Despite allowing their opponent to even the score on Dust2 and then losing on Inferno, G2 managed to regroup and conclude the semifinal with a convincing win on Mirage.
"We really wanted to win and show that we can handle difficulties," said Nikola " NiKo " Kovač in an interview with HLTV after the match.
Comeback after the Rio Setback
This marks the third grand final of the season for G2, but their previous performance at the IEM Rio was disappointing: they finished in last place, with NiKo showing the lowest rating of his career—4.2. "As soon as I arrived in Rio and began playing, something was off. I just didn't feel comfortable, and it really affected me," NiKo shared, explaining the challenges he faced in Brazil.
NiKo suggested that the team perhaps relaxed too much after their victory at the BLAST Fall Final and didn't allocate enough time for practice. "We thought we should take a break, but maybe we should have trained for a couple of days to avoid such a result," he added.
Challenges on Inferno and Decisive Play on Mirage
G2 faced challenges on Dust2 despite an early lead and subsequently lost on Inferno, where NiKo and malbsMd couldn't hold the B-site against Vitality 's attack. "They had a good plan to neutralize us on B, and they were well-prepared," NiKo noted. However, on Mirage, G2 took control of the situation and confidently secured the semifinal win, advancing to the tournament final.
Final Against Spirit
In the final, G2 will face Spirit , and NiKo openly admits a preference for this team. "We've beaten them a few times this season, so it's probably better to play against them," NiKo confessed. However, he added that the team isn't worried about their opponents: "We believe we can beat any team if we show our best game," he emphasized.
A Chance for a Trophy and Building Confidence Before RMR
A victory in the final could significantly boost G2's morale ahead of the upcoming RMR. However, NiKo stresses that the team doesn't plan to repeat past mistakes and is focusing on preparation and determination for current tasks. "It's important for us to show a high level of play and not relax. We have a decisive match ahead, and we're ready to give it our all," he concluded.
