Aleksib: “You could feel there was something extra about the game” after NAVI defeat FUT to reach EPL final

Natus Vincere secured a hard-fought victory over FUT Esports to reach the grand final of ESL Pro League Season 23, and in-game leader Aleksi 'Aleksib' Virolainen admitted that the semi-final carried a special emotional edge for the team.

The Ukrainian organization overcame FUT 2-1 in the playoff clash, winning Mirage 13-5, narrowly dropping Ancient 11-13, and closing the series on Dust2 13-7 to advance to the championship match.

The result marks a significant moment in NAVI’s campaign, as the team has been looking to stabilize its form after a relatively slow start to the 2026 season. Reaching the final represents one of their strongest runs of the year so far.

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“There was something extra about the game”

Speaking to HLTV after the match, Aleksib revealed that the NAVI squad felt a different level of intensity heading into the semi-final against FUT.

According to the Finnish in-game leader, the atmosphere within the team reflected how important the series was for their tournament run.

“You could feel that there was something extra about the game,” Aleksib explained, noting that the reactions of his teammates made it clear the match carried additional motivation for the roster.

The NAVI captain emphasized that the team entered the match with confidence after overcoming earlier obstacles in the event and saw the matchup as a crucial opportunity to reach the grand final.

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NAVI seize their opportunity in the playoffs

Aleksib also pointed to NAVI’s recent struggles against certain opponents earlier in the season. He referenced the team’s difficulties when facing teams that had previously disrupted their tournament runs, describing them as a kind of “kryptonite.”

With those hurdles behind them, NAVI recognized the semi-final against FUT as their chance to capitalize on the playoff bracket.

The team ultimately delivered a composed performance in the series, bouncing back from their loss on Ancient and closing out Dust2 with a confident showing to secure the win.

Key performances across the lineup helped drive the result, including strong impact from several NAVI players during the decisive maps, allowing them to control the pace of the series and close the door on FUT’s upset hopes.

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NAVI continue EPL run

The victory sends NAVI to the ESL Pro League Season 23 grand final, where they will compete for one of the most prestigious trophies in the Counter-Strike calendar.

For Aleksib, reaching the final is an important step in the team’s development this year. After inconsistent results in early 2026 events, the deep playoff run suggests NAVI may be regaining the form that previously saw them win major international titles.

With the grand final ahead, NAVI now have the chance to convert their momentum into another championship and further strengthen their position among the top teams in the CS2 scene.