G2: What state will they be in after Dallas? - Hugo's Spring Final predictions

Some might say that 2024 has been an unusual year for G2.

For the most part, experts have said that they have been underperforming their expectations, and months later they are still getting flak for the signing of nexa.

However, with their win at IEM Dallas, there is renewed faith in the team.

Of course, that was never really in doubt thanks to the incredible performances of m0NESY in 2024, but people say that NiKo hasn’t really yet lived up to his CS:GO standards - and the same goes for huNter-.

Hugo views G2 as the sixth-best team coming into Spring Final, but with the team somewhat resurgent following their win in the States, are they sixth-best underdogs, or sixth-best dark horses to claim their second event of the year?

Photo: Stephanie Lindgren

The key difference in Dallas

Given how his stint with Evil Geniuses went, it seems odd to say that Stewie2k made a huge difference to G2 in Dallas.

There are several factors that could lead into this. The reduced pressure that comes with playing with a stand-in and the home crowd rooting for them when they made it to the arena. But the value of Stewie in the server can’t be understated.

Stewie slotted into HooXi’s roles perfectly. The American was always happy to be the one going around corners and into hotly contested areas first, and this allowed his teammates to excel and stay in the fight by consistently trading him.

One key difference to Stewie doing this role to HooXi is that the American wasn’t also burdened by IGLing. This didn’t cause a difference in rating, in fact, Stewie’s rating for Dallas was lower than HooXi’s 2024 average, but it allowed Stewie to come up clutch with entries in key rounds late in games.

G2 wouldn’t find the consistency they’ve been lacking with Stewie, even if his ceiling is presumably higher than HooXi’s.

Photo: Michal Konkol

Handling pressure

Although G2 have failed to meet expectations in 2024, the expectations for success with Stewie were far lower. Most would have had G2 pinned to be eliminated in groups, so even making playoffs was considered an achievement.

The same won’t be said when HooXi returns to the team in London, an issue that will only be exacerbated by the fact they were victorious in Dallas without him.

HooXi is one of the most divisive players in CS history, and the naysayers will only be fuelled by seeing G2 perform at their peak levels for the first time since IEM Cologne 2023 while the leader was attending his sister’s wedding.

There’s a world in which Dallas was a turning point for G2. huNter- was finding far more impact during the event, and that is a key factor G2 has been missing from mid-round situations. The Bosnian’s steady improvement in the last few months is something they will need to continue if they are to maintain their Dallas level.

Photo: Michal Konkol

The same goes for NiKo and m0NESY’s level, too.

The duo are superstars, and G2 needs them to play like superstars to shine. They’ve both found consistently solid levels, but any slight deviation from that could see G2 come crashing down.

However, the key to any of this will be how HooXi handles the weight of the pressure resting on his shoulders. That weight is perhaps now greater than it has ever been, and given that we’ve seen HooXi can be quite an emotional leader, it could prove too much for him.

If that is the case, then Hugo will rightfully put this team among the bottom four teams at the event.

They would be favourites against SAW, and m0NESY and NiKo’s form should see them overcome a stumbling Virtus.pro, but we could likely see them struggle.

Conversely, HooXi could rise to the challenge, spurred on by Stewie’s success with the team and determined to prove why G2 have stuck by him for so long. If that’s the case, don’t be surprised if you see G2 lifting their second trophy of the year in London.

There’s no knowing what G2 we’re going to get; all we know is that with NiKo and m0NESY, they’re bound to be entertaining.