The final stages of the qualification process for the next CS:GO FACEIT Major 2018 major is now complete. With the list of 24 teams now complete, we will be looking at the teams who round-up that list and who they are.

If you don’t know who’re the first teams qualified through the Minor system, you can read about them here. Let’s them proceed to meet the four teams qualified from the Asia and Europe Minors.

The Asia Minor Champions – Renegades

Renegades finished in first place at the FACEIT Asia Minor. The Aussies had some shortcomings coming into London which caused some worries. Mainly, finishing in last place at DreamHack Open Summer 2018 certainly didn’t help.

Going into the Minor, Renegades started with a comfortably win over B.O.O.T.[ds]. The Japanese squad of SCARZ Absolute however upset the Aussies and sent Renegades to the lower bracket.

The Australians faced B.O.O.T. one more time, this time in the decider match and won, advancing to the playoffs. In this last match of the group stage, it was the Norwegian ‘Jkaem’ who shone the most.

Facing TyLoo in the quarter-finals, Renegades couldn’t break the Chinese formation and felt to the playoffs lower bracket. In an elimination match, the Aussies had to rematch SCARZ Absolute in a best of three which Renegades won.

Closing it off, Tainted Minds couldn’t hold their fellow Aussies power and consequently gave Renegades a spot in the Major. In the grand-finals match, it was time to a rematch against TyLoo. Renegades won and took home the 1st place prize of $30.000.

What is expected from Renegades in the Major?

Although Renegades qualified in first place, we can’t ignore their hardships coming in the Minor. Nifty performances were inconsistent and Renegades still is missing their previous coach.

One of the big shortcoming that Renegades must fix before anything is their map pool. Dust2, Overpass and Train are maps that their game plan is too shaky. We saw in their match against SCARZ that they did commit too many mistakes.

Going for the Major, Renegades path will be rough. Even compLexity and Gambit pose a threat to the Aussies right now. Renegades run can be just as short as it was back in Boston 2018.

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The Ninjas are back in town

After missing three Majors, Ninjas in Pyjamas are finally back in the Valve-sponsored events. Just like Renegades, NiP past showings weren’t promising at all.

Finishing last at ESL One Cologne and almost getting eliminated at the Europe Minor Closed Qualifiers weren’t good signs.

NiP started the Europe Minor shaky to say the least. The opening match against Red Reserve was more disputed than it should and NiP lost their following match against Sprout.

Things started looking better as the Swedes recovered in the decider match of their group against RR. There, Dennis and REZ had very impactful performance and the win took the team to the playoffs.

OpTic was their first opponent in the playoffs and NiP was able to put a fight against the Danes. Although NiP lost and felt to the lower bracket, it was clear that the Ninjas were back.

NiP managed to come back beating Sprout and then didn’t had problems exploiting ENCE lack of experience. Winning their BO3 against ENCE, NiP guaranteed their spot in the Major.

What NiP will bring to the Major?

One of the biggest issues with Ninjas in Pyjamas seems to be solved at least for now. Back in Cologne, GeT_RiGhT stated he had health issues going in the event.

For the Europe Minor however, he got the much-need medical attention and will be kept in check during the August. GeT_RiGhT is a legendary player that when on point, can turn rounds around and having him fully ready will be essential for NiP.

According to him, NiP players were also able to voice their problems with the team situation. This certainly helped a lot in the team chemistry coming into the Minor.

NiP still is suffering with the lack of a proper in-game leader though. For the Minor, ‘lekr0’ assumed the role and performed fairly well but his inexperience might affect him in the future.

Lekr0 never played as an IGL and his lack of expertise in the role can be exploited by experienced teams. Plus, although this change allows ‘Dennis’ to focus on his own game, it limits ‘lekr0’ own pace. F0rest also seemed to be restricted under this leadership.

In the Major, NiP will be preying the less capable teams like North and Renegades. Being dependent on lucky draws certainly isn’t ideal, so NiP should work on teamwork and strategies before September.

TyLoo first Major appearance

Back in ELEAGUE Boston Major 2018, TyLoo forfeited their spot thanks due to VISA isuues. Now, the Asian powerhouse managed to qualify once again without having to worry about VISA’s and the team is looking hot.

TyLoo only lost one match in the Minor and it was the grand finals after having secured their Major spot. During the Minor, TyLoo faced 5POWER, Tainted Minds and Renegades, but none of these held BnTeT’s crew.

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TyLoo is the dangerous threat coming from Asia

This year, TyLoo is looking great, able to compete right against teams from Europe and North America. Playing with a full roster in the London Major only help things to look better for TyLoo.

TyLoo has the experience needed with Captain Mo and the firepower requested with BnTeT. Other than ‘xccurated’ who disappear in games against more capable teams, TyLoo has a powerful squad.

Their in-game leader BnTeT not only has impressed with his raw skill but also his tactical prowess. TyLoo can surprise as underdogs at the same time that they can dominate weaker teams.

North, Gambit and Virtus.Pro should watch out as they will be the underdogs in a possible encounter against TyLoo. Just like NiP, they only need a decent seeding to make it through.

Another Danish force joins FACEIT Major 2018

Alongside North and Astralis, OpTic represents Denmark in London. The Danes qualified through the Europe Minor and finished in second place after losing the grand finals to NiP.

In the Minor, nobody could stop OpTic Gaming’s roster. While JUGi and k0nfig were clearly the stars, Gade surprised us as the Dane didn’t lost a single clutch situation in the whole event. Whenever CajunB or K0nfig failed to show up, Gade stepped up.

Only losing the grand-finals for NiP, OpTic had a dominant performance during the whole Road to London.

OpTic aiming for a deep run at the Major, can they do it?

One of the main reasons for this dominance is the highly skilled JUGi, K0nfig, Gade and CajunB. Having four players who can turn the tides of most rounds isn’t a quality that every team has.

OpTic shouldn’t aim to just go through the first stage of the Major – they can go way deeper than this. Other than Astralis and maybe BIG, it won’t be easy to stop OpTic. Even teams like FNATIC and FaZe should beware of them.

Confidence, individual skill and team-play are the basic needs of a team and OpTic has every single element listed. The viewers should expect explosive matches coming from OpTic no matter who they’re playing against.

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The FACEIT London Major 2018 team list is now complete

With the last two Minors over, the list of participants for the FACEIT London Major 2018 is complete. Na’Vi, Astralis, Mousesports and Faze are going to be joined by other 20 teams competing for the trophy.

Who are your favorites to win? Are you excited to play the pick’ems challenge? Tell us in the comments below!