Stake Pulse reaches the semi-finals with two of the tournament’s most impressive teams going head-to-head as Fnatic face Liquid for a place in the grand final.

Fnatic arrive with plenty of confidence after winning eight consecutive matches since rebuilding their roster. The new lineup has settled quickly, and they’ve looked increasingly comfortable with every series, combining strong individual performances with a level of consistency that has been missing for much of the year.

Liquid have also impressed throughout the event. Their 2-0 victory over 9INE in the quarter-finals was one of their most convincing performances in recent weeks, showing clear signs that the new roster is already moving in the right direction. With both teams in good form, this has all the ingredients of a competitive best-of-three.

Fnatic’s confidence continues to grow

It’s rare to see a new lineup find chemistry this quickly, but Fnatic have done exactly that.

An eight-match winning streak speaks for itself, yet it’s the way they’ve won that stands out. The team has looked composed in pressure situations, they’ve recovered well after slow starts, and their confidence has continued to build with each victory.

Momentum can be difficult to measure, but Fnatic currently look like a team that believes they can beat anyone in the tournament.

Liquid still have room to improve

The win over 9INE showed plenty of positives, particularly in the way they controlled key rounds and closed out the series without allowing their opponents back into the match. Even so, this lineup is still relatively new and there are likely areas that will improve as the players gain more experience together.

That doesn’t make them weaker. If anything, it makes them unpredictable. The individual quality is there, and they’ve already shown they’re capable of challenging strong opposition.

Expect a long series

Neither side comes into this match with obvious weaknesses.

Fnatic have the momentum, while Liquid continue to improve with every official they play together. Both teams have enough firepower to win their own map pick, making a deciding map feel like the most likely outcome.

Rather than backing either side outright, the better value lies in expecting both teams to have their moments across the series.

Verdict

On paper, Liquid are still the stronger team and deserved favourites to reach the final. However, Fnatic’s new lineup has been one of the biggest surprises of the tournament, putting together eight straight victories and playing with plenty of confidence.

Liquid should have the quality to win the series, but Fnatic have shown more than enough to take a map. With both teams arriving in good form, a deciding map looks like the most likely outcome.

Tip

Over 2.5 Maps