FaZe take third at PGL Bucharest

Complexity could not end their promising run with a final victory.

FaZe have secured third place at PGL Bucharest thanks to a 2-0 victory over Complexity, besting the NA side on Dust2 (13-10) and Inferno (13-11).

Dust2 was more straightforward for FaZe than the scoreline suggests, as they were comfortably the better side in gun rounds. The European side bounced back from an 0-2 start on their CT side by picking up seven rounds in a row, and then racked up five on the bounce to start their T side and secure map point, making the final result a formality.

Complexity showed more fight on Inferno, targeting the A bombsite repeatedly on their offense to great success, putting pressure on new Pit anchor Håvard "⁠rain⁠" Nygaard. FaZe answered back on their own offense, consistently out-calling Complexity in the mid-round and getting impact multi-kills from David "⁠frozen⁠" Čerňanský when required, ensuring smooth sailing to the final result.

frozen 3K rescues a 2v4 situation

FaZe take baby steps forwards in Bucharest

FaZe's 2025 has not been pretty thus far. The only playoff appearances they have made have been in lesser-attended PGL events, and weaknesses have been apparent as they seek to integrate Jonathan "⁠EliGE⁠" Jablonowski.

"It felt like we've been making some progress recently," Filip "⁠NEO⁠" Kubski opined in a post-match interview with James "⁠BanKs⁠" Banks, and based on FaZe's performances in Bucharest, that is at least minimally the case.

FaZe battered 3DMAX earlier in the playoffs, arguably could have beaten Falcons in the semi-final, and looked better by the eye test in many maps throughout this tournament.

Helvijs "⁠broky⁠" Saukants showed an overall improved performance in Romania, poor semi-final against Falcons aside, and EliGE is looking slightly more comfortable and having some good maps.

Complexity's promising run is over, but the future looks bright

Complexity have been the biggest surprise of the tournament, casting off their poor start to the year with aplomb. Michael "⁠Grim⁠" Wince and Håkon "⁠hallzerk⁠" Fjærli were in mighty form to help guide Complexity to the playoffs, and their step up in performance was arguably the key factor for Complexity.

Unfortunately for the NA side, the form of the aforementioned duo dried up today. Danny "⁠Cxzi⁠" Strzelczyk continued to provide impact, but it wasn't enough to handle FaZe without support.

Regardless of today's game, Complexity can hold their heads up high. If hallzerk and Grim can hang on to a least some semblance of their recent form, Complexity can be a threat in future LAN events.