Here with Fallen, you don't need any introduction, and we're going to talk about...
I was going to say one of your favorite maps.
Is Overpass one of your favorite maps?
Yeah, I would say so.
I like Rippers a lot.
Where does it fill in all time for you?
After a train.
It's been over a bus.
I'll catch you on a train with you then.
Well, we're on over a bus now.
This is where, on the CT side, are you just letting the players call the openings based
of the flow of the game once you get past the opening game plan.
Yeah, so I would say that this role here for the rifle only, I think at least on CSGO,
it was the position with the most opportunities for higher ratings on every single position in the
game. So like the rifle in position is one that really can do a lot on the map and it gives you
opportunities to be playing well and I would say that his job is literally to knowing how to play
effectively in different areas. So there will be rounds where you want this rifle to be effective
on this area, like he's gonna be aggressive, he's gonna have some plays.
Sometimes there's two, sometimes there's three, even as far sometimes.
Spiritually bring four players here, if they know the other things, I'm gonna play a big game.
If he needs some options, being aggressive on fountain, aggressive on playground,
I think that a secondary way of playing it is just really blocking the utility in the beginning of the round.
He's gonna be trying to smoke here to make sure that they don't know what we're doing, right?
Sometimes the smoke-motic combo is gonna be just for faking it, sometimes he's gonna be playing around it,
so he's gonna be trying this a lot of times because then he cannot really read him.
Because if you only throw this when you're going to use it, people are like, okay, he's coming, right?
Sure.
So he has his own game, and then I think there's a secondary game where they're going to pair up, for example on toilets,
I'll propose rifle, or even on this part of the map.
But I think that most of the time, it's all about this rifling understanding, which kind of pressure the other team wants to apply,
and which kind of things that they can punish, for example.
Okay.
So for example, I think I know that Jakindar is going to be looking for what our opponents are doing when they go on A,
he's gonna be trying to understand where he can have impact, where he can punish something.
And then everything that's happening here, sometimes it's gonna bring Yuri back to A.
So, the less aggressive they are, for example, if you go more like VP, old style, or Jame and Thamon playing super passive,
and they don't really care that you're gonna come A, then you will normally have this Alper playing retake mode.
The rifle is gonna take as much as it can, they're gonna throw a defensive smoke,
and then you don't really need the retake guy to be much away,
because they're playing so passive that they can play more 3B, you know?
So, this rafting position when he's playing more passive or playing, for example, here,
on long passive, it gives you indication from when this guy has to come up to A.
Or sometimes you can also think like, I think they're going to take out this map and go back to B,
so U is TAB, so we don't really have only two players on B, you know?
Okay, let's say you're doing a more passive setup like this.
Is this the type of thing that you are happy to turtle up across the map?
Kind of like Nuke where you're giving a lot of map space.
Or is this the type of thing we want in this scenario to have short control
so that we can flank up connected behind?
I personally think that the passive game on Overpass is more suitable,
but there are teams, and I've seen, I think that on Tier 2, even more,
they're much more challenging, right? They're going to be taking space,
this duo is going to be taking short together, looking for kills.
And I mean, it's great if we're catching the lurker off-guard and we're getting a 5v4,
then of course it's worth it.
But I also think that if the other team is playing on a high level,
you're going to get punished a lot doing those things.
And then that's where I think third-ling up is a little bit better.
But eventually, I think the best case scenario, you know how to play both.
But I think team should be playing passively first,
because otherwise, you're not going to get there.
No fundamentals if you don't have the passive stuff down.
5v4, T-Side overpass.
How confident are you in a round with them?
Because it's still a very C-T-Side map.
But off of one pick, are you like 70% of the time we should be converting that?
Like what do you think?
I know it's hard to put numbers on it, but...
I would say that if you find this Q on the rifle, there's two ways the CTs can think.
One of them is instantly rotating towards A and going for a three-man A defense where
they're going to even push up stuff more or even gamble away, but that's going to
be not played too much in my opinion anymore because the CTs already know that the pressure
has been applied on A and they know that the T's know that you're rotating A. So sometimes
people are just going to say, I'm going to solo with the LPA, you guys stay 3B, hope
for them to go B. And then if you are trying to be smart as terrorists, I'm going to say,
okay, they're coming towards A, let's go B. And then if you don't have the diligence or if you just
think it's a normal round, if you go 5-3 on B, and then it's normal, the rifle kill on A
doesn't really matter, right? If the players on B are playing well, if they get multi-kills, then
the death on A doesn't really matter. So you know, it's not too easy to understand what's
going to happen after this first kill. And I think short presence is important on this moment.
So the same way that sometimes you are capturing some control over A, and you want to have
have lockers, when I have long, on some situations you want to take a look on
short, you want to make sure that you have it. I think nowadays on CS2 cities
doesn't really stay here much because the positions that you can stay here are
not too strong anymore. Back on the days you could stay on top of this way if you
were watching Monster, you could call this a 3-position. This position is not so great anymore on this game
because of the high of the... Really? Okay. Yeah, it's not as good as it was before.
So you know nowadays I'm still checking for this short area to give me more
There are reasons to go B or open up the map, but I feel like it's already giving it up to you anyway.
But still I think it's crucial for you as T. Okay, I got a Q on A, I open up short again,
so they have to be scared of B, and then you can think of end game.
And then it's pretty much like all the other maps and all these gambling decisions that the cities can take,
but yeah, overpass. If you can't really do much of fakes or so,
I don't feel like this map is too great to be faking, go back faking, it's hard to play like that too.
I feel like one of the things that is good for though is like the seesaw.
So not like a full-on like let's throw in the aids and then we'll just rotate B because
they're obviously going to beat you on rotation.
But it's just about like putting the pressure and then taking space, putting the pressure
and taking space because like if you do have all control, short control and bathrooms on
the T side.
Yes, they have your shorts on this too.
It's great.
They have everything you want.
Yeah.
So like you can, as you're pressuring A, you can have a guy searching short to either catch
rotations or see if the site's empty, right? That's one of the things in the modern game
that Super Key is your lurks knowing when to be active enough.
Yeah, there's very micro decisions that micro timings, micro understandings where
they might have gone for a 3A, have to check it, and it's worth to go for this 1v1 or 2v1.
But yeah, we have a word in your team that we call Pinocchio.
Pinocchio?
Yeah, and basically we're trying to sell a lie, you know?
Okay.
If we kill this guy away, and I know that there's a chance they can go be retained to A,
sometimes I'm going to tell the A players we're closer to Pinocchio A,
so they understand like I have to apply a little bit more pressure, however I can,
in order for them to be a little bit more convinced that it's A,
and then this is the micro timing for the replayers, you know.
They are doing the lie, they're selling the lie on the other side,
and then the lurkers have to capitalize, okay, this is all they can do, you know.
So they're going to communicate that I'm done, like this is all I can do,
and then they don't have this opportunity to be going for those kills.
It's an important keyword.
Interesting.
That's what I find out.
Yeah, okay.
Well, cool.
Thank you for giving us some of your thoughts on other bugs.
That's it.
The good maps.
Hard to play on Pugs though, but it's a good map, comparatively.
Yeah, just don't play it on Pugs.
It's hard for myself.
It's hard.
I'm not sure if you can hear me.
I'm not sure.
I'm not sure.
I'm not sure.
I'm not sure.
Like in Rio, it's truly well and alive.
And we have just witnessed something magnificent
in the marvelous city of Rio de Janeiro.
First blood, two with the pistol and the kit and the gun.
So the man's up, down the middle.
Oh, my goodness, George, he's hiding behind the wall.
He got pulled from the knife.
Three on three, cold-series and some thieves.
Oh, my God.
Three shots to the face.
I told you, that's what he said.
Oh, my goodness, he actually hit the ground.
Oh, my God.
I can't believe that.
Whose first steps shut down, OG need the prawn. Thanks for what you've paid.
He's gone for it. I will take the risk.
No!
He doesn't have a chance to escape.
So he hits his A.
Oh, that finds too high.
I know!
Play with the fame.
Be more...
Oh!
Shatters Cloud 9 with one magazine.
It's the ace as well.
Oh, it's not left!
Leaping one tap, nonsense!
Oh, heck!
Oh, man!
Accidary slaps him out of the serve of the shot!
Two ball!
Out of ammo, this is for a little closer.
But maybe you ever need to train!
Oh, man!
And that's a quick turn!
Wonderful one!
Need another!
Out of ammo!
Out of ammo!
Now he's on the ball now, Molly.
I think it's the plate, it's the plate.
The best thing to do is get the game over and over again!
What the hell about it? They've done it!
He can't get any of them!
He nearly dies right then and there.
And they know if he comes slower down, he has to keep rolling.
They can either let him survive if they want it or want to shot. One more would be great.
Find him!
No way!
It's been an uneven fight still by Talik. He's doing everything they can.
Side-woo!
3!
They're close!
And now they're gonna win the fights and while Snappy's still doing it...
Oh, I got him now!
That's a blast, ready for it!
This is the opportunity, but won't make the same mistake again!
Fuck his time!
Belize!
He can really beat Fanatic's hero, Giga!
Wow, what a headshot!
He has the hole, that's exposed, and Giga can play the time!
Has a Q-comber, and he gets the clutch!
Outsiders up to 50, Giga to come up clutch!
Fanatic need this round, Giga's the one to deny!
They can get more!
And more for them!
Outside is called upon to reason for some magic!
It enters inside the site, holds it up!
Oh! They get murdered if I help it!
The kill, we've got this pushing, we've got smoke, we've got cover, we've also got a heart in a ball!
There he is!
Well, you better check your corners, Dexter!
Yet again survives!
He does it every time!
Dexter!
He finds another no more!
Wow!
Nine!
To the future sound, all of you happy?
If you're a 1-1, I'm going to have to stop!
Now you can take him down!
In the case of Ron, we've got him doing a little...
Oh!
That's some die-up.
Now we get into the 1v1 bit,
versus Grop,
from on the other side of that jump.
Oh, and now for the shot.
It's the Narvin's resources, you're restricting them now.
Oh, it's going to hold your arms for the mountain.
Making that money, baby.
You're looking to save right about now.
Simple dead bit,
Biff on up onto and it's off with a huge run.
Now you might need to multi-kill Biff, throw themselves out of route,
the corner, and you can predestimate the wrong position.
Felsen going off, the drops are relenting, he just won't give up.
Oh!
They've done it!
They're going into the semifinals!
This is completely unexplored territory for all five members of maps.
Outside is given an inch they will absolutely take a mile.
Norbert is absolutely ready on the other side.
A great triple spray down.
Tosh is still here.
He's going to get that and through the smoke.
He finds Norbert and then cut the one.
He probably feels that his presence in the B-bomb site, but the clutch is on.
If we try to put some pressure, he's looking close for it, and picks up a...
Oh no! How does this world...
...dave?
Prost is ready, and that Glock is doing tremendous damage.
It's probably the end of the retake, and it's one versus two now.
And he's playing his own with an angle to the italic session.
If they peek him again, Prost is on the other side!
Come on, family! We will steal the game from them!
Counter-Strike has traveled the world and today is a day for Brazil.
One match away from the grand final matchup, no one saw coming.
But this victory will not come easy.
Baroic, the capacity to make their own and break hearts simultaneously.
Takes the case of Arto, holds down his trigger, and drops two.
Can't they get that one now?
He's missed his chance and the offer still hits it as the ball pops in!
I don't believe it!
K-Soronto catches him on the edge of it!
Oh no!
This round has to be defeated!
It's over!
16-6!
And now the fighter tanker is K-Soronto again denies!
Last to find!
Your body's dropping and now he gets two-three!
Oh my goodness! God damn, that was close to ridiculous!
Out the door, Dutton Uri, big front back out of shush.
Can the 1v3 manifest?
And that's a turn for the house!
Gosh, outstanding!
One of the Urians, separated from the play!
Ah!
Kadeon 5-3!
He'll take it by force.
Heroic are off to the Grand Finals of IEM Rio 2022.
The Grand Final, the starts on Mirage. These two squads, both greater than the sum of their parts,
bear that full bruling for a major title. We've got the honour of telling you the story as it unfolds,
No one knows where this one goes.
Chaddler's going to be a whole lot of fun.
I'll be fucking dead!
I'll be fucking dead, fuck!
Kadeon, about to make a lot of impact on this rush.
They're throwing bodies into the B-side, and Kadeon's just slapping them away.
Pasty must keep toes, get out!
Flanking the flankers who flanked.
Javi, how's he going to get up?
Buster!
Javi!
The impact!
Is he dead?
He's dead again.
He's holding it, holding it, he doesn't, he doesn't expect it, but he's rising!
What a round, Yabi!
Friends, we'll find the bomb here.
Yeah, that's big from Tess S, round defining.
Sniper out!
Ah!
Oh no!
Head kicker!
As soon as you cross into his line-up.
And this last map, highly competitive, as a grand final should be.
I can't wait to crown a champion later today.
It's been four!
He may have spotted the flag, Yabi delivers.
Oh!
He's been wrapped all around for the map.
In this grand final, easy, easy, letters are squeezed.
His outside is up on the fast map.
Heroic, crumble.
This isn't like any other game.
This is your opportunity to win a major grand final
and join the elite.
How well cut, this is the tippy top of our mountain ride, and this is every Counter-Strike player's dream.
It's Math 2, baby. Grand finals, we crown a new champion today.
Break through, maybe, about the SMG, yeah?
Oh, Josh breaks into the site!
A-ha, a little bit of host!
And he smashed my flip!
We'll jump to the infos, get this safely.
Now, as he looks and the RB tries to play the game,
James confirms they should have...
...fucked it out!
Outsiders will make you work for everything.
You cannot relax.
We're talking about ghost launch.
You never know where James is going to be with the AWP,
but he's up next to me. He's somewhere.
Down to me, outstanding, six years.
That's not a J.I.G. in this stream.
They got the right pieces,
and now they've got a piece for the trophy.
With an 18 majors,
55 names and scribes,
and today we make it 60
with an outside of victory.
And crown your champions
of I.M.Leon, 2022!
Hello guys! Crazy summer right? What are you doing bro?
Your brother?
Couldn't go anywhere without people asking for pictures
Yeah, same
Wait, you guys have fans?
First major win and I'm even more motivated
I don't know what jail was talking about
Same brother
I'm not gonna lie, it feels like we can do no more.
God bless.
We unstoppable.
So what do you guys think?
No, no, no.
Then.
Then.
Then.
Then.
The first time these two teams will be taken to this very stage, let's get it on!
Yeah but watch this more because I was here and opened the door and Jack keeps on what's going on!
I was- AHHHHH!
That's a RIP will dig!
Look at the damage!
Destruction, hopes and dreams of a new man fading away in the last place.
The game is not ready for this Crembo, makes it on the diffuse, on the diffuse Crembo!
Same big flank cleanly, that's a quad kill in the round.
Just as the Flash popped he finds an E-DALITY 8-Pixel Double!
Deagle the Nade and now Zywin, oh he's getting that jump, comes down to half!
Beautiful read of it.
Skyward, he closes with style and vitality, securing it in turns.
Just like that, they clap.
Nothing to be happy with that one.
Considering the form they found and stepping onto the stage,
the individual seemed to wake in a word.
Heroic versus Furia, it's so destined.
Furia won the revenge versus the team who cut short their journey.
Last time they were in Rio.
This moment, here you know it.
Guns get swapped around.
What are you, the captain?
Looks to try to get some work done.
Yeah!
Yeah!
Yeah!
Yeah!
Yeah!
Kadeon, the captain.
Capable in the coach.
One man ascending.
Saves him behind him.
Kadeon.
Oh!
And lead by example.
What's up with Joey?
He needs more.
It's now just Yuri.
What's up with Joe? He needs more. It's now just Yuri.
They can get him to the state.
But Yami puts his head out of the sharpened back of the Furia.
Steal that pistol, Rao.
Yami doesn't have to play in time.
Stam, left in the crush, playing with the hearts, playing with the minds.
Oh! But he can't take it!
They're going to the semi-finals, they don't let Furia rise up and battle their demons.
They become the big bad, they embody it in Rio de Janeiro.
The last time Nabi walked out on this stage, they were left alone against the voices of
thousands.
But that changes now, right?
They are the heroes against Heroic on their quest for vengeance in Rio de Janeiro.
The fact is, you're just a fucking bee is closed!
The church could be all the glory, they fight in every step of the way just for a pleasant suppression.
FTL, I'm gonna do it alone!
And what a round from the rookie!
You know you got safe passage.
What?
What is going on?
What a way to go into the team.
Now these scramble bodies down into the B side.
They've got to. They've got no other choice here.
They're making plays in the 2B2.
It's a big rise to the occasion.
Resilient throughout.
They've got to.
They've got to. They've got to.
They've got to. They've got to.
They've got to. They've got to.
They've got to. They've got to.
Resilient throughout by the Heroic Squad to make this the map that it was.
It's now just simple, some sort of massive play is going to be made.
Heroic can feel this, one man left to stop them, and the Heroic Tide watches over Nabi!
They wanted vengeance, and they now have the chance to get it.
The quick headshot and start knocked, he killed again!
Look at the aggression, Shearer was the deepest chopped and he's missed his first.
Shot and flourish, it's Shearer to secure a cloud 9.
Maybe Magisk has got it in him.
Can he inject some...
No!
It's a direct set-up!
Just by one, no one will take a disservice.
You know of it!
I can't believe that!
So in the world!
I just had enough of Junity.
Pay the numbers.
Hold on to that advantage.
As long as you can and extend it.
Great play in the end of the day.
He's okay.
It all comes out in the wash.
It's nothing, it's running, delivers, nothing at all, isolated and overpassed!
It's off the way!
It's on policy!
One versus four, I'm in 8-27, that's perfect!
Shawty player, get out of the way!
Oh, why?
That's how on these jiggles, that's the first fight we've looked for, and that's just your night in the strength.
It's time to bring the fight!
In this gorgeous corner of the world today, we will bear witness to the beating heart
of competition that every single fan of Counter-Strike lives for, a grand final
with two teams of their peak, a grand final that feels too close to call.
The sweet Counter-Strike adrenaline that we all love.
Let's get into it, shall we?
No second chances, it's Tywoo and Dupree!
Now Church will play a piece on this B defense.
Oh no, it's not exactly what Church wanted.
Tywoo and Marcus get ready to defend and now lay down the pain.
The gist lives for these days games.
Down this beautiful switch, could be anywhere.
Marci and Flanky are all about the pain.
They're getting desperate right now, running smokes and running guns!
But Kadeon poses the gap to one-two!
WHOA! Kadeon with a phenomenal round and they're still clustering!
But this guy wants the redemption of...
Try to play out as they pitch with the bats.
And they pitch under and lexing, but Miro can't make it go up!
Fight them!
You risk everything you've got, you need this round, you need this win.
Oh, there's a gap. You see what?
No!
You bastards! There might be no time. There's no way!
And this is vitality! Working it over the line!
Sure! The Pyramids themselves!
It is eternal! And vitality will overcome those demons!
To start the run! The better the players carry them through!
You're champions in IEM Rio!
It's Team Vigil!
Rafa, really making history. Absolutely phenomenal.
And Ace is the champion of the Intel X-Train Master, the world final.
Sturves to the left by NDC, he's gonna take this fight for three seconds left.
Last two rounds, I don't think he's gonna stop it when we're free to see.
And this is a boxing move, this is where he's got content with just a nexus kill.
He woke up the back of them, she's gonna be hit again.
And it's all done, a strong place.
Unbelievable road with a full and shallow victory over Clash.
And they did it again in the back of the house.
It's all new.
The
The Intellixtree Masters Rio 2026 is brought to you by ESL in partnership with Intel,
Acer Predator,
Chex,
and DHL.
championship Sunday at the
Intel Extreme Masters Rio 2026.
Later today. The race for the gold
bars is truly on as vitality
take on spirit in that coveted
grand final, not before
Falcons face for year in our
third fourth place decider where
I'm going to go bother your
kinder for a few words ahead of
this series. You can welcome
weekend for you guys, can you just tell me some of the emotions you've experienced?
Yeah I mean honestly like in my I don't know like eight, ten years of career this
was the craziest arena I've ever played in and honestly the guys were telling me
like oh it's gonna be crazy, it's gonna be crazy. Well I was like well how crazy
can it be? Yeah it can be very crazy, honestly yeah. Yeah we're just super
grateful for even having this opportunity to play in front of such a crowd
against such an opponent and honestly even though we lost we didn't feel
necessarily that bad after after the loss because at least we put a fight and
it was just details that kind of decided the outcome. Obviously it's a bittersweet
moment right because this is the last time Fallen will be playing a tier one
event in front of a home Brazilian crowd I just want to ask you we always talk
about his impact upon the Brazilian scene and the wider scene as well how has
you changed your career? This guy is probably one of the most heartwarming
teammates I've ever played with. Not only a leader inside the server but also
outside of the server. He's just like a great example of what the player
should be. I feel like many people idolize him and look up to him and that's
completely right because a career that Thon has had is something that people
try for and many many of people cannot even reach the same highs as Fallon and
the things he's done for for the game and for Brazil is honestly pushing them
on legendary player lists of all time. 100% just one final question obviously
going up against Falcons in this third place decider. What do you make of them
and their trajectory at the moment? Yeah I mean we've been practicing a lot
against them lately and we felt that they're very very very good and they
beat Vitality in the group stage which honestly kind of it's a little bit
surprising because all the rumors with the Karrigan thing and whatever but we
know how good they can be and honestly we don't know the outcome of this
match how it's gonna happen and everything we're just grateful for
having this opportunity to play on the stage again and hopefully Falcons are
and I enjoyed it a lot as well because I think even though everybody was against Vitality
yesterday, I think for them it's also great and a cool experience.
Thank you so much for your time, I wish you kind of good luck.
Hey Damian, we're doing a little vibe check.
Hi, how are you?
I'm good, excited to play again.
What is the mood in the team after that yesterday's loss?
Obviously we have to talk about it a bit.
Yeah, I mean, it's not the best we would have liked to win and play the final, of course, but today we have another chance and another chance to play in this arena in front of this good crowd, so we're excited to play again.
This is exactly what I want to ask, because you're not playing only against Furia, five players on the server, you're playing against thousands of people in the arena. This is a lifetime experience, do you agree? Do you feel the boss?
Yeah, of course. I mean, I've played in this arena once before and not against Furia, but even when Furia is not playing the games here are crazy, so I can imagine how it is when Furia is playing.
And this crowd, I feel like they will want to make you give up, like after a slow start,
after you lose a couple of rounds in a row, they will obviously boo you.
What do you as a captain will do to not let that happen in Falcons?
I think we just need to stay calm and be prepared mentally for this.
It's gonna be a hard game, I think Furiya is a good team and of course the crowd is gonna help them a lot.
So it's just about, as you said, not giving up, staying calm and just keep doing what you're doing.
Let's do that always lovely to talk to you and good luck see you on the stage
I know it's boring to have to play in the past, after losing,
but for us it's a new opportunity to see our pure in the field.
So I ask you to receive the palm trees,
those who have an ancient history of duel against us,
with you, the team of Falcons!
and
Receive all the love of the world, our FURIA!
I'm going to ask, who's here for the Falcon's team?
Who's here for the Furia's team?
Who's here cheering for the Murya team?
I want to see the girl who's having a lot of fun.
So let's start the show. Let's kick off the show.
Without a doubt, the most important third place to SIDY yet, Furia still on home soil
and still with one more swing on this very stage.
Up against the Falcons, on their last dance as well,
it's not just fallen, it's a final outing in Rio de Janeiro.
The Falcons on the edge of Barasta change, so it's rumored.
And still with something to prove, I think, here on this very stage.
Won't be easy, uphill battle, Falcons have the crowd,
cheering for them in their last matchup.
But today, it's very clear.
Furia, home favorites, more to do,
and still looking for their second win since 2022 against Narvi.
Dan, you know, while we're talking of kind of the first
for a squad like Vitality in the final,
the idea that they could be the first team to win
back-to-back grandstands, this is a series kind of all
about lasts.
Hickshand last outing. You see them hyping him up trying to have him switched on full focus.
Heading into this third place decider.
They really did feel like, you know, Bucharest all over again for the Falcons in the sense
of the performers were getting out of Kickshand in that group stage, right? Going out with
an absolute bang, a wallop against Vitality to put Falcons in that semi-final. Great to
The C-Kick's hand putting himself on the map.
But here in Brazil,
fallen, unfinished business
would certainly be nice to end on somewhat of a high
after falling short yesterday against the world's best.
Yeah, I think it's kind of nice to have fallen always to dress to get directly.
So in this third place decided, it's where a lot of teams just never want to find themselves.
but this one today is all about going out there,
ending on a high, playing some good CS.
So that will be the goal.
But now one of these lame duck third place deciders,
both squads want the victory.
You know what's exciting, right?
I want to talk about the veto.
That's got Furia picking into Dust 2 today.
Yeah.
Right, they floated against Vitality.
We thought that was ballsy.
We thought that was crazy.
Angel was one thing,
but willing to take on Vitality 44 and 4,
well, that was something else.
So, picking it against the Falcons, making more sense.
It's a map we've seen Falcons have struggles on,
but it still shows that Fury have something in store.
And I'm looking forward to seeing what that's gonna be.
If you're confident enough to play it against the Undisputed,
then what can you do against the Falcons today?
Mirage map two, Nuke decider, found to be a fanger,
potentially all three.
Yeah, the fans of these maps have been eating very well across all of Rio, right?
This has been a consistent map haul that you've had in these playoff games.
And third place decided, no exception, to that rule.
Couple of players worth keeping an eye on as we go into this one.
Mododoy would love to feel like he's turned it around from these slow performance in that semi.
The idea going out with something here at the end of a falling's tale in Rio.
And so hey, pressure's off for everybody.
Let's just have fun.
T side start here for Furia.
Plenty of grenades.
And Falcons all the same, double jewelies.
Careful Kiyosuke.
These tunnels have eyes so please be able to get the spot off.
There's a risk at all on that push.
What can I commit to being here for Furia?
A lot of guys out through the lower tunnels have the utility launched into one as long
as they don't lose Yuri.
Maybe at least stemmed this catagression, beating it back.
It's out kick-sand trying to take next contact out through middle.
He's got Tesses here alongside him.
Header for Tesses and he walks that CT smoke from coming down behind Brazil.
It's kind of ruffled furious feathers here. I like the call. It's given them so many options to change their mind and go back, but...
I mean, your kinder walks out long with his knife in hand, knowing his position is clear.
Tessa's back in the bombsite, still with some utility.
In 40 seconds for Furia to make up their mind, well, that will be decided with the entry in middle.
They can meet your kinder here.
Test this, there's no idea you kind of crept in.
Oh good, turn around and deal with him, but won't get any more exciting than that, it's Furia.
Starting things off with a bang, a big 3k out of K Serato.
Kicks sand, surely not.
Well, no saving here.
It's going to 1v3, I think it's always tempting.
Just go for it, we've got nothing to save, we've got nothing to lose in a 1v2.
Come on Kicks sand.
Another cat.
Found the first, but can't quite convert in case Serato bought kills in the pistol here for Curia.
I really like what they were doing there. They left so many options open. They had two sets of utility.
They played it nice and slow, reactive, tried to find out the stack, and then you came to find the gap
and I just sent them perfectly into an ace plate. Tess has did all he could really in that position.
but here we are, quick trade and on the board early.
Give the force from Balkans, scout from Odyssey.
If the falcons you're really hoping the fury just waltz in to this A-Stack, you're done
for this force.
in the early gamble.
Oh, he got out.
That's a lot fewer you take the bait.
Sarato still has all this room.
Oh, it doesn't look like it.
It's like he dropped down into CT.
That's up close with the 5-7.
Spot on Niko.
Look at him up close.
This D-Gull never gets going.
He gets past it, one man left for the B-hold, it kicks in and he is on it, borrowed time,
wrapped through middle, forward and we'll find it.
Bomb dropped back here in middle, how many things were you?
Your kinder doesn't seem to think so.
Some fooling's going to grab that bomb, look to get out of there, oh my god, nice shot from
Odyssey.
Didn't even see the scope.
Careful, don't give him anything here.
Falling is low on that B bomb site, but right above is Yuri, and as much as he goes searching for an upgrade, he can just drop it.
Simply done here for Furia.
A little bit messy at the end, but no cause for concern.
It's going to be an eco here for Palkans.
His tempting is three kills might be for a buy. It's ET dust too.
way conservative. Get those guns out, and AWP for Monacy, who is without a doubt in a standout player,
number one rated of this event, even after the struggle that was that semifinal against Spirit.
Hasn't knocked him off his perch. Had a great group stage.
Oh dear. Not the star you were hoping for, Nico. One deeg through the long smoke.
And that deagle still has a bit more to say.
It's going to give rise to the mid to B. That's where this boost hopes to change things.
At their minimum, it's stopped the spillover from Furia.
You know they're not out, Moledoy ready for the boost.
Oh, it's a painful round right now.
Still on a b-side kick, so Flash dodges a good reaction.
Yuri's gonna essentially whip around from position unless something goes astray.
Fallone just trying to survive in the middle, but low health on two of these players.
that kill for Yuri should have sealed this all and refuses to give them a way
back in and Tessa's on higher health takes the gun I'm just gonna be through
this Molly Yuri looks inquisitive but not wanting to throw away this three
round here
here we are converting three zero stars
Okay, a couple of kills coming through there right at the end of the round, it won't matter,
there's no time left.
It ends up being expensive for Fury, considering Falcet's come into it with no investment.
Outside of a couple of flashes, a deagle.
You'll take that, you save an AK, everyone for Fury, it dies.
Now your guns get to come out testers, even with that saved AK could cause some problems for Puria.
Really good rounds, I mean, you know, to get impact for Falcons in terms of removing guns.
That's five kills and three kills in their eco rounds.
So, Puria, right.
Can Falcons break their money in this first gun, set themselves off very well?
Molo-Doi's AWP is in play.
If Puria will have nothing if they lose this one.
He's really giving themselves a shot of controlling the early game.
Furia with a gap found of Niko.
This is so early, he's just put gun on.
But I don't think he's truly ready.
You get the wide out mid, mid to be smoke comes down.
They could just speed up if they want.
But Furia choose to pull it back.
Niko found as a rotating rifle, maybe scared of 2B right now and they would be right.
right.
Back rolling right now out of fury at
Tessay's back stab closing in.
Holodoy would be on the chopping block here.
Feels like Tessay's missed that timing and so
Holodoy gets a chance to fire on the AWP.
Back stab will get rumbled as well.
They know about Tessay's now as he closes in
from behind.
Nice shots.
Let's see, overran.
Sight still taken, ready for Tessay's,
up another. Your kindar called clutch up. Round wrestled back by kicks out of Falcons
on the board. Money broken for Furia. I mean when you consider the room Furia had in that
round that's a surprising victory here from the Falcons. All the cutting rotation. It's
Monosy who buys all the time to the site double kill with the AWP. Falcons realizing that
That was a 2-2 split, but that AWP sometimes hits harder than just one player, honestly holds very strong and Falcons that they don't get out clean, they're not exactly comfortable, and that might tempt Fury in with another buy.
With five rifles versus the one, safe to say this is Falcons opportunity at the start of Dust 2.
a map that has been somewhat difficult for them at times.
On a full lost streak right now, but you know, considering the level of opponents these are,
the top teams in the world, Spirit Vitality, Buria and Narvi.
Still does not hold well for Falcons in this first map.
It's a bee, it's a kid, it's watching right in.
in. And the U-tail ahead of that smoke takes Kiyosuke to swing out and keep things in Falcon's favor.
Tessa's been relentless with this long-dose aggression and again it's looking to have big impact.
Tessa's timing on the two players getting out through middle, but chance to just pep a caseurato from afar.
It's Yuri reopening the round. Bomb will make it in. Molodoy, 1v2 clutch in front of him.
Good chance to shake off those stage nerves. Smoke down, crowd on his side and a 1v2.
Takes a potent position.
They've run it right in. No time to wait for the Falcons. They play that one very aggressively.
They have all this util, but they don't waste their time with it. They just charge it down, go together.
Loving what Tessus is giving us, right, his long-dose aggression, right, and maybe in
some rounds his prep, I mean that round is just the fact that you can just walk down
B with the AK and the bombs been dropped, so he knows there's no one back in T spawn.
But maybe realizing that in all of these rounds Furia have gone in very group setups, they
haven't had anyone holding the Extravity, Roller-Glo is not the kind of AWP to be sitting
in T spawn holding long doors.
And so a big gap being found by Tessus, something that Furia will have to watch out for in the
the rest of this half.
Your kinder's also the guy who's going to be like lurking out long
doors in the late round.
So if you see him in the kill feed,
some reassurance for tassels.
Good info. The Tarkins have started all these rounds, double B, and this was always kind
of the fear for Furia with those early couple of rifle rounds where they were up against
the Ecos being so expensive. You lose out on that first rifle and suddenly you are in
a bit of a strife. I think Furia saw the trajectory of that smoke coming down from the A side
So they know that no one's sorry that from middle. It's gonna walk out instead. Oh dear Nico Dinked
Cover there though. Monacy helps out
It's a stylish little 360 as well
He going trouble
But his team have his back
Oh
No, I mean I want to see that again from Monacy
It's a shame because Kicksand's already beaten to the phase audition tape, but man, that
was a stylish little 360 there, bit of flair out of the monocle.
Recovery, very much in play here, Falcons level out at 3-3, and now comes the 4x4 front
Fury up.
Over the way, armiless.
And aggressive, his honesty, tacits by his side.
That should get the AWP to fire, but honestly, Tross & Tessers fall back, meanwhile B hits.
That's how we've really had anything resembling a lurk here, even though it's just a fake with
U-tail out on the long side.
We'll give a bit of pause to these rotates, so we needed the B side to withstand this
hit and it crumbles after one.
Mollidoy watching.
Ooh, just gets up the line.
It's fine.
Fallen does have this from the spawn site.
And minimum it's the info.
Can't convert the kill.
Tess says providing a backdoor.
See, Nico's so late from the long side.
That's because of the Fallen fake there earlier.
Oh.
Mollidoy.
It's a glancing blow onto Montesey.
Molly's wasting time.
I don't know if Falcon's going to fall this hit.
Molly themselves out of the tunnels.
They can't go, there's three players up right now.
Moving in quick, they need every kill and they need it clean.
Backside hide for Yuri, he's one to the time.
I don't think Niko can get this.
Oh, it's real close.
Oh, a millisecond short.
That close Molly to push Molotoy off.
I feel like they had to go,
they had to just take the trade kill.
It comes down to a mere second, but boy does it make the difference.
Nico couldn't have gone on that bomb faster.
Even Fury, it doesn't look too satisfied about that round.
Best CB post-pod. It's a weird one where both teams are kind of equally unhappy.
If you really don't like that it gets that close, you get into B, almost as clean as possible, you know, a two-for-one opening like that.
Usually enough to take a very clean round, but sure they win it and I think, you know, for Falcons, the disappointment is there because you get all the kills,
you're milliseconds away from the plot and you've had plenty of time worried not for your own util.
All right, bit of a change of pace here potentially, you've got flashes getting set up for a long take.
Have had a bunch of these slower rounds for Furia, try and change that and get chewed up at the long position.
Still, you saw a lot of players in the kill feed as Cacerato takes room out on shore.
Furia stay stuck in it long, they're not gonna be all alive, so this is still a difficult position.
Fury, we'll put that bomb down and Falcons are stuck in the mud right now.
Are they even going to go for this?
No kit, not a single bit of utility and this kill will decide it.
Monotoy pulls.
A chance opens up now for the Falcons.
Maybe a kit on a body here.
They start moving quick.
They can't find it.
Smoke retrieved from Kixson but you've got to get past this cross.
Oh no!
Okay, Serato caught with Nades out and so Fallon's going to do it.
Oh!
In the run for their money, ready for all the fights he was given, but couldn't convert on them.
It feels like a bit of a choked post-war there for Furia.
It's coming down really close again though.
And the Falcons barely get it.
Four kills for Kyosuke, massive round for him.
I mean, Furia had the positions, I think if Fallen stays on that box, he's gonna catch that first player who's low.
Instead, Kaiserato tries to flash for him right as Falcons come round the corner.
You're trying to do too much. It feels like in this round
Their positions were strong
They just needed one more kill to slow Falcons down instead fourth round found and now you can hear a AK
It just still feels like you're brawling for that early control over the game man
Like neither team set up in terms of the money and so a world kind of opens here as we get into the final couple of rounds
of the half where one squad really could just suddenly come out a left field and finish this
in a great position. You're both still feeling that the vulnerability of these early costly rounds.
And it is feeling like Balkans might be that team. AK lost in middle full and has retrieved it.
This is the lead up for Grabs, in case you get one of a player's hand.
Tessas is tempted. This is only a glock, so hopeless and gather here for fooling.
Oh, my God. Tessas is in sharp incredible form to start this one off.
Lovely stuff. Three kills and yeah, the AK, but no armor behind it.
Flash, temporary, minus he falls back and winning this round, a far cry.
Falcon's in control for the moment.
What's helping you out so much right now is just, you know, your kind of B-side player in Kiyosuke,
always able to multi-kill whenever they've come to his bomb side, Tess's out on the long side locking it down.
it down these you know two pivotal areas of the map just being helmed by two very
strong individuals right now that gives a bit more freedom as well to guys like
monosy to make their moves oh he's making one aggro play up in the top mid
tried to keep pushing the boat out your kindar says no one's enough that is a
very quick trade from your kindar and you could have expected more presence
down lower from the CTs but fearless trade and much needed here to keep
the round of life of Furia limited utility they have one smoke in this
T-side right now so you've got to make a really standard basic call call and
try to fake out long right now testers isn't even in this position it's gone
all the way back round the cat as Alcans take space back this will leave them in
a good position to retake if they play aggressive but it's still going to rely
on Kixson's hold and that be bombsite. None is not enough.
Yeah, we talked about where the money's at and so even one, you can have a moment of
pause here. If Kixson dies without doing anything, the round is off. That's the first. We take
start and take shape in towards CT. That's where you look towards Foulin.
Oh, not bad.
Tag on the cross.
Holden in a position that could unravel this retake.
Drop down into the spawn at timing missed.
They did check for it as they turned from that flashbang.
Still, it's only the one and done to Fallen, so round very much on.
Yuri tries to thin the herd.
The board down to a 1v1.
It's top performer Tess says up against bottom of the board, Mollidoi.
And this is for control over dust to
Test says closing in times been a problem in these retakes. So try to put the pressure on
Test says takes them down a peg
And Falcons in control
As that clutch comes through a water game for test as we're getting right now as a player
We've seen who has had struggles in players struggles on stages and sure sometimes you can
Talk about the stars of this team, definitely going missing when it matters, but the floor also is important and Tess says is raising it right now.
15-5, another clutch up for the Falcons, another retake for the Falcons.
Molotoy on low health with no Kevlar, opted for the AK over the AWP and it comes back to burn him.
That is three post parts one out on this CT side and on dust to that is easier said than done
64 and fury are feeling the burn forcing up with galils two AKs limited utile
I hope in a dream and this is the round you talk about Harry with Falcons being in the position to
run away with this first half there's an 8-4 up for grabs in this round and for
Fury they've won one rifle round in this entire map thus far and the round they
won was that kind of on that they win out they squeak out to time over at the
B site so desperately needs something to go right here that's two smokes used on
the cross and now you've got to go on the smoke for monosy.
That will slow the roll, remember they don't really have the ability to wait here. Getting
delayed by this Util is a big problem for Furia.
Bomb on the back of Fallon, he'd be going back to clear long. Now he's got to throw that across.
You've got two players in the site, going to strung out from the rest of the team. This
This is really rough for Furia.
They're dumping nades and Falcons have more of them as well.
Molly and H.E. still available.
Might not even be required as Furia feel like they need to take fights here
before getting the bomb down.
That bomb's not even crossed.
Furia moves in.
Smoke fading soon.
He's got to watch out because Niko's got him in his crosshairs.
1v4 for Fallen.
Long as so wrong, Falcons almost start to doubt as to whether or not it is this long play.
Honestly, he was even going back.
trying to have a glance into the tunnels thinking that there's got to be more to it than this.
Can't have just been five guys out through long.
This might turn into the perfect final outing here for the Falcons.
Everything going right, a slow start, but recovering as soon as they hit the gun rounds.
Winning out some very difficult post-plots.
Making Furia look confused at times.
to make a move back to back.
push into the tunnels. There's
only one man here.
Anyway, we talk coming into
this. They kind of is a bit of
pride on the line for both
squads in this one.
If you fall into your last
chance to play in front of the
home crowd, you don't want to go
out on two losses in front of
them in the arena.
Likewise, though, kick sand
Dub in the Falcons Jersey. And so this is Burier in a three on four trying to evade a one rifle
round half. Can't catch a break can you? So I'm jumping through, but pick back up. Where are you
gonna go with it Fallen? Needle the smoke and Falcons utility has just been masterful on this
CT side. Furia nowhere to go. Nowhere to hide.
Monacy's looking into this position. Shadow helps him out. And it's a multi-kill to close
out of Falcons duo Monacy and Nico. Everyone stepping up right now for the Falcons. For
It's one rightful round in that entire first half
It's Falcons who seize the opportunity here in this third place decider.
Pride on the line for the Brazilian squad and Falcons on their own last outing with their captain.
