On October 27, 2024, SAW stunned B8 Esports 2-0 in the decisive grand final of ESL Challenger Katowice 2024. In a dominant performance, SAW won their first international LAN trophy on their debut offline event, earning a $50,000 prize and a coveted slot in the ESL Pro League Season 21. This tournament, held in the heart of Poland, brought together top-tier teams to compete for a share of a $100,000 prize pool and a key spot in the global CS2 competitive landscape.
In the grand final, SAW defeated B8 Esports, with the Portuguese team demonstrating great skill and unity. The best-of-three series took place on two maps, Ancient and Nuke, where SAW outperformed their Ukrainian opponents. SAW’s victory scores were 13:3 on Ancient and 13:5 on Nuke, demonstrating their tournament domination and superb coordination, resulting in a spotless triumph.
Ancient was the opening battleground, and SAW quickly took control with a resounding 13:3 victory. Ricardo “roman” Oliveira led the way, setting the tone for the rest of the team with his consistent, aggressive play and immaculate execution in the first duels. SAW’s defensive techniques slowed B8’s progress, effectively neutralizing Andrii “npl” Kukharskyi, one of the team’s best players. The team swiftly shifted to the second map, Nuke, where SAW maintained their lead with a 13:5 victory, securing the championship.
SAW’s route to the ESL Challenger Katowice 2024 finals was anything but simple. Weeks before the event, the team had internal strife. Rafael “arrozdoce” Wing and coach Danny “BERRY” Krüger departed the team abruptly. Despite these changes, SAW’s synergy was strengthened, with André “Ag1l” Gil emerging as a key addition to the roster. His arrival strengthened SAW’s defensive abilities and adaptability, leading them to the grand final.
The ESL Challenger Katowice victory follows a semi-final loss at the ESL Challenger Atlanta event, where SAW was favored but faltered against BIG. The tournament exit was a low point that prompted internal restructuring and player changes. Arrozdoce was benched after deciding to leave the team at the end of the year, allowing an opportunity for SAW to rebuild and fine-tune their tactics. This shift paved the way for the overwhelming win they eventually secured in Poland.
The $100,000 prize pool at ESL Challenger Katowice was split among the top teams, with SAW winning the lion’s share of $50,000 and immediate qualification to the coveted ESL Pro League Season 21. B8 won a respectable $20,000 for coming in second place, while Monte and paiN Gaming each received $10,000 for making it to the semifinals.
SAW’s qualification for ESL Pro League Season 21 places them among the world’s best, offering an ideal platform for the team to build upon their momentum from Katowice. Competing in the Pro League will expose SAW to top-tier competition and provide them with the opportunity to refine their tactics against some of the most experienced teams in CS2.