BLAST Premier Spring Season Week 1 team performances summarised

FaZe Clan

The addition of Marcelo "coldzera" David had been underwhelming for the star-studded European CS:GO lineup up until now.

A flawless run saw FaZe on fire in the server and on the BLAST UI.

With young talent Helvijs "broky" Saukants showing his AWP ability with flicks and clutches in the face of more experienced opposition, the rest of FaZe were also able to shine around the future star.

Taking important victories over Team Liquid twice will boost FaZe's confidence heading into the Global Finals where they will meet the winners from Week 2 and Week 3 as well as two teams that battle their way through the Showdown.

Team Liquid

Another player break, another Liquid melt.

Despite being from the first pot alongside Astralis and Evil Geniuses, Team Liquid simply didn't have enough to take it over the line.

While there was no shortage of impressive plays on the North American side, the team ended up outplayed by FaZe not once, but twice.

Possible personal factors emerged on social media in the hours that concluded the match, with Canadian rifler Russel "Twistzz" Van Dulken addressing rumours surrounding his private life.

Victories over MIBR and NiP secured Liquid a place in the Global Finals in April, but questions have to be raised about whether Liquid can bounce back and be a true top contender for IEM Katowice and a likely appearance in the ESL Pro League before the BLAST Finals come around.

Ninjas in Pyjamas

The loss of legendary figures like Christopher "GeT_RiGhT" Alesund and Patrik "f0rest" Lindberg certainly marked the end of an era in CS:GO, but NiP looked like a team wanting to secure a new legacy with a fresh roster.

Tim "nawwk" Jonasson joins Nicolas "Plopski" Gonzalez Zamora as young potential breakout talents to fill the veteran void. The emergence of young talent into the top teams in Sweden has seemingly given new life to the previously stagnating pool of players.

While most expected NiP to be sent to the Showdown, the promise shown makes them a team to watch for the future.

MIBR

After Gabriel "FalleN" Toledo's social media response to Auguste "Semmler" Massonnat following comments regarding the team's efforts in the game, fans were hoping the Brazilian godfather would have a plan up his sleeve.

Instead, MIBR were the first team knocked down into the Spring Showdown.

Ignacio "meyern" Meyer was able to show why he has garnered a reputation as a promising South American talent outside of Brazil.

With so many roster moves and no real improvement over the last two years, a change in form will need to come quickly if Made in Brazil doesn't want to continue being Disappointment in Brazil.