Coming into PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025, my Power Rankings had FaZe Clan pegged as the favorites to win the event. With the Group Stage complete and the Playoffs bracket set, I’m feeling pretty good about that prediction. I think even the most ardent haters would admit FaZe Clan are looking good to win PGL Cluj-Napoca – here are just some of the reasons why they’re looking so great right now.
EliGE looks insane (except on Nuke)
EliGE’s integration into the FaZe Clan lineup hasn’t been the easiest, with roles needing to be switched to ensure he can find some comfort on the server. But at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025, EliGE has found his footing much better, and looks to be in insane form individually. When he’s playing like this, FaZe Clan are going to be incredibly hard to beat for anyone.
The big concern about EliGE remains his form on Nuke. It’s one of FaZe Clan’s staple maps, but, put simply, he looks really bad on it. He’s played it five times in the FaZe jersey, including against teams like SAW and BIG. Not once has he managed to post a positive K/D ratio. If he can get over this Nuke hump as we dawn on the latter stages of PGL Cluj-Napoca, I find it difficult to see how they can lose.
broky is back in form
Throughout the second half of 2024, broky didn’t look like himself at all. Devoid of confidence, he was missing all the shots you’d expect a consistently elite AWPer to hit. Not at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025, though. He’s looked very solid so far, delivering strong numbers across the board to help his team look great at the event.
It’s not like broky needs to go above and beyond – that’s never been his thing, even in the most successful FaZe Clan lineups. Just as long as he’s putting up solid performances, his job is done. I expect him to continue to farm the PGL Cluj-Napoca Playoffs.
FaZe have been largely flawless
I can only really look at FaZe Clan’s record at PGL Cluj-Napoca so far when predicting their future. They’ve been largely flawless, coasting through the Group Stage 3:0 while playing SAW, Eternal Fire, and MOUZ. There’s only one map dropped there, too, losing to Eternal Fire on Anubis. But then, EF are the best Anubis team in the world, so there’s no shame in that.
Crucially, FaZe Clan have never looked like they’re in any real peril at any point, even when playing against two of the best teams in the event. It’s all looked rather comfortable, and given their knack for shining under the lights of the big stage where others can crumble, I don’t see that changing, either.
What can stop FaZe Clan from winning?
I’ve spoken about FaZe here like they’re invincible – they’re not, obviously. I reckon they’ll make it to the Grand Final with ease, with their first matchup against SAW and a clash against the winner of Falcons vs. Eternal Fire awaiting. There are two factors that I think could unravel FaZe Clan in the Final – let’s discuss.
The first is the format. What do I mean by that? Best-of-five. This ties in with my earlier point about EliGE being bad on Nuke. With the Grand Final being best-of-five, FaZe Clan’s map pool at the moment might betray them while they continue to bed in EliGE. It’s not a certainty, by any means, but it’s definitely possible.
Then, there’s The MongolZ. Of all the teams at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025, The MongolZ are probably the second best right now. They play on the other side of the bracket, and I fully expect to see them in the Grand Final alongside FaZe Clan. This a team that finished in the top 4 at Katowice – they’re a real contender that can cause FaZe Clan some real issues. Yes, FaZe look great, and I’d give them the nod as favorites, but The MongolZ are a big threat, should the matchup arise in the Final.
