Shanghai Major 2024. If you’re G2 and NiKo, it’s kind of the dream draw. On G2’s side, they should beat Heroic. Then, they face either the winner of Vitality or FaZe Clan. For me, this matchup decides the entire event. It should be Vitality, but regardless of which of the two progress, this G2 roster has consistently beaten both of these teams. Vitality provides the biggest threat, but G2 will probably still go in as favorites, should they get there.
So let’s assume then that G2 do the hard stuff, and win their side of the bracket. Who will they face in the Final? I don’t think it matters. The tough games are on their side of the bracket. All of The MongolZ, Liquid, and MOUZ are teams that, in current form, G2 should beat handily. MOUZ could shock them, but their stage nerves continue to be a problem. That just leaves Spirit (and I suspect it will be Spirit).
Credit: Perfect World
G2 beat Spirit back in the RMR, and absolutely dominated them in the BLAST World Final 2024 Grand Final. G2 has Spirit’s number, and there’s been no evidence suggesting this has changed at the PW Shanghai Major 2024. In individual duels, NiKo has been one of the only players able to muzzle donk. It would take an out-of-character performance from Spirit to win that matchup, and likely something truly special from donk, too.
So, looking at the bracket, G2 have everything they need to go all the way. It’s NiKo’s best chance to win a Major in years. With the clock ticking, we think it might just be his last chance.