BLAST Premier Fall Groups 2023 – New Team Lineups & What They Showed!
radoslaw-davidovic
Hello everyone! We are glad to be back with you after a long break. The tournament that recently took place and attracted many CS:GO fans was the BLAST Premier: Fall Groups 2023, with a prize pool of $177,498. It was held from July 13 to July 23. As is typical for the summer season, professional CS:GO teams often change due to unsuccessful performances or other reasons.
This time was no exception, and several teams decided to make adjustments to their player rosters. The tournament after such roster changes is always filled with excitement and unpredictability. So, today, we will delve into the details of the BLAST Premier: Fall Groups 2023, discussing the winners and the positive impacts of the roster changes made by some teams.
In article you will find:
Group Stage
First, let’s talk about the tournament’s significance and standing in the CS:GO world. Despite the prize pool of $177,000 and the participation of twelve teams, the tournament holds importance due to its six spots for the BLAST Premier: Fall Final 2023. The Group Stage and the Play-In Stage winners earn these coveted spots and the chance to earn valuable BLAST Premier points that can significantly impact their leaderboard position.
The tournament featured twelve teams, some of which made roster changes during the summer break while others stuck with their existing lineups. The Group Stage of the BLAST Premier: Fall Final 2023 was divided into three groups, and now we’ll take a closer look at the individual matches and their outcomes.
Group A
The BLAST Premier: Fall Final 2023 features a division into three groups, each consisting of four teams. The winner of each group secures a spot in the BLAST Premier: Fall Final 2023 and earns 2400 BLAST Premier points.
Here are the teams seeded into Group A:
- Vitality
- Evil Geniuses
- Ninjas in Pyjamas
- Complexity Gaming
Each group’s bracket is divided into three stages: the Semifinals, the Final, and the Grand Final. The winners of the Semifinals continue in the Upper Bracket, while the defeated teams move to the Lower Bracket.
Upper Bracket Semifinals
In the Semifinals UB, the initial matches of Group A were Vitality vs Evil Geniuses and Ninjas in Pyjamas vs Complexity Gaming.
Vitality vs EG
The results were truly unpredictable in the match between Vitality and Evil Geniuses. Vitality won Overpass with an impressive 16:6 score, showing exceptional gameplay and a significant round difference.
Moving on to Vertigo, which Vitality picked, they dominated the game and secured a convincing victory with a 16:3 score. It was quite surprising to witness such a dominant performance.
It’s worth mentioning that Evil Geniuses had changed their player roster, so these alterations influenced the expected outcome of the game. Only time will tell if these changes will prove to be beneficial for EG in the future.
Ninjas in Pyjamas vs Complexity
The second match between NiP and Complexity proved more intriguing and unpredictable, as neither team had a clear dominance.
Despite Complexity picking Inferno, NiP managed to snatch a victory with a close 16:14 score, even though they were on the verge of losing the map. The situation mirrored the first on Nuke, picked by NiP. Complexity confidently displayed their skills on their opponent’s picked map, leading to a 16:12 victory for Complexity.
The decisive map was Overpass, where both teams fiercely fought for each round, making it a tense and thrilling match. However, around the 22 round, Complexity demonstrated their composure and clinched the victory with a 16:13 score.
Lower Bracket Semifinal
The teams that lose in the Upper Bracket Semifinal enter the Lower Bracket and still have a chance to reach the Grand Final. However, to do so, they must keep winning consistently.
Ninjas in Pyjamas Evil Geniuses
The first map was Inferno, and it was an intense battle as both teams reached a tied 15:15 score. It led to an overtime series to determine the winner. However, NiP overcame this challenge and secured a victory with a 22:20 score on the first map.
Moving on to the second map, Vertigo, it was a more straightforward affair for NiP. They demonstrated good gameplay and emerged victorious with a 16:11 score.
Upper Bracket Final
The winners of the Upper Bracket Semifinals, Complexity, and Vitality, faced each other in a battle for a spot in the Grand Final.
