The second match of the BLAST Premier Spring European Showdown 2023 brings us Cloud9 vs Copenhagen Flames
After their disappointment at the ESL Pro League final, Cloud9 will now be trying to make it into the BLAST Premier Spring Final via the hotly-contested BLAST Premier Spring European Showdown 2023. Their first opponent in the 8-team single-elimination gauntlet is Copenhagen Flames, who seem to have recovered from their string of roster changes last year and are now shaping up quite nicely. There is a pretty big difference between the two, so if you’re trying your luck with some CSGO betting or just want to read more about C9 vs CPH, here’s our preview.
Cloud9
Despite a pronounced improvement in the last couple of months, Cloud9 still don’t have a new trophy to be pleased about. Moreover, one might argue that the luck of the draw had a lot to do with their presence in the Grand Final of EPL 17, with ENCE having taken out the likes of G2 Esports and Team Vitality enroute to their Semifinal against C9. That being said, the CIS squad did beat G2 in the Group Stage convincingly, and they will certainly be emboldened by these latest developments. They are the favorites in this matchup without a doubt.
Players
Vladislav ”nafany” Gorshkov
- HLTV Rating: 1.03
- Impact Rating: 1.09
- Kill/Assist/Survived/Traded: 68.9%
- Average Damage Round: 74.1
- Kills Per Round: 0.66
Dmitriy ”sh1ro” Sokolov
- HLTV Rating: 1.26
- Impact Rating: 1.21
- Kill/Assist/Survived/Traded: 76.3%
- Average Damage Round: 78.8
- Kills Per Round: 0.77
Timur “buster” Tulepov
- HLTV Rating: 1.08
- Impact Rating: 1.03
- Kill/Assist/Survived/Traded: 72.0%
- Average Damage Round: 73.2
- Kills Per Round: 0.68
Sergey ”Ax1Le” Rykhtorov
- HLTV Rating: 1.16
- Impact Rating: 1.15
- Kill/Assist/Survived/Traded: 72.5%
- Average Damage Round: 80.6
- Kills Per Round: 0.73
Abai ”HObbit” Hasenov
- HLTV Rating:1.06
- Impact Rating: 1.13
- Kill/Assist/Survived/Traded: 71.4%
- Average Damage Round: 80.0
- Kills Per Round: 0.72
Player To Watch
Given his insane form, it would be criminal not to keep an eye on Ax1Le in this match.
CPH Flames
It’s been a year of ups and downs for CPHF. A little over a year ago, they not only made it to the PGL Antwerp Major by beating NIP in their Regional Major Ranking Final, but shocked everyone by actually reaching the Playoffs. A massive shuffle followed a few months later, but the team seemed to be back on track for more highs with a string of B-Tier silverware, but this year has yielded 0 trophies so far. With some fresh blood coming in, they are a team in transition, but the changes can’t seem to come quickly enough.
Players
Rasmus “raalz” Steensborg
- HLTV Rating:0.98
- Impact Rating: 1.01
- Kill/Assist/Survived/Traded: 70.4%
- Average Damage Round: 72.0
- Kills Per Round: 0.66
Johannes “b0RUP” Borup
- HLTV Rating:1.01
- Impact Rating: 1.05
- Kill/Assist/Survived/Traded: 70.0%
- Average Damage Round: 73.2
- Kills Per Round: 0.68
Thomas “TMB” Bundsbæk
- HLTV Rating:1.04
- Impact Rating: 1.06
- Kill/Assist/Survived/Traded: 69.2%
- Average Damage Round:76.6
- Kills Per Round: 0.66
Asger “Farlig” Jensen
- HLTV Rating:1.10
- Impact Rating: 1.11
- Kill/Assist/Survived/Traded: 70.2%
- Average Damage Round: 71.7
- Kills Per Round: 0.72
Thomas “birdfromsky” Due-Frederiksen
- HLTV Rating:0.98
- Impact Rating: 0.97
- Kill/Assist/Survived/Traded: 69.9%
- Average Damage Round: 72.2
- Kills Per Round: 0.59
Player to Watch
Once a much-maligned AWPer on Astralis, Farlig is now on a new team with new possibilities, and he will be our player to watch there.
CPH Flames vs Cloud9 Preview and Predictions: BLAST Premier Spring European Showdown 2023
The odds are stacked simply too high in C9’s favor, and that’s whom we’re choosing as 2-0 winners.
Maps
We’re most likely going to see Ancient from CPHF, Mirage from Cloud9, and Vertigo left over.
Score
Map 1: C9 to win with CPHF
Map 2: C9 to win with CPHF
Top Fragger
We picked Ax1Le for C9, and we’ll stick with him all the way.
Match Links
BLAST’s Twitch or YouTube channels are here for your discretion, and the broadcast is slated to begin at 13:30 ET/12:30 CST/10:30 PT.
Check out our wide range of other CSGO content while you wait for the match to begin.
