FaZe Clan faced a devastating defeat at the hands of Team Spirit in the grand final of IEM Katowice 2024. This defeat prevented NEO from raising the trophy on his home turf. The Spirit team was led by the new CS2 superstar, donk. However, NEO claims that donk is not the toughest player he has faced.
After the final, NEO shaved his head, which led fans to joke about how donk's performance made the legendary player go bald. In response to these jokes, FaZe's coach stated that the only player who made him feel this way was f0rest.
"Donk? No... with all the respect towards every player, f0rest was the only one I faced who made me feel bald after the games," NEO wrote on X on Jan. 14. This statement reflects NEO's humility in the face of f0rest's skill.
Both NEO and f0rest are considered legends in Counter-Strike 1.6 and CS:GO. It is not surprising to see NEO speak highly of the Swedish player, as they have clashed numerous times in the past. Their rivalry began in CS 1.6 and continued in CS:GO after its launch in 2012.
While NEO acknowledges donk's impressive performance at IEM Katowice 2024, where he achieved a record 1.70 rating in Poland, he still believes that f0rest is the toughest player he has faced. Donk, a 17-year-old Russian player, recorded 82 kills and only 40 deaths in the grand final against FaZe, earning him a 1.93 rating and 124 ADR. He was rightfully named the MVP of IEM Katowice 2024.
Fortunately, FaZe Clan did not dwell on their defeat for long. At the time of writing, they have a 2-0 record in the European RMR A for the PGL Copenhagen CS2 Major. They are just one win away from securing their place at the Danish tournament. This shows their determination to bounce back and prove themselves once again.
In conclusion, FaZe Clan's defeat at IEM Katowice 2024 highlights the skill and talent of both donk and f0rest. While donk's performance was impressive, NEO still considers f0rest to be the toughest opponent he has faced. FaZe Clan's resilience and current success in the European RMR A demonstrate their determination to overcome setbacks and achieve greatness.
