Over time, there may be one factor that has eluded NiKo in his Counter-Strike profession. Cologne and Katowice? Completed. However the Main is CS’ biggest prize, and NiKo is arguably one of the best CS participant by no means so as to add one to his trophy assortment.
It’s a story that dominates each Main NiKo performs in. Is that this lastly the one? On the ELEAGUE Main Boston 2018, he was one spherical from glory in opposition to underdogs Cloud9, and nonetheless couldn’t shut it out with six possibilities. At PGL Main Stockholm 2021, his G2 aspect was outclassed by NAVI within the Ultimate. These two failures on the ultimate hurdle will hang-out NiKo for so long as there’s a evident hole in his trophy cupboard.
NiKo’s final Main ultimate didn’t go to plan. Credit score: Luc Bouchon | PGL
NiKo’s Falcons transfer may jeopardize his Main hopes
Quickly to be 28 years previous and nearly a decade of aggressive play underneath his belt, NiKo’s shelf-life on the prime is extraordinary. He’s proven no indicators of slowing down, but it surely’s well-publicized that NiKo is ready to make the cash transfer to Falcons after the PW Shanghai Main 2024. Their run in Shanghai has been touted because the “final dance” for this roster, however I reckon it’d simply be NiKo’s final dance relating to profitable a Main.
When he goes to Falcons, he joins a workforce with seemingly countless assets. They’ll encompass NiKo with one of the best gamers on the best salaries in pursuit of victory. But, they did the identical factor in 2024, and the outcomes had been frankly embarrassing. Failure after failure, their high-profile gamers appeared a shadow of their former selves. Now, Falcons get to do it yet again in 2025. A brand new rebuild with new gamers.
Credit score: Good World
Does this imply all Falcons gamers are in it for the cash? No. NiKo’s iteration of the workforce may work out, and I’ll be left right here trying very foolish. However getting 5 gamers to hitch a workforce with some, let’s say, “fame points,” all within the identify of profitable a Main whereas remaining as hungry as ever, is troublesome. Not unimaginable, but when 2024 has proven us something, it’s that will probably be NiKo’s biggest problem but.
That is made much more troublesome by the brand new CS2 circuit all through 2025. Invitations for all Tier 1 tournaments might be made by the Valve Regional Standings. Falcons’ earlier roster at the moment sits at 45 in these rankings, and with solely Magisk staying, they’ll have to begin from the underside. NiKo, in 2025, grinding on-line CS2 tournaments for factors. It’s a loopy thought, however will probably be the one approach this roster might be concerned in a Main subsequent yr, not to mention win one. That’s why we predict Shanghai 2024 could possibly be his final shot at glory.
PW Shanghai Main 2024 is NiKo’s greatest probability in years
Credit score: Good World
Check out the Playoffs Bracket for the PW Shanghai Main 2024. If you happen to’re G2 and NiKo, it’s type of the dream draw. On G2’s aspect, they need to beat Heroic. Then, they face both the winner of Vitality or FaZe Clan. For me, this matchup decides your complete occasion. It needs to be Vitality, however no matter which of the 2 progress, this G2 roster has persistently overwhelmed each of those groups. Vitality offers the largest risk, however G2 will most likely nonetheless go in as favorites, ought to they get there.
So let’s assume then that G2 do the onerous stuff, and win their aspect of the bracket. Who will they face within the Ultimate? I don’t suppose it issues. The powerful video games are on their aspect of the bracket. All of The MongolZ, Liquid, and MOUZ are groups that, in present type, G2 ought to beat handily. MOUZ may shock them, however their stage nerves proceed to be an issue. That simply leaves Spirit (and I believe will probably be Spirit).
Credit score: Good World
G2 beat Spirit again within the RMR, and completely dominated them within the BLAST World Ultimate 2024 Grand Ultimate. G2 has Spirit’s quantity, and there’s been no proof suggesting this has modified on the PW Shanghai Main 2024. In particular person duels, NiKo has been one of many solely gamers capable of muzzle donk. It might take an out-of-character efficiency from Spirit to win that matchup, and certain one thing really particular from donk, too.
So, trying on the bracket, G2 have all the things they should go all the way in which. It’s NiKo’s greatest probability to win a Main in years. With the clock ticking, we predict it’d simply be his final probability.
