The Thunderpick World Championship returns for a second year and will see 16 world-class Counter-Strike 2 teams converge in Berlin from Oct. 21 to Nov. 3, 2024. These squads will vie for ultimate supremacy and a share of a record-breaking $850,000 prize pool—the largest ever sponsored by a bookmaker!
The Group Stage takes place online and will adopt a double-elimination format, with four groups of four teams competing for a spot in the Playoffs. But who are the contenders? Join us as we delve into all the CS2 teams competing for glory in the Thunderpick World Championship 2024 Group Stages.
TWC Group Stages Preview
Group A – 21 + 25 Oct
Here are the Group A teams at the Thunderpick World Championship Group Stages:
VP
Virtus.pro joins the lineup of invited teams at the TWC 2024. Despite a few disappointing performances and narrowly missing a spot at the BLAST Premier World Final, VP has consistently held a top 10 position in the HLTV World Rankings this year. They now seem more determined than ever to reclaim their status as titans in the CS2 arena.
Team Falcons
Team Falcons has had a rollercoaster year with multiple roster changes. While this instability has led to rocky performances, the mostly Danish squad secured a few strong finishes at major events, including 3rd-4th at IEM Katowice and BetBoom Dacha Belgrade. With s1mple on loan, Falcons are entering TWC 2024 with high expectations.
3DMAX
Ranking 23rd in the ESL Global Rankings, 3DMAX aims to clinch one of the available spots in the TWC Playoffs. The French giant has a storied history in Counter-Strike, delivering solid performances in the A- and B-tier leagues. This includes victories at Skyesports Championships and YaLLa Compass Summer, with IGL Maka (1.14 rating) leading the charge.
UNPAID (formerly BLEED)
BLEED Esports secured a spot at this event after an impressive 10-3 run in the European Series qualifier. Despite being considered a mid-tier team, BLEED has proven its competitiveness by toppling squads like BIG and GG. Led by coach Kassad, their recent success inspires confidence in their potential to pull off huge upsets—even against higher-ranked competitors.
Group B – 22 + 25 Oct
Here are the Group B teams at the Thunderpick World Championship 2024 Group Stages.
The MongolZ
Since returning to CS2, The MongolZ have dominated mid-tier leagues. The Mongolian esports club even shocked fans by beating established teams like Astralis and NIP, securing 1st place at YaLLa Compass 2024. Now ranked 13th in the HLTV World Rankings, The MongolZ is expected to make a breakthrough in the TWC.
9z Team
9z Team earned a direct invite to the TWC 2024, with ambitions to cement themselves as a top-10 contender in CS2. The Argentine squad has already proven its mettle, having defeated heavyweights MOUZ, Liquid, and Vitality in the past. After an early elimination at IEM Rio 2024, 9z is determined to redeem itself.
Fnatic
Widely considered an iconic esports club, Fnatic will join the roster of invited teams at this year’s TWC. Although they’ve fallen on hard times, the crew has relentlessly attempted to claw their way back to the top. Recruiting ex-Astralis star blameF was a turning point for Fnatic, inspiring hope for a strong performance at the event.
Cloud9
Cloud9 has delivered mostly mixed results in 2024 but remains competitive in CS2. The partial roster overhaul—the addition of HeavyGod and ICY, and the return of interz—has reinvigorated the team. Their 10-4 victory at the European Series 2 qualifier under Boombl4’s leadership also shows promise, but whether they can fully meet expectations remains to be seen.
Group C – 23 + 25 Oct
Here are the Group C teams at the Thunderpick World Championship 2024 Group Stages.
HEROIC
Ranked 11th in the HLTV World Rankings, HEROIC has earned the respect of CS2 fans worldwide. The Norwegian powerhouse heads into the TWC with a roster of top-tier talent, including IEM Rio 2024 EVP NertZ, who has been a pillar for the team. The formidable lineup also features TeSeS, sjuush, kyxsan, and degster.
Imperial Esports
Imperial Esports has a strong footprint in the Brazilian CS2 scene. Although they haven’t found much success on the international stage, the team powered through the South American Series qualifier to earn a spot at the TWC 2024, all while dropping only one map. Only time will tell if Imperial can reach global dominance.
NiP
Ninjas in Pyjamas are among the invited teams at the TWC 2024. Like Fnatic, this team is widely considered to be legendary in the Counter-Strike arena but has recently found itself outmatched by stronger competition. However, the promotion of academy players MisteM and sprayxd offers a potential spark, injecting fresh energy and offering a chance to reignite the iconic NIP magic.
Legacy
Legacy has held its ground as a strong contender in North America, consistently winning mid-tier leagues and RMR events. The team blends new and old talent, featuring latto, dumau, b4rtiN, saadzin, and NEKIZ. After a dominant run in the TWC 2024: North American Series 2 qualifier, Legacy is ready to prove they’re more than just regional champions.
Group D – 24 + 25 Oct
Here are the Group D teams at the Thunderpick World Championship 2024 Group Stages.
M80
M80 earned their place in the TWC 2024 via the North American Series 1 qualifier. But they’ve already made a name for themselves as a resilient and skilled force in CS2. M80 even set a record recently, battling through 71 rounds (including eight overtimes) at the ESL Pro League. It’s a testament to their tenacity.
BIG
BIG is among the directly invited squads at the TWC 2024. Despite not having an unbeatable streak this year, the Berlin-based titan is currently ranked 20th in the HLTV World Ranking. Their ranking is a reflection of their enduring presence in the upper echelons of CS2. With a rock-solid roster of skilled players, BIG has the potential to disrupt the competition and make flashy plays.
Aurora
Aurora has made its mark in the EMEA region as a competitive CS2 team. While the squad is regarded as a bit of a wildcard, it hasn’t stopped them from showing moments of brilliance. They placed 1st at Skyesports Masters, 2nd at the ESL Challenger at DreamHack Melbourne, and 3rd-4th at Skyesports Championship.
BESTIA
A rising force in the CS2 pro circuit, Argentine esports organization BESTIA enters the TWC 2024 through the South American Series 2 qualifier. Despite holding the 47th spot in the HLTV World Rankings, they have proven themselves to be a force thanks to multiple top-3 placements in mid-tier leagues this year.
Get More TWC 2024 Info
Want even more TWC 2024 information? We’ve got you covered! You can find the full schedule, the best moments of the tournament so far, user bonuses, and so much more at our Thunderpick World Championship 2024 hub.
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