Still have something to prove here in the Pamasi Arena.
Semi-final did not go well for the Falcons.
And so a final hurrah here on Dust2. Not a bad CT side at all.
Still really waiting for Fury to show up in this third place decider.
I'm going to wait. I'm going to lower.
It's almost like you knew someone was around the corner.
Who's Yuri with a bit of cover from the B site?
Hicks down a monosie, 2B4.
Don't count them out. Monosies got re-smoked.
That always causes a big problem in this site.
The tunnels might be nice, but I think he just got the spot there, yeah, shot in the back by Monogoy.
Monosy P250, is there a highlight brewing?
They have to be, came into this, looking good.
One tap for Monosy, they're closing in!
Uh-oh!
Ooh, he hit the ace clutch, and midair to shut him down, it's fallen!
Oh my, what's happening, wasn't he?
two bullets left it felt like it was meant to be and falling mid-air saves the
ramp of furia so whoo the sigh of relief I think on that pistol round both pistols
go to furia in this map but I don't think the conversions is guaranteed this
time around when you consider bomb plant down might tempt Falcons
and yes it does monosy AK
Kiyosuke scouts. Falcons put all in.
Oh, we go too here ready to face them on the jump up to Catwalk.
You're here doing the Falcon setup against them.
high-low crouch in the corner. You can get ready to swing. Long as entirely open.
You don't really feel prepared to make that cool, right? You have to signal it somewhat with these
flashes. Uh-oh. Okay. Ooh, that's a tap and a half out of monosy.
Don't take this flight. It's not worth it. This is the best gun in the round right now.
He also had a guy slip the net, right?
Make it past Monossey's cover on the cross.
Now you've got Molodoy in behind enemy lines, closing in.
Won't you be able to read it?
Because Keisarato gets them lined up.
The flash came and they didn't feel like they turned.
Niko looked away for a second.
Monossey just giving us what he can.
Two kills deep into this clutch.
Some well-played shots, but that's enough.
The convoy secures around Hippofuria, and so another conversion on the table here to grab
should be a low eco here, 4 footner of the falcons, 5 rifles.
That's flashed by here a lot.
round. I feel like we've seen Tess says this event, always able to get one on the
Deagle. Not necessarily the first port of cool when you think about the Deagues in
this Falcon's lineup.
Nice.
Damage made.
Nice, you know these rounds can always get weird if you let them and so finding all that earlier.
DK Serato putting on a shooting gallery out towards mid.
problems and down on a one-round game below this is the pistol round of the
conversions they're minimum this time they're clean right you remember that
first half the pistols came at a great cost to fury at that feeling like a
empiric victory in those first three rounds right for reset heading into the
first girl round that's exactly what happened here each one cleaner than the
last some money built up but it's staying power on the CT side it's in these
rifle rounds that Furia was struggling.
Chucky, modest, he didn't see anyone there, but that's the H.E.L.I.
B hits, coming!
Cross, and it's three by his home!
Come back, Makiasuke!
You ready for even more?
Yuri's just barreled through the smoke, gets him behind enemy lines!
Haha!
Three in the site, they were so ready for that rush.
That is the perfect read from Furia.
Not even lucky around middle.
And so yeah, you go through that smoke trying to avoid the close player, there is one more in the site.
And to be fair, how could Falcons have known that?
Honestly, he ran down middle without his own HE with the AWP, and spotted nothing.
Fury a perfect cross with the HE, and perfect start to the round.
They'll secure their second go round of the map.
I think if you get Monosy one kill rounds on he's really feeling it right now
well
More needs will slow the roll still that's info on two
On a seat backside player
Taking down the hops won't save it. The hops are nice though style points from what I see in this game
He's in the 360 to clean funny hops into beat
He gets a chance to scope you just know that's
A monosy moment. His renewed form is a great part of watching him this year, knowing he
can potentially lead Falcons to victory, something they have not accomplished since
he joined this roster. Their last trophy being with Dexter MVP.
A monosy has not been the problem, safe to say. Even in that semi-final against Team Spirit,
Odyssey was still the only positive player for the Falcons.
It's not the format of the server right now alongside Kisarato.
Here's where Furia reach out and grab that lead. The power of converting your
pistols very much shown in this game. Falcons have been the better team on
rifle rounds but Furia the lead is right there.
Oh, no.
Trying to feign that there's no push on the long doors with a smoke lobbed in behind him.
Tess says waiting for this exact move gets rewarded.
He's seen it before.
Look!
How come he's trying to get blood from a stone right now?
this Ekko sing and they've got five smokes. Not only is an execute available, but if you get into
that B bomb side with decent trades, you can smoke off the doors and maybe win the round.
Long push coming down for Fallen. Good info, but there's still only one player inside of this site.
Yuri's got to be very careful. Ekko's down for free. This could be a big problem. Nice spray,
but Ekko's eagle spams him down and there's the one for one in middle. Falcons looking like they
might just pick up the tech nine. Another one you ought to be giving away if you fury. And now
decision to make. Do you want to go for this? You've had that early streak of clean rounds
and so you've got money to fall back on. You might be really reluctant to let this round go
without giving it a look in. Molotov seems interested.
I'm weighing it up as well. A kill is to be found quickly. Maybe just playing to
deny here right try and rip everything you can out of the round it's gonna be
a last second retake attempt right as Falcons think it's the safe no way Niko
had to hold on and a beautiful little 1v2 Niko denies that cheeky last second
attempt out of it from Fulvin and Molodoy yeah that's good karma coming back
to Niko after trying to very late to retake back in that first half. It's Furia who did
the same thing against him. Open Falcons, leave that site. But they do not. Niko rooted
in place, three kill round, and saving that 1v2. The clock was already expired, but he
ensures it. Niko win here for the Falcons, and that was Furia with a lead up her. The
grab. Molotov gets his orb out again. First time on this CT side.
Ooh, pressure along. Smoke allows Falcons to cross into pit. Molotov eyes on the corner.
that. That jump spot is good.
It pulls it in, but it missed
shot for Mollardoy and it costs
you, it costs you everything.
Banger from Monacy right through
the windshield.
It feels rough because you know,
you know Mollardoy's capable of
when he's kind of at his best.
Here in Rio though in these
playoff games where he's
contested against the top
paupers, right? Playing Zawoo yesterday, I'm honestly today. That's come up. Kind of woefully
short. Through the molly, a little burn, but arriving quickly is the Valkyrie. It needs
to do a lot to complicate matters. It's falling in K Serato, dropping the volley out from spawn.
with that. Still a man down. The good thing here is the bomb dropped here for Fury. It's
down in spawn. Falcons have to fight their way out of this round right now. And there's
only 20 seconds. You've got to go really quick. Kicks that I'm trying to drop in. Get some
full blinds. Oh. Got to be a last second snatch and grab of the round. Need this killer, and
Nico, and he's got it. Nice call for Nico in this game. Back to back clutches now for
the Falcons as well. Big moment from Nico and Monosy in this map of Dust2, a map that
has plagued Falcons in the last couple of events. Some one-sided losses against the
world's best, including Curia in overtime back at Rotterdam. Find out Falcons having
No problem winning rounds from very difficult positions and Molotov at all he's just been
AWPed on a cross in this round.
That's what the idea that this could be you know that the last AWP he gets to see in the remainder of dust 2.
It's the player 8 points of health.
Short control taken very very quickly here for the Falcons. Gives them an option that
they want just to pick up the pace in this round. No resistance thus far from the site
as Util's getting juggled around onto your kinder.
We just not see as many aggressive plays from Molodoy in these couple of playoff games right?
Like very very passive positions often not getting more than one or two shots out in
a round. When we first saw him in Fury the thing that was remarkable was how many shots
he gets off of the AWP and yeah there were some misses in there and there were some whips but
you know if you're getting a mag out around you're gonna take some with you.
Oh and Molotoy yesterday was really punished by strong utility for vitality
and never really got going today is the same and this round might not be up for him.
Stuck on that B bombsite double or rather single entry your kinder put low
and full-long control here for the Falcons. Molotoy will not be a piece of this round and Niko might just sink the blade in the back of Yuri.
Nowhere to go now.
Alright, Molotoy's been able to claim one back as has Yikindar. Enter Monosito.
He's been a real force of nature on this AWP. Smoke push for Yikindar. Can't even get the better of him.
with the combat orb and Moledoy trying to save.
All you can do, low health on that cross and Falcons, perfect split.
Honestly, just had so much impact across the map.
Saw it early on, right, that the kind of potential was there with your extremity players feeling really, really solid.
You were looking at Tess's, now towards the long doors, you were looking at Kiyosuke and some of these B-holds.
holds, that kind of frees Monacy up a hell of a lot and now he's carried that momentum
through with it into the T side but a driving force behind these openers, getting the tag
off on the cross. Hell, even in the psych takes themselves. I mean, I expect it to become
a bit more about the right flows. Monacy still being the guy igniting everything for the
Falcons.
So combat all bit coming through this game for sure. He's 22 and 14 and it feels like
He's even better than that right now.
Numbers don't even tell the full story.
No exit kills.
No Ecos.
Pure rifle-on-rifle impact here from Monosif.
This really is now you want to go out a few furrier.
This would be a whimper.
The game is close, but it's only because of the pistol rounds
and those conversions.
Yeah, they've won two gun rounds in the whole map.
They've lost to a tech mine forced by on the B bomb site and converted those pistols
Like one of the rifle rounds they won was I would say more of a throw from the Falcons than any
Troke of genius out of Furia
Okay, monocies been wounded earlier. We'll see if that holds him back in this round
And if the rifles have to take command instead still kind of nervous because even though monocies been kind of the fire starter here for the Falcons
He's not the only one hitting. Niko's had some real clean moments, stringing back-to-back
clutches as well, just to make this pretty for the Falcons. There's the orb found as
well, they know exactly where it is, that might just tempt you into the mid to be of
this point. You don't need to go into Molotoy right now. Alcum still get up, Catwalk control
knowing they're pushing back. You almost think it as well, right? You've just seen the orb.
revealed his hand so he's been a reposition so maybe going where that
Orp just fired off from isn't as silly as it might feel. He's still gonna have a
very hard round Molotov, he's on his own, no supportive flashes, fear of the long
side of Falcon's Group Tide.
Been waiting for a big Molotov round. Oh could this be it, two kills off the Molotov
The only gun in the round.
It's got a tail on the USP!
This is not around that Fioria was supposed to win, or even be competitive in.
The father and the son have snatched this one away from the Falcons.
Shocking round to pick up at this point in the game.
We are talking about this one being closed down nice and clean here for the Falcons
Falcons and Molador, it saves the day from bottom of the server, double kill, Fulham
does the same with the USP.
Surprised to see Falcons call right into Molador's AWP, maybe scared of that B-stack,
but it was ego, it was flat USPs on the rest of the team, so Falcons do call their way
into danger there.
They've kept the double off in play, Fulham's giving it over to K Sarato.
Oh man.
I'd like to see a last hurrah from Foulins all from the stage.
But Molodo is gone and maybe he'll have to go back and grab it.
Foulins moving quick.
Back in a shot again from Monacy.
You can be getting involved.
In case we're off to spotting as well, they know about the presence of this double wall.
Foulin did grab that AWP out in middle.
Hold on, lad.
And it might be in the right place.
Bomb in the tunnels.
One more time.
They block on the tunnel side, they're going to go back and clear this mid area out.
He's been falling at the B side of the map alone, Uri hard committed to this mid-clear,
knows he's got Tessa as boxed in for all-time 7-3 now, so come on for it!
Ball on lines, one more time!
The red line ready to cut through Falcons on this hit, Monace gets rid of him with the
The rest of Furia, pull up and get through.
Shocking now, still here to be honest.
A round down now, very winnable position from Furia
in this first map of the series.
Falcons are bottomed out, 2K a player.
They've got to take an eco.
This is going to come down to the final round of regulation,
if not over time.
And Furia starting to make more moves.
Nice clear from Yuri.
And the Akindar, pushing into lower in these rounds,
getting very aggressive as well.
Furia believing again.
Warmed into this game.
Kixxen's had like nine deaths in a row without a kill.
Kixxerado, just their chance to pad your stats here, bunch of pistols out and near in this crossfire.
The kill box is firmly centered around the Falcons.
So no chance with these pistols tying us up late in the map.
Really a big 3k from K Serato, 11 apiece and money still vulnerable for the Falkans.
If Furia won a course correct, they were really struggling to find much here on Dust2, but
a streak of three finally changing their fortune in these gun rounds.
They could break Falkans money and tee themselves up for a win on Dust2 after all.
Oh dear, Monacee on the mid-shot, he fires into the smoke and Keisarato is just going to say what a great game from him after yesterday, doing it again on the stage, showed up against Vitality, but dead in one of these final rounds.
Molotov spotted, he's going to go forward. Tess says he's already in the long doors and he is ready to receive 5v3 for the Falcons, all this hope for Furia starting to dwindle.
Ben, your money's fine, so you can go for this three on five.
You can try and set this up to be threatening.
The move that he's running the risk is just getting caught
with Util out in the open.
They will find Niko out on the back line.
It's a 2v4.
They've got money.
It's the AKs they might want to hold on to here.
Like falling going for that 1v4 against Vitality on ancient,
I want to see if you're going to try this.
There is almost nothing to lose.
Yes, the AK's temptation.
But at this point, saving will not affect the economy.
But Furia, no, it's probably not theirs.
Walking away, Falcons, map point on Furia's pick.
Did just want a time for, honestly,
to be connect on that mid-shot, you know?
Keisarato, hot hands across the entire map.
Been the real driving course behind Furia,
picked out of the all important round just trying to get to the bomb site
and you know now that chance to break falcons be the team on that point out the window you're
looking for overtime you're a final time I called here and final round of regulation
to try and stay on the stage in this map it is their pick Mirage up next
And Falcons salivating at the prospect of ending this game clean.
Two Orcs purchased stuff in this round for the Falcons.
Niko and Modesty. Niko or...
It's got the longspawn. It's got the best possible longspawn. So we're gonna throw himself in there.
Honestly, it also has the best possible B spawn. So you're gonna have two players looking for picks.
The door to this round. That is the call for the Falcons. And if one of them connects, you're in trouble.
Oh, and Nico will get given a fight here out on Long. Your kinder has already made it past the Utile courses in back.
Important to shoot, just to hide the fact of the other wall.
Might lead to you being a bit more
Like so days ago with how you approach the tunnels you're dead on
Jump spot gives you enough reason for concern
I'll drop in a molly and not be open to the line. So neither all
Manning success in that opening bow
You're breathing a little easier now that they haven't given anything away in this all important round
Now Kixon has to dig deep right? He's having trouble getting individually but Falcons have still had some well put together rounds on this T side.
So he's going to cord him out of this hole. They've got no info. Minut on the clock. Don't know where Furia have laid their hat.
So Falcons still with all the utility they need to win this round and to put their pieces together and find an answer.
Furia three strong at A Molotoi long corner.
corner. You just know where to expect Keisarato and Yuri in this type of round there, right?
Feeling like a standard opening, that's likely what they've kind of registered their up against
here. And so, just dodge the two top performers, right? The guys that have been causing you
all these struggles. You're going to come in with an early attempt to get into the safe
spot. Two players dropping sport, Nico with a key. And there's Molenoid dead on the long
side. The kinder not knowing about goes unclear to the back of Goose, but not for long. Nico
finds him. Is this the beginning of the end or is it a wild 2D4 for the fans of Furia?
K Sarato opens with spam, low HP on the next three players. Can't go slow.
Sing yourselves up to go and try and fight for this short control. This could be real awkward
flash to signal the approach. Two players out in the open, both are shot away from certain death.
They'll stop this retake with the flashes get to better positions now Falcons that much harder to get out of this spot
Yuri dead first man facing case the rato can't get it done
And this one is a nail by a go in the four twenty four rounds when all is said and done
It's Falcons taking down Furia on Furia's pick of dust to no silly rounds for the Falcons
No throwaways, no man advance just given up.
That was a great game out of Niko.
A fantastic game out of Monosy.
And Tess S, who recorded to start that CT side,
gun round, march of tier Falcons.
They take Furious pick.
This is an interesting one. How easy is it to tell something is off with your team? Because
I saw earlier about how it's such an intimate thing with the five players plus the coach
when it's live. But you can tell with like a player's tone of voice or lack of communication
or something that something is wrong with an individual or the team or how quick into
a game can you be like oh shit like they're not in it today or this guy he's
not you know something's not clicking does for you that probably doesn't happen
too often at the moment yeah yeah yeah another time I guess Paris vision some
maps at pg and crucial yeah even though we we did the comeback but we found
solution to the bounce back as a clip but it happened yeah like I remember this
And the corner final, for example, against Aurora, and push, okay, we won 2-0, but we felt something was wrong, like
We won inferno, but it was not that close, but should have been closer than that
And we had to talk between maps, like guys, we are not the best right now
We are not playing super well.
Just a bad day or you know, what are your child postings up to?
There is stuff like, I don't know, maybe it was also after four or five days I think for the Cryo Final and yeah we were just, we needed to high pitch also basically because it's still the Cryo Final and you have to make sure you have to close the game and it was a bit special and we want some stupid ones to be honest.
And yeah, you you can feel it basically we have a team when you have a game leader like Dan
He wants energy he wants to feed the guys and after one to buy a round I can feel it
It's something as long with the energy especially does he does his energy ever dip like sometimes
Especially the second half of last year his individual form dipped a little bit and then he was taking
More risks to try like if it looked like he was trying to force things right because maybe the team wasn't doing what he wanted
to do what's now that, but is his energy ever different?
Yeah, he also felt something was wrong, you know, some of his players' energy was different
or less confident. We had one or two maps, we didn't feel comfortable individually, like
Train for example, and there was a map, I don't remember there was a map, maybe it was in
a bit this time. No. What about now? No, I cannot say anything. So yeah, you can feel
it. It's really easy. But yeah, the problem you can have done sometime is yes, when you
feel something is wrong, you will try to force move a bit more, a bit more, a bit more.
Like, we have to do something, so it's the moment you need as a coach to write, say,
no, we need to be something together. Because the problem with players, when they lack of
of confidence, say we try to do a hero play, but individually, and not a good timing, etc.
So it means they are losing confidence of their feelings, so you need to adapt instantly
and try to do something together.
Hello everybody, today we are here to do something special, me and Fawn, revisiting
some of his great great great great great memories in the pictures, in photos, maybe
some bad ones there as well.
nice going down the memory lane let's see oh what do you think about this one oh this is
kaboom oh okay so this one is nice so this one is 2014 from what wrong and this is the first csgo
tournament i went international and to go for this competition we used all the salary we were
saving money i think she was me the twins lucas and hennie sir and still from what wrong and we
We were saving the money, like we were receiving about $300 a month, and we were saving it
like for five, six, seven months, and we used all the money we had to go for this competition.
And also, Games Academy here on the Arms, that's a project of classes I was giving at
the time, and it was insane because when we said that we would use this money from the
project to go for this tournament, it doubled up to the subscriptions.
It was just wanted to help, you know?
So we went for like 200 students for 400 students on that month, and then we were able to pay
all the expenses and go for the competition.
That's very cool.
Academy thing, what I was like, how do you come up with this?
The first edition, it was in 2010, I called it Falling Academy, and my idea was, my family
was really struggling, and I wanted to keep playing, and Counter Strike was not really
a big event anymore in 2009, 2010, and then I was like, I need to figure out something,
and then I was playing Deathmatch one day, there's a guy called Diego Morgan, I learned
later I met him there and he asked me can I buy your firegamer's t-shirt I was
thinking about the classes and then I said instead of you buying my jersey
would you be up to sign up for some classes oh and I gave him the jersey and
he signed up for the classes and then when I saw that he was interested I was
like maybe more people are interested and then I decided to open up for other
people to to to sign it up and I divided my daily schedule right I'm gonna have
six days from Monday to Friday so that's gonna be 30 students and then I
I signed it up like in a day.
And were you playing for a team back then as well?
I was playing as well, yeah.
That's very great.
That's cool.
I imagine you were sleeping like maybe six hours a day, huh?
Yeah, I was working a lot.
And then later, maybe give a games academy
when I decided to bring my teammates on this project ship.
That's very excellent.
2014, you're saying, yeah, this one.
The photo is 13, right?
This one is 14.
Yeah, memory is working so far.
Okay, next one.
Ooh, I'm bald here.
You know why I'm bald here?
I don't know.
A friend of mine wanted to dry my,
you know, change the color of my hair.
Yeah.
So wait wait wait wait like here, but is there a picture with you with with the chair with no
She was trying to do it, but it didn't work. So if you see here
I'm already losing my hair for sure, but it's even worse because right side left side we're doing this extremity
I'm trying to to to make the blonde hair, you know. Oh, yeah
So it got me it got me bald earlier than expected. I believe you look you look very happy. What was the event?
I think this one I'm playing with still. I think this is it looks like a CS first term and maybe
Or maybe it's a good term as well. Wait, so you played 1.6, Source CS2, CSGO, 1.6, everything?
Crossfire?
Yeah, I played 1.5 initially. 1.5, 1.6, CSGO, Source, conditions there we don't have competition.
CS2, CS2, Crossfire, or Saltfire, yeah.
Now they don't do this tournament in this city anymore.
MLG, this is MLG.
We saw one cat at 2015.
Oh, okay.
But this is qualifier though.
Let's go with you. Who's been your favourite player over your entire time as a coach to
coach? Has anyone been more coachable or receptive? Because you had to deal with players
like simple. I think bit. Bit with your foot, yeah? Yeah, because it's always easier to
coach younger players. And this is what, for example, Kulio is showing now. That you can
take people who listen to you, you can take a lot of good players and build something from this,
and there will be no lot of resistance, you know, like that can resist your opinion a lot,
like trying to go different direction. So yeah, I think we in that case, we can say for sure,
before he was electronic, okay, when he was in flip side, also was amazing experience,
because the way he was making decisions in the game was unbelievable.
I mean, when he moved to Na'Vi, this was his prime, basically.
Yeah, I think this was by coaching, because you cannot coach a lot.
Simple, for example. He's already like a unique player.
player. You can only direct a little bit, try to... Imagine he has an energy, you can
only try to control it a little bit, like right, left side, right side, or so on. You
cannot change it completely.
Okay.
Yeah, something like that. I don't remember. You said in Gambit there was a mirror. And
It was also a good experience to coach him.
He was always listening, always trying to connect with you,
to respond in the same direction.
You feel the connection basically.
Where are those guys?
Come on, come on, we're sorry, we're late.
What's up, Bryce?
Well, you're lucky this time, 10 to 15 minutes here in Brazil.
We take it granted, you know, there's no big worries,
but you guys are starting on a good fit.
I like it, I like it.
Today I'm gonna show you guys
what is the name of it.
We're gonna go to the beach.
I'm gonna show you guys some caipirinha.
We're gonna play some football,
some sports on the beach.
Also, I'm gonna take you guys some restaurants.
I know you love Faroqa.
I know you like the good food.
And you guys are gonna see
how a real Brazilian lives a daily life here.
Let's go, guys.
Let's go, let's go.
Now we're full gear.
We're ready.
It's time to start our day at the beach.
Oh, that's good.
They check that out.
We have our view about the Brazilians, you know, easy out going, never angry, very fun, you know, very, very easy to get along.
easy to get along very good people and everything but what for you is true
Brazilians? I think Brazilians can go through a lot of hardships with his
mind in the face you know because the daily basis is not easy for most of
Brazilians and then we have a beautiful country you can see the beach like we
have places to go where everyone's gonna go around well get along well but I
think it's the people the people are just different it's the fire inside huh
yeah it's like the way they will the relationship they get easy going with
everyone they meet on the street you know like they go through too well. I think the services as well
you go to a restaurant people go through too super well regardless of who you are or which
restaurant you are in they're gonna make sure you feel well accommodated so yeah I think it's the
Brazilian heart. Yeah I haven't met a bad Brazilian except you. Ah, I'm the only one.
To really become full Brazilians, you guys are gonna need to learn Brazilian.
Every single neighborhood, they got some standard coffees, you know, very popular.
So before everyone had computers in their home, they were going to those places to play
games and after school, so they get along there.
And then eventually because people were getting internet and computers in their own home,
those places closed.
But it was very, very popular, so that's why a lot of people are interested in games.
It's actually interesting because in Eastern Europe, the computer clubs or something, people
would play there because it's cold outside, it's raining, it's cold, you can't do anything.
Here's warm beach, party, party, beer.
Even the football players, for example, like a lot of children that we see now today, and
they're related to countries, right?
At some point in their childhood, or they're like 12, 13 years old, at some point they
went for some place like that.
That's why they love the game too.
But yeah, I understand.
They always said that the Swedes, for example,
so cold that they have to find something to do, right?
But for us, I think we just love the game.
Yeah, that was it, guys.
You like the food?
Yeah, good, thank you.
You like the food?
The family is cool, for the rest of the day.
Brazilian food in Brazil is different, right?
Yeah.
How's your guys?
I want the mother's game better.
You like the beach, you like the restaurant?
So what's nice?
Getting Brazilian citizenship.
Hello everybody, today we are here to do something special. Me and Fawn, be visiting some of his great great great great great memories in the pictures, in photos, maybe some bad ones there as well.
Nice, going down the memory lane, let's see.
I like this one a lot because of your facial expression, I don't know, I feel like you're very happy at this moment.
This is views of 2022, I'm a D.C.L. Cougar book.
Yeah, so here, I wasn't playing on this competition, on the playoffs, and they gave me the honor
to bring the trophy to the stage, to the main event, to the playoffs, yeah.
And that was an amazing feeling, an amazing feeling, I couldn't be happier, it was very
nice.
It went from one all-pie jail to the other one.
He went to Jame, he went to Jame, I was carried for Jame, he deserved it, yeah, nice.
That's very cool.
Shout out to Jame.
That's very cool.
Oh, that's a good one.
This is a little bit newer.
Ooh, nice!
Hell, which tournament is that now?
Because we won a couple, okay, so that place as well.
Place Chengdu, right?
Yeah, Chengdu.
Yeah, okay, so this is us,
new iteration of the lineup,
our system staff around us,
and we just won Chengdu.
That was amazing.
We won a couple tournaments last year,
and it was very amazing
because that was fighting hard
to put another core to the top.
And when you guys came in,
you finally clicked through, yeah, great.
Thank you.
This final, who do you play here?
Vitality. Vitality to you? Yeah.
Wow, we played that game. That was the ancients game.
Oh, yeah.
Well, how was like the ancient thing?
Yeah, you remember we didn't expect ancient to be open. We thought they're gonna ban it, right?
They should have banned it. They expected us to ban it and we decided to pick it.
Because you know what? We had to take a risk and when I was shaking hands or doing interview on the before the match started,
I went to Apex. He came to me.
We were like, yeah, I said something along the lines.
Well, if you're gonna fuck us over, right,
we don't pay the back.
That's like having fun, you know.
You're like, yeah, yeah, he was actually shocked
that shit was there too.
So yeah, it was very nice.
I ain't paid off, right?
Yeah, that's right.
1311, the match was going south.
I won a collection of B, remember?
Won me to an ancient, won me to an infernal.
Yeah, it was a great game.
So many pictures and memories and everything, like.
Yeah, is it warming hard?
It's very nice to see all those things.
There are many more.
I've played with so many great people.
I met so many great people and very thankful.
You know, the moment for my life right now where I look back to those things and it makes
it all worth it, you know.
Changed the lives of my family, changed my life, helped build a community in Brazil.
And also you've changed a lot of people's lives.
Yeah, so it was worth it.
Going down the memory lane is always a pleasure.
I appreciate the opportunity, guys.
FACEIT matches set your starting point, FACEIT rating measures your impact as you climb.
The soft elo reset narrows the gap between the highest elo players and the rest of level
10.
Your starting point will be based on your recent elo inactivity.
We're introducing FACEIT rating so you can see exactly how much you stack up against others
at your level.
FACEIT rating measures how much your actions have increased your team's chances of winning
the match.
Take it into account the full situation.
Season 8 launches April 22nd.
Good luck, and have fun!
It's a battle for a finish on the podium, third place decider, right now Falcons team
in the lead, downtown heroes of Furia, all in spinal outing in Rio for this squad. Last
chance to play in front of the home crowd. Doesn't want to end it on an L, well now it's
to try and turn things around on Mirage. This is Balkans territory, Hugo. Yeah, maybe more
installed over Furia, I think. They started pretty slow in that game, they were struggling
on the gun rounds. By the end we had some better moments, but Balkans came out swinging, no
doubt about that and it's a very map it took over team vitality back in the group stage
some struggles against spirit yesterday well when donkenton era playing like that
hard to beat falcons are they up for the 2-0 or will they make a meal out of this third place match
see some good games out of fury historically on mirage but as of late it's been getting
a little bit shaky in a heads head the falcons have started to win out fury I wanted four
times in a row now falcons back to back they go in for the quick a hit in this pistol it's
It's gonna get messy all right.
Woo!
It's in midair, gets his on the drop down the ladder.
What's Niko up to here?
A little smoke push and it's right as they leave.
Gives him a...
kind of the forward position.
Modesty, even with a bomb on his back,
takes that next fight on a yukinda.
And now things get awkward for Furia.
Once allowed, they've got all the space back.
Think about how instrumental pistol rounds were for Furia on Dust2.
and then weren't able to close it out.
Big reason as to why it was even close in the first place
was the fact they won both of them.
Well here on Mirage, it all gets unraveled
unless Fallon can clutch up.
Won't be able to come through, swing in.
Instead, it's Monacy with a big hat trick.
The kickstart map too.
Monacy's the guy we were talking about on Dust.
He was the guy hitting hard,
facilitating so much, doing so much for the Falcons.
Honestly, making a statement on the stage, it appears, showed up in the groups, top rated player,
even kept it going in the Lost Semi vs Spirit, but today, master class from Modesty 25 and 18 last map, 112 ADR,
and a 3K in the pistol to pick it up for the Falcons.
Fury of force by up. Fallen scouts on the B side. Triple set up.
up.
Falcon's low and slow in control, not a threat.
Keep that always going, re-peaking window, trying to gather information for Furia.
This would be a hard ground to do so with a 5-7.
It's just going to contain a boost.
He hit attempt.
Charles Depele Londo with tests around right now.
He's left out of the action.
Maybe to take that too,
because you're going into just a gamble stack here from Furia.
It's a fake one, eh?
Don't have to draw anyone over.
Fallen, starting to take the bait.
Besides the hang around,
sticks to his guns with the triple B lean.
Can get rewarded for this first shot sales past.
I don't see fear the fallen scout.
Run over the head of Molodoy, there's the backstab.
Dingle cuts down two, more of that came from Needon, it's Monosy.
Still in the show at every turn.
How does he bail them out of that so quickly?
Double from Molodoy gets himself an AK, but he was so blind his teammates get wiped in the site before he gets vision back.
And so Falcons, that looks very scary going into a B-stack.
get out all the better. All the scout struggling to connect and Quesarato just
exits or save here. As like you said those important pistols for Fioria those
six rounds they got off the back of them back on dust or the first pulls through
their fingers. Mike Spark of last map was Quesarato. Outfract, honestly if you
to believe it. It's very much that head to head of this series being sent in
around. I mean, it's the floor being higher for Falcons that stood out.
And you think it back to dust. Sure, Kixxan didn't exactly wow us, but outside of
that you know everyone else had their moments was pulling their way
I hope we get
at least you know a Moledoy multi-kill would be a great place to start
especially with Yuri in case the Rado looking good
and you know, show off of all in its
case that he can't win in Rio anymore but
I want to go out back to back losses.
It's more just the fact of what I've been saying yesterday and today, that Fury and Fulin not winning in this arena.
Since that Rio upset in the 22 Major, they took down Narvi, the front runners for the Major, they went on against Heroic.
They got battered, come to third map and eliminated.
And since that point we've seen Furia in the playoffs multiple times in Rio de Janeiro.
Back in 2023 and 2024 both losing out.
23 to heroic in the quarters, 24 to mouse and a semi they got smashed in that one.
Fallen was there by that point.
And now here in that final outing more bad memories in Rio de Janeiro.
It's not too late to save it.
But not in this round.
Do you get a little nervous with just how integral these pistol rounds have been to
Furia?
Is this a bad omen on Mirage?
That's wonderful against them in the series so far, and it's a pretty clean set of conversion.
out of the Falcons.
Let's see something bold in this first rifle round. I like the aggression the fury you bring to their CT side of Mirage.
You'll frequently see
the Kindar Yuri down to get involved in palace pushes, ramp pushes, you name it, that A side of the map.
a real propensity to be active over there.
Cal, even some of these anchor and mid-set-ups,
I wonder if you want to pull that into your first rifle round.
You try and set the precedent early on
to watch for the aggression,
maybe look to slow down the Falcons a little bit.
Or do you wait and see how they play this first rifle round?
That's the decision that Fallen's having
a way up right now.
Jump up ladder for Fallen.
I don't want to end the window, of course, all of those orb end this first gun round,
and it's deeper than the apartments, and we're getting flashed down on ramp.
Falcons do get that big control.
Honestly.
Oh!
Tied in there, little awkward.
Throws that flash, it ends up becoming a Keisarato highlight.
Kiyosuke made it into the window, but needs something big from this backstab.
Double kill!
A-Site opened wide up by Kiyosuke.
This is going back to get it.
Enough survival, Nars. Instead he's taken one with him.
35 brewing
And they're not even looking to finish on this opened up a bomb site bomb heading in through the apartments
It seems like they do they realize which side he's gone to
Still luck is gonna be impactful, but kiss. Okay hoping that fury would expect that bomb to go away
You can leave him out of the action it's essentially Molodoy Vitesse's right now
Kiyosuke tries to bait them into rotating 20 seconds,
Volodoy can save this round.
You just shouldn't expect him here.
You see Fallen out there in mid.
Think the B-Sites empty.
Molodoy, nice, easy denial.
2B5 denied, and warrior on the board.
Very scary.
Excellent triple kill for Keisarato.
Awkward timing as Monosito is a flashbang.
And he comes out with three kills, Keisarato.
Kyosuke getting behind them, held his shot for as long as he could in this arena, but
still not going to amount to the round here for Falcons, Furia on the board in their first full buy.
There's more of this aggression, Uri taking palace early on.
He's at least been down to get up to his usual tricks here.
Aggression into ramp and that first gun round, this time an early palace clear, but...
...Palkens match this with a slow palace take.
Well aware of the moves that Uri likes to make.
So we'll give it away as well. Flash on the ramp, Balkans are gonna hear that, they know where Uri is.
He could just walk all the way out and honestly scoop up and find that pick.
Cacerato dead and they know what more is in the site.
It's Molotoy who would have been a question but throws out a smoke to block Palace.
Barker's have a decision to make.
They'll call it off.
Molotoy down here in Connector knows he's going to play a trap on the left hand side.
It's building to be the A finish. 30 seconds left. Bombs still in palace.
Molledoy trying to force this fight ahead of time. Throw the timing off. Kiyosuke survives.
Will he make it up to cause problems? Yes. Now Yuri in at the rampside. Fallen taking
up position out here in the spawn. This is a low econ round. Alkins dangerously close
Just the winning it.
I'm bomb.
The cover of Fallen out from the spawnside causing you problems.
No safe route to get the bomb plot.
It's got to deal with one of these players if you want to get it down.
Stick in the smoke, won't get denied, and Yuri gets overran.
Fallen, what's he got for us?
First kill in the 1v3.
Looking for the next man in the site.
Kicks down with the jump scare, hounds him down on the deagle.
They're not going to say the fundamentals for Falcons are going really nice right now.
They're not panicking in these scary moments, right?
These are positions that we see Falcons throw away and choke historically with this roster,
but really, really calm in that 3-2.
That's a hard spot to be in.
They've got pressure from both sides.
They've got 15 seconds.
The bomb is trapped in the corner.
A teammate throws a smoke out on the bomb site, covering ramp with the two rifles, ignoring
spawn and letting kicks and getting that bomb down.
staying very composed in these difficult scenarios they did back on Dust2 as well.
Something to be said for that here, as Falcons aren't getting caught up in easily loseable
situations.
I think the only bad round in this series for Falcons has just been the one where they
on Dust2, going to the Molotoy AWP on the Eco, and you know, it's still somewhat
forgivable. It certainly doesn't feel like a radar moment.
Falcon's clinical right now, just walking up and your kinder has no idea.
Blindsided off to a rough start, 0-6. K. Serato, can he provide any hope?
Drop in that smoke, going to give the room to pass, and Monosy even drives one in through the back.
Molotoy can't retrieve that orb.
It might just have to be a save here for Furia, orb on short, chance to go and grab it.
Hang around, see if anything's presented once this smoke fades.
Oh, it walks in, no one's looking, but yeah, gun picked up, that's enough to walk away.
Furia take their spoils, ranks the riches on this eco, the Falcons find a 5-1 lead,
a very dominant start to this game.
You are yet to give us much to talk about in the second map.
With slow start and only one round to their name.
Just starting to feel kind of rough, like you see in the plays here he's getting up
to over here on A, this is what he's used to doing, I think he's been holding up his
side of the bargain but mid's been a big problem. They've been very susceptible to these splits.
Kindar 0 and 6 certainly doesn't help in that front.
I need to go and kind of stake your claim to middle.
Best looking round we have was Keisarato with that big 3k when they kind of all in
this earlier mid-fight. To real estate the Falcons keep looking for. There it is, more
of that, exactly what you wanted. Connector swing with the flash, finds the 5v4, monosies
all depleted, top middle. Just a nice way for the round to start, you're not as worried
now, you're not looking over your shoulder the whole time, you're trying to make these
moves over the waltze. Now you can afford to, even if you want to, kind of take your
from this mid-portion, right?
You still have fallen over on short.
Still have players on the extremities
that can pay attention to any of these avenues
that lead away from middle.
Still moves being made.
Great flashback.
Ooh, lazy check, but Yuri will clear it.
5-2 here.
I've seen one of these get awfully close,
but Kiyosuke, nothing in this round.
He kicks a 5-1.
Hot starts.
But no more. Quesarato takes control again. Both Furia rounds coming off of Quesarato triple kills
the saviour of
Furia right now
Just been your way in right Quesarato and Yuri have been fantastic out here in Rio
Both of them in really really solid form and so you know give them as many chances as you can to be involved
You kind of want these guys more than anyone right now involved in these real swing fights for the round
the game. It's been a while
since we've had a lot of
players around. Yeah, it's
a thing that Yuri came into
today, still as the top four
rated player of the event with
the games in case Roto has
given us speaks volumes about
Yuri's group stage as well.
Look at what you've done now.
Right? You want that midfight
kind of convincingly twice over.
Balkans decide they don't
really want to play for mid
this time around. And so you've
got that early info case
on their bombsites, got the crossfire set up over in B,
fallen even playing back in the market for it,
slightly faster rotate.
Or you can do it rather.
Pop out Palace, that's all they've got.
The U2 is in Palace, which will not make it easier.
Reblocking the Molotov, you know the lineup he's throwing there,
chasing down, moment that smoke spotted still.
Guns ready to trade.
Oh, what?
Dig back for Nico, hold on a second.
This type of shot this gives you hot hands.
Let's see if Niko can do anything else with it.
Really try to milk this.
Looking for another on the D-goal.
Niko can't find his footing.
A kickstand's been spotted, not long for this world.
All three players closing in on him.
Bit of a streak forming here for Furia as they're looking
for a resurgence in this first half.
Okay, so Rota just keeps killing another multi for him
and it's broken Falcon's money, so if you're with the opportunity here on Mirage to break it
much like that second half of Dust 2. Right when you're ready to count them out.
Bit of belief comes back for Furia, broken for Falcon's five blocks.
Just gonna hit this B-bomb site and hope for the best.
Ouch.
I'll come to the scoreboard you came up and wait for him to find his first.
There's no way to do it.
Gonna need a little bit more before the second dominant.
Just these blocks, nice easy moe down for forward.
Go on, let him get the fourth.
One shot, shot!
We'll take it. The Brains of Fury are falling and you're kind of finding your fight.
So here's the bite of Alcant's back on. I mean these rounds have been squeaky clean,
like you went from being in a really vulnerable position rounds ago.
There's constant A splits, always looking over your shoulder. Now you've had two flawless rounds,
three surviving in there as well, one where you don't really lose any money even on the
re-investments so money really starting to build up into a pretty point for
Furia. Gonna make them that much harder for the Falcons to dislodge.
I'm out called in, Sonic had his time on the mic.
You wonder what they're gonna go back to? Is it gonna be another one of these
these midfights where you're left looking at Keisarato having to overcome some terrifying
odds. Always been up for the task. I don't know, but there is three out towards A, so
maybe a set piece here. That's what I like to see, Keisarato top middle, and he's going
to want B1 as well. There's no walk waiting for him. Very nice flight. Keisarato leads
it out. Three, catches Palace, push and one by one, Falken just gets shredded in this round.
Duo of Niko and Modesty, now it's just Iliad.
He can even closing in on him, won't expect this, bait of the smoke, monosy core, and
a very clean slate of rounds.
Drip, Fred, Fury is away, all helmed by this duo, K-Sorato and Fury, 20 kills between the
mirrored score lines both punching very very favorably for Furia money now
broken for the Falcons and so suddenly this game is well and truly opened up
yeah I thought I could necessity to have these two played well right even
yesterday when Furious was struggling against Vitality three players went a
bit cold it was those fangs that bailed them out round off the round on
overpass. Now Furia, sink their teeth into the CT side after a 5-1 lead for the Falcons.
