Shanghai Major Playoffs: All Qualified Teams

After an intense Elimination Stage, the curtains have fallen, leaving 8 teams standing proceeding to playoffs. It has been a hell of a run, with the Major delivering thrills across the board, despite being plagued by unusual timings for majority viewers. Before we dive into the final stage: Perfect World Shanghai Major playoffs, let’s take a moment to spotlight the teams that will be gracing the big stage.

1. Vitality

Vitality is undoubtedly the most dominant force in the tournament and clear favorites to lift the trophy. At the helm stands ZywOo, a two-time Player of the Year, who has augmented his game even further this Major, boasting an absurd 1.49 rating. Even if you take ZywOo out of the picutre, there is a lot of firepower at disposal, with every player hovering around a 1.25 rating. Frankly, I’m craving more competition—what’s a Major without some nail-biters?

2. The MongolZ

Counter-Strike’s magic lies in its unpredictability, and The MongolZ are living proof of that. Representing their region with pride, they’ve proven their mettle on the big stage. But the road ahead is treacherous. Despite their inexperience, this young squad has shown resilience. Whether they can maintain their composure when the stakes skyrocket is the ultimate question.

3. FaZe

The reigning grand finalists have had a bumpy road to the top 8. Faze has fallen woefully short of their potential in recent tournaments, but they have somehow scraped through in Shanghai. Known for defying odds when counted out, this roster feels like it’s on borrowed time. Broky’s dismal 0.95 rating isn’t inspiring confidence, and while the idea of FaZe lifting another Major is tantalizing, it feels more fantasy than reality.

4. G2

G2’s performance in the Elimination Stage has been nothing short of impressive. While Snax’s positive showing has garnered a lot of attention, I think huNter’s resurgence has truly earned the rights to the spotlight. A 1.47 T-side rating has been the backbone of their success. And this is the same guy with a 0.97 average over the past three months. Talk about a reawakening when the chips are down. If huNter maintains this form, G2 could turn the tides even against the likes of Vitality.

5. Spirit

Spirit ranks as the third-highest rated team, largely thanks to the incredible performances of one standout player. donk, at just 17 years old, boasts an exorbitant 1.55 rating this event. His potential is daunting, as evidenced by a special 1v5 highlight on Mirage that we all know. The true challenge, however, the ultimate accolade for any CS player, awaits this 17-year-old as he faces what lies ahead.

6. Liquid

Liquid’s journey to the top 8 has been a pleasant surprise. To be candid, I did not expect them to make it this far. YEK1NDAR’s resurgence has been pivotal, with consistent ratings of 1.12 in the Opening Stage and 1.11 in the Elimination Stage. However, the playoffs bring stiffer competition, and Liquid will need more than YEK1NDAR’s heroics to thrive against elite opponents.

7. Heroic

Emerging from arguably the toughest bracket, Heroic has earned their place in the playoffs. NertZ has been the team’s linchpin, but crucial contributions from degster and kyxsan on key maps have been invaluable. Heroic has already exceeded expectations for a relative new roster, but it will be interesting to see how far they can take their ambitions.

8. MOUZ

Consistency has been MOUZ’s hallmark, and their presence in the playoffs is no shock. That said, their qualification to the Shanghai Major playoffs came down to the wire, partly due to a subdued showing from jimpphat. If they want to contend for more than just an ESL Pro League title, they’ll need to step up and prove they’re capable of winning on the biggest stage.

Before we kick into gears for the playoffs, we will be taking a comprehensive look at these teams and their odds in the upcoming stage. If you have been following our pick ems, you should still be in the run for the Diamond Coin. Don’t miss out, stay tuned for more!