TaZ: "I feel like every game we give Stewie he will give 5%, 10% more because he's the stage beast"

In an incredibly impressive display G2 dismantled FaZe Clan in an absolutely one-sided 2-0 victory to secure a spot in the semifinals at IEM Dallas 2024. With that Wiktor "TaZ" Wojtas' G2 have continued a run many considered highly improbable due to Rasmus "HooXi" Nielsen being subbed out for Jake "Stewie2K" Yip. However, with Stewie2K pushing major numbers G2 made it seem easy in the arena.

After this win TaZ spoke to Dust2.us' Jeffrey "Mnmzzz" about G2's dominant win over FaZe, Stewie2K's impressive return to form, TaZ's 20-year rivalry with Filip "NEO" Kubski, and whether G2 have what it takes to claim the IEM Dallas trophy.

G2 made FaZe look like a group stage team today. How did G2 come together to be so dominant today?

It's hard to say, but it's like there's a lot of stuff that is connected and I feel like we are putting everything we are talking about after the games we are putting in the work, every game more and more and what I appreciate the most from the guys is that we are able to be calm no matter what happens.

We got eco'd on Dust2, and there weren't any whiffs or anger, we were ready to continue the game and that shows where we are mentally.

You told HLTV Stewie2K played a large role in the team being so calm, can you explain what Stewie is doing to make everyone so cool and so calm?

I mean obviously he has his vibe of 'guys just chill, don't over worry,' but all the guys are putting a lot of effort in and it is showing up. In particular, NiKo is calling really good mid-rounds and he's keeping his cool and it doesn't matter if he's starting very cold or he's playing very good, he's able to call really good shit.

When we talked to NiKo earlier in the tournament he said he was surprised with how good Stewie has been playing. He's now playing even better in the playoffs, in the arena, against FaZe, against karrigan. Did you expect that at all?

Actually after the game against MOUZ that's what I expected. I feel like every game we give Stewie he will give 5%, 10% more because he's the stage beast. He's the Major champion so he was waiting for this moment.

He was rusty at the beginning, but it feels like with every game he's playing better and better. I can only say that it's impressive.

You and NEO defined so much of early CS and IEM history. Does it feel good to beat your old friend and rival at the 100th IEM event?

I don't know if your viewers will remember 20 years ago there were some tournaments in CS 1.6 but of course it's always special to play against NEO because when I started playing Counter-Strike we always had this huge rivalry. Then we were playing together and winning championships together and now we are back to square one.

It's always extra for me because I have in the back of my head that we are competing at some point and now we are back to competing so now I think it's 2-2. I don't know the score but I'm so happy I was able to win with my boys at the stage against FaZe.

You mentioned Stewie gets 5%-10% better every match, does that mean we're going to see G2 go all the way to the finals after what we've seen today?

We take game after game, 9z is insanely impressive and they have a lot of energy. They are young and hungry so this reminds me a little bit of how we started playing Counter-Strike back in the day. We will prepare the best we can and just face them.

If Stewie ends up the MVP does he get a Mercedes?

Hey let me check... *checks for keys in pocket*... I got nothing.

G2 will continue their run with aims of taking the whole event as they take on 9z tomorrow at 05:15PM.