Banner Image: Ubisoft / João F. @itsmeERROR
Following the conclusion of the Six Invitational 2024 playoffs, the big time has finally come. The six teams left in the competition will play in the tournament's finals to see who ends up lifting the sledgehammer.
From twenty teams to just six, here's a brief look at the contenders left in the competition:
FaZe Clan
FaZe Clan is one of the two Brazilian sides left at the Six Invitational 2024. Therefore, we expect the fans to root for them as they will play later today against Virtus.Pro. The Brazilians head to the final weekend of the competition after having only lost once, against Spacestation Gaming.
The red and black roster have shown great consistency throughout the years and their historical record at the Six Invitational is one every team would want. The organization's best performances came at the Six Invitational 2021 (Top 6) and at the Six Invitational 2022 (Top 3). However, the American organization has never reached the final match for the sledgehammer.
It's worth mentioning that FaZe Clan reached the PL Season 8 Finals grand final, which was the only international major tournament held in Brazil before the Six Invitational 2024.
Virtus.pro
They are back. After reaching the Six Invitational 2019 and Six Invitational 2022 grand finals, the Russians are two (or three) maps away from reaching a third Six Invitational grand final.
This time, the Russian core is competing under the Virtus.pro banner. Regionally, the Bears have done very well as they won both stages of the Europe League 2023. Unfortunately, their regional dominance couldn't be seen outside of the old continent, and were eliminated from the BLAST R6 Major Copenhagen and BLAST R6 Major Atlanta very soon.
However, the Russians have been absolutely brilliant in Brazil so far. After winning the group of death, which included Team Liquid, w7m esports, M80, and Bleed Esports, the Russians ran over Ninjas in Pyjamas and defeated DarkZero Esports to reach the Upper Bracket Finals.
w7m esports
The BLAST R6 Major Copenhagen and BLAST R6 Major Atlanta have looked rock-solid so far, but not as clinical as in their previous two international appearances.
Despite the team's results throughout the Six Invitational 2024, the Bulls are still alive. The fans will root for them as they will play against Soniqs, one of the two American sides left in the competition. Plain and simple, they still have to be considered as favorites.
From being a roster that fought hard to not get relegated to fighting (and winning) international championships, w7m esports will finally get to play in front of their home crowd. And that makes a huge difference.
Soniqs
If there's a player who can spoil w7m esports' party, that's Soniqs — more precisely Ben "CTZN" McMillan. The Brit has been unstoppable at the Six Invitational as his name currently shows up in the Top 5 of four different categories, including KD, KOST, entry balance, and SiegeGG rating.
Following a flawless group stage run and a one-sided victory against Wolves Esports, the team's defeat against FaZe Clan saw them dropping to the Lower Bracket. If they lose against w7m esports, it will be game over for the Americans.
G2 Esports
The current Six Invitational champions managed to sneak into the Top 6 of the competition after the team's defeat against FaZe Clan, which came after the Europeans topped the Group A standings.
In the Lower Bracket, G2 Esports have been uncontested: a flawless victory against Team Liquid was followed by another flawless win against Team Bliss.
Heading to the Six Invitational 2024 as the only Six Invitational winners, the European powerhouse wants to lift what would be the organization's third sledgehammer. Will Karl "Alem4o" Zarth and Matheus "Ramalho" Ramalho lead G2 Esports to another win, this time in front of their fellows?
DarkZero Esports
The Six Invitational 2024 will be the fans' chance to watch G2 Esports and DarkZero Esports' rivalship in an arena crowded by 9,000 Brazilian fans.
Who would have thought DarkZero Esports would make the Top 6. Just a few weeks ago, the team unveiled Jason "Beaulo" Doty and Nathan "Nafe" Sharp as the roster's new additions. After a quick adaptation to the new defended sided meta, the Americans look great and could upset the current Six Invitational champions.
It will also be the second time for Troy "Canadian" Jaroslawski in Brazil, as the player competed for Evil Geniuses at the PL Season 8 Finals. Unfortunately, the player was sent home very early after the Americans lost to Fnatic in their first match in the competition. Will the same happen today?