BetBoom Team Defeats Ursa and Advances to Compete for an IEM Rio 2026 Main Event Slot

BetBoom Team Defeats Ursa and Advances to Compete for an IEM Rio 2026 Main Event Slot

On January 22, 2026, BetBoom Team secured a significant victory over Ursa in the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Rio 2026 Closed Qualifier for Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), advancing to play for one of the coveted slots at the LAN stage of the event held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil later this year.

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Match Overview: BetBoom vs. Ursa

The match was part of the Upper Bracket Semi-Final of the IEM Rio 2026 Global Closed Qualifier – a key stage in the Road to Rio where 16 invited and qualified teams battle online for only two LAN invitations.

BetBoom Team claimed the series 2–0 over Ursa:

• Dust2 – 13:11

• Mirage – 13:4

These results secured BetBoom a place in the Upper Bracket Final, where they will compete for a guaranteed slot at the main event against HOTU, the winners of their own semi-final matchup.

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Significance of the Win

This win is especially meaningful for BetBoom because the IEM Rio 2026 Closed Qualifier is one of the most competitive qualifiers of the CS2 season. Only two teams will earn spots at the LAN tournament out of the 16 competing squads, making every elimination match critical.

By securing the upper bracket final spot, BetBoom has positioned itself in the best possible situation to clinch one of those two coveted invites without having to drop to the lower bracket. A loss in the upper final would still see them continue in the lower bracket, but with no room for error.

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Context: IEM Rio 2026 Closed Qualifier Format

The IEM Rio 2026 Global Closed Qualifier is part of the broader Intel Extreme Masters tour, with the main event scheduled for April 13–19, 2026 in Rio de Janeiro. The global qualifier took place online from January 21 to January 23, 2026, featuring a mix of invited teams and teams that advanced through open qualifiers.(

Notable facts about the qualifier:

• 16 teams competed for two LAN slots.

• Teams include both top-tier organizations and rising squads from around the world.

• The format is double elimination: teams that lose in the upper bracket get one more chance in the lower bracket.

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Ursa and Other Competitors

Ursa had entered the match after defeating BC.Game in a previous round, handing them an upset victory over a squad featuring well-known players such as s1mple and electronic. However, Ursa’s run was halted by BetBoom. With this loss, Ursa drops into the lower bracket, where they must win consecutive elimination matches to stay in the race for a LAN spot.

Meanwhile, several established teams have already exited the qualifier: Fnatic and BC.Game failed to secure wins and were eliminated early, demonstrating the depth of competition in the closed qualifier.

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BetBoom’s Recent Form and Prospects

BetBoom Team has shown a strong level of consistency throughout this qualifier. Before facing Ursa, they defeated KOLESIE 2–1 and GenOne 2–1 in earlier rounds, indicating that BetBoom has adapted well to the high-pressure environment of qualification matches.

Their next match – the Upper Bracket Final against HOTU – will be decisive in determining whether they secure a straight ticket to the LAN stage in Rio or if they must battle through the lower bracket to achieve the same goal.

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Why This Matters for the CS2 Scene

IEM Rio has emerged as one of the most prestigious stops on the CS2 competitive calendar, attracting major organizations and top talent from across the globe. The tournament offers a significant prize pool combined with a chance to earn world ranking points, making LAN qualification highly coveted.

For BetBoom, a strong performance here could elevate their reputation on the global stage. They have competed in major events previously (such as PGL Masters Bucharest and BLAST events), and advancing to IEM Rio’s main event would reinforce their position as a contender in Tier 1 CS2.

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Closing Thoughts

BetBoom Team’s 2–0 victory over Ursa stands as a milestone performance in their 2026 campaign. With momentum on their side, they are now one step closer to securing a LAN spot at IEM Rio 2026. The team’s next challenge – against HOTU – could define their early season trajectory in competitive CS2.

As the closed qualifier progresses, the CS2 community will be watching closely to see which two teams emerge to compete on the big stage in Rio de Janeiro this April.