Complexity vs Vitality
The encounter between these two teams resulted in a rather unexpected outcome. Despite expectations for a more thrilling match, on the first map, the French team completely dominated Complexity, securing an impressive victory with a 16:1 score.
The next map was Vertigo, and Vitality continued its strong performance and won with a 16:6 score.
Lower Bracket Final
In the Lower Bracket, Ninjas in Pyjamas faced Complexity, who had recently suffered a defeat against the French team. Despite Complexity’s previous loss, they put up a strong performance against NiP.
The teams played all three maps, but NiP ultimately secured a victory with a 2:1 score (Mirage 16:9, Overpass 7:16, Nuke 22:20).
As a result, Ninjas in Pyjamas emerged as the winners of the Lower Bracket Final.
Grand Final
In the Grand Final, Vitality faced off against Ninjas in Pyjamas. Given the strong performances of both teams in the preceding matches, predicting the winner was quite challenging.
The first map, Mirage, was picked by NiP and proved to be a tense battle. Ultimately, the Swedish team secured a close victory with a 16:13 score, defeating Vitality.
Moving on to the second map, which was expected to favor Vitality, the Swedes closed the gap and turned the tide in their favor, ultimately emerging victorious. As a result, NiP became the winner of Group A, earning a spot in the BLAST Premier: Fall Final 2023, along with 2400 BLAST Premier points.
Now let’s discuss Group B.
Group B
In Group B, the rules are the same as in Group A. Now, let’s take a closer look at everything in more detail.
Here are the teams seeded into Group B:
- Heroic
- BIG
- Natus Vincere
- Astralis
Let’s start with the match between Heroic and BIG in the Upper Bracket Semifinals.
Upper Bracket Semifinals
Heroic vs BIG
BIG’s first match with three new players, “mantuu,” “prosus,” “s1n” generated considerable interest among fans, given the uncertainty surrounding the team’s performance with the new lineup.
However, as is often the case, teams that undergo roster changes need time to find their synergy and get accustomed to playing together. On the first map, Heroic emerged victorious over BIG with a 16:7 score. This outcome was expected, considering Heroic’s stable roster, with players who have been together for over a year and are well-acquainted with each other’s gameplay.
The second map followed a similar pattern, with Heroic again defeating BIG, this time on Inferno, with a 16:8 score.
Natus Vincere vs Astralis
It was an exciting match featuring two teams with significant roster changes. This month, Natus Vincere welcomed new players “Aleksib,” “iM,” and “jL,” while Astralis added “b0RUP” and “Staehr.”
The first map was Ancient, picked by Astralis, which didn’t favor NAVI, resulting in a 16:8 loss. However, NAVI bounced back on Nuke and secured a convincing 16:6 victory, showcasing their map pick was well-founded.
The third and decisive map was Overpass. While the first half was relatively smooth for NAVI, they faced some challenges in the second half. Nevertheless, they rallied their strength and achieved victory, concluding the second map with a win.
Lower Bracket Semifinal
BIG vs Astralis
Once again, there were no clear predictions regarding the victory of either team due to the roster changes, making it difficult to anticipate the outcome. Nevertheless, the match was intense, and the teams competed across three maps.
On the first map, Anubis, Astralis displayed strong preparation, securing a lead over BIG and winning with a 16:8 score. However, on the subsequent two maps, Ancient and Overpass, BIG made a powerful comeback, claiming victory with scores of 16:10 and 16:14, respectively.
BIG emerged victorious with a 2:1 score, overcoming the challenges posed by Astralis throughout the match.
Upper Bracket Final
We have now reached the finals of both the Upper and Lower Brackets.
Heroic vs Natus Vincere
NAVI faced a team that had previously made roster changes. However, the real test awaited them against a well-established team.
The first map of their encounter was Mirage, picked by NAVI. Had they won, there might have been chants of “NEW ERA.” Nevertheless, Heroic showed their strength, defeating NAVI not only on Mirage but also on the following map, Inferno.
Lower Bracket Final
NAVI vs BIG
The resilient teams, Natus Vincere and BIG competed to determine who would reach the Grand Final. Many had high hopes for NAVI’s impressive gameplay with their revamped roster, and they proved them right.
