Victories for HOTU and Gentle Mates put them ahead in ESL Pro League S22

HOTU defeated the Ukrainian roster B8 (2:1), while Gentle Mates sensationally knocked out G2 (2:1) in the second round of the group stage at ESL Pro League Season 22. The next challenge for the winners will be matchups against ENCE and Inner Circle. At the same time, B8 and G2 will face each other in a head-to-head clash, where a loss could be fatal for their chances of advancing from the group.

ESL PRO LEAGUE S22 — TOURNAMENT CONTEXT

ESL Pro League is one of the most prestigious regular tournaments in CS2, bringing together the strongest lineups from around the world. Advancing to the next stage of the group guarantees ESL points, keeps playoff chances alive, and strengthens teams’ rankings.

For HOTU, this is a chance to secure their place in the world’s top 30 after a streak of victories. Gentle Mates, on the other hand, are using the tournament to prove their status as a team capable of fighting the giants. G2 and B8 now find themselves in a difficult situation: their continued participation in the competition is at stake.

B8 VS HOTU — 1:2

1. Overpass (HOTU pick) — 13:7 for B8. The Ukrainians started the series well, smartly using the advantage of the defensive side. esenthial won several important clutches, while kensizor consistently claimed entry duels. HOTU failed to find the right tempo, and B8 closed the map confidently.
2. Mirage (B8 pick) — 13:10 for HOTU. The map began evenly, but in the decisive moments it was n0rb3r7 and frontales who took the lead. Their aggressive pushes on mid and apartments left no chance for the opponent. B8 tried to dictate the tempo but couldn’t hold their advantage in the closing rounds.
3. Ancient (decider) — 13:2 for HOTU. The deciding map was complete domination from HOTU. The team entered aggressively, quickly took over economic control, and gave B8 no chance to come back. The Ukrainian roster looked lost, while HOTU proved their superiority in both tactics and individual skill.

Player of the match — Kim “frontales” Argunov (HOTU)

• K-D: 51–32
• ADR: 86.9
• Rating 3.0: 1.45

Impact: stability in clutches and leadership on Mirage and Ancient, where his entries opened the path for the team.

G2 VS GENTLE MATES — 1:2

1. Inferno (Gentle Mates pick) — 13:2 for G2. G2 started the series with lightning confidence. huNter- and malbsMd gave the opponents no space to play. Gentle Mates looked lost and couldn’t find a single working strategy.
2. Mirage (G2 pick) — 13:11 for Gentle Mates. This map became the turning point of the series. Gentle Mates showed character: dav1g pulled the team through in decisive rounds, winning several clutches in a row. G2 had every chance to close the game but mistakes on defense gave their rivals an opening, which they used to the maximum.
3. Ancient (decider) — 13:7 for Gentle Mates. On the deciding map, the Spanish roster fully controlled the tempo of the match. They found the key to G2’s defense and quickly locked in economic control. Although G2 tried to turn the game around with individual plays, Gentle Mates closed the series confidently and deservedly advanced further.

Player of the match — David “dav1g” Granado (Gentle Mates)

• K-D: 51–38
• ADR: 83.2
• Rating 3.0: 1.25

Impact: key rounds on Mirage and Ancient, consistent play under pressure, and a confident leadership performance.

ANALYSIS: WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE TEAMS

1. HOTU. The roster is on a three-match winning streak, rising to #37 in the world. The victory over B8 showed their strength in clutches and flexibility in play. Their next match against ENCE is the main challenge — it will show whether HOTU can secure a place among serious contenders.
2. Gentle Mates. The Spanish roster climbed to #22 in the rankings after their upset against G2. They broke a favorite thanks to their bold style. Their next opponent is Inner Circle, who are also on the rise. This will be a battle for the status of the group’s “dark horse.”
3. B8. The Ukrainian roster lost 25 ranking points and dropped to #19. Despite the defeat, the team showed potential on Overpass. Their next match against G2 will be crucial — it will determine whether B8 can fight against the giants.
4. G2. One of the tournament favorites suffered a humiliating defeat, lost 40 points, and dropped to #8. The match against B8 is their last chance to avoid catastrophe.

UPCOMING MATCHES

HOTU vs ENCE. ENCE look like the favorites after their victory over Astralis, but HOTU are on a three-match winning streak and can put up a fight thanks to frontales and n0rb3r7. For ENCE, the key will be controlling the economy and discipline in early rounds.

Gentle Mates vs Inner Circle. This is a clash between two of the group’s “surprises.” Gentle Mates already defeated G2, while Inner Circle overcame GamerLegion. The key battle will be for initiative on early maps: cairne and Davy against dav1g and MartinezSa. The winner will take a big step toward the playoffs.

G2 vs B8. A survival clash. For G2, it’s a chance to preserve their top-team image; for B8, it’s a chance to make history. The experience factor is on G2’s side, but the Ukrainians have already shown they can upset favorites.