Shanghai Major Elim Stage Day 1 – Best Matches

We’ve just wrapped up the thrilling Shanghai Major Opening Stage that featured a rollercoaster of surprises, crazy storylines, and heartbreak – just the kind of drama we’ve come to expect from a Counter-Strike Major. But the best is yet to come, as the much-anticipated Elimination Stage is about to kick off.

This stage will bring back the big dogs, including G2 Esports, NAVI, and Vitality, alongside survivors from the Opening Stage, all looking to prove themselves on the Swiss Stage. Day one promises a feast of action, with all matches played in the high-stakes Best of 1 format.

If you don’t have all day to watch, here are the matches I’ll definitely be tuning into for the first day of the Elimination Stage.

G2 Esports vs. The MongolZ

Screw appetizers, as the opening day will immediately start with the main course. G2 will be taking on The MongolZ as the highest-ranked match in the first round of play. It’s world number 2, taking on number 9.

G2 stormed through the RMR with a 3 – 1 score, losing to 3DMAX and barely winning the qualification series against Team Spirit. However, the entire roster wants to have a good tournament before NiKo’s eventual send-off, which is becoming more and more certain as days pass.

The MongolZ have only dropped a single map since they arrived in China, with the DRILLAS of all teams striking first blood. However, the fan-favorites cleared through the Opening Stage with ease and clearly looked like the best team there. Four of Genghis Khan’s descendants claimed all four spots as the highest-rated players at the opening stage, so we certainly know the individuals are shooting. 

Top rated CS2 Players from the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 opening stage pic.twitter.com/l5cSPXgZjV

— statsmeister (@statsmeister1) December 3, 2024

Though G2 comes in as the clear favorite, I’m pretty worried for them, as they aren’t the most fabulous starters in tournaments, so we might see some players having an off-game. If The MongolZ can exploit any early jitters, they might just snatch the map. Still, G2’s experience should give them the edge in high-pressure moments.

Team Spirit vs. FURIA

The Librarian and his claw of panthers will be taking on Team Spirit in the first round of play. This is another high-ranking matchup, as both teams reside within the top ten, so expect fireworks.

Team Spirit haven’t been in top shape lately, as their 3-2 finish in the RMR suggests, even losing to Passion UA, but it’s still hard to count them out. Any of donk, sh1ro, or zont1x showing up usually is more than enough for the Eastern European squad to push through.

FURIA had a relatively silent run through the Opening Stage. There weren’t too many flashes of brilliance, but they still got the job done with a 3 – 1 score. All four matches were super close, but the Brazilians thrive in intense games with their unwavering fighting spirit; but will they succeed in fighting Spirit? 

I genuinely don’t think Team Spirit can lose to any team outside of the top five, but the last confrontation between the two teams almost let FURIA pull off an upset. This should be an action-packed game, and I can’t wait to see what donk can pull off. 

MOUZ vs. paiN Gaming

The young guns of MOUZ have been looking extremely sharp, finishing their RMR run with a clean 3 – 0, even taking down NAVI in their final match to get here. Though all teams who skipped the Opening Stage have not played in over a week, MOUZ is definitely a team that doesn’t have slow starts in tournaments, so I’m expecting them to fire on all cylinders.

On the other hand, we have paiN Gaming, a team I had really high hopes for coming into the Major. Though they didn’t have the most convincing run in the previous stage, they aren’t looking too shabby either.

I’m interested in this matchup as paiN Gaming loves taking aim duels, and so does xertioN. The 20-year-old is clearly MOUZ’s best player at the moment, and as the entry fragger, I’m curious to see how the early rounds will go and which team will find themselves at a man advantage early. Expect an explosive Best of 1 series between the two unless MOUZ mops the floor 13 – 2 or something. 

We are definitely in for some good Counter-Strike in the next few days, and make sure you have your Pick ‘Ems locked in, because I certainly have.