The esports world has a new phenom. 17-year-old Russian rifler Danil “donk” Kryshkovets introduced himself emphatically this past weekend, spearheading underdog squad Team Spirit to a shocking 3-0 sweep over FaZe Clan in the Grand Finals of IEM Katowice 2024.
Summary
- Team Spirit pulled off a shocking 3-0 sweep against #1 ranked FaZe Clan to win IEM Katowice 2024
- 17-year-old phenom Danil “donk” Kryshkovets led Team Spirit with a historic individual performance
- Donk posted a record 1.70 rating for the event, the highest ever at IEM Katowice
- The win earned Team Spirit $400K and spots in several major future tournaments
- FaZe Clan were heavy favorites but had no answer for donk and Team Spirit’s dominance
On esports’ biggest Counter-Strike stage, the esports rookie donk authored what analysts are calling the greatest individual performance in CSGO major history. His eye-popping 1.70 event rating broke the IEM Katowice record, powering Team Spirit to map leads of 13-9, 13-11, 13-3 over the world’s top-ranked FaZe Clan.
“I can’t believe what we just witnessed from donk this week,” said veteran caster HenryG on the ESL Twitch broadcast. “A phenomenal display of raw skill and consistency.”
Donk erupted out of the gate on Sunday, recording a 32-kill Game 1 on Nuke that showcased his pinpoint aim and preternatural ability to find openings. FaZe had no solutions for the young gun’s unpredictable, aggressive peeks. Donk followed up with 24 and 26-kill performances on Mirage and Overpass to clinch the trophy.
“He was in God mode all event long,” teammate Dmitriy “sh1ro” Sokolov said of donk post-match. “So fun to play with.”
WE ARE YOUR IEM KATOWICE 2024 CHAMPIONS 🔥
Thanks to everyone for the support 🤍🖤#SpiritCS #CS2 #IEMKatowice pic.twitter.com/WXWpEidjlW
— Team Spirit (@Team__Spirit) February 11, 2024
While FaZe entered as heavy favorites, Team Spirit scouted them well after losing their initial group stage meeting. Adjusting to FaZe’s defaults and mid-round calls, Spirit had all the answers in the rematch while empowering their new star to take over.
The composure and consistency donk displayed in his first Big Stage LAN event foreshadows a long, successful career. He earned IEM Katowice MVP honors and announced himself as a future superstar.
“This guy donk is the truth,” FaZe’s Håvard “rain” Nygaard said. “He has the complete package already at 17. The sky’s the limit for him.”
With their shocking IEM Katowice triumph, Team Spirit claimed the $400,000 grand prize while also securing invites to IEM Cologne 2024, BLAST Premier World Finals and the Esports World Cup 2024.
Led by their rising phenom donk, the sky seems the limit for this young, confident Team Spirit squad. As donk trends worldwide, one thing is clear: a new CS:GO hero has arrived, and FaZe surely won’t be his last Big Stage victim.
