What to expect from SAW v. paiN

This PGL Copenhagen Major has been historic for many reasons, it's the first-ever CS2 major, a team couldn't make it last minute, stickers aren't out yet, Pick' Ems have a different format and Portugal has a team in a Major for the first time. SAW have been nothing short of incredible ever since falling 0-2 in the European RMR. Today, they will face paiN, who have also been showing a good level of play in the first-ever Portugal v. Brazil match in a Major.

Also read: Official: Wildcard part ways with two

SAWed-off Shotgun

This is a squad that was just one series away from being eliminated from the RMR without a single win and, since then, they have gone 11 series without losing until falling to Cloud9 yesterday. SAW are currently riding high, having qualified for BLAST Premier Spring Finals between qualifying for the Major and going up 2-0 in said event. This is a team that doesn't appear to suffer from stage fright, but will they start showing cracks after their first loss?

arrozdoce has been on another level
MUTiRiS and roman can prove to be difference-makers individually
ewjerkz and story very solid
Everyone has clutch potential on this squad

paiN in the ass (for the opponents)

paiN were regarded as an easy 0-3 pick by many fans, but a shocking opening round win against Apeks ruined many Pick' Ems around the globe. That win was followed by what seemed to be a reality check, as paiN lost 13-2 against Eternal Fire, but once again, they bounced back and completely destroyed ENCE 13-3 on Vertigo, showing a lot of promise.

First BO3 this Major
biguzera is on another level, as well
Can biguzera out-call MUTiRiS and out-frag SAW?
nqz has been steadily getting more comfortable in Copenhagen

Also read: nqz on Brazil's strong results: "We are showing our face to the world again"

Previous Matchups

These two teams have never faced each other before.

Likely Vetoes

paiN ban Ancient
SAW ban Mirage
paiN pick Vertigo
SAW pick Nuke
Overpass will be the decider

Extras

This is the first time two Portuguese-speaking teams meet each other in a Major where one of the teams isn't Brazilian or, in other words, the first time a squad from Portugal meets a squad from Brazil.

PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024 Opening Stage

Bo3

SAW

0 - 2

paiN

All maps

SAW	K - D	+/-	ADR	KAST	Rating 2.1
Michel 'ewjerkz' Pinto	31 - 32	-1	86.4	62.8%	1.03
Ricardo 'roman' Oliveira	30 - 31	-1	66.5	60.5%	0.96
Rafael 'arrozdoce' Wing	22 - 34	-12	62.3	65.1%	0.82
João 'story' Vieira	17 - 27	-10	57.2	65.1%	0.76
Christopher 'MUTiRiS' Fernandes	18 - 29	-11	55.2	62.8%	0.73

paiN	K - D	+/-	ADR	KAST	Rating 2.1
Vinicius 'n1ssim' Pereira	38 - 24	+14	90.6	83.7%	1.42
Rodrigo 'biguzera' Bittencourt	39 - 26	+13	92.9	79.1%	1.34
Kaue 'kauez' Kaschuk	29 - 22	+7	61.5	62.8%	1.08
Lucas 'lux' Meneghini	27 - 28	-1	84.2	67.4%	1.04
Lucas 'nqz' Soares	19 - 18	+1	43.9	81.4%	0.87