Furia is still looking to win the half-out right now. This is only pistols. Falcons going
for a 4-A execute. Yuri back in spawn. Cacerato willingly taking fights with a missed-stair
smoke. Big problem. Cacerato could just fight forward.
Another guy you want with open sight lines right now. It's into the lines down here the bomb side of Yuri and K
Serato the two top performers and get past K Serato
Get this room out towards jungle to boot and even try to take it all the way through to spawn off Fallen's here to stop that
No crazy rooting in this one
He's throwing himself into these fights.
Niko D trying to make things interesting.
Swing from short, long range fight.
Niko thinks better of it.
Now hoping to draw Molotoy out of the spawn.
Knows that this kill would give you a bomb plant.
Gives you a fighting chance.
Niko's hit a blinder.
They'll all be where the Niko Deagle...
Yeah, go for it.
Round the world.
It's open plants.
A kiss we can buy time.
But Niko, with the backs turned and the Deagle, will be watching.
And it's all Senei Mez, but here could be the dream of Niko, third shot connects!
And one man is $700, stealing this one away from Furia, your kindar can't do a thing.
Time expires and Niko comes hunting.
Oh, war is highlight.
That is a thing of beauty.
And that right smile on Niko's face, nothing hits quite like a Niko D.
Yeah, four amazing frags for Niko in a 2 vs 5.
Stickening shots to be for rather, but every single one coming up for Nico
You cannot complain about that
All headshots all easy and Falcon's second eco win of this series that is gonna send the propelling forward straight up shorts
It's just a huge boon to the confidence isn't it your kinder hot on their heels with a backstab
can't stop the bomb right here right now.
Modesty dead, and that's the bomb
loose out in the apartments.
The result of this B-play doesn't matter
till you go and get that bomb back.
Theory of throwing one hell of a spanner in the works here.
Kickstand gets a free beat.
And so now it is just a duel for this bomb control.
What a weird position to be in with the amount of utility
They can hold on, use their nades by more time.
Falcons are going to have to go around the world.
Murtes says, whittled.
Another HE from Holodoy could seal his fates.
Yes, okay, offering a flash.
Gonna wait for his teammate to get in position here.
Kixen coming from around the world.
No health here for the Falcons, no easy round win.
Despite the man advantage,
You keep them in strong position.
What a weird spot to be in.
Splash McGeaseycky shouldn't do much.
That's the fact they're all so low. I mean...
How do you even bring yourselves back?
Oh, it's a conversation!
Oh, God!
Molotow is going to do it alone!
They're both low, sure.
It's the all-brilliant, the gun for the job here.
They're going to try and split on Molotow together.
No, the double peek is how they take this one.
Falcons somehow, some way recover and they will see this one through to a winning half.
They're rying up the 2-0. Furia, you're looking at KSR, you're looking at Uri, they're doing all they can, but will it be enough?
I
It was feeling like we were well on our way to a fury recovery on Mirage.
Then Nico and his Deagle came along and changed our minds entirely.
Balkans go on to win out that first half, 7-5.
That was after a really strong start, 5-1 up.
It was the tiebreaker round.
That was where Nico pulled through a critical juncture in this game.
Buriinao on the back foot and in danger of falling shy.
The last win they could achieve here in Rio with this lineup.
Third place, leaning Falcons direction right now.
And it's coordinated, cohesive, fearless Falcons right now as they push all the way
to the top of middle in this pistol all together.
Back on A in time for the hit, but Jungle Smoke dovelocks Falcons out.
Bomb gonna go down.
No spam connecting here, that's an open plant and that puts Furia in a very strong position.
Kittles for the Falcons, one smoke to cause some chaos.
And that's all they've got.
Fake Flash towards spawn, it's gonna make Falcons slow down here.
Honestly holds on, they come his way and he takes two with him.
No way, monosy triple kill, just shreds Furia.
This pistol is back on for Falcons, but Quick kills in the smoke and Knife to stop
The defuse might just walk out.
Kacelotto brings the blade.
1v1.
You might need another knife here.
Might need to be a double knife in the pistol.
Kacelotto's pulled it out, looking for the shank.
Trying to ship them down, but Tessa's won.
Giving the double knife pistol round.
Still, Uriah pull up.
The blade of Kacelotto slices them in half.
And that is a 2v5.
Honestly triple kill in jungle in the connector
And somehow furious stay alive
Now we'll go a long way to the comeback
Falcons on pistols
Sneaky does it.
Ooh.
They're well to get out with his one.
I mean, the rest of them, they knew it was the B-play.
They said to Tess, do what you can, mate.
They're all alone in this one.
Triple ramp push for the rest of the Falcons.
You can trap Furia in now with the bomb.
Try and quarter the exit.
Take some guns out of here, do some damage.
They realize what's happening, they realize the attempt to keep them trapped is a real
They realize what's happening, they realize the attempt to keep them trapped with that explosion.
It's great if you love Fury, they certainly do.
It's seven all, and the guns come back out for the Falcons.
All for monacy, from the word go.
Big 3k in the pistol but he's been tamer in this game and he wasn't dust 2.
A city side orb could change that fact here for monosy.
Starts on triple.
He kicked up.
On top of me it's sucking on that tap. He's stuck in the corner.
And you just look like a set piece out towards A.
Looks like getting ready.
Kind of putting pressure on middle alone behind these boxes, hoping to keep eyeballs on mid.
Fallen, forget to buy always is all part of the master plan, he is Glock armor, he's throwing nades.
Although he will get picked first, there are guns available for Fallen, saving for later perhaps.
He doesn't need guns, burns out kicks it, but despite the little health, I can still hold a man advantage.
Took him a little while to find a rifle there on the back of the ramp here,
and even that's taken a bit of pace out of the sight here for Furia.
Oh, a two-molecule.
It burns out Niko!
Swing for Kiyosuke!
Went for Glory, hoping for the multi-kill.
Yes, the info gets the spot up, but at least that's meant to convert this.
It's very labored, but eventually comes through.
Double for Monacy as well as that AWP.
Makes its first appearance in this CT side.
And an instant multi-kill falls his way.
Yeah, despite a double-molecule fury of feeling like they had no purchase on that A-bomb psych,
can't put the bomb down with the con smoke up.
Felt like they had a bit more time, a bit more room than they would have imagined.
They got stuck out on bench together, Kiyosuke comes swinging,
and Falcons smiles on their faces as they secure the first gun round of this hall.
We've seen Falcons in a fair few third-place deciders.
And I'll say one of the things I always like about watching them in is they do seem to have a genuinely good time.
Now they'll play some good in-your-face counter strike.
Never feels like it's hard to get Nico on, honestly, smiling.
I mean, knowing that you just took that round, now you have Furia in a very vulnerable position.
Kind of exposed on this T-side.
You're going to have another investment here, but it's got limitations, a lot of them.
Only a handful of smokes, bunch of flashes.
Three guns to work with.
So maybe something a little bit pacey here,
hoping the chaos is the answer.
Well, they're gonna go right in to this Monosy AWP.
Clashes find him on the first shot.
Second one, it sails past as well.
Monosy's gotta provide something on this orb,
living on borrowed time.
Income the reinforcements.
Nico back at the site,
two kills to the good,
squaring off against your kinder.
Long of his takes, the closer Kixxan gets, the more he gets to play this with Niko.
And so this season they're slowed down, very intentional.
Still, Niko's off the one up.
Kixxan's crept in, not known about by Yikindar.
Need a clutch from the captain.
Eyes off.
Now Yikindar knows, only half the battle, it's Kixxan remaining elusive.
You know what, the crowd let him down in that one, turned the wrong way.
Too late to the party, kicks and sneaks in and finds that perfect gap to get behind Yikindar.
Nice catch with the MP7.
And yeah, you mentioned Falcons being in these third place deciders, they've never lost one, Harry.
Taking down Vitality back at EWC.
And even defeating Malz in Chengdu as well.
So make your own conclusions from that, but Falcon's looking for the 3P tier in Rio.
Just layers of defense out here in mid-Kiyosuke and Niko.
this one squeaky clean it starts at the round yes his rifles to come out of the
CT side Falcons are going berserk with four three in a row cleaners can be in
this one right now Nico backs out obviously takes window
I shot K-Sorato.
K-Sorato, man, like really wants this to go the distance.
Across both maps.
Just been a very consistent output for Furia bin.
One of really two players you've looked to to try and make a difference.
Honestly, just check this.
Oh, second time is the charm.
Hello.
That's just rough for Yuri, right?
Seize him.
That was the promise of a kill.
He's right there.
It doesn't have the angle.
Gives Monacee a warning shot.
That's the last guy you want to give them to in this game.
Monacee was quiet in that first half,
but he has doubled his kills already in the CT side
after just five rounds of play.
Come back into this game with a vengeance now.
Now, Falcons put Furia on pistols and they are all smooth sailing towards that finish line here.
All maids could be catastrophic.
Ouch.
Retake on A is a strong setup here for Falcons who won't offer up guns to pistol players.
Have the sight, take the plant, you're not holding this down though, not without some
phenomenal D-Wolf.
Two rounds left for Falcons to get on that podium, and Fallen's final outing in Rio,
with a bitter taste. Individually, he's up there, he's on the board, quiet games from
the imports here for Furia. But the opportunity truly was yesterday against Vitality, two
close maps for Furia, two chances against World Number One.
My exact set piece out in a way.
Oh, full in my beful blind skill.
Gonna deliver the opening to Furia.
Get in, but now you're gonna button down the hatch.
You've seen these post-plots fall apart for Furia.
Plots can now get denied by just this onslaught of Util.
And that's gonna mean all these smokes fade when you finally go to plug in these numbers.
numbers. Parkes have done a really good job of keeping the pressure on.
Far from comfortable even in this 4 on 4, Monace looking for the tips of heads.
Boosted through the connector, Boost gives him an angle, gives him a line.
Decision there for you, Kindar was playing up whether he chases down Tess's, but decides to go back,
feeling like his teammates need the help in the site. Good thing he has, because he dealt
with Kiyosuke on the cross and a follow-up on a monosie.
Tessa is left looking on as this round gets away from you.
He went all the way on the exit, but he is heading for those hills.
Saving grace, Yokindar and Keisurato.
Latta keeping them in it.
And nice to see Furia stabilize despite a very chaotic round.
Valkers put all their Utah in to the pre-plant and kind of have nothing left for the retake there.
They kept just a couple of Nades and HG and Molotov.
They could have really flushed some positions out, make that far more uncomfortable,
but they wanted to deny the bomb.
And Fury just waited out that utility, so some good damage early, but leaves it with nothing for later.
So Fury do converts in a post-bond, finding their first round since the pistol.
It's not too late.
And again, a weakened buy.
Two galels.
And that's just what you're going to be contending with, really,
unless you take one of these rounds super cleanly.
You want a position to start to make money without earning it.
A buy for the Falcons.
A chance to keep the pressure on a bare minimum.
An aggressive start as well. Not sitting back out here on A, not giving away a lot of room.
It's spammed to open things up. Niko dead first.
IPv4. Last time it got traded straight away. This time Fury gets to play with disadvantage.
to the left of the road.
Watch.
Trade for monacy is a reaction
waiting out from palace.
Honestly, we'll have to hit a
flick here. No, hoes in on the
location. Yuri goes to his
death. That's all one purpose
here for monacy. He knows you
can hear that drop and
He pulls him into his crosshair, final hurrah here for Furia on the B bomb site and it's three on one right now.
It's Tessas alone.
Going in the right place.
It's all about just how much damage can Tessas really get away with.
Oh man, snuck out into the open.
Tessas gets the drop on Cacerato. Time is very, very low. Gets the info on both players.
Bombs gonna get scrambled, gonna get planted. For now, you've got a 2B1.
you try and take it, go early in the akin dark, and get a stand packing.
Monosy, 1v2, staring him dead in the face.
Does he want to give it a try?
Does he want to go for the glory?
Place it out into the site, right down, forward the cover.
And the game continues to close up.
Very scary to be one with Monosy.
Try to find any advantage.
If you really won't give it away and they fight together well played in the post-bond
That says one more kill might have just sealed their fate
Fury a lift to fight another round that is back-to-back, but again not clean
Just enough to put Falcons on pistols
Focus gonna have a bit of a decision to make here. Yeah, okay
They could they can justify the buy you still have this chance like if you win this type of a Hail Mary round
But you put it all out there, but you find success in spite of the back you know, you
buy is a little weaker, there's limitations, you get to capitalize on all that early damage.
And so this is a play to try and win you the series right now.
Yeah, it's a nice investment, I mean, you still have the output, honestly, it's high
value.
If you lose it, you buy again at 11 apiece, if you win it, it feels as good as done.
A risk worth taking here for the Falcons.
And they make sure they get that util here. It's not a...
weak buy...
by any means.
And their utility has been very strong in this series.
And the last two rounds, it's been open as for Furia.
That early kill going their way, and it's had a big impact on how the round shapes up.
It's not quite as involved on the early doors in this round of the Falcons, playing within
their bombsites, playing these crossfires.
Honestly, you're roamed out towards mid early on the AWP, but the moment he's not given
that initial fight, he just eases back.
On these rounds, who do you say?
Let's just not give anything away for the first 30, 40 seconds.
Then you make your moves.
Oh, he missed the flash.
It's a flash play. It was meant to get me through.
Very involved. It's a crunch.
Upon middle, but that flash bang missing could have died consequences.
Has.
That hurts.
Honestly, the culprit, the man that missed the flash.
Oh, dear.
Well, Momma Noy doesn't miss the flash in that head-to-head.
It's a one-round game.
That's a really nice play as well.
The little underdrawn, there was a back turn.
and fault line that should be an easy opening kill for Nico and then they
brawl then they clash but utility going nowhere and too late to cancel the call
they just jump in that really hurts and that was your try your attempt to end it
here and now now you got to play out until again the end of regulation and
And honestly, he knows exactly what calls that.
So Furia are going to have a good buy no matter what happens.
And Leo, it'd be a good buy.
Now all we say hello to map 3.
Tessa is Deagle alone at the B side of the map.
That's where Furia are heading.
Tucked in at the bench.
a couple of long-range fights to try and take on this Deagle.
What's Tessas made of? He's all alone.
Sharp of a Deagle, but this would be something else.
Oh, he's missed.
Oh, sure. How long does he hide out?
Do they clear this? Is Tessas alive?
He can make noise.
They don't know just yet.
Oh, backstabbed Tessas!
Oh, it's a double!
Oh, no! This was meant to be the free round.
Tess says, calls all that in a question.
These needles closing in, pressure getting applied.
Molador has to hit that to alleviate some of this pressure.
Niko gets his one and kicks that and finished off.
Damn nice try, it's off.
A damn nice try here, but Fury are well
and truly back in the building.
As on Dust2 this goes the distance and no certainty for the Falcons as Furia found four rounds
straight on this T side right when you're ready to give up on them.
It gets way too close.
An effort to kind of motivate the troops falling ahead of this one set.
You know, Fury are looking to do it for the fans, for the folks watching.
That one might have had you questioning that, but here I'm up to resilience on display at
a furia.
Fall has put in a shift as well.
It's what a flipping of the script that's gone on here as well, right?
It was furia having to do more with less this entire time, well then are the ones who could
really do a number to the Falcons.
They're the guys with that free route to win this map.
They can find success in this rifle round.
Molotov-V-Monacy might be the first kill behind that molotov. They double-boosted window.
This allows you to two-man lurk. Tessus B push, freeing up rotations. And this might
well end A. You know, you ready for two up in window. This one is crazy. Falcons have
everybody moving over right now. Still waiting for that first blood. 40 seconds they jump
over. You've just taken the loss of window as a concession. You're playing heavy for
Kiyosuke, even suspicious that there could be more players in this position, having their eyes on it all around.
Saitake coming in, you've got a four man fight for the CT spawn position and a backstab on the cards for Tessas.
Do they let him play first? He tries to go out. Kasey Rato is coming down.
Now it's just these players out from CT, first kill.
kill. Locked in by Kiyosuke, smoking a fade as Furia back off to play around this post-plant.
On out in the open, planted four jungle, four the connector.
Keisurato able to help from the ramp side. Moledoy, string of misses. Keisurato dead.
It's the bomb out in the open that causes problems. Kiyosuke stealing one more back and Niko here.
It's going to be real close on this deep use nail bite of a
How do they win that round perfect post bomb positions here for Furia
No smoke for the bomb Falcons have one flash and it is the perfect bit of utility taking back ramp control
There was a click to kind of sum up Molotov in these playoffs here in Rio. This would be down here
four or five chances of catching players
missed every single opportunity I think he even got a call out on those last
two but it didn't matter because Falcons trade out Nico off that bomb with
his teammate nowhere near him to save it with the final kill very impressive
series from Nico today this mirage has been miraculous that deagle 4k and
And right now leading in the server with a match point in their pocket
Dear oh dear, this is what it comes down to
Fargo to just a so composed
Composure we've not seen from this team. He really have like not in a whole
Oh, speedy state to misplay any of these situations.
Everything's very considered that make it shorter on the same page.
And now looking for the shutdown, looking for the two-way advantage.
Need to find Moledoy.
His round never gets the start.
The mid-clash, and it is a shutdown of Furia.
K-Zorato might have been a force to be reckoned with in this series.
But a 1v4, lineup for the double.
K-Zorato, surely will.
And still believing!
Monace left the tribe denying this glory of the 1v4 and the overtime that awaits round the world.
Monace saw that bomb, he knows what Cacerato's doing, he just doesn't know where he's gone.
Through B?
for something unexpected, and honestly meets him there.
Last thing you'll expect is Monacee out here in this position, you get the spot, but now
it's all eyes on Kei Serato, been the hard hitter, been the guy to watch across this
entire series, and looking for the lifeline clutch that keeps Furia on this day.
right down, right denied, Montesey secures it, steal in that one away, Falcons with a clean 2-0 finish on the podium for third place.
And that round tells the story of Furia in Rio right now, close but not quite incredible from Cacerato, but not enough to take a win on this stage.
the vitality yesterday they thought of falcons today furia with a final hurrah
fallen in his last year professional player of the 20 years competing for
trophies to see us go majors more first places and you can count but not in
brazil falcons of final outing where they do some of their best work and I
got to say today they showed composure and they showed resilience nico showed
up and monest he was there for the close a good day in the office for the
Falcons here in Rio de Janeiro.
Yeah, just kind of the dream scoreboard from top to bottom.
And Kicksan Elise gets to leave this squad with that win,
this final charge, this final push for a podium finish
in Rio de Janeiro.
But fallen now, you know, the idea
that this was the last time he's going
to get to play in front of his home stage,
dawning upon the furrier roster at emotional time.
We're going to throw it down at the stage.
Let's hear from him.
First of all, congratulations. I know it's not exactly the situation you would have liked to be in, but you came here today, played insanely, so to speak, and secured your spot on the third place. How are you feeling right now?
I don't know, it's just a mix of feelings. We lost yesterday and we are still not on the tournament and we had to play against, we are today for the third place. It's just a game, I don't know, a mix of feelings.
Okay, I understand. There's a lot of excitement around what's next for you guys. What can you say to the fans today?
I don't know, we'll just go home, we'll improve. Even if it's going to take ten more years to improve.
We'll fight until the end, even if the last hope is over, you know.
So, just gonna try to become better and better every single day and show better game and
play-offs than what we showed last few times, or all the times.
Sounds amazing, thanks ever so much.
Thank you.
Hey guys, I'm Niko and this is Kixxan and today we're going to talk about Mirage and
our positions, how we play together.
He's the anchor on Mirage and I'm playing there as connectors, so I'm kind of fighting
for him a little bit and also helping him on the A-side.
I think I'm mostly fighting him, he doesn't get too much help from me, but I think that's
just how the map works.
I think the freestyle is the most important because based on what he says or what we do
as a team I will position on A side based on that so if I know that we are
fighting mid heavy I will not go fully committed on A for example and the other way around so
yeah for me this is the most important thing how to start the round and then it's easier to play.
If I know that he wanna play close then I know that I should play the closer to him so I can
support him with the flash or to pick on his contact so it just I think as he said everything
is connected really from freestyle obviously he if he has a player idea of what he wants to do
then I need to listen to him and try to help him in a way that doesn't affect the whole team,
but that's just that he feels comfortable on the side.
I think it's pretty tough honestly in CS2. I enjoyed it a bit more in CSGO,
because now you don't even have like those one ways that you can play around connector.
It feels like you're always exposed, they can always, you know, break the con smoke,
and just flush you, and you're kind of very hard to defend this area.
I would just say that it became a bit more unpredictable, and this is the annoying part.
The thing against executes is obviously hard, but for me it's even harder when people have these
defaults or some rounds where people just come and search out A, if they know that don't,
it's not picking for example, so I find this a bit more hard than the executes because I think
when you see the execute coming, there are some things you can do, maybe some defensive smoke,
maybe you can just play retake, maybe you'll get one kill and die, so all of these things are fine,
but getting searched out from Palace Ramp, it's a bit annoying. I mean obviously the most common
Some of the ones that are molly round and flash meet at the start of the round, some people in face it still don't do it, so I would recommend that you start doing this at least.
Other than that, the smokes are important, so obviously smoking Ramp or Palace at the start of the round is important to maybe delay the piece,
or if you want to play passive you can save the smoke and maybe do a defensive smoke later that will allow you to have more space.
And I felt like I was behind the battle a little bit, and then I started watching multiple players'
exertion, I watched E-Math, I even watched Apex a little bit just to see what kind of tricks he had.
So yeah, I started watching a bit more of the Inverse on some positions just so I kind of
update myself, but it was just easier before to do it, but yeah, now I need more resources, obviously.
Hello everybody, today we are here to do something special.
Me and Fon, we're visiting some of his great, great, great, great memories in the pictures, in photos.
Maybe some bad ones there as well.
Nice, going down the memory lane, let's see.
Dupree.
Oh, nice, in Solo Mid.
Dupree in power, huh?
I could be wrong, but this is a Kleszner Poker tournament.
I have a feeling, or a FaceIt tournament, I don't know.
But yeah, this is right before they actually went to Australia, and here I was in LG.
This was a tough team to beat, and they had to work hard to become a good team,
because they were losing games that they should win a lot before they really established themselves.
And yeah, the pre-man, the guy won five majors and I'm shaking his hand, what can you say?
Yeah, two legends, huh?
Where is it from?
This is basically 2015.
Basically.
Nice one.
Oh, I have not seen this house either.
Yeah, nice, huh?
Yeah, this is pretty cool.
I like it.
So this is the last interaction.
These had balls and steel.
I really like this lineup.
At some point we stopped evolving and that's why we had to go for some moves.
Code 0 replaced the ZKK.
and then we became stronger and then we were reaching a lot of quarterfinals but that never really
going through any of those games but I really enjoyed playing with both of them still and both
and both are very good teammates very good people as well a lot of play at the end as well that's
very cool why is here from 2009 now is my coach yeah actually why did why do you think you got
stopped evolving what was the reason I think there are some limitations honestly a little bit
for limitation and I'm pulled yeah I guess couldn't go further with this direction oh next one okay so
So this is MVP, not many, I don't have many.
Wait, so...
This is nice, but they...
This is Cologne, I think, and they don't...
Did they start giving the MVP medals, like, instantly?
Like, actually?
I think it was...
I don't think there was medals before, no?
I think it started on 15 or 16.
Mm-hmm.
So now we know that it's definitely like, in 2016.
Yeah.
What's the tournament? SK?
I think this is Cologne 17.
17?
Cologne 17.
Cologne 17.
First MVP at DreamHack Austin.
Austin.
Oh, okay.
So this was when I played Immortals on the finals,
the other Brazilian team.
How was it?
It was fun.
We changed nicknames.
Everyone was giving hearts to the other team.
We complimented each other.
We were very friendly.
We were actually living pretty close to each other at the time.
So nowadays as well we have like an opportunity to play against Brazilian teams.
Do you think there's like a difference?
There is a big difference now.
Because back in the days when we first went to live in Ricardo's house, Ricardo opened
his house with Camila for us to go with the Caboon lineup.
And then at some point we decided to open another house in front of us to another Brazilian.
So, me, Ricardo and Camila, we decided to do a games academy project and we made a competition in Brazil.
We called it the Golden Chance and the team who would win it would come and leave in the game.
That's very cool.
So, you know, we're born with FNX team, bro.
FNX always, we're born with FNX team.
FNX team helped the team a lot. FNX Showtime, Max, Hany, I don't know, some people.
That's very cool how like, Brazilians, like, somebody gets a hand from somebody and then the person who got the hand,
he gives a hand to another one, you know, like helping each other.
Giving something back. Yeah, that's what I think I can help. That's very cool
XM
I'm just gonna make sure she's okay.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Oh, Dabla, Dabla, Dabla.
Are you scared?
Yeah, I'm a leg.
You're a leg?
You're a leg?
Dabla?
Dabla?
Dabla?
Oh!
I've heard that you're a footer.
I thought you were not helping me, bro.
You're not helping me, bro.
You're not helping me.
You're not helping me.
Here we go.
I won, I won.
Please, we've done it, bro.
You won?
You didn't find the bomb, bro. You couldn't find the bomb.
Right.
Wait.
The right bomb, right?
Yes, the right one.
Damn.
It was different.
Right.
The right one.
Go ahead, go ahead.
Take the right one.
He's here.
He's here.
The bomb is here?
Yes, yes, yes.
Did you get it?
Back, back, back, back!
Right, right!
Back, back, back!
Turn left, turn left!
Turn left, turn left!
Turn left!
I can't believe it!
It's impossible!
Go left, go left!
Go left, go left!
Go left, go left!
Go right, go right!
Go left, go right!
Wait, wait, wait!
It's so hard!
It's so hard!
The problem is I don't know the map as well.
It's so hard!
What are you doing, man?
Look at that, he's turning a mask off.
He's turning a mask off and he's going to shoot.
You know what to do, man?
You know what to do, man?
You know what to do, man?
Run, run, run.
Get out of here.
I'm gonna kill you.
He's running here, he's running here.
He's running here.
Run, run, run.
Run, run, run.
Run, run, run.
Run, run, run.
Run, run, run.
Right, right.
It's not normal.
Left, left, left.
Go left, go left.
Left, right.
Straight.
Under you, on the right.
Under you, on the right.
Go, go, go, go.
Go, go, go.
Oh, my God!
Oh, bro!
XM! XM! Of course, bro!
Of course, bro!
Easy.
It's so hard!
I think it's a secret.
Right, right, right.
Left, left, right.
Right, left, left, left.
I'm going to kill you, please.
Go, go, go, go!
It's so hard!
Bro, it's so hard!
It's actually so hard!
I'm going to kill you, please.
I'm gonna finish, bro!
I'm gonna beat you up!
Finish, bro!
I'm gonna finish, bro!
I'm gonna restart again. Let's go!
Restarting, bro!
Yes, yes, run like this.
Double, double, double, bomb.
Put a little forward.
Mir, look, look, look, look.
Mir, my turn.
I'm going to put you on the left.
Right, right, 300 degrees, 300 degrees!
I'm gonna shoot you!
Shoot him!
I killed him!
He's dead!
I'm gonna kill you!
Left, left!
Go to the left!
Left!
Right, right!
I'm not going to shoot them, just go left!
Left left!
What? Dmitry! Dmitry!
Ski! Ski!
Don't see...
Don't see...
Come here! Don't see!
Shots on me!
Don't clear!
Come here s fiction!
30 more! All your friends!
Don't kill me!
Damn!
Let me kill you!
Damn, that was stupid!
Good job!
You're doing well, bro!
DiJ's is easy!
You're a fucker!
Hello everybody, today we are here to do something special, me and Fon be visiting some of his
great great great great great memories in the pictures, in photos, maybe some bad ones
there as well.
Nice, going down the memory lane, let's see, oh this is nice, Kato, it says here, okay,
this is like a gear gas engine, yeah, a little bit, yeah, it's a little bit, yeah, it's a
little bit.
So that's fair, Kodzira, Kako, Zeal's on the back here with the hat, I think, or here,
Oh, this is nice. So this is Katowice. I have the hint here.
Is there FNX?
FNX is probably here too, yeah.
FNX, it's actually the hats and seals on the background here, I think.
Yeah, is this the best lineup?
I think this is the tournament we lost to Fanatic on the finals,
because I never won Katowice.
Really?
So this one is the tournament we went to the finals,
we were winning Chuo and they came back on Best of Finals.
Was it a major?
It wasn't a major, you know.
Just thought it was gonna be nice tournament, yeah.
Fun times, bro. 2016, I think.
Check it out.
2016, I think.
Or...
2016?
You're right.
Yeah.
Who do you think would win, like this LG lineup or R3 nowadays?
Yeah, well, that's a legendary question, bro.
What do you think?
You would be a good fight.
Yeah, really?
You would be a good fight.
Next picture.
Oh, now we have some celebrations.
Nice.
This is the major, Columbus 2016, first major or one.
One of the most special days of my life, definitely.
Well, this is when I felt
everything I have lived so far goes to that point, you know?
You win the major, got it all.
That's why we do it, huh?
That's why I do it.
Just for exactly this moment, huh?
Since then, trying to get the same feeling again, it's hard.
How long this feeling lasts for?
This one lasts a little bit more.
Yeah, yeah, this one lasts a little bit more.
But not much.
After you, you really want to go back to work.
So what year is it?
This is 16.
16, yeah.
All right.
Next one.
Back and wide.
Oh, this one.
Oh, this one.
Oh, this is 2017 Cologne.
Cologne, huh?
Yeah.
I think these are second major wins.
We beat Team Liquid on the finals.
It's the finals, huh?
Simple was playing for Team Liquid at the time.
This was the second major win.
It was very special as well.
Was this called Jumping Shot on Mirage?
No, that was the first one.
First one.
So, this was the second one here.
Or more like an established team, we're playing better for a couple of times now, for a couple
of months.
So, you're like the vitality of the day.
Yeah.
Back in the days were the favorites.
And I had my whole family going for this tournament in Cologne, which was special too.
So I was definitely one of the members and I was actually...
I wasn't in the team the tournament.
No, I wasn't.
No, Code Zero, no, I was not. Code Zero was made in VP.
Of course, but the code there isn't in the team.
Yeah, Code Zero is like now...
How can the fight-tarted guys get MVP with Zayu in the team?
Same vibes, same vibes.
Brazilian flag.
Ooh, your guests are helping me out.
Here's a pro league.
And pro league, huh?
Same team.
Where was the pro league by then?
So many places.
Odense, maybe?
I think it was probably Odense.
Odense and Denmark.
If we're lifting the trophy, it has to be 17.
16, we won the majors.
Really?
Life hack.
16, we won two majors and nothing else.
We won't like more tournaments, no majors.
Hello everybody, today we are here to do something special.
Me and Fawn, we're visiting some of his great, great, great, great memories in the pictures, in photos.
Maybe some bad ones there as well.
Nice, going down the memory lane, let's see.
Do you think you have a good memory?
No, I definitely have one of the worst memories as possible,
because I was memorizing too many strategies over my life.
Ah, right, right, right.
So what happened if you're not memorizing them anymore?
The strategy is because now I'm starting to think about my life, so maybe this is going to be good.
Okay, so let's start, let's start.
We have some very good ones.
This one is very old, huh?
This one is very old. I'm right here in the middle. On my left side is my brother Thiago, and on my right side is my older brother Marcelo.
And I have one more brother, it's not here in the picture.
And we were playing a 3v3 tournament in Brazil.
In Petrinha.
A 3v3 competition.
And we were playing as brothers and this is the first trophy I won.
That's super cool.
Cyber coffee.
The trophy is bigger than me.
The trophy is very big.
Actually bigger than you.
I've played some couple 2v2s and 5v5s in the line tournaments or whatever, but I've never
seen a 3v3.
Aztec.
Aztec.
My brother was insane if they all played on the bridge, you know?
So he was kind of like the inspiration, yeah?
Yeah, both of them.
That's amazing.
Second one.
Ooh, that's a nice one.
I know this guy.
Yeah, this guy.
I know this guy.
Biggy mentor as well.
This is NAC.
This photo is from 2009 and I'm playing my first international competition on World Cyber
Games in Chengdu.
In Chengdu?
First trip I did to China and here I am.
I was 18 years old, playing Alp.
I was playing against Markalov at the time.
Get right.
Oh really?
Yeah.
2009.
How many times have you been to Chengdu?
Chengdu 3 or 4 now.
One time for a conspire as well.
And how many times have you won there?
Only the last one with you.
Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah.
Marek.
Marek.
So how was it playing against Markalov?
How was it playing back then? Do you think it's very different from now?
I think now we have more resources to understand the game better,
to study the game more. And now I have more experience as well, so I feel like I really
know what I'm doing. Back on the days I had less knowledge, but I would say I was more exposed,
you know? More skilled. Do you think back in the days it was more like a dream,
like playing the game and competing internationally than it feels like now?
I feel now, it feels like it's a reality, like even the new kids, the second generation of gamers
we're coming out, they see this as a profession and back on the days, we didn't know how many
tournaments we'd go for. So these are the tournaments that are very important because
they would pay for the trips, pay for accommodation. Now it's standard, right? Yeah, go for tournaments
if Estelle don't pay them, right? But now back on the days, it's a miracle they did it,
and this was very important. Here you're playing for something different. It's not only money.
It's not only money in the team. It's just life.
It was amazing, he taught me so many things.
The Insul Extreme Masters returns for our fourth championship Sunday in Rio de Janeiro,
where by the end of the day, one team will indeed be posting the trophy.
Bestico, sadly as the old saying goes, some things never change,
just like Brazilian teams performing on Brazilian soil.
And that is truly a curse that we have to address, obviously,
not winning the home trophy tournament for a long time.
And with full announcements, well, he's never going to live that trophy in front of the
foam audience.
This is not what you want to see, but vitality are playing on different levels.
They are indeed.
On the other side of the bracket, however, we finally saw Falcons had found some winds
beneath their wings.
But it turns out, no, it was actually spirits to be showing up on the big stage.
And last time that happened was the Budapest Major, so it leaves kind of a lot of questions
in Falcons' department.
What they're going to do, especially with kick-sand and rumors around that.
After all, spirit is the one taking the grand final.
and Dong is doing Dong things so let's see how that goes.
Another question I have, can Team Spirit become the first ever team to claim that giant killer bonus?
It's time to find out as we kick off the Intel Extreme Masters Rio in 2026.
And it's all gone!
I'm trolling quick!
Unbelievable road,
with a four-shadow victory,
overpass it!
And they didn't get it!
In the backfire!
It's all moved!
Give it up for your dead tilt,
Extreme Master,
Warp!
Slap it!
the
the
the
the
the
the
the
the
that best of five grand final is inching ever closer. I'm so excited to kick it off in the
Intel 10 with my friend, Stiko. We have had such an incredible weekend so far. I am hoping
that this grand final is going to deliver maybe a little bit more than the two map affairs
we've been having so far.
I feel like whatever is going to happen on the server, it will deliver because the emotion
that is being shared the most resilience and the players on the stage, it's a lifetime
experience. I can assure you that they are feeling it. They're enjoying it. And this is just
the beauty of Counter-Strike that we're witnessing here in Brazil. Can I just put something on
the record as well? I did tweet it out, but during our pre-match interviews for the Furria
by Talonty game yesterday, I kid you not, I could not hear a word that Apex was saying. I don't
think you could even hear my questions. Like, I have never experienced loudness at that level.
Yeah, exactly happened to me as well with Fallen. I mean, when you see Fallen standing up on stage,
everyone starts cheering and actually prepped for that interview. Like, I wanted to ask a follow-up
question, right? On something that he will answer. I did not hear the answers. I was like
threading the water, so to speak, and it is surreal experience, but I can only imagine how
louder it gets once the game goes live. Of course, we were talking a lot about the game
to go down yesterday, but I do want to talk about some recent news going down as well.
Let's start off with Maus, and the changes have happened in the camp over there, because we were
kind of all hearing that some rumors of a couple of changes maybe that were going to be happening
during the off season at the beginning of the year. That didn't materialize for whatever reason
that is. So the change is Siko. Can you just run us through exactly what we're going to be seeing
in Maus moving forward? So the big change with the roster is that Jimmy is out and obviously
Roland is also out. For now they're going to be bringing in their Academy player, promoting
Celex and for the time being it will be also JL for upcoming two events. So I estimate and I'm
I'm pretty happy about that.
But the big thing is also a RGL transition from Xersion,
and these duties will be shared amongst them.
And this is Cyclone, basically sharing his vision
on the team, and I love these changes.
I don't really know if it's the correct timing
to do these changes, but you never really have
the correct timing, so to speak.
So at the same time, I'm just happy
that the changes are happening
because it's been way too long
since Maus lifted the trophy,
and you cannot really label them as a contender team anymore.
That's a totally fair assessment. I do want to pick a brain and a couple of things there. We mentioned obviously Roland
He is going to be in the server for the I am cologne major coming up as well
Not as Ian gave me that as you said it's going over to zershin
I'm first of all initial takes on that like it kind of feels like a little bit of a repeat of what we experienced last year where it was like
Oh, Roland's becoming the IGL. Okay. I never knew that was of interest. Does this make more sense for session?
Obviously cyclone has to have some kind of a data on exertion that will make him a right fit
We cannot really know that without him explaining into detail
But what is boring to me is that Xersion is the guy that is a playmaker essentially right now in mouse and
He used to struggle in play of big time. Whenever the playoffs rolled around
He's his rating just dropped down and he wasn't feeling very comfortable on the server
Making these plays. How is that going to impact his calling as well right now?
You know, it's another layer to the whole game that you have to think about and if Xersion is ready for that
I am not sure. That's why I'm kind of skeptical on this, but at the same time nothing can be worse than it was right now, because mouse were not winning trophies, and with that line-up you need to do that.
Yeah, no, I'm really glad they made a change. I totally agree with you. I'm not sure whether it is going to be the correct change for now, but I am very excited to see an Academy player graduating at the mouse, right?
right? So Alex, you pointed that out, right? We were chatting about it in the green room.
We did see him take into the stage in Cadovita, in that kind of interim period between Spinks
joining the roster. Just in terms of what your takeaways are from him, how much have
you seen from him? Does this make sense? Is the guy to be getting in?
I did a couple of research pieces for Mauser, from now Mauser next to when I watched their
game. So I'm quite familiar with their kind of roster. So I'm really happy about this
promotion. I think he was, I don't want to say by far the best player on the roster,
he was definitely the most impactful guy on the server and whenever Maus and XT were playing
it kind of showed and they were right now in my opinion the best academy team to really make
this promotion happen so I'm happy for that obviously he's Hungarian kid but he already
had that STR kind of LAN experience from the past when he stood in for Maus for the specific event so
I am happy to see Maus going this path instead of buying the new players and superstars try to
to integrate them into the team.
You really take that grassroots approach
and I want to commend Cyclone for taking that route.
And of course, as you mentioned,
your former teammate, JL, give us a few words as to that.
It's pretty exciting for me to see him back in the server
as well.
I know he was quite hungry to get back in there to tell me,
maybe tell me some of your favorite memories for JL first of all.
Obviously it has to be the Paris match around
that we had the semifinal that no one expected
and Apex being in the semifinal of the major
is something surreal to even think about.
We did lost that to Vitality that eventually won the major, but it was surreal experience
and that was a breakout moment for Jail I feel like because right after that Navi approached
him and he took that offer and no one really blamed him.
Obviously he did big things in Navi, won the major, MVP of the major, couple other tournaments
as well.
I am really happy for him and obviously he's having kind of a stand right now where he's
not really playing for a team, but he himself mentioned that this is kind of like his test
to get ready for the second part of the season because obviously this is just a stand-in situation
for Maus for two events. It's not going to be at the IM Cologne Major, as he mentioned,
but I do believe that this is kind of a stepping stone to bring him back into the form so he
can advance in the second part of the season for a real team, hopefully.
Let's talk about one of your other former teammates as well and the changes that I guess
unfortunately Kixson is going to be going through because we don't know exactly where
he's going to land. I would be surprised if, you know, top tier team didn't try and grab
him immediately or maybe that's already in the works. But when I spoke to Nico yesterday
in the exit interview after their series, he kind of, I don't want to say soft confirmed
that changes were coming. You kind of see it ticking over and him saying he wanted to
say the future is uncertain, but he's like, well, it's not really uncertain because you
kind of know what's going on. But either way, moving forwards for Falcons, I am so excited
If Kerrigan does enter that jersey, enter the server for Falcons, I'm so excited to see what's going to happen.
Niko does like to edge us, right? I mean, Kerrigan coming into the Falcons, it's, again, one of the surreal experiences.
If you look back a year, that is kind of for a lot of players, either unthinkable or a dream scenario in a lot of ways.
Now, for reference, whenever Kerrigan is joining a team like this, he is clearly bringing his vision.
vision. It's not like he's going to adapt to Falcons, whatever they were doing, and now we're
slowing Kerrigan. Kerrigan will bring his capacity, his knowledge, his team-building structure-wise,
everything that comes along with it. He will bring that to Falcons, and that will take time to
implement even for the grades like Monasi or Niko, which Kerrigan used to play with before.
