G2 have claimed the last available playoff position at ESL Pro League Season 21 after a 2-0 victory against GamerLegion, closing out the series with 13-11 on Inferno and 13-9 on Nuke. Their path to the bracket stage was anything but smooth, as they navigated a group stage filled with inconsistency, struggling at times to compensate for the departure of Nikola “NiKo” Kovač.
Their campaign in Sweden saw them look dominant in wins against paiN and SAW, yet they suffered an unexpected collapse against The MongolZ, where they squandered an 11-2 lead. Their matchup with Natus Vincere was also riddled with errors, which ultimately cost them the series. Some of those same mistakes threatened to resurface against GamerLegion, particularly after G2 gave away a 5v2 advantage in the opening moments of the match. However, despite the occasional missteps, they found stability through an exceptional display from Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov and efficient offensive play across both maps.
The Russian AWPer, who had an underwhelming showing at IEM Katowice with a modest 1.05 rating, returned to his dominant form at ESL Pro League. Over 11 maps, he averaged a stellar 1.47 rating, reestablishing himself as a key force for G2. Aside from one lackluster performance against Natus Vincere, where he dipped to a 0.83 rating on one map, m0NESY delivered consistently high-impact performances, recording a 1.46 rating or higher on eight occasions, including six maps exceeding a 1.57 rating. His sharp reflexes and precise multi-kills played a crucial role in maintaining G2’s momentum and preventing GamerLegion from mounting a comeback.
Despite m0NESY leading the scoreboard, the win wasn’t solely on his shoulders. Mario “malbsMd” Samayoa’s aggressive entries, combined with well-timed trades from Nemanja “huNter-” Kovač and Nikita “HeavyGod” Martynenko, provided the structural support needed to complement m0NESY’s playmaking ability. Their synergy allowed G2 to capitalize on key moments throughout the series. Meanwhile, Janusz “Snax” Pogorzelski’s mid-round calls on Nuke proved instrumental in G2’s success, as his tactical shifts helped the team build an 8-4 lead at the half. The advantage could have been even greater had G2 not conceded two clutches, but their overall execution was enough to close out the match convincingly.
On the other side, GamerLegion came into the elimination match following a turbulent group stage run. After falling into the 0-2 bracket with losses to The MongolZ and paiN, they fought back with victories over TYLOO and SAW to earn a final chance at securing a playoff berth. However, their momentum was disrupted by unfortunate circumstances, with two players reportedly battling illness. This challenge, paired with the team’s ongoing struggles to close out tight rounds, made it difficult for them to hold off G2’s aggressive playstyle.
GamerLegion showed promise on Inferno, managing to gain control of the match at 10-8 with a strong defensive setup. However, they failed to capitalize on crucial opportunities, allowing G2 to swing the momentum back in their favor. Their struggles on Nuke were a continuation of a broader pattern throughout the tournament, as the map repeatedly proved to be their Achilles’ heel. Despite having a strong understanding of their opponents’ tendencies, they lacked the execution needed to take advantage of favorable situations, ultimately falling short in their final attempt to reach the bracket stage.
With this win, G2 move forward into the ESL Pro League playoffs, carrying valuable momentum and the reassurance that their star players are back in peak form. While inconsistencies remain in their overall gameplay, their ability to recover from setbacks and secure critical rounds suggests they could be a dangerous contender in the next phase of the tournament. Meanwhile, GamerLegion’s journey comes to an end, leaving them to reflect on missed opportunities and areas for improvement before their next big event.
