fnatic has clinched a spot at the Perfect World Shanghai Major after narrowly defeating ECLOT in a dramatic 2-1 series (13-4 Ancient, 11-13 Inferno, 19-17 Nuke). The win marks fnatic’s return to the Major scene after missing out on the PGL Major Copenhagen, but the journey to qualification was anything but smooth.
The deciding map saw an extraordinary performance from Benjamin “blameF” Bremer, who single-handedly kept fnatic’s hopes alive with a flawless 12-0 record in opening duels, eight multi-kill rounds, and a 1.59 rating, alongside an impressive 103.3 ADR. The Danish player’s heroics helped fnatic claw their way back from a 12-15 deficit on Nuke, eventually securing victory in double overtime. The win ensured their Major berth, supported by their strong Bucholz score, which placed them above other 3-2 teams.
fnatic began the series in dominant fashion on Ancient, living up to their status as favorites. ECLOT’s Matúš “MATYS” Šimko delivered a standout quad-kill early on, but fnatic quickly asserted control with consistent contributions from bodyy and blameF, racing to a 9-1 lead and comfortably closing out the map in the second half.
Inferno proved to be a different story. ECLOT responded with timely plays to disrupt fnatic’s momentum, taking an early lead through aggressive mid control. Although fnatic managed to stabilize and exploit the A site to even the score by halftime, their defense faltered as ECLOT repeatedly broke through, eking out a narrow 13-11 win despite occasional misplays.
The deciding map, Nuke, saw a back-and-forth struggle. fnatic initially led 3-1 after a second-round force buy but faltered as ECLOT capitalized on repeated missteps to go ahead 7-3. fnatic salvaged two rounds late in the half but struggled with cohesion and consistency, as acknowledged by bodyy post-match. Despite individual brilliance from blameF and Freddy “KRIMZ” Johansson, fnatic’s inability to capitalize on key moments allowed ECLOT to force overtime, with Vít “nbqq” Pohlot and David “forsyy” Bílý delivering crucial rounds for the Czech side.
In the extended play, Tim “nawwk” Jonasson, who had earlier struggled on Inferno, found his form alongside blameF to help fnatic recover. ECLOT’s risky double-AWP strategy in overtime ultimately backfired, giving fnatic the opening they needed to secure a 19-17 victory.
The match was a grueling test of endurance and mental fortitude, with bodyy describing the experience as an emotional rollercoaster. Despite shaky moments, fnatic ultimately found a way to prevail, ensuring their long-awaited return to the Major stage.