NAVI started strong by defeating BIG on Ancient with a 16:11 score. They followed up with a narrow victory on Mirage, winning 16:14. The matches were exciting and tense, making it a must-watch for fans.
Grand Final
In the Grand Final, the Ukrainian team faced off against the Danish team.
Heroic vs Natus Vincere
NAVI picked Mirage once again, seemingly putting all their focus on this map, as it was the primary strategy they relied upon. On the other hand, Heroic picked Inferno, a smart choice considering their strong performance on this map throughout the year. It proved to be a good fit for their team. The crucial third map was Nuke.
However, on the first map that NAVI had pinned their hopes on, they faced defeat with a 16:11 score, despite putting up a good fight. The second map was highly intense and competitive. Thanks to a strong first half and well-timed pauses, Natus Vincere turned the tables in their favor on Inferno.
As for the deciding third map, Heroic got off to an excellent start, finishing the first half with a significant lead of 11:4, giving them a considerable advantage. In the second half, NAVI struggled to change the course of events and ultimately lost with a 16:12 score.
Group C
In Group C, just like in the previous Groups A and B, there were also four teams competing.
Here are the teams seeded into Group C:
- FaZe Clan
- OG
- G2 Esports
- Team Liquid
Upper Bracket Semifinals
Let’s start the review of Group C with the Upper Bracket Semifinals, where FaZe Clan faced OG, and G2 Esports clashed with Team Liquid.
FaZe vs OG
Let’s discuss FaZe vs OG. During the summer break, FaZe maintained its roster, while OG introduced three new players: “FASHR,” “k1to,” and “regali.” FaZe’s experienced and well-coordinated gameplay gave them an advantage over the newly formed OG.
As expected, the two teams played two maps, starting with Inferno and then Mirage. Unfortunately, OG couldn’t defeat their formidable opponents on either map, which is unsurprising considering the difference in experience and team cohesion.
G2 Esports vs Team Liquid
Team Liquid also made some player changes, and now “Patsi” and “Rainwaker” are part of the team.
On Ancient, which was Liquid’s pick, they secured a 16:9 victory. The new lineup found their synergy and outplayed their opponents, who had not made any roster changes for over a year.
The following map was Mirage, picked by G2, and they almost lost it. However, they managed to equalize the score at 15:15 and eventually secured the win in overtime.
The third map, Vertigo, was challenging for both teams, and the game remained tight, keeping the suspense high. Ultimately, Liquid gathered their strength and won with a 16:14 score.
Lower Bracket Semifinal
The only match in the Lower Bracket featured two teams that suffered defeat in the previous round: G2 Esports and OG.
OG vs G2 Esports
It was a question of whether OG’s players couldn’t find their rhythm or if FaZe was simply a formidable opponent. The answer to this question was to be revealed in the match against G2 Esports.
While there was some hope at the beginning of the first map, it quickly faded away in the second half. Once G2 switched sides, OG couldn’t secure a single round, resulting in a 16:6 victory for G2 on the first map.
The next map was Inferno, picked by G2, OG tried to make a comeback, but their efforts were in vain. G2 dominated once more, sealing the map with a 16:6 score.
Upper Bracket Final
FaZe Clan vs Team Liquid
Let’s see what the revamped Liquid roster can do. They were able to defeat FaZe in an intriguing and unexpected match. Initially, the teams played on Inferno, picked by Liquid. However, FaZe secured the first map with a decent 16:11 score.
Next up was Mirage, picked by FaZe, and it seemed like everything was about to end. Liquid had already lost one map, and it looked like the odds were against Liquid. But, Liquid found the strength within themselves and showcased exceptional gameplay.
Liquid claimed victory on Mirage, with a close 16:14 score, and then on Ancient, with a 16:8 score.
Lower Bracket Final
FaZe Clan vs G2 Esports
After the defeats of Team Liquid, FaZe took a day off to regroup and returned with renewed vigor to face their next opponent, G2. The teams played just two maps, and FaZe emerged victorious in both. First, they secured a convincing win on Nuke with a 16:7 score and continued their success on Mirage with a 16:11 score.
