The rating change was influenced by the LAN-finals of IEM Katowice 2024, where G2 defeated Heroic 3-1 in the final. Nemanja “huNter” Kovač was awarded the MVP title with a tournament rating of 1.28, placing him among the top performers.
This victory marks huNter’s second MVP award, demonstrating the hard work and talent of both huNter and his team. G2 remains at the top of the world ranking with 1,000 total points, and there seems to be no serious competition for them.
However, other teams are also making moves in the rankings, with the seventeenth edition of ESL Pro League currently underway. To stay updated on the latest rankings and team highlights, check out https://cover.gg/tournaments/current, where you can find information on the ongoing Group Stage, where teams are competing for spots in the Playoffs. Let’s now take a closer look at the highlights of some squads.
G2 Remains at the Top of the World
G2 maintained their position as the top-ranked team for the second consecutive month, as mentioned earlier, with Rasmus “HooXi” Nielsen and his team leading the rankings and dominating the scene in February.
Their successful month began with a trophy fight at IEM Katowice, where they defeated strong opponents such as NaVi, BIG, Team Liquid, and FaZe Clan ultimately lifting the title in front of an enthusiastic Polish audience.
G2’s performance was flawless throughout the event, and they left Katowice with an impressive 12-game unbeaten streak. With their consistent dominance, the samurai has become a favorite in every contest and remains the most formidable force on the stage.
Eternal Fire’s Rise Up the Ranks
EF had an impressive run in the events they participated in this year, which led to their quick ascent to the 18th spot of the world rankings with a total of 76 points. The team secured their spot in the ongoing ESL Pro League S17 through the regional European Conference competitions, who did so undefeated in the upper bracket.
This qualification has boosted the confidence of EF, who struggled with roster instability in 2022, leading to the departure of star AWPer Özgür “woxic” Eker and Ahmet “paz” Karahoca, while in-game leader Engin “MAJ3R” Küpeli returned to the squad.
However, despite their efforts, the European organization was unable to advance past the Group Stage of EPL after losing to Fnatic 1-2 in the LB Final. As a result, the team needs to prepare more diligently to deliver better results at RES Eastern European Masters Spring 2024.
Movistar Riders Return to Top 30
Thanks in large part to the outstanding performance of AWPer Alvaro “SunPayus” Garcia, the Riders’ perseverance has paid off as they firmly establish their position in the competitive CS:GO scene. Antonio Martinez was able to take over as the new IGL of the Spaniards after the latter attracted the interest of top teams in the scene and was ultimately signed by ENCE.
Despite some ups and downs, the Madrid-based organization has managed to achieve good results and climb back up the rankings, currently sitting at 44 total points. The team’s recent victory against BIG in Group B’s Last Chance has secured their spot in the playoffs of ESL Pro League 17, and they have also demonstrated their skill by defeating Complexity and SAW.
Sprout Tumbles Down the Rankings
Team Sprout has experienced a decline in their ranking, now at their lowest position in five months. This can be attributed to the team’s instability, resulting from various changes. They are currently struggling to perform and are considered one of the worst teams in the early stages of the season.
Conversely, the Polish team 9INE has been climbing the ranks due to their consistent performance. They have achieved commendable results in the qualifying rounds of several major events, including IEM Rio 2024, the BLAST.tv Paris Major qualification, and the Showdown.
Natus Vincere (still) on the Top 5
This article would not be complete without mentioning Natus Vincere’s underwhelming performance at IEM Katowice 2024, which has left the Ukrainian organization with much to ponder. Following the team’s early exit from the tournament, s1mple expressed frustration and cited some players’ fear of performing on stage.
NaVi will soon face off against forZe in the opening match of Group D in EPL season 17, where they are favored to win. However, the team must quickly move on from their previous loss and avoid any unfinished business if they want to come out on top.