SAW defeat Complexity to reach FPG semi-finals

The Portuguese squad will face TYLOO in the final four.

SAW are through to the Fissure Playground 1 semi-finals after beating Complexity in a three-map series in which the two teams won each other’s maps before settling matters on Nuke. This is the second Americas team the Portuguese eliminate in Belgrade after dispatching of FURIA in the group stage.

The series started on Anubis, where Complexity squeezed one more rep before the map gets changed out of the pool for Overpass. It didn’t go as planned, however, as SAW got off to an early lead starting on the favored T side, which they capped off 8-4 with a B rush before the switch.

Complexity started a comeback bid on their map the same way, with a B rush after losing the second pistol round, and brought it within two, 7-9, but couldn’t close the gap. João "⁠story⁠" Vieira stamped a key round with a 1vs2 clutch by story, who got his team on map point after killing two and defusing, clearing the way for the Portuguese team to go up 1-0.

SAW were the big favorites on Inferno and started out showing why with an early 4-1 lead, but Complexity were far from bowing out as they won four in a row in what would end up being a 6-6 half. The second half included a blunder by Complexity, who failed to capitalize on an advantage and were timed out of a round on the B site, but otherwise cruised to a 13-9 victory.

Nick "⁠nicx⁠" Lee, whose Inferno performance helped Complexity push it to Nuke, where the Americans made the best of starting on the CT side with an 8-4 half, had a highlight moment with a triple spraydown, once again stepping up when needed in a match that ended up going down to the wire.

SAW tried to wrangle in the lead after winning the second pistol round on the decider, but couldn’t contain Complexity, who ran off to a 12-8 lead to hit match point. Winded and with little money, it looked like the Portuguese squad would be down and out, but a triple by Christopher "⁠MUTiRiS⁠" Fernandes kickstarted a final push that made it all the way to overtime.

Date	Matches
FISSURE Playground 1
19/07/2025	TYLOO 14:00 SAW	Match

The two teams were still locked after the first overtime, but then two T-side rounds tipped the scales in favor of the Portuguese, who then won two more on the CT side to end it 19-16 and secure a top four finish.

SAW will now lock horns with TYLOO. The Chinese squad have been on a tear with coach WeiJie "⁠zhokiNg⁠" Zhong as a stand-in, but will once again have their trusty AWPer Dongkai "⁠Jee⁠" Ji for the semi-final bout as he is schedule to arrive in Serbia early on Saturday morning.