The PW Shanghai Major 2024 Grand Final is here, with Team Spirit set to take on FaZe Clan in a rematch of the IEM Katowice 2024 final at the start of the year. After a thrilling Semi-Finals in Shanghai, we’re ready to see what the biggest game of the year has in store.
We’re here to talk you through some of the prevailing narratives of this matchup, as well as our prediction for the big match ahead.
FaZe Clan out to cleanse Grand Final demons
Credit: Perfect World
In 2024, FaZe Clan have lost the two biggest matches they played in. They’ve been haunted by the Grand Final losses at IEM Katowice 2024 and the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 – one loss to Spirit, and one loss in a Major final. Tomorrow, they have the chance to exercise two demons in one match, which should prove to be extra motivation coming into the PW Shanghai Major 2024 Grand Final.
As these Playoffs have progressed, FaZe have looked better and better. Meanwhile, Spirit have needed individual brilliance to pull them out of the mud, time and time again. FaZe will know there’s no better chance to take home their second-ever Major than in Shanghai.
donk’s remarkable rookie year
Credit: Perfect World
Make no mistake – if Team Spirit win tomorrow’s match and donk gets a Major on his second attempt, we’ve been witness to the greatest rookie year of any Counter-Strike player ever. This is probably true regardless, but victory in the PW Shanghai Major 2024 Grand Final makes this truly undeniable.
You only have to look across to NiKo, the GOAT rifler still chasing the Major dream, to know what an incredible feat it would be for donk to secure this so early in his career. When looking at all of the storylines of tomorrow’s match, this is arguably the most exciting. Can donk secure Counter-Strike’s most significant prize in his rookie year? Undoubtedly.
karrigan’s legacy as the GOAT IGL
Credit: Perfect World
When looking at the GOAT IGL argument, it only ever comes down to two players: gla1ve and karrigan. While karrigan’s longevity across several rosters puts him ahead for most, detractors always like to point to gla1ve’s four Major wins. It’s the biggest thing separating the two at the moment.
If karrigan can cut this gap down to two Majors, most would agree that the balance tips in favor of FaZe’s talisman. He won’t be thinking about it going into the PW Shanghai Major 2024 Grand Final, but his legacy as the GOAT IGL could be secured with a win here.
The final arguments for both teams
Credit: Perfect World
So we’ve looked at the narratives, but who will actually win? At a minimum, we expect this one to be a close three-map affair. For Spirit, their team play hasn’t been at it this Major. They have essentially brute-forced their way through games with sheer individual brilliance. It’s possible to do this all the way to a Major title, but it’s definitely difficult.
For FaZe, they look to be peaking at the perfect moment. The meme of “saving strats for Major Playoffs” almost looks to be true in their case. The key here is ropz. He has awoken during the Playoffs in Shanghai, dragging FaZe kicking and screaming through multiple maps that they otherwise would have lost. My heart says Spirit, because seeing donk lift a Major would be incredible. But my head says this FaZe run feels like destiny, and they’ve got too much experience at this level to let this opportunity slip through their fingers again.
Our prediction: FaZe Clan 2:1 Team Spirit