The Perfect World Shanghai Major concluded with an electrifying finale, as Team Spirit edged out FaZe Clan in a thrilling 2-1 victory. This triumph marks Spirit’s first CS2 Major Championship, with 17-year-old prodigy Danil “donk” Kryshkovets delivering an MVP-worthy performance that cements his legacy as one of the most remarkable rookies in Counter-Strike history.
Team Spirit’s victory at the Shanghai Major is their fourth championship of 2024, bookending a stellar year that began with their triumph at Katowice. However, this Major victory carries special significance, as it represents the culmination of donk’s extraordinary rookie season. At just 17 years old, donk becomes the youngest player ever to win both a CS2 Major and the Major MVP award, etching his name into the annals of Counter-Strike history.
Donk’s brilliance throughout the tournament not only secured the championship for Spirit but also reinforced his status as the best player of 2024. With his lethal precision, unmatched game sense, and consistent impact in critical moments, donk’s performances will be remembered as a benchmark for future stars.
👑 The kings of Counter-Strike 2! #ShanghaiMajor2024 pic.twitter.com/BErdPf0Hdh
— PGL (@pglesports) December 15, 2024
Spirit entered the Shanghai Major as one of the tournament favorites, but their journey was anything but smooth. After battling through five grueling rounds in the European RMR B, Spirit narrowly secured their spot in the Elimination Stage. Their struggles continued early on, suffering a first-round loss before rebounding with three consecutive victories to advance to the Playoffs.
In the Playoffs, Spirit demonstrated their dominance. They swept Team Liquid in the quarterfinals with clinical precision and overcame a resilient MOUZ team in a hard-fought semifinal to reach the grand finals. Despite these victories, Spirit faced their toughest challenge yet in FaZe Clan, who entered the finals with momentum and a hunger for their second Major title.
Grand Finals Recap: A Battle for the Ages
The grand finals kicked off on Nuke, with FaZe taking an early lead on the T-side by winning the pistol round. However, donk quickly shifted the momentum with a stunning triple kill in round two, sparking a four-round streak for Spirit. FaZe responded with three consecutive rounds, but Boris “magixx” Vorobiev stepped up with a standout performance to give Spirit a 7-5 lead at halftime.
In the second half, Spirit maintained their composure, winning three consecutive rounds and trading blows with FaZe in the latter stages of the map. Spirit ultimately secured a 13-8 victory on Nuke, with magixx leading the charge with 25 frags and donk contributing 20 kills to set the tone for the series.
FaZe rallied on Ancient, determined to level the series. Starting strong on the CT side, they took the first three rounds before donk delivered a jaw-dropping Ace in round four. Despite donk and magixx continuing their strong form, Robin “ropz” Kool stole the spotlight with a dominant performance, helping FaZe secure an 8-4 lead at halftime.
Spirit fought back in the second half, claiming the first two rounds, but FaZe proved unstoppable as they won five consecutive rounds to seal a 13-6 victory. Ropz finished the map with 25 frags, outshining donk and magixx and forcing the grand finals to a deciding third map.
The decider on Dust II showcased the very best of Counter-Strike. Spirit came out swinging on the CT side, dominating the first half to take an 8-4 lead. Donk and magixx continued to shine, with donk’s crisp aim and game sense creating significant impact in crucial rounds.
In the second half, Spirit raced to championship point at 12-7, but FaZe launched a valiant comeback with a six-round streak to push the game to the brink of overtime. In the final round of regulation, Dmitry “sh1ro” Sokolov delivered a breathtaking 1v2 clutch to secure the championship for Spirit.
Donk ended the decider with an extraordinary 30 frags, supported by magixx with 22 kills, as the duo combined for an impressive 69 total frags across the series. Their synergy and consistency were instrumental in Spirit’s triumph over a formidable FaZe roster.
#ShanghaiMajor2024 The moment Team Spirit wins the Major.
More Moments here: https://t.co/ng05IqwNa8 pic.twitter.com/FKCYhOMCJk
— CS_PerfectWorld (@CS_PerfectWorld) December 15, 2024
While Spirit celebrated their historic victory, FaZe Clan emerged as one of the tournament’s most compelling stories. Despite falling short of their second Major title, FaZe demonstrated incredible resilience and skill throughout the Shanghai Major.
Led by the experienced Finn “karrigan” Andersen, FaZe navigated a challenging bracket to reach the grand finals, including hard-fought victories over NAVI and G2 Esports. Ropz’s stellar performances were a highlight of their campaign, showcasing why he remains one of the world’s top players.
Although FaZe fell short in the grand finals, their second-place finish and $170,000 prize serve as a testament to their enduring strength as a team.
Team Spirit’s victory at the Shanghai Major is a defining moment in Counter-Strike history. With donk leading the charge, Spirit has emerged as a dominant force, and their triumph signals the dawn of a new era in CS2. As the competitive scene looks ahead to 2025, Spirit and FaZe are poised to remain at the forefront of the action, delivering more thrilling chapters in the ever-evolving saga of Counter-Strike.