Obviously, they know what they're getting. They have as well that connection with Zonic as well,
that I didn't really think about before, but what is going to shape Falcons is the time,
in my opinion, and Kerrigan will need some time, at least months, at least tournaments,
where he needs to really pull that vision through, and it's not a short-term solution,
so for IAMColon, I don't actually have high hopes for Falcons.
No, I was going to say, what are we at now? We're at the middle tail end of April,
we've got what, less than 60 days until the Major kicks off, obviously Falcons are going to be
starting in the latest stage as well. So that does buy him a little bit more time. But I guess
that's the question, right? We were talking about it. It was a bit of a slow offseason.
Let's just say that we were expecting a lot more changes. Hindsight Andy here, but I kind of wish
that it happened earlier so we have a little bit more tape. But either way, very exciting change.
And not to put you on the spotlight, but have you spoken to picks and all? I know you did a
vibe check with him heading into that third place decider. Like, what do you like just on
speaking terms after you've played together on Apex? We're on a great terms, by the way. Whenever
we get a chance to chat we do chat but I don't want to bring this up even in private conversation
I don't want to know more than I'm not supposed to know I don't want to know more to kind of hide
behind the feelings I know that he is here focused to win the tournament right now it's not happening
he's just playing the third place decided but it is kind of interesting to see how he's handling
that because he's putting up pretty good numbers he's still leading by example I am really happy
with what I'm seeing so far because this is his resume for the next team that he's about to join
and as nerds tweeted yesterday, I think kickstand is going to be acid for pretty much every single tier one team when it comes to
Belating and I do stand by that 100% ever. The professional is kickstand
I do want to move the conversation on to that esl grand slam because it is on the precipice of happening
And this is historical for many reasons one it could be the first team to go back to back be the first two time esl grand champion
And on a second note, it could be the first player to win it three times in ropes.
I could not think of a more deserving player to be taking it home like the amount of accolades this kid is picking up.
It's just unfathomable, but I feel like there's something brewing.
I feel like we're going to be witnessing history tonight.
I just realized we're talking about all my previous teammates.
JL into kickstand, into ropes.
Yeah, alongside some braids, right?
I mean, this is kind of nice to reminisce about the old times at the same time.
And if there is one player that is deserving that, that is Ross.
Even when he was breaking through and when I get the chance to play with him
and he was just a developing player, it's just quote-unquote developing into
into a superstar eventually, that is the kid that just I want him to have it.
He is just such a hard worker.
He's such a good vibe, very low resources at the same time.
On the server, he's doing what he has to do, not the shiniest roles,
but he's reinventing them to be shiny, right?
it's it's it's a spectacular thing with what he's managing to do, especially in the
Vitality lineup, ever since he joined. It's clearly the best team in the world.
If they do take this Grand Slam, I mean, what a way to do it. I mean, maybe you can attest to this
more than I come with Maus, but I would say at least two times in his career, he's been that
missing piece of the puzzle, right? Obviously, back with FaZe as well, really a cornerstone move
for them coming in. And then obviously Vitality as well to go on this era. See, I've never actually
I'll shoot this in person, which is crazy, but who's era do you think is better fatalities or strollers?
I do have to say vitality even though I was on the receiving end of it
I always lost to straws in the semifinals. It was annoying to play against but at least we've seen some weaknesses that we can abuse
Right now when you're playing against vitality, you don't even see the weakness because even if it's a tactical weakness
There's I will waiting for it. There's ropes. There's flame Z. There's even apex is having moments where is like what the hell is happening?
How is this ideal so good and
it's tough to play against. I will give credit whenever I can to Vitality for what they're
doing right now. The competition has never been higher and all these roster changes that
we've been spoken about in this segment, they're there to dethrone Vitality. Perrigan is coming
to Falcons to push them over the edge in those close moments. Even mouse changes are there
to kind of bring these younger guys into trophy contention to dethrone Vitality.
And the spirit quite literally the last bastion of hope. If anybody wants to take them down
here in Rio. But one more exciting thing that we do need to announce, obviously face it season 8,
it's going to be starting very soon. We've got cashback, Siko. Why is it so exciting that we've
got this new season? So, new season comes with a little bit of a change to the elo system. Now,
you have to play 10 placement matches to actually determine your true skill, your true elo. And it's
just referencing that not every player is deserving their elo, especially when you play, don't play
for a long time. You tend to drop in your performance and it's just natural. If you don't play
counter strike for seven days. For example, I don't know how to hold a mouse after seven days.
It does make sense that it kind of calibrates your rank to where you truly stand and it will be
just a little bit of a better experience in these lobbies to play against people that you are quite
matched up with, but also with the teammates that are around the world. Well, speaking of games,
it is time to kick off the biggest one of this tournament yet, a best of five between vitality
and team spirit going down here at the Intel Extreme Masters Rio 2026.
I'm still recovering from that
big fury a party that I didn't go to by the way and you know who else didn't go
there Hugo because they're trying to be locked in they're trying to be on the
ball today by tally nor spirit big day for them VO5 grand final here in the
formacy arena and vitality chasing a grand slam as well be wondering why we're
We're here to talk about our colex.gg fantasy picks. We've still got five players in Harry. That's what happens when you pick semi-finalists
Yeah, yeah, it's fair. We have pretty 200 IQ with how we do this now
We've done a couple of these colex fantasy heads heads. We split right now, but I think that's gonna change here in Rio Hugo
I'm winning. I'm actually destroying you if you don't mind me saying 12 points and destroying
I'll give it to you. I'll give it to you something resembling what destroying might look like look you have vitality
And you're maxing out vitality on that very that final as well
We've got a third place designer that's already about to go down and yeah safe to say I think you might have won the
Bo3 Harry, I'll give it to you this time
I'm gonna make it a secret BO5. Okay, come the next event secret BO5
That's what we're working to bring to these events
and that's what I hope gets picked up by more TOs moving forward.
But now though Hugo, seal in the kind of, seal in the chapter of Colex.
Are you saying I take the BO3?
Well, let's see how it goes, but you're in a great place, Sarah.
I'm proud of you. You come a long way. It's been a good duel.
Thank you.
It's been a good duel.
Good duel. Good duel.
And you can duel too. Colex.gg.
Tenir, hey, welcome to the Grand Final.
I wanted to ask you how does it feel?
Because for the first time, it feels like you will have audience on your side.
Hello. Really I'm happy because we're thrown into the Grand Final.
It didn't happen a lot of time for me in general and for the organization.
But for our goal on this tournament, being as a team, that's it.
We just want to go into the arena and just enjoy the game.
You have the opportunity to rewrite the history, something that has never been done before,
to deny the Grand Slam? Is this an extra motivation to get that 100,000 dollars?
I'm not sure. I don't know. We just want to play and that's it. We don't care about the Grand Slam,
we don't care about the Grand Final, we just want to show our game, we want to be as a team and that's it.
All right, about the Best of Five final, you feel like you're ready with the map pool that you're
having right now for that kind of a task? Sure. Because I wanted to ask, with the preparation,
with Holy Missing, you already had troubles in Best of Three, what you said. What about the Best of
Were you like the whole team helping Magix and Saltwick to prepare or did you leave it to them?
Sure, Magix and Saltwick did a lot of preparation both, but of course everyone also did preparation
and they share with their ideas or something like that and they will combine this for like in general our plan and it's fine.
If the stars align, you have this opportunity to actually win the event, deny the Grand Slam
and maybe even get MVP because of your performance so far this tournament and to steal it away
from Zybu or Dong must be pretty cool, right?
Looks pretty cool, but really, I don't care, I don't care.
For me it's best point, trophy, it's fine.
That's all you need really, trophy, right?
See you on the stage and get that best of life final underway.
See you, see you.
I think it's our usual schedule to finish the game and get straight back on to watching
the next opponent prepare all the maps especially for a best of five it's a long preparation
But it's just time to give everything we have left for this matchup now
You must be very used to it by now, right? You're making it to so many grand finals
You're very used to winning them as well. How do you make sure you don't come in too overconfident just assuming it's going to be like
Basically all of your previous grand finals
No
I think it's soon that we've tried to make sure we do over the last 18 months of the team is just to never be too complacent
Never take it too easy because of course you can always have patches like we did at the end of last year where you kind of
of maybe think you are a bit better than you actually are.
And then you kind of, the losses start to roll in
and then you maybe lose a bit of confidence.
But for us, I think, yeah, we just want to win
as many trophies as possible, be as successful as we can.
And that's the goal.
I think the best way to do that is always to stay confident
and never take it too easy and be too complacent.
And you guys are looking pretty damn good right now.
This is whole narrative about,
is the Astralis who are better?
Is it my talent year or better?
I mean, if you get your hands on a second year,
so Grand Slam, surely your year is better, right?
Astralis only got one.
I mean, I'll let the others kind of discuss that.
I think we're kind of just still living in the moment
and making sure we can kind of build our legacy, of course.
So I had had their time and then maybe once ours is done
and we've won what we've won
and people can discuss it then, but yeah, we'll see how it is.
Thank you so much, Masi. Good luck.
Thank you.
The founding harem is still in each battle and here we're calling each other.
Now the double peep is getting his shot down!
Unbelievable!
Something special to talk about is D-Gun and that's it!
It's a good happens!
Got a mix-up!
We are back!
You know, it's like having God above you talking to you with this headset.
Put the blindfolds?
No.
Okay.
Okay, just put it there.
It's fine.
Put it left, left, left, left, down, and down, right, right, right, right, right, right.
I'm gonna run.
Hang on, D-Tap.
Hang on, D-Tap.
Shoot!
Shoot!
Okay, wait.
Can you give me a 360?
Turn around.
Turn around!
Stop and keep going.
Oh, I am.
I'm going for it.
Yeah, he's somewhat of...
Okay, you can...
Down, and Dan is in front of you.
Up a bit.
To the right, right?
Actually, it's a door.
Up a bit, right.
Down.
Down.
Right, right, right.
Right, down, down, down.
Left, left, left, left.
Right, right, right, right.
Change.
What the fuck is happening?
What is happening?
He's in the water.
He's in the water.
Shoot.
Right.
Do the right.
Shoot, shoot.
Shoot!
What the fuck is going on?
Yeah!
You need to control your M.
Yes, you shot him in the twice and you couldn't hit him.
You couldn't hit it.
Buy XM for that or something.
Robin has $400 for some reason.
That's a shame.
It's not our problem.
I'm sorry.
P90 or P90?
You're on a rock.
Okay.
Let's see.
You're going towards the house now.
You're looking towards the house.
Yeah.
And you open your XM.
Straight right behind it.
To the left.
To the right.
You're in the back in front now, he's inside the house and you're outside.
He's behind you?
You're outside the house.
You can move around your left side a bit.
Left side, straight, straight.
We're going into the wall.
Ok, now we need to fucking...
He's on the front roof.
Look behind you.
Ok, you're going up the stairs now, you're in the house.
Down, down, down, down!
Get to the bottom!
Down, down, down, down!
It's a bit of a...
Why do you plant the bomb, bitch?
No plant the bomb?
Its easy, eh?
I'm sorry!
I forgot the bomb was plaited.
I forgot it was gonna explode!
Otherwise, I will knife?
Eh, nice first round, I will plant the bomb.
All right, we've arrived at our destination, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, everyone
around the world gathering, conjuring up, getting their friends and family members together
so that we can watch this grand final.
Together, team spirit, taking on team vitality, ESL Grand Slams on the line, legacies potentially
on the line, namesakes very much always so.
My name is Traceranthus, alongside of me will be Yenka, YNK, Panabich, and on the very end,
Jacob Pimp, Winesh.
Gentlemen, how are we doing today? It's a Sunday. It's time for some games.
It's a good Sunday. It's Championship Sunday and it's a Sunday where you could potentially hand out a million bucks.
Which I think is pretty cool.
Yeah, absolutely. Vitality on a quest, chasing history to be the first team ever to win two ESL Grand Slam.
First team ever to win it back to back as well.
Spirit also in a way would be the first team to deny someone and get that killer bonus
If they beat vitality here today. Yeah, the killer bonus something we haven't seen activated quite yet
But I mean I hate to say the odds of spirit doing it today
Yeah, they're not great, you know, but there's always a chance and I think if anything which will dive into later
They've been playing better and better and then there's this one, you know extracts of this one kid called donk
Who can always throw a spanner into the work?
So I'm not willing to give it up just yet. We have seen Vitality already at this tournament lose a game to Falcons
So they're not unbeatable
But I think you're right when you're saying trace that the odds of it happening
Spirit beating Vitality are not that great to be honest for me
It isn't even about dong because vitality have shown in the past that they're more than capable of dealing with him
I think it's the fact that we're seeing you know some new energy with this team spirit in this tournament right obviously
We're seeing you know to near play much better individually
but you could just see how they've turned the corner in this tournament after getting stomped by Falcons and losing a map to Red Canids.
You know, Magix was also very vocal about it. They had a team talk, they sort of aired it out, and then from that point on, they played much better Counter-Strike.
You know, the absence of Halle, in a way, is putting more responsibilities on Magix, and Sothvic, of course, is his replacement, or his standing rather.
So he's been figuring out those dynamics on the fly and perhaps just perhaps they're enjoying a little bit of you know
More relaxed environment. They're definitely playing with some more freedom
Yeah, we talked about magics and it's because also he had given us a quote right here
So they're playing pretty good and maybe they can win a map versus Vitality
He's also gone on to say that it shouldn't take two years basically, right?
You know what I'll be honest here, you know, I like magic as a player and I like the fact that he's willing to take up
You know the responsibility of being an in-game leader and trying to invent himself in that role but listening to him and interviews
I'm kind of but you know where half the time it's I'll be honest half the time
It's just him me mean you know trying to to be funny edgy etc etc and I get it
You know sometimes it's a great way of maybe removing focus or not taking into account
What you're actually being asked by then denying even answering the question which can be a strategy in itself
But it's a little bit too much for my liking and heading into this final
Of course the goal is not to win one map
The goal is to win the trophy.
The goal is to, when you have Dong on your lineup,
when you have Xio on your lineup,
to go into every single tournament and be a title contender.
So, you know, for now, it's maybe fun for people at times,
but I've had a little bit too much of it.
I want to see a bit more, I guess,
decisiveness in the way he communicates.
I mean, it's a defense mechanism in a way.
It's what G2 Esports is all about, right?
Win or lose, we're going to meme about it.
And in a way, when the team is struggling, right,
and you keep doing that, it does sort of deflect some of the blame, some of the pressure.
So, yeah, I don't think for now, because he's still new to the role,
and it's only been a couple of months for this new team spirit roster
that people are focusing on it too much, but let's say they still don't have any tournament wins
four, five, six months from now, when then all of a sudden,
I don't think it's going to be as coy for Magics in some of these interviews.
Yeah, still seems like ironing some of the problems out, some of the kinks out around there.
Maybe Donk can give us some insight. Let's hear what the young man has to say.
Donk, ahead of the grand final. You said previously that you don't really care when
audience boosts you, right? What about when they cheer for you? Because it might actually
happen here in Brazil. They're going to be on your side probably, right?
Yeah, I think so. No one wants to let you win again. So yeah, probably they will be on our side.
Yeah, I think it's more enjoyable to play when the audience cheer for you, but it's still a game.
I feel like the only guy that can stop Zaibu right now is you, in the world, in these kind of matches.
Do you agree with that? And he had an insane tournament, but also it's for you getting better and better from map to map.
You're stronger and stronger, obviously you're sick, right now you're not anymore, I hope.
So do you feel like this is kind of a nice chance to snatch that potential number one in the in the in the in the rain thing here I?
Think yes, I think we have a good opportunity to like to beat them and
They're in good shape as a team and I think we can make some damage to them
And but I don't think about me be beating I want more thinking about the team spirit beating team vitalities like
That's perfect, and what about the best of five? This is something that you haven't played in a long time and obviously Vitality are very good at it. Do you have a map pool ready for best of five?
Yeah, we had more time to preparation than Vitality because we were playing first yesterday. I think we are ready. It's easier to play best of five because you know the mobs.
mobs, and on their zone, they like the positions of this mob fighting, but it's fun, it's enjoyable.
You still are an underdog coming into the final, so tell me honestly, what needs to happen
for Team Spirit to win this game?
Do you need to play your own game?
Do you have some surprises ready?
Maybe you just want to finish it as fast as possible, 3-0.
What needs to happen for Team Spirit to actually claim that trophy right there?
I believe we are not chasing a trophy, we are chasing a good game, I would say.
We want to become a better team, and we don't really think about reaching the trophy.
Vitality is a great team, and maybe they are better than us, but it's not the spot, I would say.
We are just going to show our game, and we want to see.
It's very interesting to see what damage can you do to the best team in the world.
It's a beautiful mentality, and, Donk, good luck in this best of five.
Yeah, ironically, Donk telling us right there about chasing the dragon a little bit
against that of Team Vitality, the ever-classful, the ever-world-beating Vitality.
Path to the finals for Team Spirit looked a little bit like this.
We look at some of those series.
2-0's here, 2-1's there.
Sure, but that's an interview I like.
You know, I like the fact that he's actually saying that he thinks
they have a pretty good chance of doing damage against Vitality.
Whether or not you're thinking about the trophy,
whether or not you think you're in a position to claim it all,
I also agree with that.
He's assessing the team in a period of development, assessing the team as in they've had the worst start to a season ever with him on the line-up in 2026.
So for them to be in a final all of a sudden, it would be ridiculous for him to say that we expect to win the trophy.
But I like what I hear from Donk, he's well aware that on a good day, they can put up a fight against Vitality.
On a good day, he could do a lot of damage.
And on a good day, he's still assessing the team as what it is right now.
A team in development and a team that is progressing towards the IEN Cologne Major.
And they absolutely have their chances, right?
I mean goes without saying Vitality is the favorite, but if they play 10 times
you think Vitality beats them every single time? Probably not, right?
So the main reason why they can have some confidence is the improvement that
we're seeing in their play, right? And even Magix was talking about it that
this is the first sort of good result that they've had and first time we're
playing good CS ever since Krakow. So it's been a work in progress in terms of
figuring everything out, especially him in the in-game leader role. So now you're
coming into it being the heavy underdog right don't have really pressure on your
side you've done better in this tournament than any other this year right
and those are all good omens for you to be able to have a good game yeah and if
you're the side of team spirit you can see some of this head-to-head history I
mean it's pretty one-sided Jacob it is one-sided you know but that's also a
result of who by tell me on and what kind of pivot they've been in you know
the fun thing with these head-to-head histories is that sure when you're
Comparing you know team number two versus team number five that could be an interesting storyline and that if you compare
Vitality's head to head against anyone in the world
It's gonna look like this more often than not apart from Falcons was that a good job of beating my telly
So in that regard, I don't want to take too much into account of this because I also do think spirit are playing much much better now
Than they were three weeks ago
So in anything I agree with the sentiment that spirits should be comfortable knowing that they have a much better chance beating
Vitality today than they had a month ago because they're playing better and two results that stand out
They are the first and the last one right with Katowice in 2025
So being the first tournament that Vitality won with this roster and then they went on this
Tremendous streak and then at the Budapest major in that semi-finals actually Spirit had a huge lead on the first map
Right and went into overtime and lost in double overtime
So, you know, who knows if they're able to win that first map. Maybe they can make something happen
So they've actually had a good game against them last time they faced
Yeah, for a team-like spirit when they go up against a Vitaly, that 20-25 you're referencing there in Katowice, that was his rookie year, right, Pradam?
It was second year.
Second year, you know, but every year is a rookie effort on the way to playing right now.
He just keeps, you know, raising the ban in that degree.
Yeah, it's good, you know, and I think, as you also said, you know, I learned it too right here.
There are different ways of losing. If you make it close, as you said, at the Major in Budapest, it was a competitive game.
It was also a time in spirit where a lot of people were questioning whether or not Sway should even be on the line-up.
in the lineups, so Spirit obviously didn't come into that major in their best shape or
in a condition where they were supposed to win the entire thing.
We talked about Vitality, we talked about Furia and whoever else was going to be the
third best team, probably Maus at the time being so.
I think there's a difference between then and now and I think that difference is only
good for Team Spirit.
As you said, they play better now, they've activated the guy like Tineir at this tournament,
Magic's coming in with new ideas as well.
It's a different team Vitality of Faze.
Yeah, you're saying the words that need to be said right there.
Tineir having a blinder of an event, a pretty good one, Janko.
Yeah, absolutely. Without a doubt his best event, I think in a team in spirit jersey, not just this year, right?
And you can see the numbers they speak for themselves and I think one of the main reasons is he's taking more initiative, right?
He's playing with more confidence. He's not just worried about not making a mistake and sort of waiting for the rest of the team to make a play
and then play off the back of them. Like he is the aggressor in some of these rounds and it's worked wonders for spirit in this tournament.
He showed a lot of personality throughout the tournament, both on the server, even off the server.
The crowd-pandering, you know, showing up in a Brazil shirt every time he walks on the States as well.
Being very open in the interviews, you know, seemingly being very happy as well, energized.
So you can clearly feel it's a player that is animated, it's a player that is willing to put in the work,
and has been able to put in the work for Team Spirit so far in this tournament.
As you said, I very much agree. I think it's the best tournament he's ever had in Team Spirit.
And if he can continue that in the Grand Final against Vitality, against the final boss,
pose a 1.24 rating on average over the course of maybe five maps.
Then I think Spirit winning this game becomes way more likely.
It's again, not a case of me trying to paint them as the favorite,
but more so saying that with Tenia playing well,
supported by Donk, supported by Shiro, you're looking at a Spirit with a lot to offer on the Zero.
Where have we seen that the most at?
I mean, is it something where, of course, for a team like Vitality,
yeah, they've got the target on the back,
but Team Spirit always trying to punch upwards towards them, right?
Yeah, they've just been trying to find themselves
and goes without saying, when you go up against Vitality, you can't have guys missing, you know?
Like everyone needs to deliver, and we talked about Donk and Shirou so much, and for T'Nir,
I mean, definitely stepping up, and also Team Spirit as a whole, right?
Like, we have an example from the Falcons game talking about them playing with some more freedom,
more simplifying their game somewhat, you know? Just not overthinking it and letting the players go wild.
First gun round on that second map, you can see the mid smokes. Donk is just going to use some utility, sort of try to
fake a mid default. You can see three players going towards apartments, dropping some utility for Maggis, who's going to do
most of the supporting in this round, right? You can see the time on the clock, 1.20,
pretty straightforward, and but you'll see how Tenir as the first guy gets out of apartments as well, on top of everything else
as the utility comes in from Agus, he's actually going to go down the ladder into the Molotov,
completely catching Kixson off guard, gets the entry there, Niko spams, immediately kills him as well,
and that's the round done and dusted, right? And we see a little bit more of this from Team Spirit,
you know, where they're just very direct, brute-forcing their way into the bomb sites.
Of course, they still play default, they still have the slower rounds and the splits and everything,
but they know when they have the edge,
when they can use the momentum to their advantage,
and they've been really good at that in this tournament.
That's why I feel Magics deserve some credit as an in-game leader in this tournament.
We spoke about Harley not being here,
and maybe that has been a blessing in the sky,
in the sense that they've been able to play a bit more free,
or maybe experiment with a different style.
As you said, it's not like they changed completely how they approached the game,
or gone away from running defaults,
but in certain rounds, it does feel like all the players are led a bit more free.
And for a new in-game leader like Magics,
who's still trying to figure out what kind of style he's going to have at the end game leader.
Maybe that's a style, you compare him to maybe a guy like Kerrigan who throughout his entire
career has had that style of allowing individuals to have freedom to make decisions. Maybe that's
the same magic as to do when in spirit, when you have so many different playmakers on the team in
terms of Shiro, Dong and Sinni as well. They developed a little bit of an attitude as the
tournament progressed, you know in that semi-final against Falcons you are even seeing Shiro in
some rounds, AWP or rifle doesn't matter, sort of peek into fights and search for fights
and then be aggressive in a way that we don't usually see him do.
So that's just, you know, the mindset of Spirit at this tournament is, you know, to not play
scared, to be the aggressors, to be the ones who dictate the fights, especially when they're
off to a good start and then they start gaining some confidence.
And if that happens in this final as well, Vitality can get in trouble.
Yeah, and I think for us it's also probably important to isolate and look at some of these
support players.
the supporting cast when we look at these two teams, who's going to be the ones in there
throwing the flashes, making the moves, and making the space, creating the opportunities.
I'm looking at the Zontics, I'm looking at the Typhus of Mezzy.
I think it's always fun to look at the support cast to the main stars, because obviously we
kind of know what we get from Zybel. We know what we get from Dark. It would be a surprise if
neither of the two are going to have maps where they're going to blow up this server,
but it's a little bit more a delicate, they're saying, what a guy like Mezzy and Zontics for
that matter as well. I think Zontics returning into Team Spirit used their little time to get
warmed up, you know. He had a bit of a break from Counter Strike for good reason. Now he's coming
back to it. It's not the good old Sun Ticks when he was at his best, but he's slowly but surely
warming into it. Whereas Messi to me has established himself as a player that vitality can count on
when they need him the most. It could be in a game where Spirit are playing well. It could be
a game where the game is heading into a fourth map and it's all of a sudden close and then you see
Messi pop off out of the blue. He has that habit of stepping up in big moments, they say, more often
than not. And that's why I think the support cast tonight could be equally important as to
I mean, you don't need to look further than the last time they played, right?
Spirit off to a, I believe, a 6-0 start on their CT side on Mirage, the opening map,
and then it's Mezi, you know, stepping up.
It's not Zywoo, it's not Robs, it's Mezi actually with some clutches,
with, you know, clawing back in 2v4s, in 2v3s, you know, on that B bomb site.
I think the guys in Spirit hate his ass for that.
I mean, they were doing everything right, they were playing so well,
they're shutting down Zywoo, he's having a terrible start, and then Mezi shows up.
shows up, but that's just the strength of vitality.
You know, there's always someone who can take the mantle,
step up, lead the way, and sort of get by them some
breathing room for the rest of the team to get into the game.
At leading the way.
And it's kind of like you led the way yesterday, same.
We never said Flames's name the whole time.
Well, let's say it now, Jacob.
Say what you gotta say.
Well, I mean, yesterday he had a fun experience.
Obviously, I pointed out, saying that he was gonna be
one of the most important players in the game,
and then he goes 0-11 in the first half on an overpass,
turns it around, had a great showing in the second half and found a lot of impact.
I think Flamesee is vital for a team like Vitality, especially today,
because there's going to be a lot of head-to-head duels against Donk,
two players who like to be aggressive.
Flamesee, a player that Apex likes to send in first.
There's a lot of utility behind him, and that's something you can dive into if you want to.
If you study Vitality, you study the pathway of Flamesee when he's entry-facking.
He's not doing it by himself, whereas for Donk has a bit more of a habit of creating the space by himself.
Flamesee is a guy that is working within a system
and then it's getting a lot of support by utility behind him.
So two different ways of doing it, but definitely do what you're about for.
Yeah, getting the support, but also understanding his role
and keeping his eyes on the prize.
You know, he was talking about in the interview, actually, the games,
like, I didn't care, I knew I didn't have many opportunities.
Sure, I missed a couple of times.
The boys were getting it done.
We still had a good half
and I knew I'll have my opportunities in the second half.
He got opportunities and he took advantage of them.
As a coach, you cannot ask for anything more
from a guy in terms of his approach and his mentality than that and that's why
guys like Flames are invaluable. You know you can't have five Zaybu's or five Ropsys on a team.
There's only so much space to go for and so much ego as well to go around in a team. So
having guys who are humble like willing to just do whatever is necessary for the team they're
absolutely worth their rating goal. This is a soldier you know a soldier that you can count on
and a guy that Apex is constantly pointing out to be a gem for the lineup because whatever he
He says whatever he tells him, whatever he's needed to do, Trace, he will.
Yes. Yes, he will.
And talking about Vitality doing whatever it takes, right?
Yesterday on Overpass, they're down 6-0 on the front of that Brazilian crowd and everything.
And they still managed to find a way to stabilize.
They end with five rounds on the T side, all of them being gun rounds.
Now, that's not easy, you know?
Only the best teams in the world are capable of doing that.
And we've got an example of what is it that makes Vitality so strong, right?
Why are they potentially the greatest team of all time?
And it's just they do almost everything so well, right?
We're going to look at the last round of the first half to show you them going for a sort of a more standard, more faster mid-default here.
We see the insta smoke for Gate.
We see Molotov and Yakin are kind of playing close.
Flamesy is that first guy with the Mag-10 just running in.
Apex as well, take that early fight, right?
But while they're putting pressure on A, this is Rob's.
B-Lurk on his own, no utility on him or anyone else. He's just going up, walking up short,
trying to put some pressure on his own, right? And not everyone has the balls to do this, right?
Like, he's just trying to put pressure to keep three defenders on the B bomb site, trying to find
an opening where the rest of his team is working A. So they're putting so much pressure early on,
Flash comes in for Flamesy, he wants to chase down Ykin there because he hears him,
but gets punished by Molotov. And this is a very common setup. Apex also not afraid to take space.
Immediately starts pushing here, gets really good timing, and they understand
what the setup is. On B, Furia is making a flash play. Robbs actually will get punished. You don't
see that very often. So right now it's a 5v3 for Furia, real quick. But Molotov and the Kindred,
they know that they're stuck. I know you're looking at this 5v3. What are they doing pushing? But
But because of how Apex is forward, they sort of need to try and take this fight to some extent.
Zayvou punishes it, they know that your kinder was close, they clear him as well, right?
In this 3v3, now Apex is trying to push to put some pressure, cut off the rotations.
He's actually in a good position, fallen just hits a blinder, overshot on him here.
And now in a 2v3, you can see Zayvou putting pressure, why?
Because Messi had to go back into T spawn to pick up the bomb, and now he actually understands, alright,
this must have pulled the rotation from the CETs, B is most likely open, Zywul just uses the extra utility
he has to keep the defenders there as they go over to the B bombsite and from this point on, right,
you're sort of feeling that the edge is on the side of Vitality, even though there are men down.
First of all, Zywul is alive in a clutch, even if it were a 1v3 you'd think he has a good chance.
Actually, Kacer atrociously in the center, but doesn't go for the fight, even though it's gonna
flush out Mazzy that gives him the timing to tuck into water and once he's able to do that
it's just sort of a matter of finishing the round for Vitality. Mazzy and I would do such a good
job of playing off of each other the utilities being used to flush K Serato off the angle
that allows Mazzy to get into water if you're taking their sweet time. You can also feel the fear
factor you know that vitality instills in you and they just end the round pretty
cleanly in the end. A lot of layers to this round but I think you're saying
something very important at the end of it you know the fear factor that is being
spoken about a lot. Sonny said it you know the Falcons coach that he often
feels vitally winning games because teams are walking in afraid of them
believing they'll lose before they even joined the server. Great example was
Astralis back in the days I think Cypnix you know yes you cannot say he wasn't a
great clutcher but a lot of the clutches that he used to win back in the days was
also because people played them oddly difficult by themselves, right?
He installed the fear factor in them that by having the repetition of being a great clotcher,
people will kind of approach it differently.
And I think the same could be said here against a team like Vitality.
The best example you do show right here, Keisarado not going for the fight.
Had they played against any other team than a Vitality?
I think there's a higher likelihood that Keisarado is going for the fight,
killing Messi, shutting down the round.
But because they kind of earned their repetition by being so good,
they also take advantage of some of those situations by being able to convert a 3v5 or 2v3
in a round that most active would have gone the other way had they not installed the fear factor.
Yeah, and the fearlessness and the decisiveness from them not being afraid to make mistakes,
like going for those risks, trying to make plays. You have to play that way if you're going to win
championships, right? And teams going up against Vitality, sort of, you see them hold back a little
bit because that's just what playing against the number one team in the world does to you.
Yeah, and when you're on the number one team, when you left another good team, you came to the
number one team and you guys just became unstoppable almost. It might make you the coolest dude in the
server or at least in the server today and outside the server. It's Robs.
Robs, welcome back once again to get another Grand Final. I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't
ask you about the ESL Grand Slam on the line. You are on the precipice of making history,
not only with your team but with yourself. Can you tell me just from an individual standpoint
what this would prove in terms of your career if you're able to close it out?
Yeah, it will be for prestigious achievements. Not much else to say, it will be one of our
kinds and that's probably my first time I have such an achievement, one of our kinds.
So I'm looking forward to it, hopefully this one can bring it home but you know we have
some chances left but hopefully we get it done here.
Considering the stage that we're at in the season right now with Cologne and Chinc ever
closer and closer, how important is it for you to just get the job done quickly so then
you can switch focus to the upcoming major?
It would be nice to get that done before the Major, I think that's the goal.
Obviously, if it doesn't happen, it could be the only one with the Major and the Grand
Stam.
That's also an opportunity, but I think we want to do it here.
If not, we also have one more in Atlanta and perhaps even more after the Major, but
the sooner the better.
That's always the case with the Grand Stam.
You lift off the pressure, but yeah, let's see.
Yeah, you've been there a fair few times.
You probably know that better than most.
I've got to ask you about your Grand Final's opponent today.
face spirit since the semi-finals of the Budapest Major. Just in terms of the overall temp check
of spirit at the moment, how different do you see them than the version of themselves back at the
Major? I haven't been looking too much into the teams necessarily but obviously they are a bit
different with the big change in the IGL and I think players are coming into form to new
this tournament playing really well so far so that's what we have to watch out for. I think
that's definitely the biggest difference making for them is when the individuals can
can slip up and, you know, provide dunk some help if needed.
Obviously, dunk is always there and firing an all-cylinder,
so it'll be hard to play against him.
But I think as long as they all play well,
it's going to be a tough game for us.
But yeah, we'll see.
Thank you so much for your time, as always, Ross.
Good luck.
Rob Sweet-Donk, that's a good duel,
as our friend Mr. Greer would say.
That's a really good duel.
But obviously, for the path to the finals with Vitality,
they did start out showing us that they are mortal.
They did break their streak there by losing to the Falcons in a game that was a good game, to say the least.
It was a good game, you know.
A game where I think Falcons deserve the victory, but if more so, you know, it was the game against G2.
There was worries of the fact that you're playing against a stand-in, the fact that you're playing against a G2 who is not supposed to give you a big fight.
Let's not forget that Vitality, yes, they did win the game on Dust2, or was it Inferno?
Sorry, they faced two match points as well.
There was a great likelihood they could have lost that game and dropped down into the lower bracket.
I'm not saying I played a picture perfect tournament, but you could clearly see the switch when they hit it into the quarter-final.
Yes, you can look a little bit absent in the group stage. Yes, you can play at maybe 80-85% or whatever,
but once they turned into the playoff, you could clearly see that switch where Vitality were instantly back to being the best team in the world.
Exactly, and they just started dominating everyone.
I mean, on a team level and also the individual started showing up, Zaybu in that quarter-final against Navi.
And even yesterday, you know, we had that ancient, which we knew was going to be a
Weird encounter for safety for fury by tatin. He had that 3k towards the end just with the AK after the uri 1 v 2
Which you felt like was such a momentum swing in the favor of fury and not then Giza's I will shows up says that this is where the
Game ends. Thank you very much. You all can go home. I'm going to the final
Yeah, and it can be that easy for the side as I was which is the craziest thing to watch right?
You see this guy in a server and you may think, hey, somebody finally got Vitality's number wrong.
Here comes the win.
That's the thing though with Vitality.
And I think that's the best way of describing Vitality and maybe, you know, putting down the win condition for them, compare them to a team like Spirit or pretty much anyone else in the world.
Vitality can afford to have Saivou having a decent final, not a great final.
On the other side, I don't think Spirit can afford to have Donk not having a great final.
And that's the point I want to make here.
There's so many different ways to victory for Vitality.
whether that is Messi stepping up, buying a bit of time as we spoke about,
as he did in Budapest against SimSpirit,
whether that is Flamesee, who throughout the season so far has been playing as a top-cry raffer in the world,
who's been incredible efficient in the entry-fractic department.
Raps, who speak about him being maybe one of the most annoying players to go up against,
because you can watch all the demos in the world, you can study him in and out,
but he always finds a way to change it up.
He's very hard to read in the game, he creates a lot of cares,
and he's always, you know, talking about the fear factor.
He installs a fear in every single opponent that he's playing,
that at some point he's going to walk around the corner and kill me without me expecting
it because he's lurking around and being a little bit of a rat, so to speak, in the
game.
So I feel like when you describe Vitality and again it goes without saying there's just
so many different ways they can win the game.
They can grind it out.
They can have Seiru popping off.
They can have Faberci popping off.
Whereas when I look at Team Spirit, they can't really win this game against Vitality without
Dunk at least playing close to his best and that's how one-sided it is in that department.
It's crazy to see that he's looking for his 31st MVP on HLTV.
I don't know if you've played 31 tournaments, Jacob, in your town.
Hardly, hardy.
Online Cubs will count him in this instance.
Actually, let's talk about our best of five.
Things have changed.
You're just tuning in.
This will be a best of five, whereas all the other matches best of three.
So when we think about that, we think about the five maps we're going to play.
What do we know is out of the gate right away?
No inferno.
That's a no-brainer spirit.
I'm not going to make a...
You can't even say no ancients, can you?
No, I can't write this.
I'd expect Vitality to remove Ancient to be fair. I wasn't impressed with what they did yesterday.
I was impressed with Saibu, you know, but in terms of playing Ancient in this final against Spirit, I doubt they'll allow it.
It would be too much, right?
Even Flames, he alluded to it in his post-game interview, is like, yeah, against Spirit tomorrow,
we won't do it, but against teams like Fury and Aurora,
we will do it because we feel like we'll better do them on the map and don't want to give them a freebie.
But we'll see. What's interesting about Spirit with this iteration was they were actually picking Overpass a couple of times.
They would pick Anubis, you know some of these maps that are more tactical instead of trying to master the open maps where you know guys like
Donk, Tnir can with their individual prowess perhaps gain some advantages like Sotastu, Mirage, Nuuk and so on and so forth
So I wonder where they're going to take it
Unfortunately for them outside of Mirage Vitality has a hundred percent win rate on every other map that's going to be in the pool
So you can't really do much in terms of targeting weaknesses
I guess either Mirage or Anubis. Those are their two options, it feels like.
I think Anubis would be throwing in a bit of a curveball.
We haven't seen Vitality play it much as of late, you know, so maybe that's a way of doing it.
Mirage as well. Yes, I know Vitality have been not struggling on it, but it hasn't been as strong.
But then again, we saw Cybru play Mirage just a couple of days ago and do the dirty stuff to Falcon.
So I'm not too worried on behalf of Vitality. It's more so the order of the maps, not necessarily what maps we're going to play.
So, given the constraints of what's going on right now, let's just throw it out there
to the world what that first map's going to be and we can continue on with the conversation.
We're looking at Mirage with a CT-sided start for Vitality.
So Spirit picking Mirage into this series, I guess that makes sense.
Yeah, I think it was a coin toss for who starts team A and team B, right?
Because usually compared to the best of the three, this is where you want to be team A
because you get two out of the three maps in first, right?
So Spirit gets Mirage, Vitality goes for the new picks,
Spirit starts on the CT side,
and then Dust2 actually for the side of Spirit.
So right out of the gate
for the first three maps of the series,
how much punch will we pack in here?
And why is it going towards Vitality?
That's the crazy thing for Vitality, right?
Dust2, 100% win rate so far this year, unbeatable.
Last year they were amazing on Dust2 as well.
You have that as the third deciding map.
You have a map like Anubis in there as well,
which they've shown strength on, it doesn't matter where we go here,
Trace, Spytel, the other favorites on all five maps we're going to play.
Yeah, and we might just get all five, so to do that though,
we need to get these players on stage, and let's do a quickly,
swiftly pleased Spytel versus Spear.
It's the first time for us to play the crowd team,
and they were like snowballing us in the beginning,
we had no answers, they had fantastic reads,
and the game was quite easy for them,
and that's the sort of thing you don't want
when you're having that kind of a crowd with you against us.
So, it was a tough talk, but we managed to find a way in there.
We all know that it's the greatest team in CS history, and everyone wants to be there, and everyone knows they're great.
Everyone in CS wants the same here as they have.
I'm very happy that I'm playing CS during their era.
I can see from my eyes, I can play against this great team.
It's amazing, but sometimes you hate them because you want to win.
It's just great to leave the trophy in front of their face.
We were always as dominant as there's been a few tournaments where we win cleanly, we can win ugly.
I think that's kind of the storyline we always talk about.
talk about.
I was wondering who to play here in this arena like for three years I think since major.
I always know that the Brazilian crowd is great. I would like to live the track-free age here.
Down goes Paul, let me get another one, stop!
I've never got all those up!
I'm going in and taking one!
What's he's done?
Do you know what's done?
He might want to stay!
It's probably the loudest stage I've ever been on.
There's no way out, just what's done.
Deep run on home soil, but it's heroic to humble them.
Fury is very terrible, walls to mouse.
They will awake tomorrow, and this nightmare will be a reality.
He's looking off for it!
Oh no!
I'm in this world!
Are you kidding me?
Thanks to the horizontal, there's no swing, there's no way!
This is vitality!
Racking me over the line!
My family!
I'm overcome!
Now it's evens!
Emma!
It's just vital!
This is a team that we're not doing!
This is a team that will fall to win!
And the champions of IEMORIO!
