NEWS

ESL Pro League Season 17 Playoffs

March 22, 2023

It’s a clash of styles and flashy plays as two of the best teams out there engage in a trans-Atlantic skirmish in the Playoffs of ESL Pro League Season 17

It’s not been long that FaZe Clan were poster boys for CSGO dominance, with three consecutive wins at big-ticket tournaments — including ESL Pro League Season 15 — getting them within striking distance of the coveted Intel Grand Slam prize. However, despite some dangerous performances, that success has eluded them since. FURIA on the other hand haven’t won anything in a while, but they are in flaming hot form, and could be dangerous to FaZe’s ambitions. If you’re looking to bet on CSGO or just love the game, this preview is for you.

FaZe Clan

The quintessential global superteam began their tournament in brutal fashion, making short work of both Aussie underdogs Rooster and Swedish hopefuls Ninjas in Pyjamas. However, they were humbled by reigning Pro League champions Team Vitality, and considering the fact that it’s been a while since those matches, we really don’t know much about how FaZe will do. They are nevertheless the favorites for this battle, and on talent alone, they should be able to work out a win.

Players

Håvard “rain” Nygaard

HLTV Rating: 1.03
Impact Rating: 1.16
Kill/Assist/Survived/Traded: 69.9%
Average Damage Round: 80.0
Kills Per Round: 0.71

Helvijs “broky” Saukants

HLTV Rating: 1.10
Impact Rating: 1.01
Kill/Assist/Survived/Traded: 72.7%
Average Damage Round: 73.1
Kills Per Round: 0.70

Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken

HLTV Rating: 1.11
Impact Rating: 1.08
Kill/Assist/Survived/Traded: 73.8%
Average Damage Round: 76.8
Kills Per Round: 0.73

Finn “karrigan” Andersen

HLTV Rating: 0.91
Impact Rating: 0.92
Kill/Assist/Survived/Traded: 66.8%
Average Damage Round: 68.8
Kills Per Round: 0.62

Robin “ropz” Kool

HLTV Rating: 1.15
Impact Rating: 1.09
Kill/Assist/Survived/Traded: 72.5%
Average Damage Round:78.4
Kills Per Round:0.74

Player To Watch

There are few things in the world more satisfying than watching Twistzz in full flight, so follow the young phenomenon all you want as we think he’s going to pop off.

FURIA Esports

It’s been a while since we’ve seen FURIA look this dangerous, and there’s a different light to this team. They are playing a brilliant brand of mature CSGO that is rarely seen from South American teams, and they could yet make history by causing a few upsets and clinching the first EPL trophy for their continent since SK Gaming’s 2018 triumph. Something seems to have clicked within the team, and although they did lose to MOUZ back in their group, they have since looked top-tier.

Players

Yuri “yuurih” Boian

HLTV Rating: 1.18
Impact Rating: 1.14
Kill/Assist/Survived/Traded: 73.3%
Average Damage Round: 84.0
Kills Per Round: 0.75

Andrei “arT” Piovezan

HLTV Rating: 1.09
Impact Rating: 1.27
Kill/Assist/Survived/Traded: 68.3%
Average Damage Round: 77.8
Kills Per Round: 0.70

Kaike “KSCERATO” Cerato

HLTV Rating: 1.19
Impact Rating:1.10
Kill/Assist/Survived/Traded: 75.1%
Average Damage Round: 79.6
Kills Per Round: 0.74

André “drop” Abreu

HLTV Rating: 1.00
Impact Rating: 0.90
Kill/Assist/Survived/Traded: 71.2%
Average Damage Round: 67.2
Kills Per Round: 0.61

Rafael “saffee” Costa

HLTV Rating: 1.20
Impact Rating: 1.22
Kill/Assist/Survived/Traded: 73.2%
Average Damage Round: 78.9
Kills Per Round: 0.78

Player to Watch

It’s not every day that saffee gets featured in a spot like this, but we’re putting him here based on his commendable consistency as of late.