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Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024: Elimination Stage Round 1 Predictions
After a very exciting Shanghai Major Opening Stage that saw eight teams advance to the Elimination Phase, the tournament enters another critical Swiss round in the Elimination Stage, where qualified teams will now join eight others who were seeded directly into this phase.
One key dynamic in these early games plays around the discussion of whether teams coming from the Opening Stage have a slight advantage or not. Having played at least three matches (two BO1's and one BO3), they’ve had the chance to adapt to the infraestructure, acclimate to the environment, and refine their strategies.
In contrast, teams debuting in this stage can be considered better and more rested than their Opening Phase opponents, but may take time to find their rhythm, creating a fascinating interplay.
Let’s break down the Round 1 matchups of this elimination phase.
G2 Esports vs. The MongolZ
This matchup pits one of the fans' favorites, G2 Esports, against one of the best forces from Asia, The MongolZ. G2 enters with the pedigree of a top-tier team, but The MongolZ have proven themselves resilient with a flawless 3-0 run in the Opening Stage, boasting a remarkable round differential of +37. Their performances suggest they are not just here to make up the numbers.
G2, on the other hand, starts its tournament journey with all eyes on Nikola “NiKo” Kovač and Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov to deliver. While G2’s LAN experience and tactical depth favor them, they might face an unexpectedly sharp opponent. The MongolZ’s ability to maintain composure in BO1 scenarios will be their primary weapon, and a strong start could set the tone for an upset.
Prediction: The MongolZ will upset G2, but they will not pull this off easily.
Natus Vincere vs. Team Liquid
This clash brings arguably the current best team in the world, Natus Vincere, against Team Liquid, one of the strongest performers from the Opening Stage. Liquid’s 3-0 record reflect their solid form, with standout plays from Mareks “YEKINDAR” Gaļinskis and Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken.
Na’Vi, debuting in this stage, will rely on individual brilliance of stars like Valerii "b1t" Vakhovskyi and strategic masterclasses from Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen. However, their potential rustiness might make them vulnerable in a BO1 format, particularly against a Liquid squad that has already warmed up. Liquid’s sharpness could create openings, but Na’Vi’s ability to adapt is likely to close the gap.
Prediction: Na’Vi has what it takes to prevail in this battle, but a Liquid win is fully possible.
Team Spirit vs. FURIA
Team Spirit, fresh off a stellar year, faces a FURIA team that clawed its way into the Elimination Stage with a 3-1 record. Key players like Danil “donk” Kryshkovets and Dmitriy “sh1ro” Sokolov continue to fire on all cylinders, making Spirit a tough opponent to beat.
FURIA’s path so far was average, with a narrow round differential of just +3 despite their 3-1 winning record. While players like Kaike "KSCERATO" Cerato and Yuri "yuurih" Santos bring a lot of firepower, FURIA’s occasional lapses could be exploited by Team Spirit. To make things worse for Furia, they are 0-8 against Spirit in their recent form.
Prediction: Team Spirit’s will increase their win streak and beat Furia once again.
Team Vitality vs. GamerLegion
Team Vitality’s roster begins its campaign against GamerLegion, one of the surprise performers from the Opening Stage. GamerLegion’s 3-1 record was a joy to follow, but their negative round differential (-8) hints at heavy vulnerabilities, especially when facing elite opposition.
Mathieu "ZywOo" Herbaut remains Vitality’s trump card, with his recent performances reaffirming his status as one of the best players in the world. The French map pool and individual skill make them overwhelming favorites, but GamerLegion’s sharpness could allow them to exploit any early hesitancy from Vitality.
Prediction: Vitality dominates, ZywOo shines, and GamerLegion will not be able to resist the pressure.
MOUZ vs. paiN Gaming
MOUZ, ranked fifth in the world, takes on paiN Gaming, who hard-earned a 3-1 record and a +16 round differential. paiN’s form on maps like Vertigo and Anubis has been stellar, and they’ll need every ounce of that confidence to challenge MOUZ’s structured approach.
Jimi “Jimpphat” Salo and Kamil "siuhy" Szkaradek are the difference makers for MOUZ, delivering performances and the reason that makes them favorites in this clash. However, paiN is a team that can cause problems, especially if they control the map veto and if their smart IGL Rodrigo “biguzera” Bittencourt pulls a rabbit out of the hat.
Prediction: MOUZ wins, with paiN making it as close as possible.
FaZe Clan vs. Wildcard
FaZe Clan enters the tournament with experience and talent, but Wildcard’s "all-or-nothing" mentality makes them an unpredictable opponent. Players like Aran "Sonic" Groesbeek and Peter “stanislaw” Jarguz have shown they can rise to the occasion and they’ll look to capitalize on any early mistakes from FaZe.
For FaZe, the trio of Robin “ropz” Kool, Helvijs "broky" Saukants, and Finn "karrigan" Andersen remains their success factor. Their tactical brilliance and individual ability to clutch rounds should be enough to secure their first BO1 victory in this tournament.
Prediction: FaZe secures a win with WildCard pulling off some interesting stunts.
Heroic vs BIG
Heroic is seen by many as the favorites, with strong performances from the team on maps like Mirage and Ancient. BIG, however, has shown impressive resilience, with Karim "Krimbo" Moussa and Florian "syrsoN" Rische leading their qualification to this elimination stage.
While Heroic has been dominant on the two maps we mentioned before, they’ve shown vulnerability on Vertigo and Nuke. BIG, on the other hand, has excelled on Dust2 and Ancient but struggles on Vertigo. This one will also be a very close contest.
Prediction: We are going against the tide and will put BIG to win, capitalizing on their participation on the previous phase to edge HEROIC.
3DMAX vs MIBR
3DMAX enters as the (very slight) favorite, they’ve been in solid form lately and have a well-rounded map pool. MIBR, while capable, struggled on the previous phase and will need to heavily rely on Felipe "insani" Yuji and Rafael "saffee" Costa if they want to progress in this competition, particularly on Nuke where they’ve shown promising resilience.
3DMAX’s consistency on maps like Vertigo and Inferno gives them the edge. MIBR will need to exploit weaker maps to have a chance, but 3DMAX’s are the favorites for sure.
Prediction: 3DMAX wins, with MiBR needing more than a good performance to avoid losing.
Who is winning the first match of Elimination Phase?
The Opening Stage has set the stage for a thrilling Elimination Stage, with teams like The MongolZ, Liquid, and paiN bringing momentum and sharpness against some of the best teams in the world. The BO1 format adds an extra layer of unpredictability, ensuring that every round and decision matters.
As the Elimination Phase action unfolds, make sure to stay tuned to Strafe for real-time updates of all matches and follow our Social Media and Youtube channel for exclusive content!
Feature image credits: Perfect World
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