The IEM Cologne 2022 Grand Finals participants are set, as Na’Vi and FaZe Clan are headed towards a rematch from the recent PGL Antwerp Major. Both teams made short work of their opponents in the semis, with Na’Vi besting Astralis and FaZe Clan putting a stop to Movistar Riders’ incredible run at the tournament.
Na’Vi were first on the scene, opening the Semi-Finals on Astralis’s Nuke. The Ukrainian team took the initiative from the get-go, capitalizing on their CT-side lead and closing out the map shortly after. Mirage on the other hand was a completely different affair, with Astralis opening the map with a commanding 13-2 CT side. Na’Vi rallied in the second half, slowly eating away at the lead before sending the map to overtime. Astralis ultimately failed to recover from Na’Vi’s onslaught, as the Ukrainian team sailed away to a clean victory, earning themselves a spot in the Grand Finals.
Despite the clash of titans in the opening series, all eyes during the Semi’s were on Movistar Riders and their series against FaZe Clan. The series opened on Movistar’s Ancient, where they quickly fell behind the better-organized side of FaZe. When all hope seemed lost, Movistar’s dev1g pulled rabbit after rabbit out of his hat as the Spanish inquisition tried to come back, before FaZe ultimately closed out the map. Hopes were high in Movistar’s favor heading into Nuke. After a number of back and forths, FaZe managed to pull away and set the final nail in the coffin, ending Movistar Rider’s Cinderella story at Cologne.
While Astralis has shown glimpses of their past form with their updated roster, Movistar Riders leave the event having successfully put Spanish CS:GO on the map. While their incredible run at the event might be over, the teamwork and composure Movistar showed have definitely propelled them into the upper echelons of competitive CS:GO.
Heading into the Grand Finals, we’ve got a rematch from the PGL Antwerp Major between two of the absolute best CS:GO teams currently. Na’Vi will be looking to redeem their loss from Antwerp, while FaZe looks poised to continue their phenomenal streak in 2022.
FaZe Clan vs. Natus Vincere
Interestingly enough, it’s Na’Vi who are the favorites to take home the gold at IEM Cologne 2022. Their recent roster changes have done little to compromise their form, as the revamped Ukrainian roster is hungry for revenge heading into the series.
Both teams have shown incredible form at Cologne, with FaZe yet to drop a map in a series so far. While s1mple is still the main cog in Na’Vi’s machinery, other players have shown flashes of greatness as well. Truth be told, the series could very well be decided on how s1mple turns up to play. While the teamwork of FaZe is their advantage, nobody on their roster can go head-to-head with s1mple.
Taking into account FaZe’s last victory over Na’Vi, this series is leaning towards more of a pick-em, if not slightly in FaZe’s favor. With such good CS:GO betting odds on a FaZe victory, the value bet potential here is enormous. Our pick for the IEM Cologne 2022 Grand Finals easily goes to FaZe Clan.
Pick: FaZe Clan
Odds: 2.17
Bookmaker: GGBET
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