​ NRG were the breakout team of 2018. They started as a mix of a pair unproven North American youngsters known best for their online performances, an unknown Bulgarian AWPer, a journeyman support player and lead by a veteran IGL who had never before been fully trusted to run a top level team. Throughout the year they solidified themselves comfortably as a top ten level team with their star trio of nathE, Brehze and Cerq becoming some of the highest touted players in the NA region. Along the way they lifted two mid level trophies (IEM Shanghai & cs_summit 3) and had a handful of top four placings at bigger tournaments.





The one huge blotch on their resume was failing to qualify for the FACEIT London Major. Heading into the Americas Minor they were heavy favourites to blow away all other teams in attendance, but they ended up being upset not once but twice by far lower ranked teams and crashing out in fourth.





NRG were not going to allow that to happen again. Despite again coming into the minor as heavy favourites, they were boot-camping through most of January leading into the minor (perhaps wanting to make sure that they didn’t make the same mistake twice of not taking the minor seriously) and the result was them sweeping aside all opposition with the utmost professionalism. Albeit against lesser opposition, straight away post the player break they look to be firing on all cylinders; they didn’t drop a single map.





I believe this level of preparedness with serve them extremely well coming into the Challengers stage. To my eye it looked as if they’ve improved their ability to swipe away lesser sides, something that will come in handy to allow them to progress through their first few matches.

Even against the better sides that they’ll come up against at this stage I’m still confident in their ability to win through. Looking simply at their firepower I don’t think there’s any other team partaking in the Challengers stage who can put up a trio that can match up against the combination of Cerq, ethaN and Brehze. Add into that the balance brought by Daps and Fugly and I don’t see any other team here that I would favour to beat them apart from perhaps a fully firing fnatic (something we’re yet to consistently see).





One thing to keep an eye out for is Cerq’s form. From September onwards last year the 19 year old Bulgarian began a slight slump in performance compared to the consistent excellence he was putting down range through the Summer. While NRG will likely be fine to qualify for the Legends Stage without him hitting his peaks, if they’re going to be able to deal real damage when we get to the real elite phase of the major then they’ll be needing all three of their star trio firing.





If NRG aren’t to make the Legends stage I would be utterly shocked, and that’s taking into account what I believe to be a relatively strong Challengers stage in Katowice.





Challengers Stage Prediction: 3-0





(Image credit: ESL)