The highlight couldn’t be anyone other than donk.

Team Spirit is the big winner of IEM Katowice 2024. The Russian team full of young talent is the big surprise and beats FaZe Clan in the final 3-0. For this achievement, Spirit counted on the much talked about Danil "donk" Kryshkovets.

The Counter-Strike community wondered if could donk maintain this level in the grand final of a big event like IEM Katowice 2024. The answer is yes, and this was the last test for the player. The rookie donk is already a reality.

donk was the highlight of IEM Katowice 2024 (Image via ESL)
donk was the highlight of IEM Katowice 2024 (Image via ESL)

On the other hand, donk and Team Spirit faced the final boss in IEM Katowice 2024 grand final. FaZe Clan reached the finals of the four major CS2 events, having won IEM Sydney. They also won tournaments like the Thunderpick WC and CS Asia Championship, showing an incredible record for FaZe in CS2.

Team Spirit vs FaZe Clan results (IEM Katowice grand final)

Team 1
Team 2
Map 1
Map 2
Map 3
Map 4
Map 5
Score
Team Spirit
FaZe Clan
Nuke (13-9)
Mirage (13-11)
Overpass (13-3)
Ancient
Anubis
3-0

IEM Katowice: Team Spirit vs FaZe Clan (Nuke, Mirage and Overpass)

Map 1

The first map was Nuke, chosen by FaZe Clan. Spirit started better, but a clutch from Robin "ropz" Kool predicted a close game between the two.

Even with a ropz inspired by the map, on the other side was donk. The truth is, he didn't feel the pressure. He dictated the pace of the game on Nuke's T and CT-side, finishing with a rating of 2.06, 31-14 (KD).

Map 2

The second map, chosen by the Russians, was marked by balance until a certain part of the match. The map tied at 7-7, however, in crucial moments of the match Spirit was better. Spirit opened up the advantage again, just like in the first map, but FaZe got closer.

Helvijs "broky" Saukants' clutch and other advantage situations from FaZe helped the team reach 12-11.

In the decisive round before overtime, with a clear advantage in weaponry and grenades, FaZe Clan let Spirit close the map at 13-11.

Map 3

The third map started off very well for Spirit. Starting on the CT-side, the team gave FaZe Clan's attacks no chance. Once again, the inevitable donk in the spotlight. Always him.

The first half revealed this imbalance with an 11-1 in favor of Team Spirit. FaZe Clan's pistol in the second half promised a different story, but it wasn't quite enough. Once again donk unlocked Spirit's first round buy, putting the team one round away from winning IEM Katowice 2024. With everything in their favor, Spirit closed the third map 13-3.

MVP: donk

As ESL Counter-Strike said, the MVP could have been none other than donk.

Who can stop donk? ESL Player of the Decade Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev is ready to return after PGL Major Copenhagen.

Stay tuned to esports.gg for the latest CS2 news and updates.