sAw: “We should be favoured to reach the playoffs — but it won’t be easy”

sAw: “We should be favoured to reach the playoffs — but it won’t be easy”

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📰 Summary & Context

Eetu "sAw" Saha, coach of G2, spoke ahead of the StarLadder Budapest Major (Stage 3) about the team’s mindset and expectations. After a month of intensive practice and bootcamp, he believes G2 is physically and mentally prepared — and that the team should arguably be among the favourites to reach the playoffs. 

However, sAw remains realistic, noting that although the goal of playoffs “should be doable,” the path will not be easy. The unpredictable nature of the Swiss-system format, plus the volatility of best-of-one matches, makes success uncertain even for strong teams. 

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💬 What sAw said — key quotes

• On minimum expectations:

  “I think the minimum is basically playoffs, when you think about it.”

• On the team’s chances:

  “I think we should even be favoured to get to the playoffs, and then from there on, anything is possible.”

• But with caution:

  “It’s not gonna be an easy task to reach that.”

He described the recent month as a chance to rebuild fundamentals — communication, map pool readiness, and fresh tactical approaches — after a rough end to their last event. 

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🔄 Background: Why this Major matters for G2

G2 is coming into the Budapest Major following an unfortunate run at IEM Chengdu 2025, where a medical emergency forced sAw himself to stand in for the roster anchor Nemanja "huNter-" Kovač. That substitution disrupted their dynamics and ultimately cost them a spot in the playoffs, leaving unanswered “what-if” questions. 

Moreover, the 2025 autumn season has been a roller-coaster for G2 — highs like their surprise victory at BLAST Open London 2025 but also disappointments with inconsistent performances. 

Because of this history, the Budapest Major represents a crucial opportunity for redemption and for proving that the team’s potential still stands.

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🎯 Strategy & Challenges at the Major

• Reset fundamentals. G2 reportedly spent their pre-Major bootcamp emphasizing communication, refreshing their map pool, and tightening the basics — aiming to avoid past mistakes.

• Tackle randomness. sAw admitted that best-of-one matches — especially early in the Swiss rounds — carry a high risk of swingy results. Even a strong lineup can stumble if not on point.

• Stay focused, day by day. Rather than setting lofty outcomes beyond playoffs, the plan is to take it one match at a time, then build from there.

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✅ What this could mean for G2 — and for fans

• If G2 delivers on their preparations, they could emerge as one of the “safe bets” for playoffs — a strong sign of recovery after a rocky season.

• Reaching the playoffs would likely restore confidence in the roster’s potential and could mark a turning point ahead of 2026.

• For fans, this Major is a moment of truth: a chance to see whether G2’s “ups and downs” settle into a stable “up.”