G2 move past 3DMAX to set up MOUZ clash in Malta

NiKo put on another inspired performance to lead his team to victory in the playoffs.

G2 are through to the quarter-final stage of ESL Pro League Season 19 after a 2-1 victory over 3DMAX. The international team looked off the pace during the first two maps but ended the series with a bang as they completely dominated their opponents thanks to another sensational performance by Nikola "⁠NiKo⁠" Kovač, who posted a series-high 1.30 rating to take his tournament rating to 1.19.

"I can't really tell you, honestly," Rasmus "⁠HooXi⁠" Nielsen said after the match when asked about the reasons for NiKo's recent uptick in form. "One thing that we changed is that, before, TaZ was doing a lot of the CT work, and NiKo kind of felt disconnected from the game.

"Now he's having a bigger voice and that makes him feel the game a bit more. Confidence is a weird thing. It's just a momentum-based thing. Now he's got some wind in his sails. Let's hope he continues like that."

With this victory, G2 have set up a quarter-final clash with MOUZ. The last time the two teams faced off was in the semi-finals of IEM Chengdu, with Kamil "⁠siuhy⁠" Szkaradek's side running out 2-0 victors.

Date	Matches
ESL Pro League Season 19
09/05/2024	MOUZ 19:30 G2	Match

G2 found themselves trailing their opponents 7-1 on Nuke after a poor start to the T side on their map pick. After a series of wild mistakes, G2 stabilized and got the deficit down to four rounds before turning the game around with a masterclass defensive performance.

Anubis followed the same pattern as the previous map as G2 came out looking sluggish before making a slight comeback before the end of the half. NiKo stepped up in the following pistol round with a stunning Glock flick in a 3K, but G2's momentum was soon derailed as 3DMAX won three rounds in a row to lock down the map.

Inferno began with 3DMAX winning the pistol round but failing to convert the follow-up. G2 took control of the game after that, and they could have secured an 8-4 lead if they didn't waste a 5v3 situation in the final round after NiKo's double through a smoke.

The Bosnian player showed all of his dazzling qualities on the CT side, where G2 were in control from the get-go. He racked up 11 frags and averaged a stunning 160 ADR as his team went on a quick 6-1 run to secure the map and set up a quarter-final clash with MOUZ on Thursday.

"Definitely not at all happy with this performance," HooXi said after the match. "Our T sides are lacking a lot of stuff, and we're making a lot of mistakes. I'm super happy with the individual level the guys are showing. They are highlight machines, and that's what we need.

"We haven't played beautiful CS at all, and then you need to show up individually to get things done. Of course, I am happy with the win, but there are definitely a ton of things to work on."