There we have it – the first EU Qualifier for the Thunderpick World Championship 2024 is complete, and we have our winners: BLEED. The roster put together by kassad have won their first online qualifier, securing their place in October’s Thunderpick World Championship 2024, which promises to be one of the most exciting CS2 tournaments of the year.

Today, they faced Gaimin Gladiators, who we had as big favorites in this series. Let’s see how BLEED beat the odds…

BLEED conquer Gaimin Gladiators

Considering Gaimin Gladiators’ recent success under the ECSTATIC banner, you’d be forgiven for thinking this should have been a wash. However, BLEED were not here to roll over and concede. Instead, they made short work of the Danes, managing to take a swift 2:0 series on Overpass and Ancient.

The victory here represents a big step forward for BLEED. They’ve been constantly grinding online tournaments with very little to show for it. However, an appearance at the Thunderpick World Championship 2024 is a sign that they’re heading in the right direction at the moment.

The return of CeRq

Overall, it was a much better day at the office for BLEED, underlined by a much-improved CeRq. The AWPer has been at the forefront of much of the criticism directed at this BLEED roster, but here, when it mattered most, he stepped up big-time.

While CeRq wasn’t massively required on map two, he came up huge with a 19:11 performance on map one. He’s a massive reason that BLEED managed to take this series in two, and hopefully the AWPer can use it as a confidence booster for games to come.

faveN’s touch of class

We also wanted to touch on what a great pick-up faveN has been for BLEED. From the bench of BIG to the front lines here, he showed some great CS against Gaimin Gladiators. Map two of Ancient was all about him as he went 23:13, securing BLEED’s place in the Thunderpick World Championship 2024.

.@kassad when we win our first qualifier pic.twitter.com/Rud1y5k12H

— 9INE faveN (@faven) April 22, 2024

Frankly, he epitomizes what kassad’s BLEED is all about. Taking underrated pieces from other teams, and giving them a fresh chance at success. Now, faveN is going to the Thunderpick World Championship 2024, and we can’t wait to see what he brings to the table in October.