Falcons Shock Vitality, Book Spot in BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1 Grand Final
Falcons Shock Vitality, Book Spot in BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1 Grand Final
Team Falcons stunned many fans and analysts as they eliminated Team Vitality in a gritty 2-1 semifinal victory to reach the BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1 Finals grand final in Malta on January 24, 2026. The series saw highs and lows for both sides, but ultimately Falcons delivered under pressure — even while using a stand-in and debuting a new map pick.
Vitality entered the semifinal as favorites, given their elite roster featuring superstars like Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut — one of CS2’s most decorated players, with multiple MVP accolades and a Major title just months earlier at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. However, the Falcons squad, anchored by NiKo and m0NESY, showed remarkable resilience and skill across three maps to clinch the series.
Semifinal Overview: Map by Map
The best-of-three clash unfolded with dramatic swings across all maps:
1. Inferno – Falcons 13-10 Vitality
Falcons opened strong on Vitality’s pick. After a solid start and pistol round success from Vitality, Falcons began pulling ahead thanks to disciplined B bombsite holds from kyxsan and substitute NucleonZ, along with several key multi-kill rounds. NiKo’s impact was noticeable, with clutch moments that tilted momentum. Vitality fought back midway, but Falcons controlled the closing stages to take the opening map.
2. Anubis – Vitality 13-4 Falcons
In their first competitive outing on Anubis at this event, Falcons struggled. Vitality dominated the proceedings, with ZywOo, flameZ, and mezii leading the charge to a convincing win. Vitality’s comfort on the map forced a decisive third game, ending Falcons’ hopes of a swift 2-0 sweep.
3. Mirage – Falcons 13-6 Vitality
The final map proved to be the turning point. Falcons exploded out of the gates, with NiKo picking up a pistol-round ace to set the tone. The team’s CT side was suffocating; NiKo and NucleonZ combined for a dominant first half, effectively shutting down Vitality’s attempts to regain control. Though Vitality strung together some rounds on their CT side, Falcons closed it out emphatically to seal the series 2-1.
Stand-in Success and Team Dynamics
Falcons entered the semifinal without Maxim “kyousuke” Lukin, who was unavailable for the event, using Matej “NucleonZ” Trajkoski as a stand-in. Despite this disruption, the young player made significant contributions, posting strong individual ratings and blending seamlessly with the squad’s game plan.
The victory marked another impressive milestone in Falcons’ 2026 campaign. Earlier in the tournament, they had eliminated Team Liquid in the quarterfinals in straight maps — a performance that already signaled their readiness for high-stakes CS2 competition.
What This Means for Vitality
For Vitality — recent champions of prestigious events and perennial top contenders — the loss is a significant setback. They had reached the semifinals after a strong 2-0 win against GamerLegion, with ZywOo spearheading their run. But faltering in a crucial BOS3 at the Bounty Finals highlights areas for improvement, particularly on adaptive map play and handling pressure situations against elite opponents.
Even so, Vitality remain one of the most decorated CS2 teams in the world, with major tournament wins under their belt in recent seasons — including triumphs at Tier-1 events such as the Budapest Major and others in 2025.
Road to the Grand Final and Beyond
Falcons’ win set up a grand final against PARIVISION, another surprising story from this event. PARIVISION reached the final with a convincing 2-0 semifinal win over FURIA, completing a breakout tournament run and entering the decider with immense momentum.
In the grand final itself, PARIVISION continued their dominant form, sweeping the Falcons 3-0 to lift the BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1 trophy. Their measured, tactical play across all maps showcased why they were one of this event’s most dangerous teams and underscored a potential shift in the competitive CS2 landscape.
Despite the loss in the final, Falcons’ performance — particularly taking down a powerhouse like Vitality in the semis — reinforces their status as a top contender in the early 2026 season. Their blend of individual talent and strategic depth will make them threats at upcoming events, including majors and regional championships that feed into Valve’s Regional Standings (VRS) system.
Looking Ahead
Both teams will now turn focus to future tournaments on the CS2 calendar, where VRS points and seeding implications continue to play a major role for qualification into premier events. With IEM Krakow 2026 and other global competitions on the horizon, the results in Malta provide a valuable benchmark for where these elite lineups stand as the season unfolds.
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