Over time, there may be one factor that has eluded NiKo in his Counter-Strike profession. Cologne and Katowice? Executed. However the Main is CS’ best 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 probabilities. At PGL Main Stockholm 2021, his G2 facet was outclassed by NAVI within the Closing. These two failures on the ultimate hurdle will hang-out NiKo for so long as there’s a obvious hole in his trophy cupboard.
NiKo’s final Main ultimate didn’t go to plan. Credit score: Luc Bouchon | PGL
NiKo’s Falcons transfer might jeopardize his Main hopes
Quickly to be 28 years outdated and virtually a decade of aggressive play below his belt, NiKo’s shelf-life on the prime is extraordinary. He’s proven no indicators of slowing down, nevertheless it’s well-publicized that NiKo is about 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 in terms of profitable a Main.
When he goes to Falcons, he joins a workforce with seemingly limitless assets. They’ll encompass NiKo with one of the best gamers on the very best salaries in pursuit of victory. But, they did the identical factor in 2024, and the outcomes have been frankly embarrassing. Failure after failure, their high-profile gamers regarded a shadow of their former selves. Now, Falcons get to do it once more in 2025. A brand new rebuild with new gamers.
Credit score: Excellent World
Does this imply all Falcons gamers are in it for the cash? No. NiKo’s iteration of the workforce might work out, and I’ll be left right here trying very foolish. However getting 5 gamers to affix a workforce with some, let’s say, “repute points,” all within the title of profitable a Main whereas remaining as hungry as ever, is tough. Not inconceivable, but when 2024 has proven us something, it’s that will probably be NiKo’s best problem but.
That is made much more tough 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 method this roster will be concerned in a Main subsequent 12 months, 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 likelihood in years
Credit score: Excellent World
Check out the Playoffs Bracket for the PW Shanghai Main 2024. In case you’re G2 and NiKo, it’s sort of the dream draw. On G2’s facet, 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 ought to be Vitality, however no matter which of the 2 progress, this G2 roster has constantly overwhelmed each of those groups. Vitality offers the largest menace, however G2 will in all probability nonetheless go in as favorites, ought to they get there.
So let’s assume then that G2 do the arduous stuff, and win their facet of the bracket. Who will they face within the Closing? I don’t suppose it issues. The powerful video games are on their facet of the bracket. All of The MongolZ, Liquid, and MOUZ are groups that, in present type, G2 ought to beat handily. MOUZ might shock them, however their stage nerves proceed to be an issue. That simply leaves Spirit (and I believe will probably be Spirit).
Credit score: Excellent World
G2 beat Spirit again within the RMR, and completely dominated them within the BLAST World Closing 2024 Grand Closing. 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 actually particular from donk, too.
So, trying on the bracket, G2 have all the pieces they should go all the best way. It’s NiKo’s greatest likelihood to win a Main in years. With the clock ticking, we predict it’d simply be his final likelihood.
