Can NAVI Solidify Their Dominance With Another Major Win in Shanghai

Natus Vincere has been in phenomenal form throughout 2024. Starting with their triumph at the PGL Major Copenhagen in March, they’ve consistently been the team to beat. With only a few teams managing to take trophies from them, NAVI stands on the brink of creating an era-defining legacy. Can they claim a second consecutive Major title in China and usher in the Black and Yellow Era for CS2?

Are We Already in the NAVI Era?

Seven finals appearances, four trophies—including the first-ever CS2 Major—and only four events without a semifinal finish. These stats alone suggest we might already be living in the NAVI era. The team’s six consecutive finals appearances in the latter half of the year solidify their status as the best in the world right now.

A Near Perfect Lineup

NAVI’s current roster is arguably one of the most balanced in recent CS history. With Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen providing calm and calculated leadership as the in-game leader and Andrij “B1ad3” Ghorodensjkyj ensuring flawless strategic preparation as a coach, the team operates like a finely-tuned machine. The firepower comes from Valerij “b1T” Vakhovsjkyj, a 21-year-old headshot specialist, and Ihor “wonderful” Zhdanov, a 19-year-old sniper with insane precision. Justinas “jL” Lekavičius and Mihail “iM” Ivan add consistent performances to create a roster where any player can step up as the star.

The combination of talent, consistency, and youth makes this NAVI lineup a potential juggernaut for years to come.

A Strong Showing in the PWE RMR

NAVI’s path to the Shanghai Major was not without challenges, but they proved their resilience. They qualified through the Regional Major Ranking (RMR) with a 3-1 record. While MOUZ handed them a loss in the qualification match, NAVI quickly recovered and secured their spot with a dominant victory over SAW.

Their RMR performance not only reaffirmed their strength but also secured their place in the Elimination Stage, bypassing the Opening Stage and beginning the Major in the top 16.

Who Can Stop NAVI?

Few teams have managed to challenge NAVI this year, and even fewer have done so in finals. Team Spirit defeated them in the BLAST Premier Spring Finals 2024 in June. Vitality outplayed them in the IEM Cologne finals in August. More recently, G2 Esports bested NAVI at the BLAST Premier Fall Finals.

While HEROIC, 3DMAX, and FaZe Clan also stand as potential threats in the Elimination Stage, they will need exceptional performances to overthrow NAVI. As for the teams emerging from the Opening Stage, any upset against NAVI would truly be a miracle.

Can NAVI Cement Their Legacy?

With their current form and a roster brimming with potential, NAVI enters the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 as the clear favorite. A victory in China would not only mark their dominance but also cement the start of a Black and Yellow Era in Counter-Strike 2.