Top 5 IGLs at PGL Major Copenhagen 2024
It’s no secret that the captain is the most important and scarce role in Counter-Strike. Having an experienced and strong in-game leader (IGL) is a rarity in today’s CS scene. Playing such a dynamic shooter requires a significant focus on individual shooting skills, so few are willing to burden themselves with the responsibilities of team strategies. The process of building a unique team style is very challenging and time-consuming, especially in such a packed tournament schedule. The captain’s tasks include not only preparing the team for matches but also coordinating actions during the game. All these factors make the IGL position the most difficult and significant role on the server.
The upcoming Major in Copenhagen will be the first after the transition to the new version of the game. There is no doubt that the captains will bear a great responsibility for the final result. In this article, we will name their names and explain why these leaders deserve attention at PGL Major Copenhagen 2024.
5. Kamil 'siuhy' Szkaradek
The youngest representative of the current top teams and the entire pro scene among teams in the top 20 HLTV. The young talent is only 21 years old and is a product of the MOUZ academy. For many, it may seem unexpected to see him in this top list. But let’s remind that he is the acting vice-champion of the last Major in Paris. Last year, he reached the final with the GamerLegion team, after which his home organization brought back their protege and transferred him to the main roster.
After joining MOUZ, siuhy reunited with his teammates from MOUZ NXT, and the team immediately began to show worthy results. In 2024, they have already reached the top 4 of IEM Katowice and defeated several top teams. It cannot be said that under siuhy’s leadership, the teams demonstrate a bright and memorable CS. Yes, playing as the primary caller is a distinctive style, but in MOUZ’s execution, it all looks very simple. A good well-drilled pool of default rounds and excellent chemistry between the players are the main strengths of the young Polish captain’s teams. There is no doubt that his organization is capable of achieving a high enough result or at least making it to the playoffs.
4. Andrei 'arT' Piovezan
If you thought that this article would feature the captains of the main favorites of the tournament, then here is the first evidence to the contrary. Of course, it’s difficult to call Furia the main contenders for the championship; at the very least, they need to pass the first stage. But there is one weighty fact in favor of his candidacy – under his leadership plays FalleN. Being the captain of one of the best IGLs in the history of Counter-Strike is quite a serious achievement. Furia’s past achievements also speak for themselves. The Brazilian organization hasn’t missed the main tournament with Major status since 2019.
Furia’s style, which arT adheres to, is the craziest in the game’s history. His team always plays very aggressively and tries to disrupt all the opponent’s plans in the round. Playing against Furia means forgetting all the defaults you have in your playbook. They simply won’t let you implement them. This is often the downfall of the Brazilian team because sometimes you just have to “wait” for them and punish them for their aggression. Let’s see what arT’s team with FalleN will show at this Major. One thing can be said for sure – matches involving this team cannot be boring.
3. Lukas 'gla1ve' Rossander
Do you really need any explanations as to why gla1ve ended up on this list? If you need explanations, then you probably haven’t been following Counter-Strike for the last 5-7 years. The four-time Major champion left Astralis after 7 years and decided to take on a new challenge. In ENCE, he unexpectedly found himself in the company of four Polish players, although initially he was expecting quite a star-studded lineup with Maden and SunPayus. Despite such circumstances, in just two months, he managed to take 3-4th place at IEM Katowice 2024 and led the team to the main tournament of the first half of 2024.
Doubting the experience and professionalism of the Dane is foolish and pointless. But one can speculate about his form and current roster. ENCE will start their journey at PGL Major with the Opening Stage, and looking at the participants, reaching the next stage seems like a quite achievable task. The main feature of gla1ve’s playing style is meticulous analysis of the opponent. It’s almost impossible to beat his team tactically. There is no doubt that Lukas will prepare well for each opponent and provide a solid foundation for victory. Whether his teammates can absorb all the information and implement it in practice is the main intrigue surrounding the current ENCE.
2. Dzhami 'Jame' Ali
The captain of Virtus.pro has often been praised by his peers as the strongest tactician and one of the toughest opponents. Jame’s teams play a very structured and high-quality CS. Every coach, analyst, and industry person notes the unpleasant style of VP, which is very difficult to play against. Jame’s genius leaves no one indifferent. He is regarded with both admiration and disdain. Discipline in his teams is always at the highest level, both inside and outside the server. If you’re not ready to listen and put in the work, you’ll quickly find yourself out. His team selection process also differs from other teams. For his philosophy, Jame doesn’t seek superstars and doesn’t consider a player solely based on their shooting skills.
Once he made such a mistake, and VP missed out on qualification for the last CS:GO Major. Currently, the roster is hard to call star-studded, but after transitioning to CS2, the performance of all players is at a decent level, and the team is a real contender for the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 championship.
1.Finn 'karrigan' Andersen / Dan 'apEX' Madesclaire
When talking about the best captains at the upcoming Major, it’s difficult not to include these two legends in the current list. Considering them individually, in the context of other representatives of this top, also doesn’t make much sense. Finn and Dan are the most experienced and accomplished IGLs in Counter-Strike history. Each of them has nurtured several generations of excellent players and currently has at their disposal a lineup that is a favorite for the upcoming event.
Both captains are strong personalities and love to emotionally charge up their players before each match. Playing on stage is their natural element, where they can deliver a standout performance and captivate any audience. It will be extremely interesting to see the showdown between these legendary players. It remains to be hoped that they can lead their teams onto the stage in Copenhagen. However, the captain of Faze has a clear advantage here – it’s his home tournament, where every fan will support their compatriot.
The battle of captains at PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024 is expected to play a key role in the success of their teams. They will soon have to prove their status as favorites, and there’s not much time left for preparation.
The first CS2 Major will take place from March 17 to March 31.