Outsiders sweeps Rio Major grand finals over Heroic

TL;DR

  • Outsiders claimed CS:GO’s first South American major championship with dominant 2-0 victory over Heroic
  • The $500,000 prize marked the largest tournament win in the organization’s competitive history
  • Strategic map control on Mirage and Overpass demonstrated superior team coordination
  • Crowd attendance patterns sparked controversy despite electric grand finals atmosphere
  • The victory established Outsiders as dark horse contenders with significant roster potential

In a landmark moment for competitive Counter-Strike, Outsiders secured championship glory at the Rio Major, delivering a masterclass performance that captivated the Brazilian esports community. This victory represents not just another tournament win, but a significant milestone in the game’s global expansion.

The Rio Major stands as the eighteenth CS:GO major championship and marks the inaugural South American hosting of this prestigious event. Outsiders became the continent’s first champion organization, demonstrating exceptional strategic execution against Fnatic, MOUZ, and ultimately Heroic to capture the Intel Extreme Masters trophy. Their $500,000 share of the $1.25 million prize pool established a new financial benchmark for the team’s competitive achievements.

While crowd-related controversies generated significant discussion throughout the tournament, the championship finals showcased one of the most electrifying atmospheres in CS:GO history. Understanding the match dynamics and audience reactions provides crucial insights for tournament organizers and fans alike. For teams looking to replicate such strategic success, our Class Guide offers valuable team composition strategies.

Outsiders triumphs in grand finals of Rio Major

The championship battle commenced dramatically on Mirage, a map selection that surprised few analysts given both teams’ proficiency. Early rounds demonstrated remarkable equilibrium, with consistent exchanges continuing through the side switch as Outsiders secured eight rounds on their Terrorist half. The Eastern European squad then executed a stunning recovery after losing the pistol round, claiming five consecutive Counter-Terrorist victories. Despite a valiant resurgence effort led by Casper “cadiaN” Møller’s strategic calls, Outsiders closed the map decisively in round 28. Standout performances from rifler Pyotr “fame” Bolyshev and in-game leader Dzhami “Jame” Ali, who combined for 47 eliminations, established them as players requiring serious competitive attention.

Map two on Overpass began favorably for Heroic with pistol round success and immediate follow-up, but economic constraints combined with an unfortunate teamkill incident involving René “TeSeS” Madsen provided Outsiders with critical momentum. Heroic’s consistent failure to maintain connector control granted their opponents repeated clean access to both bomb sites. Neither eco rounds nor full buy scenarios could generate sustainable momentum for the Danish contenders. The opening half concluded with a commanding 12-3 advantage for Outsiders, positioning them just four Terrorist rounds away from championship closure.


Heroic attempted to manufacture momentum but couldn’t withstand the pistol round counter-attack, surrendering two crucial rounds that placed Outsiders on match point. A final desperate buy round from the Danish squad proved insufficient to prevent the inevitable outcome. As Evgeniy “FL1T” Lebedev’s M4A1-S delivered the concluding shots, Outsiders stormed the stage to claim their hard-earned championship title.

Outsiders Rio Major championship roster

The championship-winning CS:GO lineup representing Outsiders during their Rio Major triumph featured these professional players and coaching staff.

  • Aleksei “Qikert” Golubev
  • Dzhami “Jame” Ali
  • Evgeniy “FL1T” Lebedev
  • David “n0rb3r7” Daniyelyan
  • Pyotr “fame” Bolyshev
  • Dastan “dastan” Aqbaev (Coach)

This championship roster initially formed during May 2022 with the strategic additions of n0rb3r7 and fame. They entered the major tournament as dark horse contenders following their previous championship success at DreamHack Rotterdam 2022. While maintaining consistent competitive presence, Outsiders represented an unconventional prediction for overall tournament victory. Considering Virtus.pro’s earlier major championship achievement in 2014, the organization has now secured its second major trophy. Understanding roster construction is crucial for competitive success, which our Complete Guide explores in greater depth.

The Heroic competitive lineup that challenged the champions in the grand finals included these professional players.

  • Martin “stavn” Lund
  • Casper “cadiaN” Møller
  • René “TeSeS” Madsen
  • Rasmus “sjuush” Beck
  • Jakob “Jabbi” Nygaard
  • Richard “Xizt” Landström (Coach)

Rio Major grand finals crowd draws controversy

Despite modest expectations from the broader CS:GO community, the Rio Major grand finals attracted a packed audience demonstrating remarkable energy and engagement throughout the championship matches.

Throughout the playoff stages of the Rio Major, observant CS:GO enthusiasts noted significantly reduced attendance numbers during matches featuring exclusively international teams. The semifinal confrontation between Outsiders and MOUZ received particular criticism regarding spectator turnout. The explosive crowd reactions during Furia and Heroic matches further highlighted attendance disparities. Community members proposed numerous theories explaining crowd patterns, citing factors including fan festival scheduling, influential community figures, and nationalistic viewing preferences.

However, the grand finals audience demonstrated anything but quiet reserve. Portuguese chanting consistently filled the stadium atmosphere during lulls in The Wave flashlight displays. While significantly fewer shirtless spectators appeared compared to Furia matches, this attendance level would have represented an impressive turnout at any previous major tournament.


Regarding future implications for Brazilian CS:GO tournaments, ESL has confirmed plans for another Intel Extreme Masters event scheduled for Brazil during 2023. Ideally, future tournaments will avoid scheduling outdoor fan festivals during critical playoff match timing. For players interested in optimizing their competitive loadouts, our Weapons Unlock guide provides essential strategic information.

Action Checklist

  • Analyze map veto patterns and first map selection strategies
  • Review economic management during critical round transitions
  • Study team coordination during site executes and retakes
  • Evaluate individual player impact through statistical performance metrics
  • Assess crowd influence on player performance and momentum shifts

No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » Outsiders sweeps Rio Major grand finals over Heroic Comprehensive analysis of Outsiders' historic Rio Major victory and the controversial crowd dynamics