Crazy first matchups:
World Final schedule revealed
Christmas has come early, Counter-Strike lovers.
Starting on Wednesday 13th, the conclusion to the year begins with the BLAST World Final in Abu Dhabi. Eight teams who have fought tooth and nail through the year to be here now clash for the shot at true glory.
Pick'ems will also go live on BLAST.tv before the event.
It begins with a banger.
Please note: We are using rolling start times so the times below are an approximate start time.
Dec. 12th 10AM GST:
Cloud9 vs ENCE
Photo: Michal KonkolENCE's new leader gla1ve begins his assault on the BLAST throne with a tough game, against a Cloud9 team who too have changed the captain of their ship.
Boombl4's addition has freed electronic and made Cloud9 into a dangerous beast, and they have the unenviable task of taking on an ENCE team who have just added one of the greats.
10AM GST is around 7AM CEST, for reference, so set your alarms.
Dec. 13th 13:00 GST (approx.):
Vitality vs NAVI
Photo: Michal KonkolSpeaking of bangers...
Vitality are hot off their first event win in CS2 and square up to the ever-scary Natus Vincere to kick off their campaign in Abu Dhabi.
mezii moved in seamlessly to Magisk's role and helped Vitality to an impressive win in Copenhagen at BLAST Premier Fall Final, ending FaZe's unbeaten streak in the meantime.
NAVI now have to topple them to begin World Final. Good luck to them.
Dec. 13th 16:00 GST (approx):
FaZe vs Heroic
Photo: Michal KonkolHeroic's roster might not be the one we've been used to watching for the last few months, but it still poses a significant threat - not just to FaZe Clan, but to the trophy.
FaZe Clan, however, are always dangerous. They have won nearly everything so far in CS2, and have only lost one series - in the Grand Final of Fall Final to Vitality.
The loss of Twistzz is great, but we are sure the team will bring a suitable replacement. Heroic are a threat, but this is a near-insurmountable beast.
Dec. 13th, 19:00 GST (approx.):
MOUZ vs G2
Photo: Michal KonkolDay one ends in a showdown between MOUZ and G2. Both have a good opportunity to finish off 2023 in the right way. Will G2 lift the BLAST Premier World Finals trophy again?
G2 remain a team dripping in talent, with firepower throughout the roster - which makes the match-up with MOUZ such an exciting one. MOUZ, similarly, are an exciting team filled to the brim with mechanical genius.
This one should bring some sparks.
Day Two - 14/12
10:00 GST - Group One Losers' Match
13:00 GST - Group One Winners' Match
16:00 GST - Group One Losers' Match
19:00 GST - Group One Winners' Match
Day Three - 15/12
13:00 GST - Quarter Final One - 2nd Group One vs 3rd Group Two
16:00 GST - Quarter Final Two - 2nd Group Two vs 3rd Group One
Day Four - 16/12
12:00 GST - Arena doors
14:45 GST - Show starts
15:30 GST - Semi Final One - 1st Group Two vs Winner of QF1
19:00 GST - Semi Final Two - 1st Group One vs Winner of QF2
Day Five - 17/12
12:00 GST - Arena doors
15:15 GST - Show starts
16:00 GST - Show match
18:00 GST - Grand Final
Pick'Ems are live
Head over to blast.tv/pickems and set your Pick'Ems to win prizes and bragging rights over your mates.