Out of topic, it’s interesting to note the recurring trend of picking Mirage, with both NAVI and FaZe showcasing their skills. It would be exciting to see a match between these two teams on Mirage in the future.
Grand Final
Team Liquid vs FaZe Clan
They faced each other again, and FaZe had already experienced a defeat against Liquid, which provided them with valuable experience and insights into the maps their opponents were not comfortable playing. Consequently, FaZe immediately banned an unfavorable map and picked more neutral ones where they had better chances. Adapting to all maps within just one month with a new roster, Liquid is challenging.
The first map played was Overpass, which hadn’t been in their previous match. FaZe secured a comfortable victory with a 16:11 score. Next up was Ancient, a more challenging map for both teams. Nevertheless, FaZe still achieved a close victory with a 16:14 score.
FaZe, Heroic, and Ninjas in Pyjamas claimed the top three spots, each earning 2400 Blast Premier points, $27,500, and, most importantly, an invitation to the BLAST Premier: Fall Final 2023.
BLAST Premier Fall Groups 2023: Play-In Stage
The teams unable to secure victories in the Group Stage still have an opportunity to compete for a spot in the BLAST Premier: Fall Final 2023 during the Play-In Stage. Now let’s look at the three teams that managed to secure invitations and 1800 BLAST Premier points.
Play-In Stage: Round 1
In the first round of the Play-In Stage, nine teams that faced defeats in the Group Stage competed for three spots in the BLAST Premier: Fall Final 2023.
BIG vs OG
The match between BIG and OG was interesting, with OG being considered the likely victor. However, BIG approached map selection carefully and didn’t rush their actions. As a result, the teams battled it out on three maps, but throughout the series, there was a sense of leadership within BIG.
G2 vs Evil Geniuses
G2 proved a formidable team, and it was challenging for the revamped EG roster to stand against them. The teams played three maps, and while Evil Geniuses put up a good fight, it wasn’t enough for a victory. G2 emerged victorious in two out of the three maps.
Complexity vs Astralis
Despite Complexity being joined by “EliGE,” Astralis managed to come out on top in this encounter, winning on Vertigo and Overpass. The second map was one-sided, finishing with a 16:4 score favoring Astralis.
Play-In Stage: Round 2
Round 2 is the decisive stage of the tournament, where every map holds utmost importance for each team, as it determines whether they will secure a spot in the BLAST Premier: Fall Final 2023.
Team Vitality vs BIG
In this matchup, it was obvious that Team Vitality would have the upper hand against BIG. However, despite expectations for a three-map series, Vitality defeated their opponent in just two maps, Anubis (16:11) and Inferno (16:8). With this victory, Vitality became another team to advance to the Fall Final 2023.
Natus Vincere vs G2 Esports
The highly anticipated clash between the revamped NAVI and G2 was an intense battle. On the first map, NAVI performed well in the first half but faced a setback at the beginning of the second half. However, they rallied after the 22 round and made an impressive comeback, securing the first map with a 16:14 score.
The second map was Mirage, picked by NAVI, and it proved to be equally competitive. Nevertheless, Natus Vincere managed to snatch the victory in the final rounds, winning with a 16:14 score.
Team Liquid vs Astralis
In the final game of this tournament between Team Liquid and Astralis, the Danish team showed dominance on both Overpass and Inferno. They defeated Team Liquid with a significant round difference, making their victory seem effortless.
Wrapping Up!
Wow, wow, and wow again! The first tournament after the summer break has concluded, and it brought many interesting changes in the teams. We noticed a resurgence of Mirage as it was picked more frequently in this tournament than usual. Looking ahead, we have the Intel Extreme Masters Cologne 2023 starting on July 26, and we can expect even more captivating moments. We’ll be thrilled to discuss them with you.
So make sure to follow our blog and stay updated with all the events together with us!
Radosław Davidović is Hellcase’s customer success manager. He enjoys blogging to share his knowledge and experience with customers.