The long-awaited maiden Counter-Strike 2 Main is lastly right here. The PGL Copenhagen CS2 Main is scheduled to start this weekend on March 17 and one of the best groups from around the globe will likely be taking the stage in Denmark, although a number of legendary people will miss the occasion.
Throughout every Counter-Strike Main cycle, a number of favourite groups are defeated by underdogs. Mixed with the arguably flawed Buchholz system and the Swiss format, large names fail to qualify for the Valve-sponsored tournaments sometimes.
Listed here are eight of essentially the most notable gamers to overlook out on the primary CS2 Main in Denmark.
Magisk and dupreeh
Let’s begin by breaking down the elephants within the room, who on this case are Magisk and dupreeh—the earlier Main winners with Crew Vitality. The Danish duo conquered the stage in Paris final Could and went their separate methods as Magisk joined Falcons whereas dupreeh ended up in Preasy. Expectations have been sky-high for Magisk and far more grounded for dupreeh, however they each met the identical destiny—knocked out within the EU RMR.
For each gamers, it’s an enormous letdown. It’s the primary Main in Denmark, and lacking such an occasion in your house nation is all the time heartbreaking. Dupreeh holds the file for essentially the most Majors received in CS:GO with 5 to his identify and attended each CS Main previous to Copenhagen—all 19 of them. Magisk can be no newcomer to Valve-sponsored occasions, with 4 trophies beneath his belt. The kings are lifeless, lengthy dwell the kings? We’ll see quickly sufficient.
Dev1ce
Since we’re speaking about Danes, let’s not overlook one other historic participant from that nation who received’t have the possibility to shine in entrance of the house crowd: dev1ce. The AWPer is a part of Astralis, which assembled a real Danish superteam by the top of final yr and seemed to rekindle the type of outdated. But, the superteam imploded quickly and likewise completed within the backside eight on the RMR.Â
For Astralis itself, it’s going to be a 3rd Main missed in a row, so one might argue the legendary group has grown used to lacking Valve’s tournaments. However you’ll be able to’t assist however really feel for dev1ce who, like Magisk, holds 4 Main titles. Extra importantly, attributable to his excellent kind between 2015 and 2019, he was thought of by many to be one of the best participant on the earth.
He nonetheless has the brilliance as he recorded solely two occasions with rankings beneath one within the final 4 years based on stats website HLTV, and it’s this plus his legacy why his absence in Copenhagen pains CS2 followers.
Twistzz and cadiaN
While you point out superteams imploding, you’ll be able to’t miss Crew Liquid. The North American group pulled a number of strings within the final switch window and introduced in names like Twistzz and cadiaN—however their plan for Main qualification backfired spectacularly.
Each are Counter-Strike legends for various causes. Twistzz is an Intel Grand Slam and Main winner, together with his former FaZe Clan squad thought of the strongest within the recreation within the early days of CS2. CadiaN and his former workforce Heroic additionally fought for the highest spot dozens of occasions lately.
Nonetheless, the Danish IGL made himself identified to the neighborhood by means of his unmatched ardour, power, and dedication. Having two distinguished figures miss the primary CS2 Main will definitely make it much less thrilling.
Snax
Snax is a choose who could also be shocking to many for the reason that Polish legend hasn’t made a Main for the reason that FACEIT London CS:GO Main in 2018. However, after becoming a member of GamerLegion in October 2023 off the again of a shock grand closing spot in Paris, a Main reappearance was anticipated—particularly for the reason that squad usually had respectable finishes in different tournaments within the meantime.Â
Snax wasn’t that removed from making it to Copenhagen. GamerLegion went 2-3 within the RMR after which misplaced to 9Pandas within the closing recreation of the Final Probability Qualifier. It was shut however no cigar, and positively a punch to the Polish legend who received the Main 10 years in the past in Katowice. If something, although, we’re sure this failure fuels him and GamerLegion to work even tougher earlier than the next Shanghai Main.
KRIMZ
KRIMZ is a real CS:GO and Fnatic legend who’s been with the group for nearly ten years now (other than a brief break in 2016). The 29-year-old is the one energetic participant on the highest stage to be a part of the legendary Fnatic workforce who dominated the CS:GO scene in 2015 and 2016. Every participant from that lineup is absent in Copenhagen and hasn’t attended a Main shortly, with KRIMZ being an exception from the latter, attending two earlier occasions in Rio de Janeiro and Paris.
Moreover, prior to now few months, Fnatic has been in poor kind, so the roster lacking the Main is all however shocking, however KRIMZ’s absence will all the time be felt. In spite of everything, he’s a real legend of the competitors who remodeled the way in which CS:GO was performed quite a few occasions. Fnatic established the primary true period of domination within the earlier model of the video games, they usually went down in historical past as a roster for the ages.
S1mple
Final however not least, we have to point out the most important GOAT of Counter-Strike. The person, the parable, the legend: s1mple. Regardless of redefining CS:GO quite a few occasions, the Ukrainian star will miss the occasion in Denmark attributable to a break from competitors he took by the top of 2023.
Nonetheless, s1mple’s extra of an honorable point out as a result of technically he’s an official substitute for Natus Vincere in case issues go south and one of many fundamental gamers picks up and damage or sickness. However this virtually by no means occurs on the Majors, so the star will very possible miss the occasion.
S1mple introduced his return at IEM Katowice 2024 after which subbed in for Falcons at BLAST Premier Spring Showdown 2024, however they have been defeated within the first spherical by Metizport. On the time of writing, s1mple’s future stays unsure, and it’ll in all probability stay that approach till the top of the Main.
