The ESL Pro League Season 22 quarterfinal brings us another classic duel between two legendary sides — Team Spirit and FaZe Clan. Played in a Best of 3 (LAN) format, this matchup stands out as one of the most anticipated series of the entire playoffs. For Spirit, it’s a chance to solidify their status as the world’s top team, while FaZe aim to prove that even after multiple roster transitions, they remain capable of beating anyone.
Head-to-Head — A Rivalry of Eras
The Spirit–FaZe matchup has evolved into one of the defining rivalries of the modern CS2 era. Over the past two years, the two sides have met 17 times, with Spirit holding a dominant edge — 14 wins to FaZe’s 3. Their most recent meeting took place at BLAST Open Lisbon 2025, where Spirit secured a commanding 2–0 victory (13–9 Nuke, 13–8 Anubis). The Russian powerhouse displayed complete control — donk and sh1ro punished every mistake, while chopper orchestrated rotations with surgical precision.
FaZe’s last win against Spirit dates back to March 2024 at PGL Major Copenhagen, but since then, much has changed. Spirit have evolved from a promising young roster into a fully-fledged championship machine, while FaZe are still searching for consistency and identity.
Group Stage Journey — Stability vs Resilience
Spirit — Structured Dominance
Under chopper’s leadership, Spirit once again showcased their signature organization and flawless synergy. They cruised through the group stage undefeated, taking down G2 (2–0), HOTU (2–0), and Inner Circle (2–1).
The team operates like clockwork — donk’s explosive entries blend perfectly with sh1ro’s calm, calculated AWPing.
- donk (1.37 rating, 100 ADR) continues to dominate the scene, consistently winning opening duels and applying constant pressure.
- sh1ro remains one of the most stable AWPers in the world, excelling in clutch situations.
- chopper acts as the brain behind the operation, ensuring Spirit adapt instantly to any challenge.
Spirit enter the playoffs as one of the strongest title contenders of the entire event.
FaZe — A Veteran Reawakening
FaZe Clan’s path was more turbulent but ended on a high note. After a technical loss to G2 (0–1) and a setback against 3DMAX (0–2), the team found their rhythm in the later stages. They bounced back with key victories over Astralis (2–0), Inner Circle (2–0), and a tense win over Aurora (2–1) to secure a playoff berth.
- frozen has been FaZe’s most consistent performer (1.19 rating, 81.5 ADR), providing composure and reliability.
- broky is regaining form, playing a more aggressive AWP style.
- Twistzz and rain bring crucial experience, though their impact fluctuates.
Ultimately, FaZe’s hopes rest heavily on karrigan, who must devise a tactical plan to contain donk’s tempo and stop Spirit from snowballing early.
Map Pool and Veto Analysis
Map stats (last 3 months):
- Dust2: Spirit 75% | FaZe 56%
- Mirage: Spirit 79% | FaZe 73%
- Inferno: Spirit — N/A | FaZe 44%
- Nuke: Spirit 50% | FaZe 50%
- Train: Spirit — N/A | FaZe 0%
- Overpass: Spirit 100% | FaZe 0%
- Ancient: Spirit 83% | FaZe 73%
Likely veto:
- Spirit will ban Inferno, a map where FaZe often leverage their structured defense.
- FaZe are expected to remove Overpass, avoiding Spirit’s strong macro control and rotations.
Possible picks:
- Spirit: Ancient or Mirage — ideal maps to unleash donk’s aggression and sh1ro’s tactical control.
- FaZe: Nuke — suits their slower, more disciplined playstyle.
Potential decider:
Dust2 looks the most likely third map — a playground for AWP duels between sh1ro and broky.
Key Duels
- donk vs frozen — A clash of generations: youthful explosiveness versus veteran precision. donk’s entry dominance could define early rounds, but frozen’s positional discipline might neutralize him.
- sh1ro vs broky — A battle of philosophies: sh1ro is methodical and unerring, while broky thrives on intuition and risk. Whoever wins the AWP duels will tilt the balance on Mirage and Dust2.
- chopper vs karrigan — Two tactical masterminds. chopper commands a young, fearless squad, while karrigan relies on experience and adaptability to turn the tide when all seems lost.
Current Form and Momentum
Spirit arrive as arguably the hottest team in the world, riding an 8-series win streak that includes victories over G2, MOUZ, NAVI, and Vitality. donk is in peak form, and sh1ro has fully synchronized with the team’s pace, making Spirit a near-perfect unit.
FaZe, meanwhile, still struggle with inconsistency — especially on the T-side and in clutch moments. While frozen and broky deliver individually, Twistzz and rain’s inconsistency adds volatility. If FaZe fail to adapt quickly to Spirit’s aggression, this could end swiftly.
Prediction
Spirit enter this quarterfinal as clear favorites, boasting:
- a dominant 14–3 head-to-head record,
- world-class form from donk and sh1ro,
- and unmatched structural confidence.
FaZe’s best chance lies in an early map win to build momentum, but Spirit’s precision and momentum make that unlikely.
Predicted score: Spirit 2–0 FaZe
