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Karrigan leads FaZe Clan to victory at PGL Major Antwerp 2022

fragster Henrieta 23. May 2022

The first CS:GO Major of the year concluded yesterday with a spectacular Grand Final victory of FaZe Clan over Natus Vincere. The Russian-Ukrainian powerhouse shattered under FaZe’s pressure and without scoring a map passed the Major title to the new champions. 

This marks the first Major title for FaZe, as well as the first win for an international team at a Valve-sponsored CS:GO event. Furthermore, it’s an especially significant moment for the team’s in-game-leader Finn “⁠karrigan⁠” Andersen along with rifler Håvard “⁠rain⁠” Nygaard, who were a part of the FaZe’s roster that let the trophy slip away back in ELEAGUE Boston Major 2018. 

When asked for comment by host James “⁠BanKs⁠” Banks on the stage of the Antwerps Sportpaleis arena, Karrigan said: 

“Never back down, doesn’t matter how hard life hits you. All I wanted in my life was to make history, an international team to win a major, and we fucking did it in here.”

“I’m stronger than I was in Boston and I think that showed today. Whatever we went through with this team, [we have] a positive mindset. We can lose a 1v5 and we can win the next round. Keep the focus on the moment. I’m just proud to call all these my teammates and I’m just so happy where I am right now. FaZe is my family.”

The 32-years-old Danish-German CS:GO legend led the team including Helvijs “broky” Saukants, Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken and Robin “ropz” Kool towards their third trophy this year, following victories at Intel Extreme Masters XVI Katowice and ESL Pro League Season 15 Grand Final. 

Rise to the top

FaZe Clan started their run at the PGL Major in Antwerp with a loss against ENCE. However, they quickly recovered and swept through the Legends stage, upsetting Bad News Eagles, Cloud9 and Copenhagen Flames along the way. 

In, by many anticipated Grand Final clash of the world’s top two CS:GO rosters, FaZe did not let NAVI get into the lead and kept their cool even at times when they were driven into the corner. 

The first map saw FaZe select Inferno and start with a strong 8-0 lead, but NAVI got on their feet and did not give the win so easily. They answered by winning five rounds as defenders and followed by tying the game with a remarkable T-side that sent the map to overtime. In the end, FaZe managed to finish the first matchup with a 19-16 score. 

The second game on Nuke picked by NAVI was much more one-sided, with a slow start on their T side followed by FaZe domination. FaZe got a strong eco advantage thanks to Rain’s incredible aim, resulting in 17 kills in just 11 rounds — an incredible performance which brought him the MVP title. 

Although NAVI recovered towards the first half of the map, what they needed was a miraculous comeback which didn’t happen. FaZe’s pressure was too much to handle and after finishing the second map with a 16-10 lead, Karrigan went on to lift his first Major trophy. 

FaZe victory 1

Besides bragging rights, FaZe is taking home $500,000 in prize money, 1800 ESL Pro Tour and 4000 BLAST Premier circuit points, as well as a seed into the BLAST Premier World Final in December 2022. 

Header: PGL