FaZe completed a remarkable turnaround at XSE Pro League Guangzhou 2026, defeating EYEBALLERS 2-1 in the decisive 2-2 Swiss Stage series to secure the final playoff spot. After losing the opening map in overtime, the international squad responded with convincing wins on Mirage and Cache, while EYEBALLERS were eliminated just one victory away from the playoffs.
Road through the Swiss Stage
FaZe recovered from an 0-2 start after losses to TYLOO and MIBR by eliminating 3DMAX, SINNERS, and finally EYEBALLERS to qualify for the playoffs with a 3-2 record.
EYEBALLERS enjoyed an impressive campaign, defeating 9z and 3DMAX to reach a 2-0 record before suffering consecutive defeats against TYLOO, Nemesis, and FaZe. The Swedish side exits the tournament with a respectable 2-3 record.
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FaZe complete reverse after 0-2 start
The victory capped an impressive recovery for FaZe, who opened the tournament with two straight defeats before winning three consecutive elimination matches to finish the Swiss Stage with a 3-2 record. EYEBALLERS, meanwhile, came close to completing one of the biggest surprises of the event but ultimately fell short after another hard-fought series.
EYEBALLERS take Ancient, FaZe answer on Mirage and Cache
The series began on Ancient, where EYEBALLERS edged out FaZe 22-20 in a marathon overtime battle after refusing to let their opponents close out the map in regulation.
FaZe responded immediately on Mirage, producing a much cleaner performance to secure a 16-14 victory and force a decider. With all the momentum on their side, they dominated Cache 13-3 to complete the reverse sweep and book their place in the playoffs.
Jason “JBOEN” Boe Nielsen led FaZe with 64 kills and a 1.24 rating across the series. On the Swedish side, Freddy “KRIMZ” Johansson and Max “maxster” Jansson both posted ratings above 1.15 but were unable to stop FaZe’s comeback.
Best player of the match
Jason “JBOEN” Boe Nielsen was the driving force behind FaZe’s victory. The Danish youngster finished the series with 64 kills, a 1.24 rating, and delivered several crucial multi-kill rounds after the opening-map defeat, helping FaZe complete one of the tournament’s biggest recoveries.
VRS impact
The victory also boosted FaZe in the Valve Regional Standings. The international squad gained 30 VRS points, climbing from 24th to 20th, while EYEBALLERS lost 9 points and slipped from 31st position.
EYEBALLERS expressed their disappointment with an emotional message after the elimination:
Heart: broken. Dreams: shattered. This one is going to sting for a good while thinking of what could have been.
FaZe, meanwhile, celebrated the comeback. Team manager Niclas Krumhorn praised both his players and their opponents, saying he was proud of FaZe’s recovery from an 0-2 start while adding that EYEBALLERS also deserved a playoff place after their performances in Guangzhou. JBOEN summed up the mood more simply:
2-1 vs Eyeballers. FIRST PLAYOFFS BABY!!! LET’S F***ING GO.
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What’s next?
FaZe now advance to the XSE Pro League Guangzhou 2026 playoffs after one of the tournament’s most dramatic Swiss Stage runs. EYEBALLERS leave Guangzhou empty-handed despite pushing several favorites to the limit, with their strong performances suggesting the Swedish lineup can challenge for deeper runs at future international events.