What happened with CS in 2024?

Summary

In this candid reflection on the challenges and growth of a competitive CS:GO team throughout 2024, the speaker takes us through a rollercoaster journey of highs and lows. From initial successes, like qualifying for major tournaments and defeating top teams like Vitality and G2, to struggles with lineup changes, pressure, and missed opportunities, the team's resilience is tested. Despite setbacks and the tough decision to bench players and change strategies, new talent and a fresh coaching approach inject renewed hope. Heading into 2025, the team feels optimistic, confident that with time and consistency, they can achieve success.

Takeaways

• 😀 The journey was like a rollercoaster, with both highs and lows, including a lot of challenges and tough decisions along the way.
• 😀 The decision to bring in experienced players like Haters, Goofy, and Kyla was initially seen as a way to ease the transition, but ultimately didn't work out as hoped.
• 😀 The team qualified for the Copenhagen major, which was a positive moment, but faced strong competition from top-tier teams like G2 and Vitality.
• 😀 There was a strong start in some tournaments with upsets, including a memorable win against the Mongols, but luck and external factors also played a role in their success.
• 😀 Despite initial excitement, the team struggled later with consistency, especially after major tournaments like ESL Pro League and ARMAR qualifiers.
• 😀 There was internal pressure as the team tried to adjust to new changes, such as player rotations and tactical shifts, but results didn't always follow.
• 😀 Personalities and player dynamics played a role in performance, with some team members struggling to click and others being benched after changes in strategy.
• 😀 After the team's struggles, major roster changes were made, bringing in younger, more aggressive talents like Yala, Compass, and Jtripping to reinvigorate the squad.
• 😀 The new lineup brought positive results, notably a strong showing at the Elisa Masters, where the team reached playoffs and even secured a trophy.
• 😀 Heading into 2025, the focus is on finding consistency, as they continued to face tough losses, including overtime losses to Falcons in early tournaments.
• 😀 Despite setbacks, the team is optimistic about the future, believing that with the right players and improvements, good results are within reach.

Q & A

What was the initial reason for bringing in Haters, Goofy, and Kyla to the team?

The team decided to bring in Haters, Goofy, and Kyla to have an easier path into the major. They knew these players already had experience with the team and an existing bond, which would help them qualify more smoothly.

How did the team perform in the early part of the season?

Initially, the team performed well, securing some good upsets and qualifying for the major in Copenhagen. However, despite a strong start, the overall outcome didn't meet expectations.

What was the team's mindset heading into the Copenhagen Major?

The team had mixed feelings about the Copenhagen Major. While they knew it was going to be a tough challenge, they felt they had the chance to qualify and hoped to make a significant impact. Despite their efforts, they ultimately didn't perform as expected.

What were some of the strengths and weaknesses in the team's lineup?

The lineup had a good mix of experienced players, but there were concerns about not including younger talents who were more accustomed to CS2. The experience from CS:GO tournaments was a gamble that didn’t fully pay off in the long run.

What role did the team's strong early performance play in their morale?

The team's strong early performance, including an important win in Katowice and qualification for the main event, gave them a significant morale boost. The victories were especially meaningful as they played in Poland, where many of the players were from.

How did the team perform against top-tier teams like G2 and Vitality?

Despite being considered underdogs, the team managed to beat G2 and Vitality during the tournament. These unexpected victories allowed them to qualify for the playoffs, a result that exceeded their expectations.

What did the team learn from their experience at the Copenhagen Major?

The team learned that they could qualify for majors, but they also realized they needed to improve on certain aspects, especially dealing with aggressive playstyles from Brazilian teams. They had trouble adapting to these styles and didn't perform as expected.

What were the challenges faced by the team at the ESL Pro League?

At the ESL Pro League, the team struggled with consistency, losing to teams like Gamer Legion and failing to qualify from the group stages. The pressure and expectations from their previous successes affected their performance negatively.

Why did the team decide to make changes after the ESL Pro League?

The team decided to make changes because they were no longer performing at the expected level. Hades and Dua were benched, and new players like Party and S were brought in. The team hoped these changes would reinvigorate their playstyle and approach to tournaments.

What impact did the new roster changes have on the team?

The new roster changes, including the introduction of Party and S, brought a fresh dynamic to the team. While the results initially were mixed, the players began to develop a better understanding of their roles, and the mood improved with the new talent.

How did the team perform in the Elisa Masters in Finland?

The team performed well at the Elisa Masters, qualifying for the playoffs and eventually lifting the trophy after a strong performance in the semi-finals and a tough best-of-five final against Heroic. This was a significant achievement for the team and a morale boost after a rough year.

What were the team's main goals heading into 2025?

Heading into 2025, the team focused on improving their consistency. After a turbulent 2024, they aimed to refine their strategies and results, hoping for better performance and possibly breaking into the top ranks.