karrigan : “We have to win. It’s the main goal”

In this scenario, when a lesser-known team like Rare Atom competes against CS2 esports heavyweights such as FaZe Clan, it’s not typically anticipated that the contest will be thrilling. FaZe’s supporters stocked up on small snacks and geared up for a swift (and undoubtedly glorious) victory. However, what transpired was anything but quick; Rare Atom displayed an impressive level of resilience.

Below, you’ll find a summary of the CS2 BLAST Premier Fall Showdown 2024 match, along with a pre-match interview with karrigan, conducted by James Banks for the live broadcast.

An interview with FaZe’s karrigan

Prior to the commencement of the match, an interview with CS2 BLAST Premier Fall Showdown 2024’s official questioner took place with Finn “karrigan” Andersen. Here are some intriguing exchanges from that conversation.

FaZe in BLAST Premier Fall Showdown

On most instances, FaZe Clan doesn’t aim for the BLAST Seasonal Finals via a Showdown tournament. How does karrigan feel about their choice of route for qualifying for the Fall Finals 2024?

“The task should’ve been completed within the BLAST Groups by now, but that’s how it goes. […] Of course, our aim is to qualify, but there are some strong teams in our pool, so I can’t wait to engage in some online Counter-Strike matches and strive for performance improvement.”

Playing online

In a straightforward and conversational manner: For CS2, the feeling of competitive games varies significantly whether they’re played online or offline, and this certainly holds true. Notably, FaZe Clan has primarily engaged in offline tournaments at a high level. So, what are karrigan’s thoughts about participating in the BLAST Premier Fall Showdown, an online tournament?

Last year, we participated in an online CS2 event, so it’s not been too long since our last online competition. I believe the key is to get accustomed to playing again. Winning this tournament could greatly benefit us. Therefore, we should view it as a means of boosting our performance. However, before focusing on using it as a catalyst, our primary objective must be to emerge victorious. That’s our main goal.

Post-Cologne feelings

At the Intel Extreme Masters Cologne 2024, FaZe Clan ended their run between 5th and 6th place. In the playoff quarterfinals, they were defeated by SAW. Karrigan reflects on not achieving a higher placement than anticipated at this tournament.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, getting to the Playoffs was our target, and we nailed it. After that game against SAW, I must admit, I felt a bit down because we didn’t take the win, but they truly played exceptionally well against us. Honestly, I feel like we gave it our all under the circumstances. It’s just a reality check that we’re not gunning for titles at this moment, but in two weeks, we can… Let’s focus on establishing a strong foundation and boosting our confidence for the rest of the season.

FaZe vs Rare Atom

Initially, both teams commenced the match on the map Inferno, chosen by Rare Atom. Remarkably, they displayed an impressive opening on the attacking side, with Rare Atom managing to maintain the score parity for quite some time. However, upon switching sides, the tactical edge and expertise of FaZe Clan became evident. Consequently, they secured several crucial rounds, eventually clinching the victory in the game.

In the second map, it was Ancient, Rare Atom who gained an edge in points. Individually, the player performed admirably, while FaZe made a few errors which allowed this score difference to occur. However, their opponents were slightly short of what was needed for a decisive victory in the end.

FaZe Clan won against Rare Atom 2:0 — 13:8 and 13:9.

The stream

As a longtime Counter-Strike fan with years of watching and playing the game under my belt, I must say that the opening match of Day 1 at the CS2 BLAST Premier Fall Showdown 2024 between FaZe and Rare Atom was an absolute thrill. With my heart pounding in anticipation, I watched as these two skilled teams battled it out on the virtual battlefield, each round bringing new twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. It’s experiences like this one that remind me why I love this game so much – the excitement, the strategy, and the sheer skill on display are unmatched in any other esport I’ve encountered. If you haven’t checked out this match yet, I highly recommend it – you won’t be disappointed!

Who are Rare Atom?

In the world of CS, everyone’s familiar with FaZe Clan, but let me tell you about a fresh face on the top-tier scene – Rare Atom.

The team competing hails from China. They emerged victorious in the C-tier tournament, the 5E Arena Asia Cup Fall 2024, which qualified them for the BLAST Premier Fall Showdown. Another tournament they recently triumphed in is the Intel Extreme Masters Rio 2024: Asian Qualifier.

The team is out of the BLAST Premier Fall Showdown 2024, but we can meet them again.