PGL Major Antwerp semifinals set

Four teams remain in contention at PGL Major Antwerp, but only two can progress to Grand Final on May 22.

The end is nearly in sight at the PGL Major Antwerp. Just three matches remain before a winner is crowned, with four teams hoping they have what it takes to progress to the Grand Final.

Team Spirit vs. FaZe Clan

The first semifinal is the David versus Goliath matchup that could define this Major. Team Spirit have captured the hearts of the Counter-Strike world in Antwerp, fighting their way through every stage of the tournament with grit and determination. It’s worth remembering that this is a team that qualified eighth in their regional tournament. They have been the ultimate underdog and now sit one match away from an organization-altering Grand Final. And they’ve done all this despite their head coach being banned from the tournament just days before their first match.

However, standing in their way is one of the biggest and most decorated names in the esport. FaZe Clan’s storied history aside, they enter this Major with a trio of first-place finishes in the BLAST Premier Spring Groups, Inter Extreme Masters XVI – Katowice, and ESL Pro League. And that’s even before mentioning their legendary roster that was only made stronger by the addition of Counter-Strike legend Robin “ropz” Kool in March.

 

It could be argued that FaZe haven’t been at their strongest during this tournament, as evidenced by their fifth-place finish in the Legends Stage. Regardless, Team Spirit will need to give everything they have in a match that could easily go the distance and enter the annals of Counter-Strike history.

ENCE vs. NAVI

ENCE has a long history of being the bridesmaid but never the bride. When it comes to the biggest tournaments, the Finnish organization seems to come out second-best most often than not. However, they entered this Major having won the BLAST Premier European Showdown and showed what they were capable of in the Legends Stage, despite a minor setback against the Copenhagen Flames. Their team is an experienced one, led by living legend Marco “Snappi” Pfeiffer. The question remains though — do they have what it takes?

The biggest problem for ENCE is, that to get to the Grand Final, they must find their way past arguably the greatest organization in the history of Counter-Strike. Natus Vincere needs no introduction — they are CS:GO. With a roster that’s been together since late 2020 and featuring iconic names like Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev and Denis “electroNic” Sharipov, NAVI are the team to beat. At the last Major, Stockholm 2021, NAVI came away winners and they will surely be eager to do it again. What’s more, this NAVI roster is 2-0 against ENCE.

With the stage set, the only thing left to do is play the matches. The PGL Major Antwerp semifinals begin on May 21 at 1530 BST/1630 CEST.