I
Well, you may be chasing your dragons, but if you're the likes of Vitality, you're looking
close out this ESL Grand Slam and you want to do it while you're down in Rio de Janeiro. We know
our five maps being Mirage, new Dust2 overpass, and Nugas should be near them. Let's talk about the
realities of the situation here. There's a lot of people saying a best of five Grand Final and you
can tune in to map three, four, and five if you want to get all the excitement. I think you have
to tune in right here right now for Mirage because if this series has to have any life to it, if we
were to believe that Team Spirit can do the unthinkable and deny by telling me the ESL Grand Slam,
I think they have to start off by winning Mirage. When I look at the five maps in Contention,
I think that's where they have the best chance of meeting the one map that magic so bad you want to win against Vitality.
It has to start here, Mirage. That is the ticket into the match.
And we talked about the Nubis potentially being an option for Spirit. They actually go for Dust 2 in the second phase,
and that just tells you we don't care about punishing.
We want to go for maps that we are comfortable on, and that's a good sign.
Getting some confidence going into this, but man, we'll hold a special place for Apex and Zybel, right?
going back to 2023, semifinal against Schiro, Denning Cloud 9,
the 1-0 down in the series, 12-3 on the second map,
and they come back to win it, win the event that was the last event
before the Paris Major, right? And they go on to win that first major, first
major MVP for Zywoo as well, so Rio just almost destined for
Vitality when they want to etch their name in history as the first team to
win back-to-back ESL Grand Slams.
Now, speaking of Apex, right? If you were to put them all up against each other head to head,
you have a Saivoo versus Don, you have the Op-Duel as well, potentially Shiro versus Saivoo,
the in-game leading duel, the Apex, the experience, the tenacity he's coming in with,
he's going up against a green guy in Magix who's slowly but surely getting better,
slowly but surely learning his ways, but in a best of five grand final,
when there's so much pressure, when there's so much at stake, there's one guy that I would like behind me.
There's one guy I would like to lead me if I were in a game like this, and that is Apex.
So I think in terms of having a big win condition in that department alone from the fact that he's been playing individually brilliant so far this tournament
I'm leaving that towards Apex. It's gonna be a big part of this matchup too because even though Apex has all the experience
There's always the micro mind games between in-game leaders, and this is the first time he's facing against
Magix as an IGL so hopefully Magix can use that to his advantage.
Hopefully so, and it does appear as though I've gotten the work. We're ready to play this grand final. Best of five right in front of us.
Team Vitality and Team Spirit.
Grand finals in the Farmasti Arena.
We are live from Rio de Janeiro.
Counter-Strike fans have gathered to watch a champion be crowned.
The question is, will there be extra goals today?
Vitality, walking into Championship Sunday
with the opportunity to go where no team has gone before.
No team since the inception of the ESL Grand Slam has won it twice.
Never mind it, back to back fashion. Spirit have the chance to be the first team to deny.
Heat months as they last made it to the final day of play.
Something that has never happened before though, is a guarantee today. History will be made one way or the other.
And it's a fixture only found deep into the playoffs.
Zayu on one side of the server,
Jolk on the other.
Two of the best players in CS fighting to make history.
And it starts on the large.
I'm going to show you how to do
this.
A weak point for Vitality. It's
around this one. I say weak
point.
Few and far between.
This year, this season, never
lost twice.
Both to Falcons and one of the
group stage of this very event.
Spirit have a task on their hands,
but there's been a change.
Aggression, confidence.
Setting the tone.
of course set up with dual brothers and a smoke to block this he's on an island right now apex jogs on over
He'll be there in time
Retake now eyes on shiro he's gonna be dealing with these rotations around middle this p250 around the world is flamesy
He might be able to deal with this, but sure the bomb down and the boots aren't moving pissed around looks confirmed
It has something to say about at least she wrote holding for the rotations, but it does look like it is going to be
Spirit start they dreamed of today. I can hold on to the Kevlar
It's not going to give anything over but it don't go on to Zai Wu our opening exchange of this grand final
So is an honor and a pleasure to watch
To the absolute greats of all time to battle and with the form that Zai Wu has been in
Somehow he's getting better
It hasn't been the Donk show in Rio. It's near the top of the tables.
Magic is calling up a storm.
Spirit, well they've been with us so far.
Here in Brazil regarding the pistols. That start line continues.
Smoke comes in, hits Donk.
If anything, forces him forwards. No, we've caught off guard.
Not ready for that eruption and then into the Jiu-Barae-Daz.
See you later, alligator.
New pace goes down and now we head into the fourth. The Kevlar save does allow some cheap upgrades into head armor here
You know what that round says though. That's donken announcing. I'm here for this final. That's what we need to see
Say look, it's not donk versus. I work
spirit versus vitality
Over five maps. We always say this is a marathon. Well, it's been a sprint in the playoff bracket so far two zeros throughout
Averaging 13 seven score lines. This has been stompy and you couldn't really ask for a better playoff bracket in modern Counter Strike
Surprisingly the results be so lopsided. Set up for another conditioning round early towards B.
Mully's at the ready and here they go.
Who's for Messi but they've jumped past and flash obscures his vision, but there's a third man, a third prong for the defence.
Teneir's had no issue removing two of them though.
Fancy arrives from the mark here, side by the side, and then he lasts and side by the, yeah he lingers in the smoke, the dunk is dealt with him without much sweat on the brow whatsoever.
this course by going straight down the gurglar.
Flames he's going to try and tower and save the farmhouse,
bring his Kevlar through to the next, he's been spotted now by Donk.
But the B site, the focal point for the first two rounds of play.
Spirit conditioning, that's a great success there from Taneir, just mentioned his name,
brought into this roster to bring a whole lot of firepower and we've
haven't really seen that. Finally in Rio, without Halley,
He's got a finding that form that I think everybody would have hoped for.
Maiden Voyage for Magix, first time he's going to be in a grand final as an in-game leader.
And what change was after that map lost to the Red Caneers?
I think it awoke the beast inside and that's for the team.
They have just been playing a completely different game.
Plainzy can he hold on to this and Dazzo, okay, Famous, retained.
So at least they have something going into round number three.
One of the keys the Duster was discussing is they've found some aggression and some confidence
dictating the time.
What does that mean?
Well, they're the ones who are deciding on what turn these fights are taking.
Not just doing a default spread, getting map control, waiting to get picked off.
Everything looks like there's a choice behind it.
Alright, we want to hear this, we want to pressure here.
And then even when the chips were down in some of these earlier matches, they're winning
2v4s.
The Spirit showing a different face and that's exciting for what could be what we hope is
a competitive final. Deagle's 5-7 around this upgrade.
Pressure from Donk, applying it towards the ace side this time.
Apex's desert eagle has removed Sontik's in the palace position.
And he's playing for more as well.
Anti-flash, progressmate.
Rob still touched. Potential crossfire here at Donk, missteps.
Nice find on the first, and there's the trade.
Losolid from Rob's inside with the sidearms connecting.
Tenere stabilizes. Touchdown, Flamesy hunting it with the farmers.
Come back in! Come and handle Teneir!
That's what we've been seeing from this man here in Rio.
Another bow-out moment, that's just against the eco.
But an important one early.
You don't want to be getting any of your heads of your spirit.
You need to be converting rounds like that if you want to take down Vitality today.
They really had a golden opportunity there to completely subvert spirits opening.
Teneir stands his ground and nails it on the galil spray.
He's going to line it up for imperfect work.
rifles come out now Zahra gets his AWP shiro does not
and away shiro's AWP starts window smoke offscaling fast
rock charging down towards carling is quick still with my
brush to the con player
Actually utility towards the island box magics, the ground is deep.
Little usage has been on point, but the same for Apex, here's a shy the mark to near, chipped
away at.
That's my flumes.
This is another of the ready bomb top mids, so no clear indication of where this wants
to finish, likely expecting some type of mid clamp down, but it's going to be Palace Push.
Zyra takes. I think he poised for this, but Flamesy just quicker on the trigger.
Opening kill, full vitality into the first gun.
When pressure come in, those cash and smokes being deployed, Magic's going to try and remove the vision,
but not before Dong takes a fight and actually catches an AWP bullet through the wall.
Limping, Zybul finish on to Tuneir and the damage that Zybul inflicted is converted upon by the M4 of Apex.
Magic's next victim, just the one back from Shiro.
Bonn last, gonna have to scoop that one up.
Doesn't really have the time to try and isolate and piece this one together and he's gonna go down to Mazzy.
Vitality convincing into the first gun round.
Alright, and that's what you wanna see.
We stabbed his stuff, there's nothing to add to the box, other than the palace push.
So Zontics isolated the note.
It's his responsibility on that side of the map.
Donk could be working on the mid-control.
I think Taneira and Magik's there.
A little bit more all over the shop.
The casualties they took against that Eco Rant in round number three.
Two come home to lose early for Spirit.
Shiro can get out the AWP.
Slight upgrades for three of the five.
Donk with the AK, Shiro with the AWP.
So still in with the shot.
This one looks more direct.
Standard mid-Utuk, Shiro making a play.
Going to try and catch them on the jump.
Yeah, Messi seems to be well drilled on this. Rottener relayed early steps.
Doesn't give Shearer what he's looking for.
He's forced up the block utility early.
He's now understanding the presence and now backing off.
Gone fishing. No bites.
He's earned about the underpass.
Now backing once again towards B.
Another block smoke lands, it's near just ahead of that.
All through underpass, in game lead up. Apex considers the boost.
20 seconds no contact, that made the first damage done.
Well, where they came from as well, Robson quipped, and now he's handling up, Apex under
some pressure here.
Magix and the M10 first, the M4 and loses his head, 0-3, 4 spirits, captain.
He finished, 35 seconds, gonna have to be Teneir charging in, strafes in, gets his boost on
the ground, it does more than that, puts Robson down, Teneir again, namely say, tip of the
tongue, a double entry from Teneir, finally found by Apex, off to Zontics to convert upon
a two versus two high stakes 18 seconds the off-trained on Zontick's location
his knee poking out but he doesn't connect to Shiro does so one beauty for Zai
we're closing the gap not gonna be easy with the sniper rifle and he peeks on into Shiro
another round we can give Tanera a firm pat on the back spirit dig themselves out of
trouble Tanera big partner 50 HP just a tech nine breaching a site incredible
He's a big part of it. He's the one that turns the round on the head.
This is fantastic work from him early.
We've seen a lot of this throughout Rio, and the more the better.
The question was who's going to be helping Dark Bolt.
Shiro, sure he's on the off, but there's not an aggressive right-flut.
And here he is. He's meant to be getting in that mix.
Money for both, but the buy once more.
Shiro boosted up and over.
Ross could be susceptible to this, but he's usually so restrained.
He'll use that smoke.
now thrown by Spirit to vacate should he desire to.
It's a really strong start for Spirit early. The fact that this is 4-1,
and in a lot of these rounds they haven't been getting the original kills. It's a more impressive
fact. If they win this one, Money Spills open for Vitality. And Spirit can already secure 6.
It's a very important round for Apex and his boys to respond.
We've lost this map, but to Falcons, that's a G2 throughout the run already.
It's considered a weakness in their pool.
It's not glaring, it's not easy.
It's always going to be tough.
It's over towards B for a split this time.
Alternative avenue of approach.
Apex will be there with Zywoo, boost up for Shirro's AWP.
And easy on to the rivals, I will go down, Apex got put in our lanes, the B-side falls again.
Now look out to Wreck, this is always have a great idea of how they want to finish these rounds, Spirit.
But I'm a blaster, they're not getting picked apart.
Simple.
And it's going to be the save right now Vitality.
We're going to retain these three rivals, Rops wards off Donk for now.
2900, lost bonus going into the next.
So decisions to be made and likely
a tactical timeout coming from Xtaz.
Great to see confident picks coming out of spirit in this one.
Everyone trying tricks to get past vitality,
but no, just settling in.
Starting with Mirage, and then a second choice was Dust2.
Now, to be Nuke.
Something we haven't seen in an awful lot of spirit
in recent times.
This round concerns four round gap, unlikely a conversation needs to be had.
Timeout has been called and this is beautiful.
Just boosted up and that's why it was first peak.
Just getting there to hold on to Short as he peers in, Shiro's already ready.
And the timings are against him, it's like the pistol round, now you're seeing it again
on another rifle round.
So short, Taneer has bowed them out of some tougher situations, but everything seems level.
The Spirit are still able to find the solutions.
I'm going to force behind the saves, knowing with the max loss bonus going into the next, they can get a full gun round.
And these are the type of rounds that are gritty for vitality.
You heard it from Rops there on the way in.
They can win clean, but they can also win ugly.
And these are the type of rounds that, I don't want to say they're the foundation of their dynasty, but they're definitely a markup.
Yeah, the 6-0 hole yesterday.
That's discussed it. How about 5-1 today?
It's time to turn into an ace split.
It's gone very quickly down, challenging car.
Oh, the opportunity onto apex, jiggles away.
It's an air insurer up ramp.
Breschen straight to Sywin.
Opening kill for Vitality and docked down!
Look at Flamesy!
Pushes through!
Apex charging forward, trying to finish it.
Rob's roll!
Teneir though.
He's still alive, only for a moment longer.
It's messy through the smoke.
Successful!
And now Shirou, his whereabouts noted by the trajectory of the molotov.
He can peek in, can't hit the flick.
His back potentially exposed to Flamesy.
And misses his opportunity.
That's a big turnaround from Vitality.
in the weaponry department doesn't stop them from finding their second and the finances going forward without just being a light investment behind the saves. Again, these opening kills continue to come in for vitality at another one to the tally there.
opening. Yeah, they're head to head in that department is booming for Vitality. It's just
being able to finish from here. So this one much needed to plant themselves in the final.
And we teeter back and forth. Vitality made no secret that Rio is where they wanted to get
the Grand Slam done. This was the priority. This was the focus. It's been a bumpier road.
Never so slyly, just that loss to Falcons.
Man, they've had to run the quarters into the semis and now the Grand Final, now the
Furia and Spirit.
No easy beats.
You know, on a Tech 9 again, but already, who did this to great success?
Magic's in T-Spawn with a smoke to deploy.
They're not pushing the issue, they're not jumping out underpass, they're not running
up mid.
They've got the respect, they've got the room.
Now they're starting to take that space.
Here's going to be a clamp down here, robs, catches, Magix on the mantel, and there's
a second body, it's down, poor low, but drips away, and hits the headshot on Tomezi.
Changes the elevation and finds that pixel-puff, a headshot.
for Apex catches to near jumping out with Zontics, late with the bomb, he's hiding there.
Seen them with his tricks before. Trying to play these rotations, but right now only 35 seconds.
They have to piece this one together quickly. Shiro's going to join over to join Zontics.
Looks like he can catch anything in the interim, so really all the pressure on the in-game lead up.
So much work for Apex to do here.
Otherwise, Spirit will breach his sight. Just looks away.
Sontics has progressed the gap, caught the timing and now vulnerability for Apex!
Just enough time to adjust!
Sontics couldn't finish his meal!
Shiro's his next challenge! Apex alone on the site passes the test!
I consider mind games in play, we're always talking about name play, Counter-Strike then,
but the two B players out short looking for midfights.
Donk aware of that possibility, but Apex, instead of being part of that as the con player,
helping them fight towards middle, he's trying to be a step ahead.
He finds himself on B.
He's some great shots from Donk, and you can't fault Taneer.
Look at the two names. Okay, Robson, Mezzi dead.
B should be clear.
He goes forward. Apex takes him for free.
The round stalls out.
Amada's sclera gets it done.
E-coat now.
On the dig is the first consecutive rounds now posted for vitality.
miracle, Mezzi calls for back up and he's just gonna farm this one.
Rocks chips in from short and well there's more on the way.
Chirro, he'll get one for his troubles, but all in all,
I think this a one round game in a moment's time.
I don't know if I can catch a corner, excuse me, but it's that Magic's interview with that HLTV.
He's a realist, not an optimist. I know, okay, maybe we'll win one map.
But with the form they've been in, it's felt like they've turned a corner.
Magic's shouldering a whole lot more responsibility without Halley here.
Some of it, there isn't a coach. It's just that it's the one from the academy.
and he's given them a little bit more responsibility
to chance them to work it out between themselves.
And so far, so good.
This one's direct.
Five-man A execute.
Mezzy and Flames are on mid control.
All pressure will be on Zywoo.
He's going to have Apex close by.
Zywoo with a lot to do.
Doc on the entry path.
They first man in.
Zywoo is forced to near out, but that's
what you want to see from Doc.
His early progression enables the trade.
Surge is forward ready to ask questions of CT.
That's where Apex is heading.
The rest behind the smoke.
Stonk decides an AK better suited to the task.
Apex pushing through the smoke and actually best Stonk pulls Zontik's attention.
E vs 3 after that trade.
Smoke CT, they have got the utile. Rops is a little delayed to this one.
He's the one with the most.
I'll place HE from Magix.
Default plant.
Smoke for the bomb. Kits for the defuse.
Yeah, this bomb is ticking. Magix and Zontik's parting towards the side.
Thanks for the ball. They have to stop them from getting across.
It's a default plant. If they get across, it's surely curtains. They have to get across now.
And they have already onto the default box. Here, if you go down, they're going to lose the round.
And Zontics comes up to the patch. Backstab for the 1v3. The simple no time.
Zontics pulls it off, calculated on his rotation.
I think it was the one on the
refuse. Yeah. You would have
had it if anyone else with the
kit went on it. This kid's
idle on site. Uncharacteristic
errors from vitality. Okay
that one a little bit odd right
there. The clock the press
up but the round is Spirits guaranteed six on the harp. No wonder Magix is
smiling he called that 3 hours spawn.
Opps does he want to push forward here Magix to find flash forward opening kill
another one they just keep coming pressure on Mezzi now.
Avinae towards the beast charge multiple bodies Mezzi overlooked needs to beast this together before the trade comes in they swing him on side does find another bit of damage
but his Tenera is on six potted up and nothing from Robbs.
Easy and Ziloo, a decision.
Nades come in, 2v2, give it a go.
Today's holding though, and Shearer can swing off the contact here.
It's all going to come down to the fate of the smoke, Flamesy.
How quick can you be lightning fast from Flamesy on the M4 headshot?
Shearer on half health, looking to come up clutch.
Hell of a difference maker if you can pull this off.
Smoke and kit available.
But they've got to find it, they're searching the site, and there he goes, just enough time.
calculated by vitality, not rushing to the diffuse, knowing you have to be around the side somewhere,
and convert it into a one round game.
You're already going to be happy with the half of your spirit,
but you'd love to get seven, just getting a leg up early.
You know that you have a puff up,
but you're not going to find yourself down 0-1 going into new, can ensure dust too.
It's a great map for you, you're 11-1 for the year.
Vitality are 44 and 4 with this roster on a 16 streak.
So the two best Dust2 teams in the world, we will get to see that map as number three.
Should be a banger.
Well, base grenade, but it's dunked down to 45, forced to skidaddle.
Magic's talking an awful lot.
No doubt he wants to finish this, but nearly loses out on his life there.
Apex spots him over the top of the con smoke.
Bomb not spotted though.
She erode the parting middle as well.
Retooling and regrouping.
Let's watch the A site.
It's a good timing for the X-Act, expecting them to put resources into clearing middle.
Now the smokes are in the sky.
When you go ahead of that, there's a tech 9.
Peaks in. Perfect timing. Apex has found Donka and they've ramped Vance.
Xayah is missing shots, but it's Apex that's doing all the heavy lifting right now.
Now, third miss out of the Sniper to near him to the site, realises they've managed to lock Vitality out, should facilitate magics to get across with the plant.
This is tough, even if the bomb goes down Hayman to win this one.
Especially with the CT occupation, another one from Apex, finally Zywoo gets the lead, and a 6-6 half.
Dead, even from 5-1 Vitality clawed their way back in, spirit happy with the 6.
What's the second half got in store for us here?
The
Strongstar for Spirit Mirage, it is the first of this best of five grand final with so much
at stake history and stake one way or the other.
You've managed to find their footing, though, winning five of the last six rounds of that CT side.
Apex and Robs the top of the tables.
Yeah, you're normally thinking it's Don versus Zywoo.
Well, Apex had a whole lot of impact within that first half, and Tania as well.
The spirit continuing that form.
Finally, what spirit fans want to see from this man.
Oh, he split the pistols.
Tanya, they tried their luck at an A execute.
The
Alice smoked
Milton here find impact once more time attract the ropes claims he's already covered a lot of ground and is gonna go and try clearing
But she was there and perfectly nails the headshot the jumping flames
That's blood off the pistol goes spirits way, but the part down
What they're searching for it to test the side who quick on the first no one to have impact on the pistol rounds here
the side. He's starting again.
quick succession. Now the fade
of the smoke and magic is
coming in from the flank.
Messi's dealt with Donk. This
one's going vitality's way,
keeping that momentum up from
that second, that first half
here in the second. Yeah, that's
key. The fact that they're able
to pick this one up and run with
it. They obviously have to get
past this force fight going into
the next is magic looks to
retain this kevlar. Top mid. He's
going to have a period in the
But he might go down before that node and now Apex is going to constrict him, but that's not before Mezzie gets in first.
That is only the third opening kill of Spirit so far in this map.
And it's only a one round game, so you can see...
Isn't that first up over there? They were able to capitalize off of those opening deaths, making space for all the good trade work.
Zywoop.
This is, uh...
the game. And I said it was
going to be a force. Well,
magic goes down. This is the
Kevin. Instead they take the
eco. So I tell you, you should
be able to extend this lead to
eight to six. It'll be a 41
split. Don't compete. Everybody
else from spirit on the A site.
This one's just about damage.
here with Apex in Palace.
Telling that's likely wanting to see this one finish over towards A.
So if we get more of that spirit from yesterday, they were hyper aggressive with these mid-fight Zontics.
I've never seen him be so aggressive on catwalk on the CT side.
He's extremely proficient at position, but he was taking a lot of opportunities,
and time and time again, they paid off.
Vitality they will have taken note of that would have done their prep. They see that this is going to different
Slaver to the spirit ever since that big stars to go so wrong
It's great to see them
Trying to play ahead play from the front
As they're about to be crunched upon apex
This is our palace announces himself and they aren't just going to collapse onto this site
Because the easiest of the rounds to convert and you love to do it spotlessly
So one more man is just donkeys rotated in brought down at range
Now we get to that vitality bonus. It's only one Mac 10, but there is three Galils
You're not going to be upgrading those you won't be throwing them away
She wrote does have the opportunity to bring out the AWP and will it's glass cannon
You have 4800 so he's got 50 bucks left to spare that means no kit limited you till and that's not just for him
That's the team
So Spirit, do you want to put your opening rifle round of the second half on the line with something a little bit more aggressive?
Any map doesn't tell of that. You need Shiro then to insert himself into fights. He's been brought down by the flames early.
It's very fragile.
No Cavalry either.
It might just have to play too good.
It's here in Sandwich, Donka round Con, Sontics on Cat.
We're gonna read this you till for as long as you can but the pressure it's gonna feel immense early minute 20 here
They come as that double smoke they start that crawl mid. It's off. It's all turned into the latter room
So that flash is gonna catch magic serious I will
Distracted some ticks profits, okay first blood drawn favor of spirit
Thanks gonna Molly but Zontick's gonna be a punish beautiful from Zontick's wants more
Solid as a rock from the short position, first comes out.
It's named in the feet twice.
Don't have to fight this, they can let them in 50 seconds.
Don't have to be overextending Taneer's in sandwich.
Bombs down top mid.
A bit of an overextension, shouldn't cost them anything here,
other than the casualty itself.
Magic's about to find the bomb.
Taneer's going to be overlooked completely.
He's above you, jumps in to his demise, an easy pick up, the easiest for Taneer.
Okay, you can see how they shifted once magics push mid said hey boys bombed down
We don't have to worry about fighting that pack the entire complexion around shifts
And now it's just ropes left in a 1v4 with about 20 seconds on the clock
So spirit through Sontics again
Nominal output there on short through the venerable first comes in second on the fade
So look polished
Gets them started early another key is how many bodies they've managed to keep alive in this one
That was the bonus. They
retain Galils. The Mac 10. You
have to buy full here.
Flash to catch the deep shot
very well. And to near that's the easiest kill you're going to get all game.
Got the wads, eh? Everybody else is turning middle right now.
Oh, it gets out. Got the wads tap.
Jaleer's going into this. He's walking straight through the smoke. He's caught robbs.
How on earth does he pull that off?
The audacious maneuver through the smoke onto the perpetually aware.
Rare to see Robbs look in the wrong direction.
And they build upon it as well.
Zontics probes out middle, continues to fight.
They're not playing scared, our spirit.
Something that's outzonic.
That's your Falcons.
Put out the airwaves earlier.
You have to disrespect this team.
If you play scared, if you play totaled up, you don't take your chances.
You're never going to find any.
So 3v5. Disadvantaged for vitality, but they still have oodles of utility to look for the finish.
Lose this, your money goes in the mud.
Shiro tickets near, and the site docks the support from Jungle.
Oh, Shiro clean onto Flamesie. Now he can tuck in. Apex strides into the Orbs Crossout. Shiro collects another.
I think that's two very nice statement rounds from Spirit.
Act that those kills come in so easily and feel untradable.
Ops had no chance getting caught off guard.
Where's this Tenerben?
Yeah, this is what we've been looking for.
It has to be this shouldering responsibility now put on the team.
He's not here. He's out for medical purposes. He won't be back until after Astana and things have not been going well at all.
This has been, by spirit standards, an extremely poor year.
It's not that they have been missing the playoffs in every event. It's just that when you have Donk and when you have these experienced pieces,
we're talking major winners at Donk Magic's Azontics, Shiro.
You expect a whole lot more.
Then it turns to the fact that this is
Magic's first opportunity as an in-game leader still as a young man, but an experienced one
It's never gonna come together quickly, but the adversity
and the lack of Halley with the guiding hand of Saltfig a bit of a hotfix says that
Put them in good form. Yeah, it was actually his counterpart on the other side of the server that
Took to the social medias to discuss that. I was glad he wasn't judged on the first six months of calling
He knows and acknowledges just how much of a shift that is for magics. I just think one of the keys is the tenacity of spirit this event
Right a lot of these rounds. We've been looking at it on dust to
These setting up moves for plays like teneur has moves it feels like now whereas there's been discussion
Okay, it's just don't going in or where's the flash work?
We're seeing all the things that we felt are lacking for spirit start to come to fruition
the game. We already knew that
they had players who can deliver.
She wrote just searching
against the eco. Get made as
well. Look at that. Solid
fight and burn him down cooks.
Too shabby. There's his right
was even get a chance to play
the round. They were lacking in
the last three rounds. Only
four casualties for spirit. They
are looking extremely strong in
the finances.
Already starting competitive.
Again, this is spirits map choice.
You want to see it continue on a
map to map basis.
competitive again this is spirits map choice you want to see it continue on a
map-to-map basis that's one of the things when you're watching vitality
throughout their era is well they can come back from any score line with any
weapons at any moment so you never feel like this team is down and out and they
don't look super disconnected today it's not one of those games where they're
overstepping the mark but there are some concerns in the last few that they're
getting picked apart without the trade potential that's likely a call that Apex
wants to change the buddy system. We have to trade while taking this territory. This
window smoke highlighted. Apex will replenish. Oh, fumble on the boost. Now, HEs are going
to find him. He's ringing for Apex and Robson. Stopping about this. They might be going to
call it off after giving away the Qs. Just left on the ledge for now, Robson. We'll activate
on the timing of his own design. So, I think he's going to try and play on the
They try to catch him. He had the dismount of Robbs as well now.
Force-free location.
His Nazis was ready for that, so...
Why is he moved there for Robbs?
55 seconds. The reroute is now on the bomb, over towards A.
He'll get some flames. He will head over to join that.
So Robbs is going to plan the lurk.
It looks like he's just heading back up to patrol for any B pushes for now.
So for the finish, couple of smokes and flashes, and a molly to near.
He puts himself up on the balcony. Smoke well timed. That's a 35 second buy. This will just force them through the grey screen.
Three up the ramp, once Rube Palace rops on the lurk. He's so far away from this, it has to be A.
Teneir in the smoke right next to Apex as he lines up his U till he's going to be a disruptive force.
If he gets that first, he can get many. Starts to spam. Apex down. Teneir profits.
It's as does donk on the default walks disconnected from the play and he need
something from vitality
And I'm gonna single frag chat. This is a little bit concerning now in this patch
It's four straight rounds three of them have been gun rounds
The double digits by spirit first
Lovely play again from Taneir. Sure. It's a bit hectic on the fight might be another ex has time out
lost bonus maxed out 3400 into the next you have this saved AWP and AK you
light by behind it just when it came falling in the first half they had the
same situation three saved guns two upgraded pistols they got it done can
they do it again now on the T side they'll start with a boost for Zawoo
And today he's coming. Flash is here and he's got a vision! He's got the reaction speed!
Sheer are finding Apex though, immediately levels things out.
Apex can call from the grave though. His weapon irretrievable.
Magic's on the jump spot, has block, you tell.
Could be susceptible to a Zywoo orb though on this angle.
Oh, he's down.
Oh, Highlight now. Zontik's still here.
There's a minute on the clock. This doesn't have to be the finish.
You've gone and applied pressure. You spotted yourself.
They've used another smoke.
So if you've been counting those, there's just one remaining for Zontik's.
Dong's been left as this sleeper agent over towards A.
They aren't gambling on this B site.
Again, we're at the 55-second mark.
The pack through underpass.
Rock's top middle.
And this is a tough position to clear.
in the pit. Sontick searching forward in mid with a lot to do. It's going to do a lot here.
Necessary from Robbs. Stops here from Spirally. Adjitz is here in time and they still won't
know about Donk. He's been here the whole time. They want to pivot. Robbs is heading back to
spawn towards A. This is going to be a buzzer beater down to the wire. Not running that clock down thin.
So we're going to start his entry crawl. Supported by Nezzy with that bomb. Robbs through the
the rampside. Don't lingers.
Magics.
He just finds one here.
They've got 18 seconds.
They're taking their sweet time and there goes the bomb.
Spues out of Mezzi. 13 seconds. Don crawls in.
And they have another time.
Spirit have done enough to make a level of reality.
Shiran closing down.
First map of this marathon of Spirit of Shoe
and their stretch in their legs.
That was just the partial up there behind the saves,
It's still going to be a little bit wobbly here by Taladip because Romsen Zawid didn't get that loss bonus going into the previous.
Here's that X-Taz timeout, really starting to run out of opportunities. Two more rounds and another Mirage loss that'll be three out of the four played in Rio so far.
We'll give himself an AK in hand, Nezzy will just take back Khalil.
And we've said any score line is going to be sooner rather than later now if Vitality
are to try and put themselves into a winning position.
Map 1.
This is such a great sign for the grand final itself.
know if you're a vitality fan, you might start to get a little bit nervy, but if they can
start with a Mount Victory, we might get a competitive series here today.
Bumble on the straight, wanted to start sure side.
I'm sure we'll have to go through the b-side itself.
Sontics is playing over the wall today on this one, so the re-think, if it's an a-finish,
gets one traded, Sontikz will have an opportunity to try and farm this multi.
Plenty of smokes, flashes, mollies for this full A execute with all five.
So much riding on this one.
On Mirage.
Mates, rain in.
Clean headshot to near-converts. Flames, he goes down.
Now Sontikz baited in. They overlooking completely. Only the one, though.
Sidewall two on the entry, parving.
Should have access to the plant as well.
Oh, Sparrow does connect a little, but not enough.
Donk's pull it just the one.
So allowed to replenish that smoke deacon.
Hopps on for default box.
Apex ramp side.
Just trying to lay with that flashbang.
Nothing caught.
Might be a Zywoo Donk head to head on the CT fight.
Magix and Shiro crawling in from the stairs side.
Nice from Zywoo.
That's his third.
He's taking control of this round.
He's doing it on his own here.
Now Donk connects challenge, brings him down.
Two versus two, there's a kit available for both of the CTs, but time is running thin.
They need that headshot on Apex now, and he's the one to provide it.
Nothing for Donk. Vitality prevail.
OK, that's what you want to see from your superstar.
The world number one, when the chips are down and it's looking die up,
gets you a massive round, a triple kill from the Woot.
And we make this a two round game once more.
Great trade word here you can see in Zontics, it gets activated there.
He's just going to be able to murder them down, but just warning him away one by one at Zywook. Job done.
And a hard team to put away.
Shirou into underpass. Flavor of aggression.
And there's the un-receiving end of this. I mean, he beats this. He's a dead man. Shirou doesn't miss these.
Three members of his team up top mid though. They could apply pressure with Util.
Sontek's trying to ward them off of that. Active on the short side.
They're committed to this. Either forward or back. You gotta fire these mid-plays or you have to deal with Mezzi.
And here it comes. That head to head sherry in the wrong way. This doesn't matter. Donk is handled it on his own.
Oh! Flies you down on the jump spot!
You weren't ready for an up-down, Undo!
Roms knows they're active mid and they immediately spring back towards the A site. He's ready to catch you on this reaction.
Look, Donk, swing alone.
Shows restraint.
Doesn't give raps what he's looking for.
Through mid, it's Apex and Zywoo.
Might use that CT smoke against them. They start their crawl through Khan.
Donk's attention drawn and Apex, he profits.
Shiro down as well.
Suddenly, it turns the round on his head.
Tanir turns on towards the ticket.
He falls into the vibe of Zywoo.
Finds an instantaneous deletion.
That was all onto Magic's locked out of the site and a 10th round imminent for vitality.
And money on the line.
It's a turn around.
1900 here.
He needs to hold on to this.
Shiro and Donk have enough for buys into the next.
Magic really needs to retain this, but another round where Zawoo gets a multi.
Sure, it wasn't just him, but they stuck to their guns at Robs.
Very well done.
Takes that space, doesn't overextend.
Both teams so aware of the potential of the lurk and how it's going to function, but the
gap was pipped.
smoke was a blessing and vitality. They reached 10.
Sure, we'll be able to get another AWP if he's so
designed, but I think this would be a good time for
Sothwick to call this.
Magic is going to be able to drop a rifle. They're going to be
all good for a CT side by. Don't you worry about that.
But it's late stages with the finances on the line. And there's
that time out the first. The stand-in coach has had to call and he's been having a tougher
time in this one. He's had some big performances throughout the run in Rio, but at the moment
just four frags. The Bianca, but also in-game leading in a grand final against the best
team in the world in their home. I'm not talking about Rio, I'm talking about best of five
finals. You threw in the flavor of aggression, you got the two men opening from there, gave
away a little bit too much. This was beautiful from Shiro. It's rare that you see this man
getting stuck in and this was tempered and it wasn't just holding W, getting your face,
that kill came in at a minute 18. So well done. It was from nowhere, 0-100. Vitality snatched
that round away. Spent out a couple of those in the first afternoon with the Tech 9, saving
them on an eco with a Galil as well.
Okay, well, the timeout has started Zontics A.
That just jumps what B-Shiro...
Well, Bombs going B.
Hang on a second Shiro's missed a shot.
Flamesy drops into the side.
There's four members of Spurt here.
One of them for Apex.
It's Magix again for a second.
Flamesy needs the double.
Can't hack it.
It's Magix solid as a lock from B.
A ramp play.
All the information, the rotation comes in,
stalled out.
Magix, just as I brought his name in the conversation,
gets a triple kill.
That's stunted.
Anything that Vitality were hoping to get away with right there.
They're orders as well.
This is what you want to see the growth of this man
Sorry can be a troll in the interviews
But there's a reason they have promoted him and brought him back from the bench to this position
Tech man to apex of flamesy
Up on the line
Ultimate opportunity for spirit start this grand final off with a declaration
The urinates have win it
Magic saying sure we'd like to take a map. Well, how about the first in the best of five?
I get that to near Robb's head to head once more.
Action on mid.
Sontics to be tested, throws a block of smoke, actually an extended area of his own design.
It's Apex with an opportunity, spotted on that bench position.
The chip damage, smoke break, but don't guess nothing.
Quick reactions out of vitality, and look at the mantel out of Apex.
He's going for quick for the gap.
It's a short re-aggress.
That Molly's gonna force a decision.
Zontick, so you get a stander, you get a bang.
Decides to go forward, takes that ladder of space,
enables him to find answers towards that window position.
It's a smart reroute.
40 seconds for Vitality to convert this man advantage
and extend play.
We can see the gap is B,
but Vitality have nowhere knowing that.
We'll set it right now for what is likely.
Vortex just goes right on window didn't understand the cut off the noise messy will punish and extend their advantage
Still gonna go into the stack by the looks of things 25 seconds going up on to 8. Okay to deal with an opportunity despite
Two frags in favor of vitality now another magic starting to put up a fight one hell of a fight with two
But from the back stabs I will convert and take us to the final round of regulation very likely this one spells overtime
She really can go to the all but everyone else is gonna be lacking. This one's had the back and forth and something he's been
Taking these timeouts he's got two Romani but only one around so he can take him back to back if he so desires
This is tough now
And the ones without the finances so late in the piece the stack there in the right place short
See here the bi-mainly MP9 heavy. It's near chips in with one as well. It's on state of
affairs that that's going to provide the type of range of fights. It might force your hands
to play aggressively. Certain areas of the map to see if you can capitalize on the extremity
players. Nezium rocks. You really want to try your luck. You could barrel up top mid with
an island box molly see if you're able to get the mp9 stopping the likes of flames the apex in zahua with the choke
their own envy
The discussion in that tactical timeout
This one should spell overtime. Oh and it certainly will now shero down. That was the best gun they had
It was four SMGs in the sniper
SMG up close though
Yeah fair fight
Donk and Tamir are puffing up their chest rampside with the MP9.
Creeping and crawling, tapping heads, Robs removes Donk, Tamir can't find the response,
he disappears into the puff and smoke, and now exposed! Long range headshot from Tamir's MP9!
Gets away with the upgrade, nearly, Mirzi catches him just in time.
They side stairs, stairs for the taking, they're working it out now.
Now, Magic's low HP as well, it really does spell OT.
Take a miracle on this MP9 from Sontics, some likely, Magic's AWP can find anything.
Now Zyve, triangulate Sontics position, down to the MP9 though.
Magic's AWP could have caught Robbs.
They'll get across to Sandwich though.
Okay, gotta get a move on.
Everything stacked against spirit.
Everything tells us this is going overtime.
Extra rounds required in the opening map of this grand final.
Robbs ensures it. Just magics with no kit, no hope.
Oh, why?
And overtime secured.
Vitality, we said they're hard to put away.
The demonstration before our very eyes.
How tenacious, how difficult this team is to beat.
these late stretches that's a vitality and pulled up to keep themselves in this.
Into overtime we're looking for the magic number of 16 but once I work just dry swings
up top mid and takes down the rival all per easy as that this round was always theirs for the taking
a little bit later a bit a little bit messy but regardless they've clawed this back.
Flamesy all in the tournament said well if you take a swing at the king you better not miss
Is that your chance, squandered?
Long just staunch, hoping a fight comes his way, not backing down from this mid-control, but Apex!
Seein' this?
Such a gap to near, in sandwich. Where are the possibility that Apex can't get the job done?
Oh, it's looking here.
Oh, it's looking now! Gets another one to Robbs!
That was the entirety of that a it's salt shut down by one man
I just hoping to get away with a double lurk there. It is reports. Thanks. You're feeling you definitely need that refrag
This is one hell of an audacious reposition
Wow
Such initiative on display
No one's told him to do that
and immediately put spirit into the winning stance for the first round of OT.
How many can say with the 45 seconds left for the clock? I think some 6, I'm close and personal.
I'm going to make sure there's no way forward, so he starts to head back at least the fake steps in the mix.
We did the setup ever slightly but with time dwindling out as he doesn't start making some moves
You have no way of winning what is already an impossible situation.
Dinkton, D'Zontics will confirm it, but that round's all about to near.
Lookout Palace undetected.
Get surprised by the fight wins the duel.
Rocks attempt to trade, no chance.
And it just keeps on moving.
He's encapsulated exactly what it is we've seen Spirit getting up to throughout Rio.
Playz on plays.
He knows he could have had an ace.
Still yet to see one.
In the playoffs here in Rio, on the 4 in total from the group stage.
Grand Final would be quite the time.
Donk again.
Continuing to play with confidence. Flash stands, finds the fight opening down and traded. This time, Robbs gets his man.
This time, Shiro doesn't hit the jumping flames.
Reveals the orb's position on the short side and Teneir continues to flow.
Look at him go.
There's he.
This time ready.
Raring for action.
On small nameplate counter strike, knowing that the ALERK was elsewhere.
He's going to get into the site entirely.
Sontics will be able to put up a fight, makes it across into site.
just hit. This is the three-man assault, drops elsewhere top mid. Uhtos gonna start
pulling Shiro's rotation. What can you do, Zontics? How much time can you buy?
Polatov's gonna flush him straight into Messi's crosshair. Over the top of the smoke though,
Shiro profits. Moving immediately, showing towards CT. Can he find another, shave it off the pack?
Oh, magic. It's three that he has to deal with. What's he got? Claims he's masked by the smoke.
Shirro's overlooked the potential with that default plant.
The diligence from Vitality to have a smoke down for him.
Now Shirro fires off his shot.
Nanti's holding for the push.
Looking set to balance us back out.
Open up rare on those wallbangs.
Reloading Brechenli in front of their face.
One more try.
He's got the money for the next.
Just hoping he gets a little bit lucky, but no.
