Due to unfortunate seedings, only one North American representative made it out of the PGL Copenhagen Major RMR. Team Liquid and Complexity had to eliminate each other for the final slot at Counter-Strike’s biggest stage.
Complexity and Team Liquid were both handed their first loss by FURIA, 1-2 for Complexity and 10-13 for Team Liquid. Due to the Buchholz System’s seedings, the two North American squads, who had a 2-1 standing, were set to play against each other in the final match of the RMR to determine qualification and elimination.
When the matchup was revealed, fans from the United States and Canada had their hearts shattered, as only one of the two teams could punch tickets to the first Counter-Strike 2 Major. There were many complaints from fans, considering the two other matchups featured much weaker teams, such as ODDIK, paiN, and Legacy. Despite all the complaints, nothing could be done to change the seedings.
Inferno
The first map of the series was Inferno, picked by the Team Liquid side. The international roster proved that the map was their home ground, posting an impeccable Terrorist side, ending the half with an 8-4 lead.
Complexity didn’t go down without a fight, taking the second pistol round and converting the next two rounds for an 8-7 scoreline. However, cadiaN led by example, getting an Ace to shut down Complexity on Round 17. Team Liquid carried the momentum from the captain’s play to win the map 13-9.
Anubis
The following map on the list was Anubis, the choice of Complexity. The American-based squad is known to select Anubis as a comfort pick and immediately showed why on their CT side. Complexity could end the first half with a 7-5 lead on such a Terrorist-sided map.
Team Liquid had nothing going on in their defensive half, as Complexity won the pistol round and five straight rounds to end the map with a clean 13-5.
Overpass
Overpass would be the final battleground between the two teams. Five players will have their dreams crushed, while the other five will carry the torch to represent North America at the Major.
Unfortunately, it was an anti-climactic ending to this important series. Complexity won the first seven rounds to build a 7-0 lead on their Counter-Terrorist side. Team Liquid could punch back four rounds to end the 8-4, but that was not enough.
After converting the pistol round, Complexity took their offense step-by-step, trading rounds and eventually winning the map 13-7, taking the series.
Long live NA CounterStrike!
We’re headed to Copenhagen. pic.twitter.com/brIIsojrq6— Complexity ✭ (@Complexity) March 4, 2024
This was a crushing loss for the Team Liquid side, as two top 20 players of 2023, Twistzz and cadiaN, would miss the Major. Recall that Twistzz left FaZe Clan to pursue the project with Team Liquid. He went from the best team in the world to a squad that could not even qualify for the Major in the North American region, which is much weaker than Europe.
We’re eliminated from the Major RMR.
There are no words to say how disappointed we are – we built this team to win championships and we have failed to qualify for the most important one of the year. We appreciate the support from our fans and know that we will continue the…— Team Liquid CS (@TeamLiquidCS) March 4, 2024
Meanwhile, Jason Lake, who recently bought back the Complexity organization for $10 million, had some of his investments paid off already with the team’s success at the RMR. He expressed his gratitude on Twitter, thanking the team for their hard work.
From the bottom of my heart:
THANK YOU@EliGE @hallzerk @1grimcs @JTcsgo @floppyCSGO
WE’RE GOING TO THE MAJOR!!!!!!!!!!!! 🥳💙👍
— Jason Lake (@JasonBWLake) March 4, 2024
Complexity rifler, Grim, had recently sacrificed his hair to the Gods, and it paid off.
The Americas RMR is absolutely brutal, as losing two matches results in elimination. There is no safety net such as the Last Chance Qualifier conducted in the European RMRs.
Header: Complexity