PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024 Opening Stage: ENCE and Apeks crashed out early, undone by Brazilian teams Imperial, paiN and Legacy.
The PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024 Opening Stage delivered a harsh verdict for two international rosters: ENCE and Apeks were eliminated before the Elimination Stage. The event, now viewed in 2026 as a cautionary tale about momentum and Major pressure, saw both squads fall to a trio of Brazilian teams — Imperial, paiN, and Legacy. For ENCE, the exit followed a hyped IEM Katowice 2024 run. For Apeks, it was a painful echo of a deeper Paris Major journey that had raised expectations.
ENCE: From Katowice Hope to Copenhagen Collapse
ENCE entered the PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024 Opening Stage with gla1ve and a mixed Polish-Danish lineup. After a stellar IEM Katowice 2024 performance, analysts had flagged the team as a potential threat. Yet the squad's form after that event was less exciting, with the notable exception of an RMR matchup against Astralis. In Copenhagen, the warning signs appeared immediately.
A close match against Imperial left ENCE on the ropes. Following that initial loss, the rest of the Brazilian squads took their shots. ENCE's overtime victory against KOI was not enough to bring them back into the running. paiN then decimated ENCE with a swift 13-3 scoreline. Their final encounter against FURIA was almost as quick. FURIA took down ENCE in two maps, and the Polish-Danish hybrid squad failed to reach double-digit rounds on both maps.
That result marked the end of ENCE's Major run. The team's inability to convert early-round chances into a deep Opening Stage campaign became the defining story of its Copenhagen appearance.
Apeks: Pressure, Parallels, and a Legacy Blow
Apeks arrived at the PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024 with added pressure from their performance at the Paris Major last year. They had surpassed expectations in prior endeavors but failed to leave a mark this time. There were many parallels with ENCE. Both squads fell at the hands of three Brazilian sides. Both managed to scrape through one encounter against a lower-tiered opponent through an overtime victory — for Apeks, that was a 16-13 result against AMKAL.
Imperial, paiN, and Legacy proved to be the thorn in Apeks' side. Legacy, coldzera's squad, delivered the final blow. The international squad managed only seven rounds on both maps as Legacy walked all over them. The loss meant Apeks did not make it through to the Elimination Stage of the PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024.
| Team | Opening Stage Path | Key Result | Final Blow |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENCE | Close loss to Imperial, OT win vs KOI, 13-3 loss to paiN | Failed to reach double digits vs FURIA on both maps | FURIA |
| Apeks | Losses to Imperial and paiN, OT win vs AMKAL | Only seven rounds on both maps vs Legacy | Legacy |
Brazilian Sides Set the Trap 🇧🇷
The most striking pattern of the Opening Stage was the Brazilian dominance over both European rosters. Imperial, paiN, and Legacy did not merely advance; they systematically dismantled ENCE and Apeks. The matchups highlighted how prepared the Brazilian teams were for the Major's high-pressure environment. For ENCE and Apeks, the losses were not isolated upsets. They were part of a broader collapse against a regional group that peaked at the right moment.
Player and Team Reactions
After the elimination, hades posted a short but blunt message on social media: 'Not good enough this event,' 'Out from the major,' and 'Sorry to all the fans.' The words captured the frustration inside the ENCE camp. Apeks offered a longer statement: 'Today, we are disappointed as we are unable to replicate our fairytale journey at the Paris Major. It's a tough pill to swallow, seeing our hopes dashed and dreams shattered. But it's only one thing to do and that is to work hard every single day to do better at the next Major.'
The contrast between the two reactions said plenty. ENCE's exit felt like a missed opportunity after a strong Katowice showing. Apeks' exit felt like a regression from a Paris Major high. Both organizations were left to confront roster questions, preparation methods, and the mental weight of a Major.
Why the 2024 Opening Stage Still Matters in 2026
As of 2026, the CS2 Major cycle has continued to evolve, but the Copenhagen Opening Stage remains a useful case study. It showed that a strong result at IEM Katowice does not guarantee Major success. It also demonstrated that a deep Paris Major run can become a burden rather than a boost. The Brazilian teams' collective success against ENCE and Apeks underlined the importance of regional preparation and matchup-specific anti-stratting.
For fans, the eliminations were disappointing. For analysts, they were instructive. ENCE and Apeks both entered the PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024 with credible resumes, yet neither could survive the Opening Stage. The tournament ended their runs early, and the 2026 competitive landscape still remembers the lesson: at a Major, reputation means little once the server goes live.
In the end, ENCE and Apeks were eliminated, the Brazilian squads advanced, and the PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024 Opening Stage added another chapter to the brutal history of Counter-Strike Majors. The disappointment was real, but so was the clarity it provided. Both teams would need to rebuild, adapt, and return stronger for the next Major cycle.
Comments