Mezzi. That's himself a multi-kill, three within that one, combining with Robs to tie things up 13 apiece.
One more round in the first half of OT number one.
So I always got the best midspawn as well.
He's picking up Shirro's AWP and trying to open up the mound as he gets in the first.
Solid stuff from Vitality not to rush it up for those two opening exchanges,
still using their nades, still being diligent, not just waltzing in, not just thinking they'd
be able to bludgeon them.
He's trying it again, Shiro is going to be taking a more passive approach this time,
Zyward is going straight across to tap, so his objective is to catch Zontix and his
aggressions.
Oh, and he was perfectly placed for it, goes on in and Magix with the swing.
Zyward, we are opening kill.
Nice flash one.
Look at that, no feasts on the spray.
A double kill from Flamesee.
They know Magix was near the short side too, because he found Zyward, now they're clear
the head to head. Robs first to near this time. Robs on top.
You don't get away with that plate too often. I had a couple of moments where he's been able to stick the landing, but
expected now and as they continue this aggression, Vitality know the push will keep following.
Needed more precision if he wanted both. Magic still finding one before Apex trades.
Again, Shiro a familiar feeling for him, alone in the clutch. And Robs may have heard that.
Yeah, easy pickup, vitality, the lion's share of the rounds in the first half of O.T.
Yeah, well, this is where you feel that there's a shift in the air.
They have their chances throughout that matchup regulation to get the business done.
A very important double from Blames, his own flashbang.
And so, frustrations from Dom.
Understandably so. When you were so close to starting things off on the right foot,
Now you're going to dig deep, go back to the T side, and your bedrock of rounds came from the pistol with the conversions.
Once we got later in the piece, the fatality took over with the gunnies.
Just the con molly there.
I don't know how much it would have mattered as a smoke dropped in from the CT side to detail any early aggressions.
on the short side of 25 frags so far on the Raj.
Safety first, they wear out the smoke, they come through underpass and they see that nobody
lingers.
Sonic 6 takes heavy damage, he's behind him with his bullets, and as he locks it down,
the fact he's provided an opening kill is the Bianca.
Ooh, that spells trouble.
Time loop.
Gonna have to smoke break, but doesn't look like he's gonna catch anything.
Robbs will though.
Look at that!
Perfect timing!
No trade available.
I don't
Disgusting
To me it's a nice timing. He's had backs turning will drop in so I will react spam through the box doesn't find the frag
And our flames inside will poised and ready to collect
round 15
Next to vitality's name upon the death of sureo
Didn't have too many chances to put them away in regulation the score read 12 to 10
But you did have chances
Now you're the ones who are going to have to draw this back and try and push it into double overtime. She wrote
Absolutely no chance of getting this done
It's gonna waltz up to his demise straight into Zawooz AWP and he'll take another as he finds his 19th
But it's Rops and that Rotterdam MVP form saves his best for the finals
He's having kills deep
It's the no tee timeout used now
Now, which is on the T side for all three of these being able to go by-for-by.
The reality in taking on Vitality is now sinking in.
Canton here in the first half value of a couple of bad situations, but right now you're not
getting into those situations.
You need to at least get into the site or find yourself in a trade scenario towards middle
where then you can at least play the rotations because right now,
Vitality, they're saying no and to close this looking for round 16 they've decided to bring
out the double AWPs.
It's a perfect time to pull it out.
And the margin for error is slim to none, 14 spirit.
Opening kill could really secure it.
Don't can share our top mid.
Forced away by the might incendiary.
Apex just stayed here there.
Yeah, he nearly missed the nade.
Oh, he has fucked the nade.
But there it is.
The second door has filled the feed.
Zontics was late to Palace, throwing nades to start off the round.
He's only got to take in that space back late.
Rops jumped up there and took that early, just sitting, waiting.
And that kills come in.
Now that's a home for Flamesy.
The opening incision of what should be the 16th.
He is massive.
I've never been to be smoke breaks.
He's on to Cheryl!
What's he doing at all?
He can!
And he rolled the big game play up.
Looking to be in a league of his own.
Upon the lift of this trophy.
Upon the conversion of this slam.
But this is just that first step.
nearly had the chance at the
donk on the jump across a one
versus four for Donk if he wants
to see Mirage extended.
It's the first onto a willy
hilly push of the smoke Zaru
secures it vitality so hard to
put them down spirit two
opportunities vitality ceiling
in overtime.
Checkmate is using my config.
What?
This is a private property.
Let me lock in.
Do you think that stealing is okay?
What?
Donks config.
One of your players has stolen donks config.
You need to ask for permission.
Well?
I did not consent to surveillance.
Your name and employee number, now.
No.
For the last time
No member of my team would ever break your mouse
Now that was a battle that had all the fix in we find out that it's gonna be vitality taken map one of this grand final
1613 but not after two
Back to back six six six score lines. That's four six is not just three
Another soul-crushing defeat for Spirit against Vitality on Mirage, man.
Finally, we get a close game in these playoffs also.
It feels like it's been a lot of stumps, but that game had everything.
Matt, worthy of a grand final, without a doubt.
But as you said, Janku, a little bit of a bittersweet feeling right now.
A few team Spirit kind of labeled it coming into the game,
that the ticket into the matchup for Spirit was by winning Mirage.
And they were dangerously good doing, so being up 12-10, you think to yourself,
OK, you can close it out when they were leading 11-8 in the game as well,
before Saivou stepped up massively again.
I thought to myself, okay, Spirit,
you've been the better team in this game.
You've been the better playing unit there,
say, on a map like Mirasso.
At that point, they deserve to win it.
Unfortunately, it doesn't matter,
because they couldn't close it out
and now they find themselves in a bit of a headache.
Yeah, and I think most importantly,
they were playing to win, right?
They weren't afraid to make plays individually
or as a team play the same way that we've seen them
in the last couple of games too.
And Taneer was definitely playing with some Bravado,
maybe a little bit too much when he came to that over time, you know,
it's like mid-round, it's a bit quiet, I'm going to push, you know.
See what happens, caught Robbs a couple of times,
but then Robbs got him back towards the end of the game
and it was very crucial down the stretch to shut him down.
He was the best player on Spirit.
Yeah, Robbs was absolutely tearing him in half, Jacob.
Robbs, you know, it is a player that we've definitely identified multiple times,
but in this grand final so far it is a Robbs show.
Yeah, he did a great job, you know,
he was involved in a lot of different departments in the game,
Whether that be opening duels, which normally is not his strength.
I think he won 4 out of 5 in this game.
He was also staying alive, you know, later into the rounds and winning rounds in the middle of it.
You know, turning around rounds where Vitality would be down 2 versus 3, playing a 3v4.
So, in terms of fighting impact in different, I guess, timelines of the round,
Rupst was involved in pretty much all of it.
So, another great example, you know, that as I said, coming into it as well,
there's so many different win conditions for Vitality.
Whether that is Saivoo stepping up when it's the most important.
whether it is RAP is having a great game.
Apex, from a fracking perspective, we spoke about it in the semi-final, even the quarter-final.
He's been the second best fragger for Vitality in the play-off, apart from Cyroo.
So there's just so many different ways to get a W of your Vitality, and we got to see a lot of them in this game.
Apex was instrumental on the CT side, right, because they were not off to a good start.
They were down 5-1, and you could see a lot of emphasis being put from Spirits towards that B bombsite.
and Apex as the rotator a couple of times, on the rotate a couple of times, already being there,
the right place in the right time, was just able to have so much impact, right, to sort of
deny spirit to snowball the first half out of control.
Some would say Apex is the only place for the Sundays. You know, at this point,
I think that's all that Vitaliy really thinks about.
A bit of a sweet tooth, no?
Yeah, a little bit, something like that, sweet tooth.
Hey, no, I'm thinking overall though, like great performance here from both teams,
So I'm thinking obviously we have at least a good final. You said the point right there that we have at least a close playoff game Jacob
We do we had a close playoff map so to speak, you know, and that could be my word
We probably don't have to talk about it now, you know
We can still keep focused on Mirage and what happened in this game
But but I could be a bit worried that this was the one chance bird had of purchasing a way into the game
Yeah, let's talk about some of those rounds. Let's start in the second half around 20
I think rounds really to me is is where vitality came back alive, you know
And I said it before, I'll happily say it again, Saivou, that the way he's able to find impact out of nowhere is great.
It's a relatively simple call, after a little bit of pressure applied in the middle, in the beginning of the round you go into a stand-up, E-execute.
Again, Teneir doing a good job getting the first kill, not getting the second one, then you see Santex getting the second kill.
But guess who's trading both of the times, that Saivou?
Also carrying the bomb on his back, as if he's not doing enough by getting the kills, planning the bomb right here.
You give it a few seconds, and of course Saivou will play it to perfection, getting a third kill right here.
Maybe I wouldn't say overextending a little bit right here, but finding another duel,
getting traded finally after getting a triple kill, and he leaves the team in a situation
where they can almost not lose the round. At this point, 11-8, Teneir gets the first kill.
You have essentially a 5v4, you have a 4v3. I thought Spirit were going to win the map and
win Mirage right here right now, but again, Saivou, as we saw yesterday on Ancient as well,
when they were playing Furia, he just comes up winning the man as the most.
It was absolutely necessary for them to win that round. That was their first round on the
T side really in the half and I think also the round right after was crucial too because
that was still a close round you know a lot of economy behind vitality after that round when
and you're going to the following round spirit with some aggression you can see Donk wanting to
get involved right finds the first kill she wrote from underpass as well he's a sick shot here now
it's a 5v3 right but if you look at it robs has already snuck out ram he understands it's a fight
from it. It's just so good. He finds the space but doesn't overextend and gets information and
a bit of a lapse here from Spirit leaving everything open in a 5v3. Don't get Sandwich
from Connector and now the kills come in as well. Here is IWU one more time with the multi-killing
back-to-back rounds. Sort of save vitality really in a way but that's just what makes them great.
the composure under pressure, the calm under fire, even though they lost two entries, they still
have that calmness and are able to get themselves on a really tough spot.
That is the cleanest 3v5 you'll ever see from any team. In the span of what five seconds,
as you said, with drops coming up, finding the space, clearly communicating to the rest of the
team that now is the time to pounce. Turning around a 3v5 like that, at that moment trace,
that is what won Vitality the game. I know they only got into overtime and had to get the job done
by them, but they would have lost had it up in for those two rounds.
Yeah, especially in that round. I mean, what, 11-9? You need that round. You need to kind of make
that effort to maybe avoid overtime if you can, and if not, just to secure it at the very minimum.
And if you're vitality, you've been in these situations before. You've kind of faced these
demons over and over and over again. And I don't mean beside a donkey company joining the server
and not missing. I'm simply saying like the idea that Mirage itself has given us a pretty good
feel. Yeah, but I think also what's important is the manner in which Spirit is playing. They
They haven't fallen off, they're still going for place, Tanir is still playing well, if anything.
I mean, Donk was average.
Yep, this map. If you just got a little bit more out of him, that one round, perhaps, right,
it could have been enough in the grand scheme of things.
So I don't think it's necessarily over just because they didn't win this map.
I think they can still give us something on some of these other maps,
because they have the quality to do so and they played well to kick things off.
I think along those lines, it was more Vitality playing well,
then it was Spirit not, you know, living up to any sort of expectations.
I agree. They played a good game of Counter-Strike, and with the level of Counter-Strike they played in this game,
they would have been able to beat pretty much any other team at this tournament,
apart from Vitality. That's the issue, though. Their opposition in this grand final is Vitality,
who ever since they entered the playoff has been a complete different team compared to what was on the group stage.
And for Vitality, this feels like home. For Spirit, also feels like home.
Especially when you go to Nuke, and you start on your CT side, if you're Team Spirit.
Isn't that cool? You know, we had Nuke at the third place this time.
and pretty much every matchup so far in the playoffs, but we haven't had any games going to the third map.
So we finally get to see it. Now, is it a good pick for Vitality?
I think it's one of those where I could have, I could have, you know,
wondered whether you want to go with Nuke first or you would have even picked us too,
or you would have picked another map or overpass for that matter as well.
I think they go with Nuke because they feel comfortable on the map. It's a map they played a lot.
It's a map that they're willing to go up against and start on a T side as well.
So if I'm Vitality, the way they approach it with A picks, you know, always being active in yard, always being active pretty much all over the map.
You described it earlier as well this tournament. Janko having ropes, you know playing ramp at that position
He's probably the best in the world at doing so gives them a great sense of balance and then Saivoo who with the AWP
Particularly on the CT side always finds it back. I think it's also a matter of spirit has had their struggles on this map
With this current iteration of the roster and perhaps a somewhat of a curve ball from vitality
I mean this is the fourth different map that they pick in this tournament third different mapping the playoffs, right?
That just tells you how deep their map pool is, how versatile they can be and make it very difficult for their opponents to sort of predict
where they're going to go with the beat.
You've been advocating for Rubs, you know, a couple of times playing Nuke being the most annoying player probably to go up against.
His average rating T side on Nuke for Vitality last three months is 162.
You know, that's the amount of impact he's finding T side on Nuke.
It is outrageous.
You add in that Saivou's average rating on the map overall is 1.50.
You have two of the best individuals in the world at playing Nuke going against Spirit,
as you said, who's been struggling lately.
I see this as a pretty clear-cut favorite heading into it,
and it's going to be tough and require something extraordinary,
if you're Spirit, and to near for that matter, to turn around that.
Well, tell me that, Janko. Tell me about what Spirit does here on that CT side.
You come out swinging. Do you come out trying to play the game you just came from?
Yeah, I think they have to keep being fearless, right?
And try to take the fight to vitality.
Don't let yourself be discouraged by the fact that you lost a close game,
and you had, you know, map points on Mirage, just, it's not over yet. Keep your head in the game.
Yeah, Vitality Spirit, we're going to go to a quick break so we can jump right back into it.
You are watching the Grand Final. This is the Intel Extreme Masters, and it is Rio de Janeiro,
2026. We've got Vitality Spirit ready to jump back into it after getting some rehydration,
which I invite all of you to do at home as well. We're going to go to a quick break with BRB.
Placent matches set your starting point.
Facet rating measures your impact as you climb.
The soft ELO reset narrows the gap between the highest ELO players and the rest of level
10.
Your starting point will be based on your recent ELO inactivity.
We're introducing Facet rating so you can see exactly how much you stack up against others
at your level.
rating measures how much your actions have increased your team's chances of winning
the match.
Picking into account the full situation.
Season 8 launches April 22nd.
Good luck and have fun!
X-Tas, can we grab you for a second?
Map, that was your weakness, goes unpunished.
Why do you think this is kind of your weakness throughout this event so far?
Because so far we did a lot of stupid mistakes on CT.
Today we didn't execute properly what we wanted to do at the beginning same on T side. We fade the window smoke
It was not on portals, etc
So each time it was just to fix and basically play what we wanted to do and then it was close game
And I'm happy we finished exactly that slow start. I want to mention
I want to praise you for your poses because you stopped the road at that one five score line
Can you share a little bit what you're talking to the guys during this process? Is it more like a pep talk?
Is it an adjustment in strategy or is it emotional support?
Like what are you bringing up throughout this process?
Because they're super influential.
The first was an adjustment and the second just to wake up cold
because it was two, three rounds.
I don't remember exactly.
Buy in a small buy and basically one millisecond of the time.
One super millisecond actually.
And then we were going down, down, down.
So I wanted to step up to have a good communication,
to take that time to execute properly
what we have to do and we did.
Thank you so much for this. See you on
yuk. I'm here at the Intel tent with our friends Intel and Acer Predator were over the course of this weekend. There has been plenty of
excitement going down. We already gave you a little bit of a peek behind the curtain as to some of the signing sessions going
down with the top players. But I would argue this is even more exciting because you get the opportunity to play on some of
the latest and greatest gear. And luckily, I've got an expert to tell me a little bit more about it.
Fi, I'm sorry to bother you mid-round, but I'd love you to give me a rundown of exactly what you're
working with here. Oh, don't worry about it. I'm playing on a beast of a machine. It's the Predator
Orion 7000 PC, 5090 inside, Predator Cyclonex cooling, literally everything you could want to play
high FPS Counter Strike. Of course, it's not just that. There's plenty of new and exciting things
coming in the very near future. Mac, tell me a bit more about that. Okay, so we have just released
the Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus series
processors about three weeks ago but
this baby here the newer Orion 7000
is going to have those new processors
in them as well as some new bells and
whistles but if you look at it that is
what you can purchase very very shortly
it's not quite released so it is the
first look so keep your eyes on it. It is
an absolute thing of view thank you so
much for your time I'll let you get back
to the ground and we get back to the
the grand final.
Spirit really have their work out for them now.
You're dealing with a cohesive vitality.
Every individual masters of their craft, they survived the test on Spirits Map pick.
Robs playing like a man determined to make history.
Up next, Vitality-Elect to take us to their turf of Nuke.
We haven't seen Spirits play so far in Rio. Last outing,
a loss to Mongols to eliminate them from Rotterdam.
So a couple of position changes here in Rio, a bit more in store, let's find out together.
This is the map that I was undefeated for Vitality so far in 2026. The loss to Falcons,
It's the only replenish on the record.
Just with the pistols.
The one in map number one.
Inevitable feeling.
These are Vitality's gold bars set back here.
And that was the question.
So we head to the Southern Hemisphere.
Who can stop Vitality?
Many thought it would be a slam dunk for the Grand Slam.
That resistance, it was limited. Maybe it's futile.
Top pop set up at the ready, door swing open, Molly goes in.
Taneir, you'll be taking that fight.
Oh yeah, media. Top block by Taneir. I think that's countered. Beautiful.
Yeah, it works out for Shiro as well. Guess that opening fang on to Flazy.
Sy will however just the one, takes him off of heart.
But Taneir again with impact. It's Mazzy right back in kind.
He finds the double kill. Things will slow down as Apex and Mazzy can relocate.
to be able to get the ball
to the right. Have info on to
just messy. He takes an unknown
entity. After this split right
now, you have to play for info
if you spirit. You can't really
commit to these fights. So. As
it says, I've been to shave one
off the pack, but as the time
continues to tick, you will have
to consider outside at a certain
point. You see him now pivoting,
worrying about exactly that. At
that moment, the door swings
moment, plant that bomb. See
planting heaven site. Apex
behind single and now magics up
heaven. It'll need to be
Zontics up the vent. They
unarmored Apex and Nezzie,
neither of which has the
additional all body shots
could be lethal. Nezzie's not
looking a clean headshot.
Doesn't matter now into the
clutch goes Apex springs in.
He heard Zontics. He knows
where he is exactly where he's
coming from. Doesn't matter
if it's a head to head,
though. It's just gonna be a
battle of wits a battle around
the site. That wasn't looking
good for spirit whatsoever. I
thought Zonti was going to have
to fly out the bend. The fact
he's gone noisy ramp and at the
same time, that's when Magix
activates. If you're all the two
players in the top site, if you
hear a player rant, you don't
think someone's going to start
peeking on their own. It was
very noisy running up. So I think
with that apex position
potentially hurt him and
messy for we had enough time to
kind of establish his position
Nice round to win and the bomb does go down. However, we know what that means a forced by it brews for vitality
I woof it's an AK-47 for his troubles
As they go little in the hands of mezi act 10 to tech nines and well everybody in lobby
Try and pressure zon'tix over towards ramp by the looks of things you till lined up here
They come what's a nice pop flash completely nullify son takes news his vision forced to turn tail tuck into
the side, but they're coming support alongside as well. He's got Donk, early start down here,
Zontics connecting as it's Donk in combination. They've completely nullified vitality on that
second round. Nothing to celebrate for vitality. That's not the way you'd hope the forcefighter
go. You need a little bit of resistance here. The fact that absolutely nothing done means,
of course, is the eco, but you don't shave anything off the pack. You don't put the quarters all
through the roof here for spirit. The flash was great. Zontics has to drop down, but the rotation's
better. This is just a shut down. It's a moment to mount number one where I think Zontics would have
hoped he's done a little bit better. This one, a very important moment to start off map number two.
I think again, the inevitability, vitality in that first map, we're thinking, okay, well at any moment
they're just going to wake up and bring it back and it did. It was, Zaiwu having to step up in a
massive way, but spirit is still bringing the fight. This is the best they've looked in some time,
definitely the best they've looked with magics as the in-game lead up.
Yeah, it might be some concerns, but to me, right?
Well, first, grand final.
The first couple of looks of magics calling the shots.
It was less than pretty.
Yeah, but I think it's just the attitude shift of the whole team.
It's not just his calling, right?
You need everybody to compliment each other.
The comms need to be on point.
And when the comms are on point, you're playing off of each other, right?
You're flying.
And what also builds that is ideas, having moves, taking the initiative.
It's also about trust. Trust is such a theme in these best teams.
It's every player knows if team's got his back.
I think that's the biggest point as far as Vitality can serve.
We could talk about...
Hang on. So I was nailed at first and threatening on the second.
Dong versus Zywoo.
8k versus D.G.O.L.
Dong stunned well.
Three kills deep before Flamesy finishes what Zywoo started.
I think more to be said here.
Yeah, that was his opportunity for Robbs, lingering and Lobby.
Magics with a peer in towards the squeaky door confirms his location,
but he oversteps the mark.
The bomb is outside Lobby, there's 25 seconds.
They need to move right now if they want to pick that up and give this a chance.
Robbs starts back, he's going to grab it, but at that point now there's sub-20 seconds.
Okay, so Zywin...
So unlikely.
Gonna have to come in from the main side.
Maybe Teneir gets caught.
He tucks into the vent at the perfect time.
It is just Teneir here, and Flav's a lazy on the clock.
Two headshots, instantaneous deletion.
Okay, I think there's a little bit of chance there for Tanea.
A lot more damage done in there and they weren't able to salvage the AK.
As Tanea, he's turning into the showman for the spirit roster.
Most of their personality is displayed by their output.
Tanea, he's got the smile on the face and he's happy to punch the crowd.
Now the gun's equipped by Tali, right for round number one.
Shiro gets his AWP.
He kept discussing the prowess of Mr. Cool, who had a fantastic first map of play on the T side of Nuke.
It's a tough job, but one that he makes look easy.
All of Smokes.
Such a heavy investment of resources, you're gonna be making a play around this.
Smoke break sets up Shiro, but they take cover, so we're well aware of the possibility.
A second this time, don't try to set him up, and all in this shot from Shiro goes punished.
And using the smoke as well, they'll quickly move, Flamesee's gonna catch the back turn here.
Sports him on the top of the heart, easy on Tomar, Jicks to knee!
Challenge! Flamesee huge! On the entry, just Zontik's here, coming in from Heaven.
Rob should have his number, and Vitality get off of that goose egg.
Okay, Flames inside with just the can open, it's ripping off heads, that looks beautiful.
When they throw that third smoke in, it's a call to question mark smoke.
It just creates so much parving opportunity, and for Donk, that gives him so much to be concerned about.
Understand that was the opening exchange, this one right here, getting peppered away on Shira after the opening,
but then Donk starts to worry about the slip through those smokes in the credit, are they going single, are they going main?
And that means the top defense is having to worry about a whole lot more.
Sure, it's the hard door and squeaky, but as soon as main becomes a problem, you're having to help yard,
you're considering all the comms and now your money is not in tatters but this
bite it's not pretty an open and then four
complimented by full of MP9s and a 5-7 the fight early necessary for spirit
they have to be able to try and bounce back in rounds like this we know
vitality can spirit need to be able to do the same
oh and it gets harder immediately just off a smoke spam Rob's pulls to near out
of the round. Looks like a test for Zontics brewing. Just a flash and go.
I have support. Shiro won't get here in time. Yeah, he's just got an MP9. At least he'll
have vision. Thank you, leading the path. Even the charge,
Mach 10, and shut down with empty hands. I do the save at this point. There's only
so much you can do there if you Zontics, especially with Tineir going down top. They're going
to hedge their bets. Donk! He's committed. He is fully committed to this fight. It's
It's a feast of fun and position.
It is one man versus vitality.
And he now is positioned as whereabouts noted.
He's running out of ammo and he's lost his head.
He won't be saving, at least not those two,
just Shirou's hope to be brought through to the next.
Rops may have just opened the runway for him.
Is he considering this possibility?
Shirou just parks up in lobby.
Rops goes onto the roof.
So there is a slight chance that Shirou can worm his way
towards T spawn and retain this it would mean that Robs would have to not be as
diligent as this man is and that of a robot is the Estonian. This is a man on a
mission today. He's already won back-to-back Grand Slabs but looking to
do it in the Vitality jersey to become the only man with three. Polishes off
Shearer, wipes the board and I'll draw this back to just a one round game as we
They were just on a 24 map run.
This event they secured.
The most top four placings in consecutive fashion of any team ever.
The same conversation happens every time we see this team in the final
talking about the accolades, how stacked the trophy cabinet is,
how polished each and every piece of this team.
There is still a debate.
The quieter it gets, but it still exists.
Is it Vitality the greatest of all time, or is it Astralis?
Yeah, Flames even taking to the interview saying that we want there to be no debate.
Well, this ESL Grand Slam, another one for Vitality would certainly bolster the conversation in their favour.
They'll be the only team to have accomplished that.
And then to be still running the rest of the season as clear favourites.
Head and shoulders above the rest of the pack who now playing musical chairs.
Roster changes left-flying centre.
Park is going to bring in Carrigan.
Maus have just made changes.
The pieces continue to move and Vitality continues to win as this eco 30 seconds remaining.
Time is the issue but...
Ah, it's Iowa Mezzi.
They light up the scoreboard.
It's down towards B.
They'll get that bomb down with ease.
You can still gather yourself an AK-47.
Yeah, I think make sure that you get that in dog's hands in the next round.
We know how wicked he can be.
Three rounds, T side, nuke.
Sun to simmer in nicely.
Just talking about that run.
Six straight before losing the Falcons here in Rio.
All of those outings, single-digit stomps.
The closest was a 13-7.
This is a map that Vantada are extremely strong on 13, 2, 13, 4, 13, 5, 13, 5, 13, 4, close at all.
And they start on the T side when they pick it.
And they're dealing with teams like Fury and Mongols, Aurora's in there, now's.
This one now is confirmed.
You look at last year, back-to-back mages.
7 straight titles, 30 consecutive best of 3, best of 5 series win streak.
And the Grand Slam that they were able to pick up down under.
Winning Melbourne over Falcons, definitely a final to remember.
And almost a year to the day later, it's only a week.
It's a week difference, it's almost the anniversary.
They're able to do it again right now in 2026.
This is their fifth tournament.
They already have three trophies.
They're looking for the fourth.
That concludes Rotterdam.
Rio up next, the world tour on display.
This record breaking excellence continues.
We're just going to sit back and enjoy it.
My dog, A.K. in hand.
back into the guns, then you stop the rock.
Look at his forward position from Robbs.
To strike him high gives you so little room to move in top that you don't even know.
And it's so sound cue based as well. You give him an extra sound cue,
you give him that extra step, that dismount and drop onto the floor, he will profit.
and he will punish.
Is he now...
popping out the second wave of sorry?
Here we go.
He's just caught a little bit of a window of opportunity,
but Magix will catch him as info, though.
Spots two towards the hut position.
I need to gravitate back towards Lobby now.
And as he has the bomb, Apex coming over to join,
so I would not too far behind.
It's Flameseek who needs to make some room outside.
Consider that room made.
Yeah, now it's your options.
Okay, do we want Flames to come back late for a top hit or do we want to just try and split B?
Flames you can go down secret.
They're aware of the possibility of the slips.
Zontik's announcing that by blowing off the double doors.
How far behind the rotation do they think?
They are in how many bodies do they think Vitaliy have committed to this?
Ramp is not open. It's Donk.
He's now starting to fortify this.
30 seconds.
He's on it. Nails it onto Sniper, finds it for first and looking for number two. Apex
too quick for it.
Darting down to the B site, light on time. They've got 17 seconds. Flames, he's still
unable to find Xontix. Process of elimination dictates, he's in HAK! Just in time, they
clear room.
Vitality, opportunity to plant with no response available. Down the vents is GK.
Coming in from the rampside hoping magics can find something on this flank attention drawn towards the rampside. It's flames. He versus magics
Tap from the head nice one to me. Magics onto flames. He's just messy in the clutch
He's got to find that second one heroes that
Spirits will make it a fourth
Well, something said bubble now on there. I think in that position he needs to get at least one
It doesn't matter in the scheme of things. They're able to retake in that 3v3
three, but it definitely ups the pressure. It's a well-handled. It's another round that
when you get what is essentially a free opener like this, the timing of ropes on the heart
push. Magics able to get there in time. Donk gets his. A great shot from Taneer to open
the way up for that retake and get back in. Now they need to establish themselves within
the gun rounds on this CT side. Consecutive feels mandatory.
Nezzy, fast heart.
How quick is he going on this?
Pushing that absence of the incendiary early heart.
Just rotated away, sure to help outside. There'll only be 2 on A to deal with this.
He's going. Walk it straight in. Perfect off angle, occupied by Magix to near from the heart as well.
Shots down Vitality, the door closed and Zaru is in it to win it.
Nice clean headshot, an opportunity for that Malti!
Oh, that got close!
Santic saves him in the 1v1, he pulled that 1v3 rapidly into 1v1 territory and it's Axtas on the mic.
Great showings by this top defence, they've been called upon.
Sure, it was a Rob's look-out in the previous, but that one right there was a full assault,
and both players in that A site had to deal damage early.
That gave enough time for the rotation to get there, the top site turned into a blender,
and Magics in Tanea they passed the test. Very important that they're able to convert those
but X-Tas before the finances are completely burnt through wants to get on the mic. They get 2400
loss burners into the next the full investments are there actually have a bit more cash than
maybe Spirit would be hoping for if they get the bomb down it could be another buy so maybe
not to be the partial on the follow-through even if they concede another little technical timeout
has been called. You can see it apex with the headset off.
The mics aren't going out to arena, so no need to watch what we say.
Name's E. 6K yet to buy. He won't have any issues.
Same kind of story of Mirage. Spirit putting up a valiant defense here.
It's mad, it's near the top of the tables. Again, map to map, from Maraj to Newt, to near continues.
Something lads, the yard sentry, excuse me.
Vitality again in no rush, you want to...
Stay down, OK, Apex is actually, this red space quite quickly.
Got the smoke, sure, he finds nothing.
Oh, it's too easy. Way too easy over the top of the smokes. Apex felled.
So I went closer to it to avoid that, but now susceptible to the spam.
It was Donk that attacked him up a little. Still enough time to get themselves across.
Bomb and two additional players down the secret stairs.
It's Robs that's ready for the angle to near on the clear.
that. That's a good one.
Yeah, Rob's profits. Let's us
into the four on four, but
that be finished. There's no
one down here. No one is
cheated over to do with this.
They know that's a possibility.
That backbox is zomtik. Sure is
actually evacuated to go. He was
attempting to help elsewhere, so
they will be able to get this
site for free. They're still
going to scale out as if there's
bodies. Are they up towards
right now, especially these mollies to be able to restrain.
Props, not playing the lobby, look, over towards Yard.
Three players looking to retake from Ramp. Magic still towards A.
This is even harder than the last one.
Mezi stays site.
Mezi gonna be the first one to run on the receiving end.
Ramp centric. Three players charging in.
Taking from Siren. Takes the head off. Nice from Mezi in reaction.
catches Zontics look in the wrong way and the rest achieved by virtue of the
number disadvantage. Shiro and Ajax just got a save. 1400 into the next they need
to hold on to these if they want anything to fight with they're gonna
evacuate back towards secret so retaining these no problem but Vitality
make it a one round game and I love that right there it's flashes as gay we
can't block the choke points but what we can do is once they've established a
little bit of space in that retail we can flash and we can clamp down just
They're dominant on that B site and it looks simple spirit not believing that it was gonna be to be finished the site completely unguarded
Suffolk
It's on the mic second tactical time out the first half of plate knowing how valuable
B CT side rounds are the T half. It's gonna be a completely different beast
Vitality, they're in the driver's seat to be able to only type things up, but extend
this lead.
And they are going to force bike behind the saves.
It makes sense with the 1400, but for the remainder of this half, you are going to be
working very little if you do not convert this one.
You're 1900 into the next, you take the save, 2400 you have a meek bike for the final round
of the first half of the second map.
You had chances on Mirage.
This is what I would, yeah.
Straight on to main roof.
This time Apex does get across.
Is anybody going to drop down B to acknowledge it this time?
Because if not, it's another key weakness that is just open for the taking.
I'm sure there's not the extra bodies. There's not the bomb, but there's so much space and
Fezzy.
Today has gone down a couple of times through smokes towards that top side. That could have
been another.
They're trying to channel him into this high angle. Shearrow knowing he has to be a bit
of a playmaker here inserts himself forward.
This sucks for Zontics. He's just heard the Molly go off towards double doors. So it could
be single.
God, no idea how close to there was. Way pecs.
You need to make some plays. You need to see that type of aggression.
Understand it's not easy on a map like Nuke, especially not with MP9s.
Yeah, Magic's actually got the info inside, who does avoid the shot.
Now the bomb is across.
Yeah, but Tanez down, have a low HP.
Oh my goodness, nearly two. Flamesy.
They're able to provide the trade, though.
Now Apex. Ooh, had to head with Zontics.
Moving the rifle.
Find outside could lead to a pivot. It's flames you with the bomb and zon'tix on the green
Beautiful again impact out of zon'tix. 25 seconds ross can get down this vent. Yes, he can shiro's chasing ghosts
Gonna be a little bit behind the
queue
Only seconds they have to find this fuck fast zon'tix
Supported by donk now tags up. I cut the vent. They are gonna pivot up roms. He's got the bomb, but shiro's got him
mentality's money that has concerns.
That's an extremely important round.
You need eight if you're spirit,
and this is a tall blown off top go.
No ramp.
A little bit of pace, definitely the name of the game.
Zaiwu raps, fight back after Zoncik's opening
into the top site.
You know, Teneir typically lives there,
and so a cut of noise, they completely cancel.
The fact that they just want to fight at ramp and top site
in the first 15 seconds of the round.
And you take it down Don Canceiro.
the amount of gaps available is huge.
Well, Yard's not one of them.
Teneir stands his crown, holds onto Yard,
puts Saouen the dirt, and pulls Spirit back into contention.
All right, now that it's level,
you have to plow through each other here, Spirit.
You've been able to claw this one back just.
Zontik still towards ramp.
Magix up in the heavens.
And Teneir will take over the responsibilities
at the top site.
So, Magix will just take this little gap
he's gonna have, a whole lot of information,
but can't do a lot with the shots.
A spots him, he's communicating this, he's playing for Apex,
shit hasn't dead to right, he's there on the tap, back in the skull.
He can't find the trade, hidden out behind that box.
It's still a partnership towards Teneir though.
They're looking for him, gonna make life miserable with the Molotov.
Faults into the fight, Robs pivots in.
In combination with Messi they find him, still lobby for Heaven.
And it's gonna be Stonzik's the place next.
Robs is not looking, Magix finds Robs,
and now they can double up, they'll double swing!
Messi on the adjustment!
They're so low.
28 seconds, he can't get back!
Considered it.
Three blitz, it's all Nezzie has to work with.
Magix onto his pistol, the 20 seconds, the pressure's on the T side.
And Magix does it on the USP!
A necessary round!
Closed down, clutch for Magix!
That's tough, where's the fights kicking off to Wartite and Ramp immediately.
You mentioned it, Donkenshiro, the first to fall, and they clawed this one back.
This is a hard call.
And Magix again, are playing ahead of his teammate, just like the pistol round.
He's just swinging out ahead, but taking these jewels, getting stuck in.
the butchers get the clutch done and the money in the bin for vitality you force in it's
tech 9 heavy there's one rifle.
Messi's got the galil.
8-4 on the door you would love that if you're the dragon.
Assess the bar certainly on par smoke wall all three thrown by Nezzi and the tech 9s
will start their crawl.
They suspect that they want to go through name and it's the right idea, it's the right
read.
It's going to be in the perfect position.
Only the one though.
Good for Zywoo.
Stop Stonk from the multi.
Rob's clearing corners.
Magic's up top.
Good for it.
Double kill on the farmhouse.
Apex lost man standing.
Eight.
It's found for spirit.
They're not going down without a fight.
That is a solid bar set on the defensive side of Nuke.
Vitality's pick, will it be Vitality's win?
I
I
Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen. It's Nuke and an 8-4 half from Team Spirit has got us
all locked in on what could be guaranteeing the fourth map if Spirit could pick this one up at
minimum. We're live from Rio de Janeiro, the FAMASI Arena having fun.
The Spirits were 2 in that first half. We swapped sides though. The CT side more favourable.
Vitality looking to pick up a pistol. The blocks are off in this one. A broken
by round late in the piece. Spirits out for success. They're showing some grip.
Spirits are the best pistol team in the tournament.
We're looking to go 3-1 in that department.
Zonk outside P250.
Oh, Teneir's been chipped away.
Solid connections from Flames.
He's spamming the smoke there.
Clean headshots.
We want our P2000 representing.
Takes out Zonk.
Takes Magix.
Finds a belated trade through.
Hot double entry from Magix.
He's got the bomb.
He's doing everything.
Heavy lifting from Captain Magix.
But Apex on the crawl gets...
Ooh, distracted by Donk and Shiro.
Profits.
Gets him on the trade from the Heaven.
Rob's clean onto Magix, just shero, two to find, knows he's got to dance between these two elevations,
it doesn't find the necessary fast bullet onto Messi.
Alright, we split him again.
And these in-game leaders, and just leering out heaven in these equal game-state situations,
taking such a chance, but it's worked for Apex just like it has for Magix.
few players that will use every trick and weapon in the book. It's crazy just to see it so early.
It can be quite a statement. Your second round, you're already running into an Org if you try
Ram. I guess that means he needs less help. I can focus elsewhere. The break of the smoke
doesn't find anything, but I'm straight. Well, it does. Donk chipped away, brought to 78 as everybody
from Spirit is going to be able to cross silently down secret.
Flames, he started down lower.
He's been jump-spotting this entire time, just balancing his head off of the arch
in order to get that info safely. And now, well, he's been spotted as well.
Thanks for the door open.
And now they're running straight into the MP9, an important trade from Donk.
And he could get weird.
Long range with that scope, though. Rob's got a couple of...
Perfect range for it.
One bag from Tinez, tech nine.
And we should see the bomb go down.
They're not contesting immediately.
Tenir allowed to scavenge an M4,
Rops creeps around the corner into Tenir.
Sontics as well.
They've got the advantage.
The second round, who needs the pistol?
They've only got Mezzi to get past.
Bombs been picked up now, they're worried about him swooping in.
It's a good door, double door, that's a bit of a problem.
But Mezzi, he's just come down the ladder.
He's going to let them play next.
So Bombs will get planted.
20 seconds thrust on the clock.
as Mezzi starts to make a move.
Oh, if he peeks, he's gonna potentially catch Tanea
before he finds cover.
Elevated spy, Asandor crying, Tanea's aim on display.
Another one of these rounds where Tanea has a multi-kill
in a very impactful moment.
This has just brought the half alive,
and they had already done the business on their CT side.
Excuse me.
This is a scenario now where Vitality go in with a 1,400 force fight.
You get past this spirit. It's your map to lose.
It's not just a fight that they're bringing, they are in it to win it.
Skauffer Zawoo, 3-5-7, it's Deagle from Nezzy.
Vitality bleed.
It's so nice to see this level out of Teneir.
Since he was rumored to be joining the roster, we had this lengthy period of time.
Obviously, Magix went out as Wei came in.
Zontics was hanging around for a period of time, but we knew that he was done with they were going to bring in Tanea
He hasn't looked uncomfortable if anything the teams looked out of sorts
Unlike they've just completely dropped us the face of the earth, but this is meant to be a contender for titles
And finally here in Rio, it's starting to look that way
Donk on this parthing get spotted by Zairu scout, but unable to connect the dots can't hit the short magics can
Flames he goes, does well, mid-range 5'7", a second on to Tamir's head.
Long range already jipped away, softened up by the HG, Apex with that 1-2 dunk in conversion.
Long range 5'7' headshot, Vitality could return and respond in kind.
With just armoured pistols, it falls to Zontics and Shiro, to rectify, make it just Shiro.
clear in this, not clear in Apex and he closes it down, Vitality, respond in kind.
I think the response time of that, they showed themselves outside, they get that frag immediately,
pivot up towards A. The fact that Apex after getting a kill outside is in the rafters tucked in,
just insane work, one step ahead on Vitality and they won't go down without a fight.
Flamesy, he's the one that ignites here to make this round a conversation, Apex at range,
Just keeps moving. Doesn't stop.
Just played that very well. The individual four-night of Apex.
Well, they take the eco.
They don't want to get drawn into the force by wars.
This is a...
decision to make when you're dealing with 1400 loss.
So next round only the 1900.
It's going to be touch and go.
Maybe it's an eco into a half, then into a full gun round.
the way it's a great opportunity now for vitality to work back into the game.
So we continue to tap as both teams
think some strong counter strike on display.
Offs his all of my feast here.
I know I'm the team spirit charging in.
The decedent eagle gets nothing. That scope advantage hero knows all too well.
How many did he get it?
He's done some damage to Zontick. Support has arrived as well in the form of Apex.
Just rotate in, blocks them with the incendiary.
Such an unfavorable fight for the Glocks.
