Loading…
GUIDES
Simple Radar
© 2026 TLDR Media, All Rights Reserved.
A legend returns as new ones are being written at BLAST World Finals.
Get out your hot chocolate, peppermint bark or whatever Christmas treat of choice. It’s time for playoffs at BLAST World Finals, and the last top tier CS of the year.
It seems G2 saw FaZe dominate the start of CS2 and went “Let’s have some of that.”
Say hello to G2 TaZ. Not what we had on our bingo cards, but we ain’t complaining.
If this name is new to you and you can’t see the connection to FaZe, let’s catch you up real quick. God, we feel old.
TaZ was part of the longest-standing roster in history, the Polish incarnation of Virtus.pro. They won several big events between 2014-2017, including a Major, which earned them the nickname Virtus Plow for rolling over their opponents.
One of TaZ’ teammates was NEO. Ring a bell? NEO has been coaching FaZe since the summer.
Although TaZ was an IGL and not a coach, his ex-teammate NEO has created the template that he can follow as he returns to this new role: Settle in for a few events, learn the ropes, and get to know your teammates. Then, win every trophy in front of you and become the #1 team in the world. Seems easy.
Okay, maybe we’re oversimplifying things, but we know that TaZ contributes something to G2 that can elevate the players: A winner’s experience.
TaZ has won a Major, while G2 only have players who know how to lose a Major. Plus, he gets to use this experience to keep NiKo in check. If NiKo ever acts up, TaZ can just dangle that Major medal in front of him like a carrot on a stick.
Whether or not TaZ will make a difference, we have no idea. But it’s the sort of risk that we can appreciate. Many top teams have also proven that dusting off an old champ and putting them in the coaching seat can pay off.
In any case, FaZe vs G2 matches will be even spicier now, especially if TaZ rocks up in his Mercedes.
sings ENCE, ENCE are falling apaaaart, again. sings
It’s the worst kept secret in Counter-Strike that the ENCE players probably won’t be sticking around to watch gla1ve cook. But there’s something a bit deeper going on.
Losing games happen, and their comeback on Ancient against NAVI was nothing short of superb, even if the prior capitulation was embarrassing. But it's not a good sign when your new IGL and coach both come out in interviews and complain that people don’t seem all that bothered.
kuben told BLAST.tv that it’d be nice to have players who wanted to play for the team, while gla1ve told HLTV that he didn’t think players were focused on the task at hand and that they’ve barely practiced. Terrific.
As TLDR’s man on the ground (aizyesque here), I can officially report that the vibes are… whatever the opposite of immaculate.
Even while losing, NAVI were communicating well and generally seemed to be in a good mood, but ENCE just seemed a bit off. There were no dramatic incidents or anything like that, but it’s clear that the chemistry isn’t there and that adding gla1ve and kuben isn’t the solution to their woes.
ENCE got two-zipped by Cloud9 and exited Abu Dhabi early after a loss to NAVI and only slightly outdoing Heroic. The team that most of ENCE’s roster is allegedly transferring to.
Speaking of Heroic, their three stand-ins didn’t equal success.
Zyphon looked pretty tidy, but sjuush’ sudden switch to hard entry went about as well as one might expect, and TeSeS’ move to IGL seemed to affect his mechanics. Mind you, triple stand-in is a tough hand to play.
TLDR: Heroic and ENCE are out. Now, let’s have a look at the six remaining teams and which ones are looking strong as we head into Playoffs.
Aizyesque left Logan alone this week, so he invited DarfMike on to make fun of Elliott talk about NA CS and more
Vitality are ominous.
They’ve been largely unthreatened in their first two series, and even when they faced any kind of peril, they quickly snuffed it out.
During the Fall Final, there was a lingering doubt about whether mezii could settle into the team fast enough to not become a weakness. But those fears have been dispelled and now the only fear is whether this monster of a team is unstoppable.
mezii has been superb so far in clean 2-0s over Cloud9 and NAVI, and it doesn’t seem to have come at the cost of anyone else showing up. ZywOo is still ridiculous, Spinx is still one of the best rotation abusers in the world and flameZ and apEX still make up a dangerous entry pack.
FaZe are their most likely contenders, and they won an instant classic against G2 in overtime in typical fashion.
God mode NiKo was in attendance, as he dropped a 30 bomb in a regulation loss. In MR12. Think about that for a second. ropz put up 27, in fairness. It was one of those games where everyone had their moment. Well, almost.
HooXi’s moment was more for people who love schadenfreude. He dropped five kills when NiKo dropped 30. Not great.
karrigan, conversely, pulled out seven kills in two rounds to kick off overtime in map three, showing that classic FaZe leveling up when the pressure is on.
This leaves NAVI vs G2 as the late game today which is sure to be a banger, and Cloud9 vs MOUZ to end it off.
Cloud9 and MOUZ have both been confusing and inconsistent, but Cloud9 at least have their full roster. NAVI have shown glimpses of being a top-tier team, but if NiKo shows up again like yesterday, you can’t see them getting a map, never mind the series.
