For the first time since IEM Katowice 2019, fnatic will participate in a Major, hoping to restore the storied organization to its former greatness.

A company with a long and illustrious history in Counter-Strike is fnatic. They were the first team to win a Major trophy at DreamHack Winter 2013, the first CS:GO competition sponsored by Valve.

This wasn’t a passing fad either; in the years that followed that initial victory, their all-Swedish lineups continued to rule the Counter-Strike landscape, adding two more Major trophies to their collection and reaching a pinnacle of No. 1 in the world rankings for a total of 23 weeks.

Fnatic’s Run Over The Last Decade

The team has been a dominant force for the majority of their ten-year history, winning 22 LAN championships at numerous Big Events in CS:GO.

These victories have ranged from their ascent in 2014 to a renowned late 2015–early 2016 six-tournament winning streak to other notable victories later on at events like the $1,500,000 WESG 2017 World Finals, the star-studded events of IEM Katowice 2016 and 2018, as well as their most recent trophy at DreamH

Olof #olofmeister, Jesper #JW Wecksell, and Robin #flusha Rönnquist are all of Swedish descent. A new international roster has emerged in Kajbjer’s stead, taking fnatic to their first Major since IEM Katowice 2019.

Fnatic’s Goals for IEM Rio Major

While the European fnatic lineup is undoubtedly in better shape than any of the other rosters that have competed under the same banner in recent years, it is difficult to consider the group a legitimate title contender when FaZe, Natus Vincere, and Vitality are all there.

While #mezii and the team made it to the playoffs of the ESL Pro League Season 16, they still lost in the first round of the knockout stage; the team still needs more time to reach their peak and be able to contend for these coveted trophies. They lack the crucial experience required to compete head-to-head with their tier-one counterparts.

Additionally, the Major will be played in Brazil for the first time with crowds in attendance, adding additional pressure to already nerve-wracking contests. While some teams and players, like Finn #karrigan Andersen, enjoy the energy that a crowd brings, fnatic’s primarily inexperienced lineup may struggle in similar situations due to the team’s general lack of playing time.

When asked how it feels to be back at a Major after a three-year absence, fnatic’s team director, Andreas Samuelsson, responded, “Qualifying for the Major again means the world to the squad, fnatic, and our fans.”