Talent predicts: Which underdog will perform the best in the second half of 2024

The last couple of years has been something of a torch-passing era in CS. Teams like GamerLegion and Monte have risen to the surface, while teams such as ENCE and NAVI have also been shining lights on new stars ready to take over the CS landscape.

With teams strengthening everywhere in the top 30, we now look at many of the teams outside the top ten to be incredibly dangerous underdogs, so who do people think is capable of causing the most damage?

We asked the BLAST Premier talent to give their predictions for the underdog team that will see the most success in the second half of 2024.

Photo: Michal Konkol

The talent predictions

Anders

Going out on a bit of a limb here, but I think Sangal might go somewhere if they can keep the core going. jottAAA is an exciting player, xfl0ud is on the grind, there’s a lot going on there.

Pimp

I'll be a bit spicy and say NIP on this one.
It's not a team I expect to make many play-offs in bigger tournaments, but from what I've seen so far, they're building something interesting in their camp. I bet you they'll be able to produce a couple of good results that'll properly turn the eyes of some of the non-hardcore following CS2 fans.
They've been lacklustre for many years considering their budget, but now they've gone a different route and rebuilt their team, and I'm optimistic on their behalf.

Photo: Stephanie Lindgren

Tech Girl

My bleeding fan girl heart wants it to be HEROIC or Falcons, but it's only because I was such a huge fan of that 2023 ENCE lineup that I'd take success for any of the five players who formed part of it. I'm going to own that call and that reasoning!

launders

The MongolZ have an excellent composition and good results coming into this second half of the year. I believe they can take off.

Photo: Stephanie Lindgren

Maniac

I’m very fond of The MongolZ and how they’ve been approaching CS2 for a few months now. I think they still qualify as “underdog” and if they do I will keep my eyes on them to have a few surprising runs at elite events. This is a young squad but already capable of remaining calm in tense situations. A pleasure to follow.