I don't think they'll be getting too much done in this one whatsoever.
I'm just more interested to see what the bi-pad looks like from here.
Sophie used two of the tactical timeouts in the first half, so
Not sure he wants to take one going into the next then just have to put faith in the team
PC miss one together as apex
The farm up to donks got something done, but all in all
This will be the seventh round now for vitality
On the amount of time until they converge on dog and they're coming from all angles. Let's see
to lead team
So
Nothing for what is life are going to be heavier galils with this type of a buyer. I say that they're buying in selling back
This is such a
week by for what?
This stage of the half should be your first gun round. It's two AKs
Two Mac 10s in a tech nine. They've already been able to win a force by but this isn't that
Not a very smoke in the sky,
lurk smoke door,
wall of smoke yard.
Four smokes burned in the first five seconds.
You feel that you're forced into science
a little bit more poppy because of these
Mac10s and
TEC9s, but then you have the AKs on
Don Kinshiro, so do you want to give them
opportunities to work and
look for equal jewels? Well,
I haven't taken any space outside.
Not cognizant of
opportunity for Apex
Apex or Zywoo lingering around playing for info.
Looks like they want to go sent on through main.
Magics with flashes to facilitate, drops it, trying to synchronize now, it's in there.
Nice one and done, though.
Zywoo quick on the trade.
Apex has found Magics in this pacy top, this second wave.
Just crashing into the rock that is Zywoo.
Fero, he's gonna try and play for the plant, but Robs is just gonna have to end it here.
Makes it a one round game.
I like the idea, right? They threw the top utility first. That's going to draw the attention. That brings the yard players into focus.
Donk is able to find the gap and swiftly executes, but it's not enough follow-through, and now it will have to be an eco again.
So, patterned rounds, falling favorably for spirit as the blue wall, one out of the five rounds, one in the second half, so far, four vitality.
the next so by virtue of a
little bit extra cash they can
equip themselves with some
pistols again. If you couldn't
make them slip up in the last
with some misdirection, you
have to hope that you catch a
good timing and wanting to try
drops again by the looks of
things this time playing over
towards elbow. Actually starting
to path forward does that mean
that there's support on the way
The smoke is about to fade. Magic's selling a fake towards Yard, but it is all on
Robs. Borg, primed and ready. Tineer gonna be leading this charge.
Robs prime, starts to unload. Oh, and it's only the two before Don gets his
Tech 9 frag accelerating into the B side, but my foul, Flazy, catches Tineer
bringing a knife to the gunfight.
Donkers found Rob's rifle.
Seven bullets in the mag.
Magics a free frag of four Apex.
So a helpless one for team spirit here.
And Flames is going to play by the book.
Could have just swung, took that fight.
Such a huge man advantage.
But then it was on the line.
You want to get this one time as quick as possible.
That's how they've been letting the world know
that the focus is on Rio getting these gold bars.
that cool Millie. Take the pressure off with the major right around the corner. Looking
for the three Pete. Don't need that extra baggage, Donk. He's in this side. He's faked
the flag. The door swings open. There's one, but times against him.
Oh, it's him for an effect to faked the Nade only by a hat. Runs at him to try and die
the defensive side. You just
have to return to round number
three of this half. I think that
the T sub was always going to be
difficult for spirit was always
going to be an uphill battle. But
once you had spilled over the
money, you knew that my tiny
would buy him back in with that.
Pretty average looking weaponry.
That was your chance to rack up
double digits and likely 11 putting
you pretty much in the lead.
and likely 11, putting you on the precipice of another map.
You had your chances on Mirage.
Now we're all tied up here on Nuke 9-9.
Robs starting down towards B.
Now because the smokes haven't come in yet, Robs can actually
continue to take this space.
He knows that nobody could have crossed secret yet,
which will allow him to get to the stairs and be a jarring presence.
Okay, he's going to have to respect the flames.
Molotov throws that into question, second wall, throwing them prompt to you through the red.
Robson's fully committed to this fight here.
He's peaked on in. Doesn't get the fight he was looking for.
Magics will bring him down and they keep five or rather four alive. Excuse me,
Tanira died over towards the silo position. That's a lot of information that Robson gets
right there. He sees those three bodies. He knows the bombs there. And apex is quick on that.
Looking for the lobby lurk and apex is so
Oh, he looks away as dog strikes. Takes the head off of apex, frustration visible.
Magic's going for that plant. Uncontestable.
Sorry from the rampside, Neat to Nezzy.
He claims he's trying to draw attention to himself.
He's fumbled, the smoke goes down the staircase instead, he was hoping to obscure the cross
offence but he still hits the shot.
Takes down Donk, gets a 3 on 3.
Clock ticking in Spirits favour, chunk of damage, Delta Magic's back site, swinging from the
single side.
Flames he can apply, the pressure, instant head shot out of Magic's.
Looking good to collect, Shiro with the spray, only Mezzi and he's been just tagged, position
Noted and there's no time.
Spirit will find double digits first.
You can see Counter-Strike timing right there.
The difference between Apex and Wingo losing that round.
Just the fact that he looks away on that parvink.
If he's able to get behind and they're not considered that's a multi-kill.
This one, a little bit rough for Robs.
He's been very good in this series so far.
He's 18 and 12 right now.
So that's probably his only misstep.
And Donk was already low.
So, you felt he should have at least gotten one in that environment, but the team was there to make sure he didn't go down.
Once more, double digits, reached first by spirit.
Only on the line for Vitality in this one. The only one with extra cash is Apex.
They lose a sight early as those nades chunk donk.
They just push Lobby. So many moving pieces. So aggressive.
He's looking for the lobby lurks on Tixdwar's trophy.
Donk into the warehouse.
Yes, so many moving pieces.
Glamis keeps going.
If anybody heads back, they're going to be caught out.
Rageous.
But Arm descends the secret stairs, rops to receive them.
Oh, Tom.
Yeah, Zairu, unaware.
Donk's have walked this whole way back.
Turns to Zairu, gets a whiff.
Just in time.
So the opening kill goes the way of vitality.
Robbs has got support in the form of apex towards control power position from Robbs
We have two rounds with empty hands. No, sir
Finds magic Shira to swing on it for number two and Robbs has got the bomb in front of him
Zontics reveals the lurk on hut
Nothing else to be done though. And so a tied up game 1010 seems inevitable
It's just gonna have to hold on to this 30 seconds where he holds his breath and flames
Yeah, right? He went around the world and found nothing. Maybe he can remove this
to take the threat away to the
following. It's 2,400. The
spirit and that's not really
going to set them up with
anything. Convincing in the
bias. It's been a spotty half.
Consecutive rounds would have
gone a long way. If
Sontics goes down after time.
That is absolute worst case
scenario. Flames is not going to
the next round of play. Oh that's
going to leave the camp of
Team spirit with a sour taste
in their mouth. It's been hard
to be able to get these buys
together and it's going to be
even more difficult now. It's a
sixth sense for Zyra. Maybe
difficult now. Just a sixth sense for Zyra, maybe unzoomed and caught him in his peripheral.
Shake it off, have to use these 30 seconds wisely. Whether it's about what follows through
in this one or the next, the game's far from over. The feeling of inevitability when you
up against Vitality. You're trying to buck that trend. Magix has had some big moments.
17 frags for the in-game leader and his grand final debut in that role. Pressure on this
man's shoulders. They've decided not to shove and go for another one of these wonky buys.
There's already been enough of those in this half of a plate. They're going to take the
conservative approach. Some other pistols upgraded. Next round with the 2900, they will
be able to buy. You'd love to get a plant if you're Zontix. That's just to help him out, right?
2900 plus the 400, it's not going to go too far.
A Donk Diggle headshot would go miles. You have to get past this off angle. Look at him go.
Robin cool, the sweatlord. Off angle, Org, poised and ready to shred your unarmored opponents.
And then try to grab every time on the D.Cams and flash. Headshot angle, absolutely.
Farming gets three!
A wall bang would have been nice a little early from the first, but Tag's Marchix on the second,
to here on the walkup gets made in. It's like you could just see through walls.
Zywoo collects another! Just Robson and Zywoo dealing with this one, no threat, no sweat.
Just wonder how many offerings has Robs gotten.
I'm trying to make sure that Zywoo doesn't get his 31st MVP.
I think you're right.
I just feed the X. I know the adjustments in play, but Robs with that Org,
has had so much activity.
Magic's can't do anything with
it and understandable with the
type of buy that they brought
into it. Okay, the guns now
is on ticks. It's just going to
have to concede and work with
the Mac 10. Sheerah gets his
all. The AKs are there. This is
one of the better looking buys
throughout. Maybe the weirdest
looking new pile I real for
Robbs. Maybe the logic is that
against the EECS, if he gives
it up, he's opposed to now to
use it. Uh huh. It's going to
or so kills with that aug against very lightly equipped opponents and now up against the guns goes m4
an easy way back into this spirit it'll be only against the rifle rounds down the stretch
that is so cheeky push is on the first smoke
Straight through squeaky door, catches Shira with his knife out, pats around his ankles.
Didn't know about that push where he went around the world before, so why not?
He dipped his toe, the water's warm.
It's just the most frustrating death for Shira, you could empathize.
Just screaming. I can't believe he's done that.
He's still hanging around for more.
Not conceding to play the man advantage.
advantage.
He's on his praise.
Well, Messi's here as well.
CT-Vent.
They can double swing this.
That's faded.
OK, Zontics thinks twice about it.
He's going to flash him in.
Zontics, how quick can you turn?
Swings on in.
Spots Zontics for the head to head and calls for backup as well from Trophy.
45 seconds.
Oh!
What's the point about this?
Mades out.
OK, very aggressive from Flames.
He enables an equalizer from Magic scavenging Shiro's law but puts it to good use.
Nox on the main door.
It's an air-through squeaky.
Masi one onto darkness.
The peak through, leg shot.
Apex is alive.
Second least of lives.
I will with the need to finish.
And Magic's heading for the hills,
wanting to hold onto this.
Brutal, brutal.
It's another one of these scenarios, right,
where Apex playing the Joker.
Either calls one of his teammates or it's himself,
hiding in that top site ahead of the plate.
And that's 12, secure.
And Blemish on the record against Valken.
That one's not going to matter. That's group stage. This is in pursuit of the gold bars.
The Spirit have had some real fight in them throughout both maps so far this grand final.
You mentioned the ones that have gone. It's the one that's coming up next that I'm the most excited about.
44 and 4 Vitality to Apex led squad on Dust 2.
They've won 16 consecutive.
Spirit, it's also their home turf.
11 and 1.
What a shot. Yeah, he was dongs reacted like that. That's how you know you've been a banger.
And he didn't slam the table, he was impressed with that one.
Last ditch attempt.
As you on map 1, who had the 12-10 scoreline, Vitality brought it back to overtime and ripped it out of your hands.
Nice little run boost to get Shirou set up to try and catch an opening kill.
Apex have absolutely none of that, he's got his hands off the mouse and keyboard, checking his teammates' monitors.
No sign of who's got the cross, and I can't quite believe that Flamesy's pushed Lobby in back-to-back rounds
a grand final no less with map point at stake he brings the fight through lobby through the smoke
he's such a trickster oh and apex hits a heavy to near down on the yard spot
five on three vitality set to collect a two map lead flash out more fight this time dog humbles him
Flash to get him on the swing, Donk's toes tapped from the hot position, and oh my god
he perfectly read it, he's read him like a block, Zywa with a 5-7 up close, punishes
the smoke walk, it's going down for spirit.
reaggresses from the CT side, Robs is cleared out Lobby, they don't let Spirit
catch their breath for a moment. 30 seconds, bomb outside, Churro down towards B,
this one's hopeless, this one has absolutely no chance, Zywoot ensures it
and now it's just Manjix, a 1v4, the time is ticking, he knows his fate and so to
the team, it's map 3 coming up next, Messi will secure it and Vitality take a 2
map lead apex more than happy with that one but the spirit close but no cigar
time and time again it needs to be a different look on dust too or this one
is done in three
Members of the jury, rise. Placements hearing. Proceed.
This is bad. This is bad.
Now this is talent. 5k you are.
Good thing Donk isn't deciding your ego. Your placement games do. Season 8 starts 8.22.
Spirit tries hard as you absolutely can.
You win that first pistol.
You even convert.
You think about maybe even taking the conversion from Vitaliy in the second half, which you
do, but it's still just a little shy of where you want to be.
13-10 here in this grand final second half for the Intellixtreme Masters.
I'm traced.
Got Yankee on the middle, pimp down on the end, but ready to talk a little bit more
Vitality, as if there's any other team quite to talk about like them.
Yeah, it's crazy.
Every time they seem to be on the ropes, they just find a way to recover, you know.
players start stepping up they win rounds they're not supposed to on paper
rounds that they're the big disadvantage going out of spawn in terms of weaponry
in terms of utility and that's what makes them great is no matter the
situation no matter the disadvantage they find a way to win. I can't help to
feel for Spirit a little bit because I agree you know Vitality are playing
great Counter-Strike very composed Counter-Strike finding ways to win you
know when you think it's not possible but I don't think Spirit is playing bad
by any sort of their imagination I think as a team right now they're showing
up some of the secondary line-up, you know, some of the secondary, I guess, actors within
the lineup are doing a good job in Magics and Sun Tix finding impact, and Nier continues
to have a great showing. There's only one piece missing right now that could tip it
over the scale sort of for Spirit. And that is Donk. That's the only thing I'm missing
right now from Spirit, from seeing and, you know, maybe staying, that they're playing
some of the best counter strikes I've seen Spirit play in a long, long time.
I don't think it's just Donk. I mean, Shiro's the lowest-rated player for the series. Magics
is their highest-rated player so far, Tanir being second right and we're talking about them losing
the first map in overtime and second map 13-10 after having an eight four half right and winning
that fourth buy really which is where you thought all right now they're gonna be able to close this
out but Vitality found a way to bounce back that's a huge issue for Spirit at the moment it's their
stars that are letting them down. Yeah and it just seems like yeah you might have Vitaly where you
you want them if you're spirit sometimes and some rounds but yeah you get those
miracle rounds you get those things with robs is known for side who's coming out
and pulling it right out of the back pocket you can't account for that if
you're spirit no you well you can't and you can because that's gonna happen every
single time you're playing vitality it's just about whether you can withstand
the pressure and whether you can cope with it and I think there was a few
examples in this game where they actually did it round 11 is one that
want to bring up if production is ready for it that's around that has a lot of
elements to it why I think spirit are really good standing the pressure coming
You see Santex going in straight away, finding a kill, finding a duel right here, then a trade coming in from Cyru, perhaps a little bit lucky, it is one of this, a 4v4.
Another duel taking place, and you now have Vitality playing a 4v3 tenure, not afraid of exposing himself in Yard, taking a duel versus Cyru, Magix making it a 3v2.
Vitality applying pressure all over it, again walking towards the inner bomb site right here, flushing out a player on the side, making it a 2v2.
I feel like there's so many occasions in this round where Spirit could have lost it again, a 2v1, Messi gets the first kill,
plays a 1v1, it goes down to this, where there's dual, where both players are down to 1 HP essentially
and MadTix wins it with the USB. At this point in the game, when it's 7-4 for Spirit, I think by
telling you applying all the pressure that potentially can, you see Teneir's response going out yard, taking a
hit tough fight versus Saeru, they were outstanding that pressure in the first half. They were outliving it almost
and still it wasn't enough to get the win over the finish line. So, you know, the more I think about it, the more
I watch this game, I want to give credit for really putting up a great fight to Team Spirit, but it's just not
spirit but it's just not enough without Duncan and Shearer. Yeah they're absolutely taking the fight
to vitality you know and you also need to give them props that for losing some of these rounds
to pistols and whatnot they're not fazed by it you know they don't get tilled from it they're still
trying they still had opportunities in some rounds but unfortunately when it comes to those
3v3s when it comes to some of those post plans their guys just aren't delivering that's where
that's where you need Shearer to step up right in the clutch that's what he's good at that's where
where you want Donk to get you a sort of a multi-kill perhaps, where there isn't a post-plan.
The opponents are just saving, and that hasn't been there today for Team Spirit.
No, but it has been there for Vitality, and I mean everything else besides that.
I'm talking about the side of Apex and company leading these guys to victory on Nuke.
Not nearly, I'd say, as convincing.
You know, we have a spirit in the final, but, yeah, for Vitality, step ahead every single time.
That's what it feels like. You know, they find different ways to win every single time.
Every single game where the matters the most this game is again, you know
You win the pistol in the second half, then they lose the force by the team spirit anything
Okay, that's it spirit are gonna run away with it now
I think chat said it during the cast as well. They are the firm favorites to win
It then takes 40 45 seconds for for my telly to head into the force by around in round 15 win that one
I think we have it as well when you win that round, you know, and you kind of kick start your own momentum on the CT side
That's where I feel spirit lost a little bit. That's what we see don't visibly being frustrated
That's what we see, Donk, maybe.
I wouldn't say trying too hard, because we shouldn't revert from playing the style of Counter-Strike.
You don't normally play it, but he's not really finding the success that you want right now.
So I think it's a case of both, where I'm telling you, yes, they're playing good Counter-Strike right now,
where Spirit, as you described before, is well, they're not capitalizing on the moments in the game right now.
They had someone Mirage, they had some here, Nuke.
You can argue they could have won both maps, yet they're down 0-2.
Yeah, that's what I said, right?
Like, don't underestimate them.
They still have their chances, even though they missed out on Mirage,
but eventually you're going to have to find a way to close out, right?
Just being within striking distance isn't good enough.
And with Dust2 around the corner, we know about Vitality's track record.
And you wonder that it's just being these close losses
and some of these rounds that they're losing, they're not supposed to
starting maybe to chip away at the mantle of Team Spirit.
Yeah, and for Team Spirit,
well, they might be taking a backseat to this next little installment that I've got for you.
It's our DHL MVP.
Who will be the DHL MVP? You decide. You can participate in the DHL MVP vote as it happens.
Make sure to be tuned in to the Twitch stream and be ready to have your say.
Well head of the two best Dust2 teams the world has to offer. We are looking to crown
our DHL MVP. Our first candidate on the block today will be Robs.
Rops has had a great series, Rops has had a great amount of impact in this game so far
and Rops is doing exactly what he was assigned to do in Vitality.
He is a different Mega on the server, he's been a different Mega in terms of the way he precisioned himself
and finds impact in pretty much any given scenario that he can offer.
Hi Australian player of the finals so far, always there for the big games
and another guy who seems to always be there for Vitality when it matters of course.
It's going to be the Wu, not having to do all too much in this game,
but on Mirage we pointed out a couple of rounds where he really stepped up on the T side
to get his team into OT and we just know he's going to find ways to be impactful every single time.
Always, always in contention for the MVP.
Messi as well.
Isn't that a pretty, pretty...
Brazil, thanks.
I don't know, I think Epic should be in there as well.
It's the first real CT side player for Vitalik.
True, and I can do the best thing, can be on the server as well,
but not to say anything away from Messi.
I think that's a close call for who's gonna be third in that race for now is messy, but I guess that could change after that too
Yeah, it can change with your votes at home
This is your time to get activated in the channel that you are watching the game on is our DHL MVP boat
So I would invite you to do that now that we can talk about
Third and potential final map of IEM Rio here and in doing so we're talking about that's to we're talking about vitality
Starting on the CT side. We heard Chad say that these are the two of the best dust two teams the world has to offer
Why?
There's levels to being a good Dust2 team.
Yes, Spirit is great on Dust2, and I respect a lot of the work they're doing on it.
Vitality is on a different level. They're the best team to ever touch that map, hands down.
They've played the last 12 months, they've played the map 38 times, and they won 35.
And in the last 24 times, they've played the 23 of those games, right?
It's a map they never lose.
Apart from that one-time versus team Spirit, long, long time ago, where they lost 13-2.
So you're telling me there's a chance?
I'm telling you there's a couple of percentages of a chance. I agree. Spirit is a great Dust 2 team.
Vitality is the best team to ever charge the map of Dust 2 and right now they're in a streak that is unheard of.
In those wins, in those 24 wins they've had, you know, as of recently. I think 16 or 17 of those games are single digits as well.
It's not even close.
Yeah, those are all great points, but I just have a feeling that Spirit has been playing too well the last couple of games to get 3 out here.
And also, a really donking shero just gonna be AFK for this final, I mean, not literally,
but right where are some of the big moments from those guys.
And you feel like on Dust2 at the very least, you're gonna get a couple of rounds from them.
And that's all Spirit needs at the moment to win a map.
You just need a couple of rounds from their stars, because as a team, you know, they're right there with Vitality.
I get that and I agree, and I hope that's the case, but that's also under the conditions that
But Maddix continues to perform at this level, and Teneir continues to perform at this level.
And while I do believe Teneir can do that, I'm having a tough time seeing Maddix ending
this series as the top fragger and the highest way to play up for Spirit, then you know something
is wrong.
Oh, then it's going to be a 3-0, I feel like, if that's the case.
It's going to be a 3-0, right?
So, that's the issue.
I'm not even sure if Shiro wakes up, and if Dong wakes up, that's going to be enough to
take down a team like Vitality and Dust2.
They have so many different ways of playing this map.
Robs is a guard on the CT side, shutting down the B bomb side, Sairu roaming all over
the place.
the amount of impact he's finding and the amount of chaos he's creating on this map
is also something you should take attention to, so yeah, I'm gonna be honest, I think this smells of a 3-0.
And we remember the last time in Melbourne when that grad slam was right there, it gets sketchy, you know, towards the end.
The pressure starts mounting when you're right there, so let's see if it's the same case for Vitality this time around,
or will they just close the deal 3-0?
Yeah, they've probably been through this motion a couple times now at this point.
I mean, it seems like a regular Sunday occurrence for Vitality find themselves in the server
and for us to go to a break so that we can come back and jump into dust too.
That's right. This could very well be potentially the last map
the Intel Extreme Masters Rio de Janeiro 2026 and it could very well be a map
that secures the ESL Grand Slam 14 Vitality.
We go to that quick break and we're jumping right back into it.
You're watching the Intel Extreme Masters.
Face it matches such a starting point. Face it rating measures your impact as you climb.
The soft ELO reset narrows the gap between the highest ELO players and the rest of level
10. Your starting point will be based on your recent ELO inactivity. We're introducing Face
it rating so you can see exactly how much you stack up against others at your level.
Face it rating measures how much your actions have increased your team's chances of winning
the match, taking into account the whole situation.
Season 8 launches April 22nd.
Good luck and have fun.
You and your tricks can't mix up!
We are back!
What's he looking at?
Inspired by our French comrades.
I've decided to shuffle things up.
We are swapping the walls of a catastrophe!
Wait, does that mean...
Yeah, it does!
Mr. Maitreya!
Alex, the machine! Tell me, how is the shop for me?
Even though she's been doing it, you deleted it!
You're too...
You must have confidence in the shopper!
Who ordered all this?
Now hold on a second!
You have one person, one job, that's all you have to do is a part of your intelligence!
What's going on here?
Bye bye, Alex!
Merci beaucoup!
My map, thus too, is so beautiful when the sun is low.
That nightfall that Hilo harvesters left.
Their cruelty to my people is all I have known.
Made I must live.
That's better.
And a double kill, it's all onto Alexi.
Picking.
He's got 19 bullets, everything he needs.
No, you...
...cook.
Does he swing off the name?
You've got the name!
The name's the name!
The name's the name!
I'm not human, it's virtual.
In my desert, my ego, I dust you.
Oh for fuck's sake, I'm missing with any fucking bastard.
I'm here at the Intel tent with
our friends Intel and Acer predator
were over the course of this weekend.
There has been plenty of excitement going down.
We already gave you a little bit of a peek behind the curtain
as to some of the signing sessions going down
with the top players.
But I would argue this is even more exciting
because you get the opportunity to play
on some of the latest and greatest gear.
And luckily I've got an expert to tell me
a little bit more about it.
Fi, I'm sorry to bother you mid round,
but I'd love you to give me a rundown
over exactly what you're working with her. Don't worry about it. I'm playing on a beast of a machine.
It's the Predator Orion 7000 PC, 5090 inside, Predator Cyclonex cooling, literally everything you
could want to play high FPS Counter Strike. Of course, it's not just that. There's plenty of new
and exciting things coming in the very near future. Mac, tell me a bit more about that.
Okay, so we have just released the Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus series processors about three weeks ago,
but this baby here, the new Orion 7000, is going to have those new processors in them as well as
some new bells and whistles but if you look at it that is what you can purchase very very shortly
it's not quite released so it is the first look so keep your eyes on it. It is an absolute thing
of beauty thank you so much for your time I'll let you go back to the grind and we get back to the
to the grand final.
Team Vitality standing on the precipice of history.
The FAMASTA arena, just one map away from bearing witness to this.
No team has taken two ESL Grand Slams,
and they stand just one map away from their primary objective.
They've made no secret that all eyes this season
were on claiming the gold bars for the second time.
And Robs with his Midas touch, every roster he touches has turned to gold.
He stands to do what no player has done before, to be in a category of his own, a third Grand Slam, within tushy distance.
Spirit of put up a fight today, double digits, close near misses, clutches going their way, pistols going their way, but that has not stopped vitality.
Will Dust2 be different? Chad most excited for this one, the two teams he considers the
best at this very amount, locking horns with the stakes this high.
to
Doc's been quiet that needs to change
The rest of spirit is functioning as it needs to we need some massive tonk moments
Mate long pop on the table. There's the flash. That's how we're gonna lose vision. I'm not gonna lose his head
Oh, he's just out two heads out of the round just like that. It's so calm
the long doors and I will not
just taps head. Three dead out
mid for Zontics. No brawl, no
mid rounds. Just a two man
advantage. That's beautiful from
Zawoop. Here it feels like he's
taking his game to another level.
That's crazy to say with someone
who has the accolades of this
man apex still shooting hard for
for the old man, the in-game leader.
He's more than that.
He's a captain, a strategist.
He's a leader.
Yeah, he is the engine room of this squad.
He's the enforcer when times are tough.
He'll take the hits.
All right now, this perfect concoction of players.
I don't have lightning in a bottle.
They've got a sustained thunderstorm.
It's only elite teams who are able to claim ESL Grand Slam, Astralis, Liquid, Navi, FaZe,
Vitality, and they're looking to conquer it twice.
An eco here, force spirit.
They're going to get a little bit of long control, but this all counts for nothing.
They will be swept under the rug swiftly.
My guns will be coming out the next.
This is one of the maps that they've definitely made their home tour, somewhere that also
Tanira has been comfortable making his moves.
If I need to see Donk, show us some of that,
or try to test the battle hardens.
Right, he's a beast, he's a monster.
And his team needs him now.
The eco dealt with, the guns now equipped.
It's focusing on some of this, not pattern calling,
But tendencies that they've been showing throughout the tournament the crisscross smokes how they're able to plough for the different looks
Tani will have studied all of those
Let's go into the motions donk and zontics will be gifted lower tunnels, but
They'll be made damage apex trying to slow down the cat roll with that incendiary onto his he
He knows a lot of the strategies revolver on this Xbox lineup is Zontics that stomachs
the HE.
Picks up an extra one left in CT.
No surprise there.
The reason his U2 damage is so high is two factors.
One, he's got his lineups on lock.
But two, they funnel them to the man because of the positions he plays. Flames, he borrows in.
This is going to be tough for Tanir, Donk and Shirin to break without a flash.
Just chef's kiss. Off the incendiary. You're not ready for this? No, at all!
The sound cue gave him that false sense of security. Flames, he kept humble to one.
Zayweez angle. Ooh, nice shot out of Donk. That's his second contribution.
If Apex is under pressure from the short side, he gets two.
Completely nullifies both of them on the short.
Smoke for the cross in a 2-1-2.
Robbs is going to be mantling up.
It's Mezzie playing close to the smoke.
She's got a plant safely here.
Defensive smoke into the site.
Bomb will go down.
Time is perfectly. Robbs gets out.
Does manage to find Donk.
Now all on to Shiro's shoulders.
And he falls to Robbs too.
Tossed guns and not going to find the win.
Very well done there from Apex.
Understandable Flamesy.
He's the one that caused the chaos.
Donk, massive trade.
But the bigger is the shot on N'Zai.
that opens up the avenue for the split.
So this is how it kicked off,
but it's all Apex on the side getting a multi kill.
He has had some really important moments,
especially early on in halves.
These are stabilizing rounds.
No, that is going to have to just be the partial investment now,
as the smile on the face of Mr. Kul
in pursuit of the 30 SL Grand Slam.
And with the formula, he was in in Rotterdam,
the form that he's been showing in this final so far.
Before we met it into map number three, he was already 52 kills deep.
to be top of the server without a doubt I mean that's one of the factors with
Rob's it feels like when the pressure is at its highest when legacy's at stake he
finds another level actually invested a little bit more don't has an AK right
now was a tag early from the scouts so this one it's a bit of intrigue about
it this opportunity shero as well he had the scout primed so now you've got the
coordinates of Zaru's orb don't feels like he can take up that space limited
you took to the finish right now I was still very early stage in the round but
regardless it's just a handful of smokes and one of them's been thrown out for
the mid to be he's gonna go for a sweep facilitate by apex you tell oh smoke
they're pushing so I will call off doesn't just finds magic with a trade
from down there. It's flamesy. That's the problem. Just tapping heads. Crushed our spirit.
Just some takes a nice shot on the deal. Finishes what she wrote. Started a second is stunning.
A third asking too much. He's starting to heat up there. Good damage done. When you make that
type of investment, that's what you're hoping for the plant. That would have helped out.
Make sure everybody has AKs going into this, but regardless, that was a partial. I know
look threatening and they're fortunate that it was this was great from flames he gets there inside
the flash the sharks and everything stolen this cat push he thinks I was getting caught off still
finds that opening kill but now both snipers with their weapons of choice shiro has his
sorry trying more wall bangs we've been seeing plenty of that oh wow about that one four blind
shiro catches flames he over extended on the long corner fast blood drawn you've got to make the most
of this now. Shiro's giving you a gift of an opening. Flash is for good, but Shiro, just the perfect timing.
H.E. still breaks. Catches a glimpse of magic towards the X-Box, or at least audible. Now Apex
gonna sweep on through shore. Shiro looking the wrong way, loses his head to Apex on the aggression.
How messy. Yeah, you'd think that would be it. You'd think the aggression is done.
He's backing off.
I'm going to give one back, Rob switches up the tunnels, they just keep moving.
They're always moving, it's so brutal for Spirit, they're getting clamped in on.
I wouldn't expect this to happen.
Surround this!
Back turned, Don gets away on a scrap of health and send the aerial force to decision.
It's Apex through the smoke, catches Zontix, chain available, good for Magix.
He's open, Teneer's taking it.
There he has, but the bomb's still on Catwalk.
It's a weird dynamic now, Zybel would have to hit the flick of his lifetime here.
Teneer's got the drop on him.
I didn't know how the palsy looked around!
Catches him!
One step too many!
Bombs picked up, you've got Messi on A.
He's just tucked inside, he's letting them come to him.
They got Monies though.
That's gonna, oh go Goose.
That's not gonna go site.
Messi's got a safe haven.
Perfectly positioned for this to keep Faitanthes round rolling.
Down he goes!
Magics can't do anything!
And for Donk, he doesn't have the health to come up clutch.
Maybe he does!
Maybe all he needs is a 14!
14, because Xayu versus Dong in the 1v1.
Hard hand on Xayu.
Overlown picks up the M4 to clutch up.
I think in that little sequence right there,
Taneir's taking plait control and he's jumped off of plait to get into site.
And in that moment, a step has to have been made,
because Xayu went from not having awareness to being a little bit sure that there is that possibility.
Oh, what an opportunity.
So 5-0, the scoreline reads, remember, 16 straight.
I can't possibly put into words how insane that they have a 44 and four record on this map. This is dust 2. This map is almost as old as the game. And everyone can play dust 2. This is it, right? The fact that they are able to show such a pedigree on this map, it is absolutely insane.
with the
cushion of a 5-0 start,
what you likely see happen
is a few more risks, a few more pushes
that they were just doing in the last.
Shiro's going to be pulling his hair out.
Think about those flamesy door pushes. You didn't even get your chance
to play your T rounds on Nuke,
because they were unraveling you at the start of it.
Oh, again from Shiro!
Back to back.
This time it's Apex that's got his cracks.
This man's had a chance at tonight.
The NSL Grand Slam before, attempted to stop phase.
Hello, Donk extends their advantage.
Catching Siren Girl and walk about short side.
OK, so a two-man advantage has to convert.
But they haven't. We'll go back to Mirage.
This is just to get on the board.
You can't be fumbling. This one bombed down outside upper tunnels.
A fake double nades in. Good information available now.
They're pivoting quickly. Robs is on the site.
Donk has the rotation.
Sontics is going to pick up that bomb.
Oh, Donk, he's going to allow this.
The cross. No.
Blames it down, so now all that pressure, once again.
Oh, Robin, cool.
Oh, Nezzy finds Donk, and now he's missed a call.
Three players asking questions of his side.
Nezzy trying to lend a hand.
Down he goes with empty hands.
Looking good. Spirits have converted this.
They've just got to get past Nezzy.
Chivro all the way from downtown.
Sontics, the one to close it down.
And, yeah, nearly a full TMA is just magic that doesn't contribute.
We weren't able to get there at that AWP, so unfortunately for Spirit,
that is not a weapon that Shiro will have, but might not be necessary if he's hitting shots like this.
Seeing Shiro go for opening moves on the CT side with the AWP is one thing.
Seeing him take that long fight is another.
People have been asking for Shiro to find some form of aggression because we know how talented this guy is,
but he's an AWP that does it more by the book.
So this is great and important. You've got nothing to lose. Your two maps down.
I'm gonna talk about buy the book. They're gonna go for that quick B pop.
A block smoke might change their plan, but Mezzie has borrowed deep into lower tunnels.
The CT buy the after focus on, look how brittle it is. Two MP9s and a Famous.
The flash works out, but not able to profit is Mezzie.
This is a breakpoint right now. Spirit, if you can take this one, it's gonna be worth two.
Better buy for the attack.
Now the smoke will be called out to the upper tunnels.
Only one remains.
They've juggled now.
Mezzie, boosting up to deal to the mid to B.
This actually means they're hedging a little bit more towards A.
Obviously Mezzie can contribute with this, but it is going to be the B split.
It's a famous to do the job.
This is tough for Robbs.
cross denies along the potency of that boost. Wow, so does Donk takes his head off instantly.
He's wrapping into ropes. It's one man versus an entire squad and he gets overwhelmed over
the run. A clean execution and conversion as you highlighted. If you could take all the
guns away, they'll have nothing. So Taneir and Lower Tunnels Flames, he's
come to find a bit of space. Now, for him, he'd love to get an upgrade, but if he could
also acts as a bit of a bodyguard so Zaru can hold on to this AWP and early beacon of
information. They asked them to trundle towards the backyard. Flancy will have contact if
Zontics and Don't continue on this trajectory and they're noisy. They're called it clear.
Now do they know Flancy's borrowed into the corner? Yeah, well they want to start building
their bank on the T side as well. So, uh, just a few steps away from demise, but they will
guarantee their second spirit and it's at the tally and again showing they're not just going to roll over and give this one for
free so it does take a frag onto Tonku just to overstep the mark all in all it's my tally to you who are the ones having a
deep conversation regarding what comes next
so tough for the Famous but not only that you're essentially in a four one set up they were playing
somewhat for the mid to be, but just not on that side of the map. So Zywoo, you had your moments throughout, you've got the AWP saved.
And they're coming your way.
Ajax and Donk out long early, and the bomb's going to join them.
Sontix, he's going to be responsible for this potential flank.
Lazy pushed the Molly.
There's an awful lot of damage here, but it has some space.
They swap responsibilities.
Oh, Molly's missed.
Oh, Molly, so Zymon will be able to maintain this position.
Don't forget, it is really all on his orb.
Catches Donk, a miss thrown Molotov.
Is that really what's going to cost you the conversion here?
Shirro spotted.
Spiral on the uncroached nails it.
How's he dipping in and out?
A third available.
Finally felled by Magics, but Flames.
He's flanking to near, is holding MP9 versus the AK.
Miss shots from both.
Looks like Robbs wants to pile in as well,
so it's going to be two on the site and two knocking on the back door.
Apex, just a P250, gets caught on the fade.
Nice play from Zontics and he surges forward towards CT.
There's he, doesn't have anything.
Just a P2000 to his name, calling for backup, flames he can lend a hand.
That's the Zontics positioning rewarded.
Now, robs his 5-7, doesn't have the weapon for this kind of range,
but he does now, kicks up the AK.
Oh, he has the chance onto Zontics.
Threatening, no doubt about it.
Zontics gets a farm pat on the back.
Three kills, saves spirit and converts it.
That's one right there for Zontics. Him playing in the smoke on the fade, he understands he has to make a move.
And sure, it's just against the saved AWP and some very light upgrades, but that one was still extremely tense.
It's a two-round game, 5-3 to scoreline reads.
The guns do come back in, Zowoo is just going to have to function forward with a scout.
So now it's Shirou who has the advantage regarding the sniper department.
Very good B spawns available for Spirit, but unlikely they're just going to want to run straight into this.
Again, this time it's the opening kill, not the closing of the round.
And Zawoog, you can see him starting to go from strength to strength in this, dropping down to spawn flamethrower.
We can't quite believe how that one unfolds.
It won't be a diffuse kit unless Zawoog buys one.
Yeah, we need to go.
That was obviously from Vitality.
Still turns out there regardless of that two-map lead.
I'm going B to the pit, Messi trying to control the spray into the meat grinder, one back
from the orb, tracks him on the drop down, solid from Shiro, a tag from the scout, could
be finished off by the Nade, he's been dumped on, oh and Zywu will follow up onto Taneir.
Robbs, Messi, Zywu, Apex, everyone quick to attend to the pace change on B.
Looking to miss it. This is such a tough opportunity now for Magix. The bomb down in enemy territory.
He's just been smoked off. There's another one on Apex to lob in again.
Tau'u is jump-spotting for the potential mid to B. Magix can't do anything until the smoke fades.
He can't play forward. He has to wait for it to be removed then.
That's another port of call that they have to worry about on the Vitality side, but he has...
...Tau'u on his side.
Another one, even.
Oh, that's okay. Yeah, with that, you just keep smoking up the tunnels.
There's no way. There is absolutely no way.
spirit just as they started to get things going. They went for the crazy maneuver of that B-pop,
the high-low setup, completely shunced them out of this one, and this will be the sixth of vitality
now. He takes the vacuum cleaner, picking up what he can.
and the last one. And.
And how much of catalyst
Reo was once upon a time for
Vitality back before that last
major victory. You could
go for the second title in
Rio, but it's all about the
ESL Grand Slam. You can tell us
last year, win over mouse
Season 22, a win over Falcons of EPL, Krakow, the necessary component, you need a Krakow or a Cologne if you want to get this one done and they picked that up over Fury up.
Now it's Spirit's turn.
Everybody in the Counter Strike world at the moment seems to be taking turns being the contender to try and take them down.
A different point in the last six months.
You're going, OK, well, Fury, they had a good streak
at the tail end of 2025.
You're going, OK, well, Navi, they're looking pretty good.
Spirit now. They find some form.
They have Dong. That's why they're always in the conversation.
And speaking of, Dong has taken this early contact war
through Shorq. Could potentially catch timings.
We've seen multiple players on that ramp get caught juggling nades,
but never mind, they will announce it.
Who's the attention of Flamesy?
Vision obscured on CT, Sairu and Robb's tending to mid.
Let's have that palm flash.
Apex hoping for a chunky HE on the top.
It's such a gamble setup that you're assuming nobody's going to come out long.
This setup right here is so risky, but I guess because you have a buffer of rounds,
you feel you're reading the play, and Apex tends to have a good reader and his opponents,
So, will it come back to bite them?
Doesn't look great.
Teneir and Zontik's starting to make waves out long,
or at least just Teneir.
Zontik's shifting back.
He just left the upper tunnels,
and now he jaunts over again
while this blocked smoke on short is up.
He hasn't even poked his nose out long yet.
So, I will have a flash on the fade of this short smoke.
Does he want to use it or not?
Jaun for the mid to be.
Jiro should have something here on the sweep.
Jump up. Oh, it gets punished.
Magics goes down, it's Shearer back, and now long just in time, Zywil tends to it.
Today gets nothing, it has to be B.
As you, and Robs realized that too, in unison.
And just drops into site in time, confirms Zontik's approach.
Robs clean with it, finds the headshot, don't back with one.
It's a head to head, John Robs versus Donk and Donk comes out on top.
But applied, 10 seconds, they can try and run it down.
He has to punch it in right here right now. Apex charging knife out, Zywil as well.
Just run at him!
Apex not waiting around and that is the seventh round closer and closer to glory vitality edge
Just such a late call it looked like they were definitely going to be heading back to a but when that block smoke came in late towards
Sure, it's not just was in T spawn. I thought he was grouping up with a team to finish for this a split
They send him back for the B split and
Right now. It's just back to the pistol. So
the game. They're not going to
make it. So spirit can't sink
their teeth into this one. It's
been a strong map for them this
year. They've only lost it once.
That was to Australia's back at
EPO. Otherwise it's all green.
Vitality. They haven't lost it in
16 consecutive and looking to
make it 17. It's just the
numbers right? We're talking about
these accolades these records.
This one's only going to go one way.
No pace in it.
Oh, there's a couple of smokes in a flash.
You have to catch a timing, but look at the radar.
It's that net of blue.
Nobody's overextending.
They're all playing for A right now.
Cywu with the AWP gets to lockdown long.
That means the two rifles get to mow them as they come running out.
There goes her.
Hey, Chief.
Yeah, looks like it's going to do significant damage.
Just dunks off to Songtix.
Apex unloads.
Cywu racks them up.
It doesn't get better.
Five kills between the two Frenchmen.
man, shut down spirit, sent back to sport with one last opportunity and they aren't going to take
a timeout, soft thick on the mic, would love to see a fourth before we swap sides.
It's felt close, a lot of these first halves up until this point.
The inevitability of vitality, ask the Counter-Strike world about it.
This has been the conversation now for well over a year. 2025, there's about a doubt,
20-26 shaping up nicely.
I will with 16 frags, Apex 12. That is the French. We're putting the hammer down.
And this is what you've come to expect with this team.
You got to enjoy it while you have it. And that's something that Apex is very cognizant of. Something
he's made his team very aware of.
A roster like this only comes around once in a lifetime.
When while you can, as much as you can.
Double orbs, ropes, wheels one.
So I will obviously be out there.
It's not too searching.
He's looking for that lurk.
Looking for Zontics.
He's drawn the line in the center and on the big soap.
I think that's a good one.
Overstep and you've given up an
opening death. Anything going
against Vitality in this round
is the fact that they have lost
long, but props. Believe you, it's
that pressure and. Oh, Sonics
best. A lovely clear perfect
pregame and opening kill.
Expecting some type of reaction
What with Zawoo gonna try and hover back over.
It's a joint Mezzie for the B defense, but it's all about a split.
Bombs out long on Shearo, Sontics is just gonna pass that line of sight.
Oh, and that's come too easy.
They're flashing a swing.
Just like that.
Now from the shore, Sontics, all actually safe from...
No, heavy nape damage.
Another flash.
Still coming, though.
It's an air-advancing, the flash, push three.
Oh, and Flamesy finds him.
All three for Flamesy.
As he went on top of A, he jumped straight into Zontics though, combining for a threat.
Apex finding Zontics puts it all onto the shoulders of Dong to try and end this, but the bomb is on long.
20 seconds, he has to go and now.
But if he goes, it drops, so Apex got him dead to rights.
Drops in, Zahru gets the info when he rots the clock.
He knows what's up, makes it difficult, surely time against him. Apex just has to do it!
He can't, he's just chasing Ghosts. Apex tugs in, 5 seconds and I foul!
Chasing him to try and find the Joleneh!
No!
Must take the nick of time!
Hold as ice is for an up!
Or does this end right here, right now?
I
I
Is this the map where Vitality make Counter-Strike history?
This is Vitality as well. We're just living in it.
They dropped this one short.
They still have two more opportunities to get out done right here, right now, in Rio.
It's the word you keep throwing around with Vitality inevitable.
This one feels it.
A pistol would certainly raise some eyebrows, keep the conversation going.
What's lower tunnels the bomb is outside upper B, but it's all gonna be a bit of a fake right now
They take this long space
Zombies will be noting the smoke on the cross. He's going unclear. Oh head spotted. Oh, you got just enough just another spot
The zombies he clears him out. That's gonna sell it the whole team are here
Sports another flammie finds another. This is just a fake, but he's found lethality
Double kill shiro long as he hits shots and the bombs going B. I don't want a they will be they want the whole damn thing
Oh, a pistol that exemplifies their dominance.
The devil and the D-Tas.
Everything looking perfect.
Two players selling a fake in air quotes,
but they win the round with frags on the other side of the map.
I think it's dawn on you now if your team's spirit
resistance is futile.
The question coming into Rio, can anybody stop them?
This is a resounding no.
The top of his dome just spotted their flames.
Nezzy Marauders on that A site.
We don't split the pistols on this one.
Sontics.
Can't quite believe it.
The BB Eco.
Donk him with a dig.
The rest on the USPs.
Sure, Donk had his clutch moment.
Feels too little, too late.
Ending in a whimper.
The writing's on the wall.
This head-to-head is about to become a six straight series for vitality.
And that kicked off when they erred it.
IEM Katowice 2025.
An announcement of intent to the Counter-Strike world and what was to follow unprecedented.
And every time since then these two teams have done battle. It's been in the playoffs
It's taken that long before it's got them in another grand final against one another
Things are a whole lot different this time round a new in-game leader
A new piece to bottom the firepower
And a couple of easy frags there for Zahe we're running through the flames Chiro will trade with his eco
We handily dealt with apex
controls the rotation as the bomb will get planted on D. Just magics and
zontics with these USPs to try and keep up a bit of a fuss but this is
double digits. No doubt about it.
It's comfortable.
It's all about this next round of play. Will there be a fight?
will be added to that long
list of teams that couldn't stop
vitality. This is it. 2026
They've only lost to one team
twice. Parkers with a stand in
and in the group stage of Rio.
Otherwise. They will leave you
record is absolutely insane. It's
just bonkers. It's absolutely
bonkers. So I will catch is a
whiff catches shiro with a scout
bullet through the doors and
Shiro lives on.
Oh my god now Dong's catching flag through the smoke it was Robster connected.
This is tough, sure the Shiro once known about.
The Dongkwon's unconfirmed but two very brutal players and the two that you turn to at your spirit.
it. Magic's Rio just rotating rifle position. He's look comfy, but that's because he's had
a lot of maids, but in the first gun round, that's what's limited. All the bells and whistles.
What's the right place at least that? Hey, cheat find some targets. Sheer rose all finds
One, two. Apex down.
He's called by Robs.
Surging forward into the site,
you've got Magix playing around the smoke,
hoping to catch a little something.
A misthrowing Molotov, but cleared by Flamesy.
The mix of the orb of all things.
Makes it work onto Magix.
Now that bomb ticking in favour of Vitality.
Edging closer to an ESL grand slam.
That'll be the save.
To a trophy in the cabinet.
I'm going to get away with these guns.
Can't get anything going.
Ah, you are just being smothered.
You're gonna sit and take part in this, but you know which way it's going.
Rob secures the rounds.
That's 11, and you have to partial by or force out the game.
This is their home.
They don't feel more comfortable.
The grand finals.
You just have to sit back and enjoy what we're witnessing.
His dominance doesn't come around often. Oh
Yeah
It just gets better and better a cross at your own barrel for my gym
Don't go least gets across. I'll have our body on B
But it's a light investment and you can't even keep five alive
That's just crossing to the side. This is that
It's a spectacle to behold
the grip vitality of have on that number one spot no one comes close
and in the last place be so this one will be done ropes contains up a tunnels
maybe he goes down but as you grab the bomb you'll take it towards a dog's
going to get that frag, scoops up the AK, and Apex is already taking space over towards B.
Tauu is going to trundle through T spawn to
knock the escape route. He knows that he could have gotten off, and you don't really want to give
that AWP over. I'm sure he will be able to bar one in the next either way with the 3400, but the score
will be 12-4.
that you need to list off as Doc, you will get to hold on to the AK.
I don't think you're too worried about that if you are Apex, the leader of men.
This team, changing our expectations of what's possible.
One round is all that separates you from achieving what no other Counter-Strike team has done before.
Five frags.
It could be right here and right now, Teneir tasked with holding on to Long and just standing in the flame open for that overextension.
It's not rewarded.
Jiro boosted up.
Apex on the mantle, LaFati catches a glimpse of magics.
That's him down to half.
Now it smokes, Zontik's considering aggression, that's all's up, Rob's relays.
Nothing jarring to this default whatsoever, all mid control, short space if they wanna,
impending doom.
Look at Flamesey, straight through, plays ahead, not afraid of that.
at all. But Zontics on to Robs is a start. You've given yourself the advantage, you're
pushing for the info, you're going to be relaying that Upper Tunnels is clear.
So mid to B split available. Sure, but Prong not available through Upper Tunnels unless
Apex finds this gap. Zontics has to play to contain. He can't keep pushing, he needs
to watch Upper Tunnels. Apex should be dead to rights.
Yeah, it should be a guaranteed frag, Zontics has positionally played him like a fiddle.
But now you accelerate into Donk, try and isolate this while Zontics is not a part of it.
They're running at him. Donk throws the block smoke, they're gonna flash and go, layering them through.
Donk, anti, he reads them well, nails the first, finds Flamesy, solid in defense.
Just messy, bringing him down, but Zontics, unknown towards the tunnels.
Gonna push him, all of them is gonna overwhelm and deny the first of many.
Okay, Zontics, up to 13 frags there.
I'll keep them in it for a moment longer
How many more times you're gonna be able to pull that off as soon as you get some good long spawns for vitality
I'm sure you're just gonna pull the ripcord you just need one. I think about how many opportunities you have
You had eight now you got seven
I'll take those chances
For me, this is the greatest Counter-Strike team of all time, but there is still a debate
Oh, we're trained and ready.
Shiro crosses late.
Tried the hand of the double law, but Dom's fired off a short Shiro will too.
repositioning Donk elsewhere. Hot shot through the smoke. So I was got a good idea as to
where Shira occupies and the fact that right next to each other, Donk's gonna be trying
to cheat over to be just in time before the fate of the smoke. Shira remains still war
on the midline. Doesn't hit the shot necessary top mid.
Not going over the top of the smoke hoping to get another pick onto Robs.
They're translated into Spirit's fifth.
Depending on mid to B with an AWP this is not going to be easy.
He misses the first, they're going to be able to scale.
This B defences in so much trouble.
He's going to get that first.
Vitality right there for the taking now.
Flash off of the line is Donk, tagged up through the doors.
Xonxix and Donk versus five members of Vitality.
And they won the gold.
Into the side now. Awkward for Donk.
Forced to fall back.
Rob brings him down.
The bomb site lost.
Cyrus cut rotations.
One from the back.
Nice from Tenir.
And Rob's ready to nullify anyone through turns.
It's going to all be through the B ramp.
Picked up some flashes.
This could be instrumental on the way back in.
Street! No team has taken two! ESL Grand Slam in the bag!
Another step closer to ending the greatest of all time debate once and for all.
What we are witnessing is record breaking excellence.
You're going to see this time and time again because this team are showing no signs of slowing.
Incredible performance.
Robs inducted into a club all of his own.
The solitary three-time ESL Grand Slam champ.
He is the gold standard.
All others measured against him.
The best, the most reliable.
And somehow gets better under pressure.
This Vitality team are changing.
Now we measure Counter-Strike.
Another Rio title for the likes of Apex and Cywork.
They're 13th with this rostock.
The streets, the records, they all continue.
There simply is no one better.
You're IEM champions.
Vitality!
Oh
I got congratulations
They are very loud for the Vitaly team, our great champion!
secret the secret is to work harder to be once always one step ahead and to have
these amazing guys actually you know today even though we won 3-0 I was
maddened because we were losing so many bad runs because I want us to be
perfect all the time but I'm proud of them they they played insanely well and
yesterday was one of the best experience of my life playing here the
The nose you guys did was insane so thank you guys.
Thank you!
Do you think they can help you?
You know, it's not the first time we're getting booed somewhere or we're not loved.
But it's fine.
It helped me actually. I did my best playoff for the last two years maybe.
Because of that so keep booing me please.
I enjoyed that.
Okay, this is the title you have achieved at Grand Sala.
Once again, this is insane.
Could you talk about the preparation and the sacrifices and how it feels?
Yeah, I think like we're the only line-up to everyone to Grand Slam now.
This wonderful gang 1-3, he has a lot of money now.
But yeah, we make a lot of sacrifices playing Counter-Strike.
We work hard. Sometimes our girlfriends are not happy because we work too hard,
but we enjoy so much what we're doing and we know how lucky we are to have this team.
to have this team and we understand each other so well, we work so well and it's unbelievable.
For me, a Gronch NAMM is harder to win than a Major, so I'm honest, there is no doubt that we are the best team of history right now.
Amazing. To bring the gold barlets, welcome Mark Winter, Director of the Ecosystems Counter-Strike.
Please come to the stage.
Yes, indeed. The ESL Grand Slam. Oh boy, for vitality, this is part two. They did it in
season five, first time around. Wendy Claw in 2024, Cada Vita 2025, ESL Pro League season
21, and then all the way there to Melbourne in 2025. And wow, what a ride it has been.
two times, the official two times, and I'll just say it,
because somebody said it once on broadcast,
the undisputed best of all fucking time.
Yeah, I think so too, you know,
whether there's a debate or not, that's up for debate,
I guess, but right now we can just congratulate Vitality.
Yeah, but I feel like right now
it's just absolutely fantastic to see Vitality play.
Yes, it is.
Let's hear some more from him.
I'm sure they've got plenty to say.
Raps, please. You are the first player in the entire world to achieve the Grandslam three
times. This is insane. Can you tell us a little bit about that?
It is fucking insane. I don't know what to say.
It is something else, right?
It's crazy. I mean, having three of these, this is like the pinnacle of what you can
achieve in CS and having three is just unspecious.
is absurd. Is anyone capable of knocking you off the top? There's many teams. I mean,
Halkins have been giving us some trouble, but other than that, so far, so not so much.
Obviously, are you going to keep going? No? We're not going to slow down, so yeah. The
team's first tip up. Amazing. So, take it. You know what to do. There.
He knows exactly what to do. He has been in this exact situation several times and for
a rapsicle, man, he's just cold as ice.
Yeah, I think in the same way that it's becoming increasingly difficult to have a debate about
who the greatest team in the world is, the same case as for who the greatest rifle of
all time is, right? I mean, raps with what he has achieved with this victory, three grand
You could argue he should have won a major MVP at the last major as well.
Every team that he has joined, he's made them better.
He's made them a championship caliber team.
And he's been instrumental in those championships.
He's been impactful every single time, even though he may not be the MVP every single time.
You cannot question his impact and his prowess in the biggest of games.
Very much agree. He's anything but a passenger princess in this whole project that is Vitality.
He's having an enormous amount of impact and he's been able to help them transcend into a new level.
People may seem to forget a little bit where Vitality were at before they signed Grubbs.
That was a good team, but not a team that would win a lot of trophies, not a team that anyone had on their radar
in order to be the best team in the world and a team that would dominate.
Sure, they were up there, but once the Grubbs joined and once they got him played in, it took a tournament and a half
and then they just been undisputed the best team in the world ever since.
Titles for Vitalik. Yeah, streaks are cool. You know, you can have all the match streaks that you want
But if you ever strung together ESL Grand Slam
It's crazy. It is crazy. You know, I thought I'll be completely blunt
I'll be completely honest when it first was introduced the whole grand slam thing
I thought to myself whoever designed that
Decided with the purpose of making a splash, but no one was ever supposed to win that
No one was ever supposed to claim the one million dollars because what you have to achieve and what you have to do over a
a relatively long period of time as a Counter-Strike team,
to me back then just seemed unreasonable.
You know, yeah, sure, as far as we're able to do it,
I thought, okay, so we have one team winning it,
that's never gonna happen again,
but I've been proven wrong over and over and over
and for my talent to do it in this fashion
and who's to say they can't do it a third time.
I'm just looking at a team right now who's rewriting
what I thought was ever possible for a team
to achieve in such a prolonged period.
I just hope the old price stays where it is in that case.
But yeah, I think it's also, you look at the fact
we're in MR12 and the fact that they've been able to be so dominant like we're talking about map
streaks about match streaks you know that's even more difficult to do in today's day and age
they're going through these grand finals without dropping a single map yes there's overtime yes
they're close but I mean they're still winning them like it's the level of dominance is unseen
the level of dominance is is definitely there but also the level of problem solving I mean the
the critical thinking skills that has to take place for two guys to get on the same page
in a 2BX situation, much less when things are still 5E5.
It's also a result of having played together for quite some time now.
The more you play these scenarios, the more you sit on stage, the more you find yourself
in a 2B2, let's say that you're Messi and Flamesy, they play that same scenario over
and over and over again.
And I know that we often advocate for roster changes and in the case of Maus, at this tournament,
clearly was needed, but there's also the caveat too that when you keep the same players
together for such a long time, at least the core of the line, then everyone knows exactly how each
other is reacting in certain moments. And that's also something they're thriving of right now,
that is only helping them to transcend and elevate to an even higher level.
Well, transcending as they will, we still need to crown our DHL MVP. I can take a couple guesses,
but I would rather us just hear from them direct.
What's up, guys?
What do you think?
I don't think you've heard of it.
And the DHL MVP is...
Zai Buu!
Who's here?
This is amazing.
You are the MVP once again.
One more time.
You are a matchup.
This is insane because
It's insane because you always give it your all.
Could you tell us the secret behind your consistency?
No secret to wellness.
I'm just enjoying with this thing.
That's made me bring incredible to wellness.
So I'm just enjoying the life, bring CS.
That's what my will be before.
So just enjoying that's my secrets.
Amazing.
Do you know that people in Brazil really love you?
Like, I mean, you are the boogeyman, but they really do.
I swear.
You guys don't love Osayu, I know he's the best, but you love him a lot!
There's a lot of noise there for Osayu, guys!
Well, it's just another day in the office, not just for him, but for us as well, crowning
him the DHL MVP.
It seems as though we've been here before, Jake.
We've definitely been here before.
You know, it goes without saying that Saibu right now is living his best life and I think
that's to me the most impressive thing.
You know, I thought we'd seen the best of Saibu.
I never thought in my wildest imagination that that player, you know,
what he has been in the last five years, six years,
ever since he emerged into the Counter-Strike scene,
that he was going to be able to chop that off, you know, to become even better.
But last year we had this whole race between Hen and Dong,
and seemingly something happened within Sae-Woo.
He wanted to prove everyone a point that he can play even better than we've seen so far.
I think he's on track driving his best year of Counter-Strike as a player ever,
not only, of course, as a team as well with Vitality,
but the fact of the matter is that he's just missed a consistent and a very, very, very
item.
You see him right there.
Jankos saying, hey, give me my gold bar, bro.
That's the beautiful thing about Counter-Strike, right?
Like, there's always someone new coming.
We thought, NIP, no one's ever going to do something like that, and then the next team
comes, and the next team, and the next player, and so on and so forth, and there's a good
reason why Vitality is the organization that's been able to win two ESL Grand Slams and doing
it back to back, they've just done pretty much everything right ever since they entered
the space and you know there was a great coaches round table with Xtas, Blade and Zonic and
they're talking about how you build a roster and how you need to match also the personalities
and not just the roles on the server but outside of the server and I think no team embodies
that better than Vitality and you touched on this before Jacob you know Apex he's absolutely
the heart and soul of that team and a leader unlike any other really that we've had, we've
had some really good ones on the server but outside of the server I think he's unmatched.
I think it's a really good point to bring up you know that obviously it's about the players,
it's about the side rules, about the apexes as well but Vitality as an organization you know
you're giving them flowers and I just want to add a bit of historical context to that as well.
You remember when they won the Major in Paris and then they kicked Dupree you know one of the most
legendary players straight after winning the Major and signed Flamesee instead. Flamesee
is still on that line-up. Flamesee is also this year having an absolute stunning performance
event after event after event. He's now 1-2 as well. So, you know, being able to be brave
and ballsy and basically kick Dupree who at the time was one of the biggest legends
of the game, you know, and maybe a candidate to be the greatest rifle of all time, to bring
in Flamesee who yes did well in OG, but no one could ever anticipate him to develop into
what he is today at Path of Vitality who were willing to take a risk, who were willing to take a gamble back then and oh my, they're the payoff.
And they did get 3-0 but we would be doing a disservice not to mention Spirit as well, who has played their best tournament with this lineup.
It feels like made it a competitive final, you know, up until Dust 2 and unfortunately, you know, their stars didn't really show up to the extent that they need to, in order to be able to take a map or really push vitality to the very edge.
No, I absolutely agree with without a doubt they can walk away from this tournament being super happy and super
Hopeful I guess for the future because you're right in saying that in this grand final
Especially on the first two maps there's a case to be made that they could have won both maps in particular on Mirage
They were in a winning position and the one thing that they never showed this grand final was obviously the dog show in the show
Show so if you're going home now on your team spirit
Well, you activated to near you activated magic
You played much much better team kind of strike that you've done in Christendom time
And then as you said yanker we're never gonna see shiro and donk having two poor tournaments in a row
And it's not that they've had a poor tournament, but in this grand final that didn't show up
So I'm hopeful on behalf of teams bird. Yeah, they showed a lot of poise a lot of promise right there
Especially through this grand final and I'm sure they'll be as eloquent to give us some words
It's a bit of a real talk now. I want to ask you, humbling experience. It was 0-3, but first two maps, actually pretty close.
What are your feelings after a match like this?
After a match like this, we got humbled as fuck.
Yeah.
That inside?
No, but they are really strong.
I want to ask you, like, if you could pinpoint some gaps
to close for Team Spirit against Vitality, is it tactics?
Is it individual performance?
Is it mentality?
What is it?
What is it that you need to improve to beat Team Vitality
in the future?
Stay more focused during the round, we lost a couple of 5-3s in weird situations, where
the players feel themselves pretty comfortable, and that's why they managed to turn around
some 5-3s.
You as Nigel, this was your first big final like this, this is an experience you need
to be better and be better in the team as a captain as well.
So what are your thoughts on that?
How are you taking this event as a learning experience?
What's your biggest takeaway from this event?
Well, as I've said in the past, we have been pretty bad
during the beginning of the event.
But in Wales, it's as definable, of course.
We played much better and we were playing as a team,
which only happened in the track of for us.
So there's a science of positivity for us.
And the final words to the fans, you can make it English,
you can make it Russian up to you.
Thank you for this good run.
Nice try.
And as I said, pretty eloquently put there
by the side of magics talking about, well, yeah,
they were humbled.
And in certain degrees towards that last map,
they were humbled.
They can't hold their head high for the first two.
Yeah, it's never fun losing a grand final, never fun losing 3-0.
So I understand why and perhaps also agree that they should be slightly disappointed now.
But tomorrow they wake up and they must look at this tournament as a tournament that really showed that they're on track now.
They're coming back to a point where we can have them in the conversations about,
can you maybe win a trophy? Can you go to tournaments where vitality is not at and win a trophy?
Can you go to IM Cologne, progress, activate Dong a bit more in these big games
and get sure of and running again while maintaining what we saw from Teneir,
then all of a sudden you're looking at a spirit that could be a contender
to win a game and win a series against Vitality.
As Janku said a couple of times, the first two maps,
you see the scoreline right here as well, Mirage,
they probably should have won that map, Nuke.
They had opportunities in that game and thus, obviously, what a wise was.
But that spirit right now, what's to say that can be better in a couple of months at Colombo?
Yeah, definitely a learning experience for Magix as well.
Stiko pointed out his first grand final of a big event,
then you go up against the final boss in Vitality.
Those games are always different
than the rest of the playoffs too, right?
And he's going to need to use the experience
from here in the future.
And we'll see, this is just a scary prospect for Vitality,
looking up to the Cologne Major, man,
because this was their one goal leading up to it,
to finish the Grand Slam as soon as possible.
And this is the fifth time that Ateem wins the Grand Slam
on their first attempt.
I mean, in the first Grand Final that they get in, so still no giant slayer bonus for anyone else.
Spirit got pretty damn close-ish there for a little bit, but obviously that does it for the Intel,
or excuse me, the ESL Grand Slam, I should call it, in this season.
Yeah, absolutely. And as I said, scary going into the Cologne Major because Vitality can chill now.
For the rest, you know, for the next month. Yeah, I know they're going to be attending some tournaments.
I mean, I feel like they could win Atlanta without practicing with some teams that are there to, you know, quote-unquote, challenge them so they can
concentrate all their focus on Cologne, right, and take some time off perhaps after this if they
can and they do such a great job at scheduling and managing the load for the players
It's going to be tough for someone to topple them in question. It's about to say they earned it right now to do the load management
and maybe skip out on a couple of weeks of practice
and then hone it in for Cologne.
So yeah, it's not looking like anyone is getting
any closer to Vitality.
If anything, as you said, Spirit played better this tournament,
Furia played better this tournament as well,
we know Falcons are gonna make changes,
so it's still gonna be interesting to see
who can level up for Cologne.
But if we speak about the gap between Vitality
and the rest of the field right now,
as I said a couple of times throughout this tournament,
it just feels like it's growing
game by game, tournament by tournament.
Yeah, the disparity is just, it's ginormous, but also...
Is that a word?
It is now.
Jacob, maybe it's a language.
You know, what's next for Robbs?
He's gonna have to switch to Bugattis or something.
Like, or Porsches just doesn't cut it anymore.
Ferraris, I don't know.
Got a lot of money.
Yeah, he definitely has netted himself a pretty sweet check right there.
Speaking of which, that concludes that ESL Grand Slam.
And guess what, guys?
There's no more.
There is another.
We've tapped out.
Nope, nope, there is another one.
been told that there is another ESL Grand Slam in the crowd apparently like
that too, maybe not. I don't know. Am I getting this right? You know, Vitality take a
couple of weeks chilling, winning Atlanta, going into Cologne, winning that one and
then we're already looking at Vitality who's not too confident in another one.
It could win another one this year. Yes, it could.
In Atlanta, Cologne, next season of Pro League, and another IEM, it's possible.
Well, look at it. I mean, this is what we have in front of us. You're talking about
Atlanta, yes, that is the next stop. We head over to North America, the Cologne
major. Everyone's got their eyes on that. We kick right back into ESL Pro League on the other side
after a little bit of a break into IEM. China and then we round off the entire year with another major.
Yeah, it's a packed schedule. It's going to be interesting, but that's also where I do want to
say is as Janko kind of hinted before, you know, we always stand in these scenarios and right now
it's unthinkable to think that Vitality is not winning Cologne, but there's a world where they
won't. Right now it's unthinkable to think that Vitality is not going to be the best team of the
year, but there's a world where someone else will pick up the channels and maybe pressure them a bit.
Like we saw with Furia last year, no one anticipated Furia to come in in the second half of 2025.
And theoretically speaking, being better than Vitality for three, four months, beating him in
a couple of grand finals. So it's not to lose hope out there for the people. But right now,
we've got to give all the flowers, all the credit to Vitality. But trust me, there's a lot of people,
a lot of great players out there, a lot of great minds were busting their ass off to make sure that
that is not going to be the same thing happening over and over and over.
Well, shoot, even in Atlanta, I mean, it's a pretty good size amount of rosters there
that could really poise a bit of a danger.
But if you're vitality, you kind of medded that ESL Grand Slam here.
Maybe you thought you might need Atlanta for it.
Now do you go into Atlanta with a different mindset, perhaps?
I mean, they can go in much more relaxed, right?
They're going to be a massive favorite.
Just pick ancient every game.
They think that tournament, brush up on whatever it is that they want to do because they got
The main goal for now, though.
Yeah, they absolutely did, gentlemen. Guess who else is in Atlanta?
That simple guy, you ever heard of him?
In a while, I should be able to talk about him. Anyway, are you guys done? You got anything else you want to add?
Not really, apart from the fact that Vitality, you know, have done what not a lot of people thought would be possible to do so quickly once more.
Winning a Grand Slam, I think it's impressive. And I think, you know, whether you like the debate or not, whether they're the best team in the world,
I agree with you that it opens up for different conversations as well is the side with the greatest player to ever play counter strike
I think there's a case to be made his ropes the greatest rifle of all time
I think there's a case to be made and if anything then apex as an in-game leader like we speak about the glaives of the world
We speak about the the caregans of the world as well apex is quickly transcending into those conversations as well
So there's just so many different ways you can attack this and all of them are quite fun
And I'm pretty sure that's I would guy was born on the day counter strike was released, right?
Or did I read that somewhere might be crazy what it would would explain a whole lot gentlemen?
Thank you so much for your time, your effort, mostly your thoughts and your words therein.
For us, though, that does it.
The Intellect Stream Masters Rio de Janeiro has come to a close.
Vitality, ESL Grand Slam winners.
Event winners just winning all the way around.
We'll see you next time, and that's in Atlanta.
We're just super grateful for even having this opportunity to play in front of such a
crowd against such an opponent.
We just want to win as many trophies as possible.
And it is a shutdown of Furia.
K-Zerato might have been a force to be reckoned with in this series, but a 1v4 lineup for
the double.
Keisarato, surely, truly, still believing!
But now it's all lies on Keisarato, been the hard hitter,
been the guy to watch across this entire series,
and looking for the lifeline clutch
that keeps Puria on this day,
a shut down, right denied,
Modesty Falcons with a clean 2-0 finish.
Here the stars in the dark, my victory can lie.
Running like we lose.
He's going to take Sally straight out of the round.
Takes the upgrade.
Thank you very much.
Apex can't track him.
Teneir stabilizes.
Touchdown Flamesy hunting him with the farmers.
Come on back in.
He can't handle Teneir.
That's what we've been seeing from this man here in Rio.
Oh, Maria.
Knocked attention, draw on an apex, he profits.
Shiro down as well.
Suddenly, it turns around on his head.
Tamiya tucked on towards the ticket.
He's going all into the fiber side,
who finds an instantaneous deletion.
The Rocks like thunder and roar.
Every mile, we've wandered, leads us so.
Dust on a jacket, it's a story.
Sets you down while you're still alive.
The 22nd, the pressure's on the T-Sane.
And the G-Stuffin on the USP.
Let's talk it back together, we sure strongly run right now.
Let's talk it go, boys.
Straight into the coys, and proper to rush up there.
I can't lose vision, I'm not gonna lose his head.
Oh, he's just had two heads out of the round.
He's like, man, inside of his pistol.
Today's got the drop on him.
I took a scope, the palsy looked around,
Catches him, maybe he does, maybe all he needs is 14,
because Zywin versus Donk in the waltry one.
He can't handle Zywin.
Sheeroy goes down just at the right time.
Ropful strike, Vitality about to take it.
It's all good, it's all theirs.
This chapter in Counter-Strike history is written in golden ink.
And in the golden hour in Rio de Janeiro,
they make Counter-Strike history.
We feel the storm in our veins, in our hearts like the new dawn
Give them too many rounds, okay?
I want the perfection, I know we win and we are great team but we can be even better
And I will put you for without forever
A historic feat that we all knew we were on the precipice of, but it's a completely different
emotion once it's realised. I'm up on stage, I'm going to get a few words. Matt, I know
that you don't often do interviews. Let me ask you a few questions though. First of all,
who's the first person you text when you make an achievement like that?
Okay, so I had, anyway, I have a routine, so it was not a fifth map or third map, but
I'm just texting and calling my family, so my girlfriend and my mom all the time.
But they are obviously the first person and then yes, the players here.
That's amazing. Can you just walk me through the emotions of that game for you, right?
You're saying on the sideline, it's not often that we see a game get quote-unquote easier and easier as it progresses, right?
First map was really back and forth. What were your emotions when you were watching it?
I mean, it's always stressful for me because I know all the world, they're just putting in the hour or so.
They have no doubt about it. It's not because I'm also close to them, it's because they really, really deserve it.
Because they don't work there and what they are doing with this team is just amazing.
So we are putting the bar really, really high and so yes, every game, every single game, we are just giving everything.
So obviously it means a lot when we are winning and when we are winning the Bundesliga, it's even more because it's just an achievement.
Of course, what we did before, the months before, but yeah, this team is special.
I don't know what to say with them all the time. We have a capture after a win and after a tournament.
and I'm just lacking of words at some point I'm just enjoying my time with them and they are also enjoying their time together because it's really unique
It's an indescribable feat right?
I believe if I remember correctly when I was doing this interview with the guys after Melbourne you weren't there right?
You weren't able to be in person. What's it like actually being here?
I mean obviously it was particular for me because I was like really really far away and it was just my short film coming for personal reasons
But this one is also special because I wanted so bad to achieve it and not being like missing this moment with them so yeah, it's just amazing feeling.
I know you don't like interviews but thank you so much for your words on that one.
It was okay, okay, maybe more of Matt in the future.
But yeah, Flamesee, he's got his spectacles.
Finally, I saw you wanted to get the glasses so badly, you got them on.
Congratulations man, once again, back to back, Grant's lamb.
Just walk me through what's going through your head right now.
right now? Well, I'm very happy to be honest. I thought it would be more stressful, a bit
more longer, but we went clean with it. It's crazy to see that the last year, the same
first season, it's kind of running back again. I'm curious to see if ESL are going to cancel
the Grandslam because we're stealing too much money from them, so hopefully they keep another
one. I was just thinking, right, like not to put the pressure on you, but we've got
We've got Atlanta coming up, we've got Colom, we've got EPL, we've got China at the end of the year.
I mean, you could do it twice in a year, in theory.
Well, last year we came to the second season with big hopes and I think we will start slowly
and we'll see how it goes, obviously, if we win the major.
Then the Grandsum is always there as an opportunity.
Obviously, Atlanta is also important to win that, but for us right now the main focus is the major.
I think we've done a good job as a team and I'm very happy and I'm very proud of everybody.
joking when I say that but with the form that you have right now I don't think it's an impossible
for you right to get to back to back again in the same year. Last time in Melbourne as you said
it's such it was a more long drawn out affair I don't know whether you remember but I mean we
finished at like what 11 p.m almost midnight local time and you go yeah yeah you were showing me
your gold bar and you dropped it you dropped it from the desk on to the floor did the first one
survive is this one a replacement? No no the first one survived pretty well it's a it's an aluminium
bar to be exactly because it's not gold. So it's nice and strong? Yeah it's nice and strong but
actually the bar is, it cannot stand up, it has to lay down, the bar is shaped badly underneath so
I had to test if it stands up or not, it was my first one and now I have two to hold each other up.
Lovely, where's it going to go? Do you have a mantelpiece at home for your accolades?
I mean you're getting a lot of them at the moment. Well my girlfriend is in charge of the designing
I'm just bringing the trophies.
Good man, Flamesy. Good man.
Congratulations. I'll let you get on.
Take all your pictures.
Celebrate with the crowd.
I think I'm going to try to get messy.
There's a lot of fans in the crowd at the moment
trying to get signatures.
So I feel very, very honoured to get these guys.
Congratulations, messy.
We were talking about it before.
Does this now cement you?
Is better than Astralis there, surely?
I mean, what have you said?
I mean, no, I think, yeah.
I mean, for me, it's been the way we've been playing.
the record we've been breaking, the success we've been having, all the tournaments, yeah.
For me, we're the best, but we're not done yet. We're still going for more, we still want more.
We never get tired of lifting trophies, and yeah, that's the goal.
I was half-joking with Flamie, that you actually legitimately do have the ability to do two in one year.
There's actually no events for you guys to do it, it's crazy.
Is there anybody that you want to thank? I'm sure your family couldn't fly out here to Rio, anybody they want to shout out at home?
of course a family I mean as always they do like my plan does an incredible job at home so many hours
with the family and I spent so much time away so there's so much work for them to do at home and
yeah it's a it's a big shout out to them because without them I wouldn't be able to be doing all
this and be here lifting trophies in front of the fans so yeah a huge thank you to my family.
Amazing stuff Mazi congratulations sincerely well deserved I'm gonna go try and get Jack from behind
Is that okay, Jack?
That alright, yes, he might do it.
He's already done, he's already done his service.
Congratulations, Jack.
Once again, getting the Grand Slam, I mean, almost a year to the day with the last one, right? Isn't that crazy?
Yeah, I don't think we thought this was going to happen when we were in Melbourne last year.
Was it a bit less of a stressful final this time around?
A little bit less, yeah.
Yeah, that best of five was insane, one of the best final that you'll ever have.
Yeah, 100% I'm regretting it.
So just mental.
It was an incredible feat.
Talk to me about the guys and the attitude, right?
We heard from Nebe asking what's the secret to success, and Apex said there is no secret.
It's just hard work.
How hard are the guys working outside the server?
Incredibly hard.
We try to balance it so that we're not burning out.
you know, we tried to make Lisbon, sorry, Rotterdam, a bit more relaxed because this is the price,
right? Like this is what we're aiming for. So the work the boys put in in the two weeks of
practice leading up to this and then, you know, maybe the lost of Falcons like kicked them into
gear a little bit because after that it was full focus and they have this synergy in the practice
room where ideas are just constantly flowing, they're bouncing things off each other, they're
problem-solving on the go so there's this it's hard work but there's such a
good chemistry between the guys that like they make ideas together so when
they're on the server like they've already done it they've been through all
these scenarios and they know what they're doing. It's crazy that you say
you took Borodam Chill could you still go and win it like that's crazy. Yeah I mean
that's like they're incredibly talented like we've got the best player of all
time the best IGL of all time the best Israeli players all time the best
Estonian player of all time the best British player. Definitely the best
British parable of the time.
Like, look, they're blessed, like, and they talk about it all the time, like, how lucky
they are to have each other.
Like, talent-wise, personality-wise, it's an amazing fit, so we're blessed to have
this opportunity, but then, yeah, it doesn't come without the work.
Like, you don't just go, we've got five good players, it's going to work.
So they know this might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
It's extending nicely, but they know that they don't, they'll regret not making the
the most of this team. 100%. I'm just going to give you the opportunity to shout anybody
out that you have at home that allows you to do what you do up here as well because your
job is so important for the guys. I will say when we started planning for the Grand Slam,
my mum has this saying, so Virginia, hello, how do you eat an elephant one bite at a time?
And today, like this was the last bite of the elephant. Like we've had to win four tournaments
to get here. We're taking little bites, spitting bit as we go and that's like these boys are
so good at just staying focused on the moment, on the one thing that's happening right now.
Just deal with each bite one bit at a time. So thank you mom. That was she was part of the
experience today. So we love a counter strike mom. Shout out Virginia, shout out to you Jack.
Congratulations. I'm going to go try and find any other players. I think I might have to go down
some steps here. Just a little bit of a spoiler. This combetti is very sleepy so please come around
I think I'm going to slip over honestly. Well, there's no there's no stairs. He's coming up. He's coming up. So good, the man of the hours. I'm so sorry. I had to probably open the fans. Um, what an incredible experience. This final, even more convincing than the last time around.
The man of the hour is IWU, I am so sorry, I had to probably open the fans.
What an incredible experience. This final, even more convincing than the last time around that you won the Grand Slam, now back-to-back champions, can you just walk me through what's going through your mind right now?
I mean, happiness and yeah, I mean a lot of things is going on in our mind, obviously like you said, I think we played really good.
I mean obviously we did a lot of mistakes as well, but I think we played better than last time in Melbourne.
And yeah, a lot of things happened to be honest, we were a bit maybe stressed at the beginning
because we have a lot of things on the table with the Grand Slam and Rio, the more important
is the way we are winning, the way we are supporting each other and the way we are as
a team so we are really happy for that.
Almost a year ago to the day that you won Melbourne to get you first and after that
Apex was repeating this phase that you never know when you're going to get a team like
this in your career.
This is literally a once in a lifetime team.
Jack also echoed that sentiment, right?
For you, does it feel real that this period has been well over a year now, that we've
seen this dominant form from Vitality?
Does it feel real for you?
Of course, I mean, for us it's really, we know the capacity of this team, we know whenever
we play good, no one will have any chance to win us, that's the truth, even us when
we play it's unbelievable the way we are playing good together, sometimes we are not even talking
or speaking to, we know like our teammate behind us is going to do the job. So having
this team around us and at this time, of course, we couldn't believe before we picked the
ropes, but right now we believe like we are one of the best team, we are the best team
like OCS or HoVos, like HoVoTimes, so obviously we are really happy for that.
I love what you say with so much confidence, Ayumu. I just want to give you a chance to
shout out to anybody that has been supporting you to allow you to do what you do on the
server and have so many accolades.
for me my secret is just to enjoy when I don't enjoy it's when I play bad to Vanessa
and when my mindset is really down so obviously when you enjoy with who you are playing with
the game you play you have the smile on your face you just enjoy what you do I think that's
the best thing you can do and perform with it so that's my thing I'm just I'm not even grinding
anymore to Vanessa like the game I'm not so I just want to enjoy this game with my teammate with
is the people I like and it's working for me.
We thoroughly enjoy watching you, Zabu.
Here's your trophy.
Once again, congratulations.
That is Vitality, your Grand Slam champions
and a champion to the Intel Extreme Masters Rio, 2026.
The Intel Extreme Masters Rio 2026
is brought to you by ESL and partnership with Intel.
Acer Predator, Chex, and DHL.
Rafa, really making history. Absolutely phenomenal.
And Ace is the champion of the Intel X-Train Master.
You're a fighter.
Storm still not found out. He's gonna take this fight though. Three seconds left.
One of those two rounds, I think it's gonna start in World 3 to see.
And this is the last you've ever seen. He's not content with just the Nexus kill.
He was a jack-of-all-trades!
And it's all done!
And it's all done!
Unbelievable run!
Winning 4 Cheryl Victory over Classic!
And they did it again!
In the crackdown!
It's Bobby!
Givin' up for your intel, Extreme Masters World Champion!
Placent matches set your starting point.
Facet rating measures your impact as you climb.
The soft ELO reset narrows the gap between the highest ELO players and the rest of level
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Your starting point will be based on your recent ELO inactivity.
We're introducing Facet rating so you can see exactly how much you stack up against others
at your level.
rating measures how much your actions have increased your team's chances of winning
the match, taking into account the full situation.
Season 8 launches April 22nd.
Good luck and have fun!
Something special to tell you this deal!
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You're on the mattress!
Gotta get some!
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