“Falcons and Vitality are coming for blood… now I think we’ve got their respect” — Gabriel ‘FalleN’ Toledo on the pressure of defending the throne

“Falcons and Vitality are coming for blood… now I think we’ve got their respect” — Gabriel ‘FalleN’ Toledo on the pressure of defending the throne

Brazilian veteran IGL Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo of FURIA has issued a blunt warning: having risen to the top, his team now face a series of increasingly motivated challengers. "Falcons and Vitality are coming for blood. Now I think we've got their respect," FalleN told reporters at the – BLAST Rivals 2025 Season 2 in Hong Kong. 

The throne to defend

Heading into this event, FURIA are not just any contender—they are the team to beat. With FalleN at the helm, the Brazilians have built momentum across 2025, positioning themselves as a benchmark in Counter-Strike 2 (CS2). FalleN acknowledged the weight of that status: “It’s up to us now to hold the throne… it’s a tough position to be in, but we’re managing it well so far.” 

For teams like Falcons and Team Vitality, who have both come into the tournament with eyes on the crown, FURIA’s strength is a clear target. Falcons in particular carry the narrative of near-miss after near-miss, while Vitality have already taken shots at the Brazilians this season.

Falcons & Vitality: A dual threat

Falcons advanced through the playoffs to the grand final of the event by dispatching Vitality in a tense semifinal—an outcome that bolsters their case as a genuine challenger. That win signals an important step: no longer just chasing FURIA across intervals, but showing they can overcome other elite squads en route to the title match.

Vitality, meanwhile, have themselves logged multiple showings against FURIA this season. Finals rematches, high-stakes maps, and the banner of French super-stars like Mathieu ‘ZywOo’ Herbaut and Robin ‘ropz’ Kool give them the pedigree to threaten. FalleN’s quote implicitly acknowledges both organizations have arrived: he recognises that his team is no longer the hunter, but may soon be hunted.

The respect factor—and why it matters

Respect is more than a nicety in high-level CS2. It marks the moment when rivals move from polite opponents to genuine threats—teams that will study, prepare, and take you seriously. FalleN’s observation is telling: “People are coming to the match against us and they know we can do a lot of damage."  That dynamic flips the pressure: FURIA now carry the burden of expectation, while their opponents can swing freely, hungry for the upset.

Why does that change? Because legacy and dominance invite closer scrutiny. Opponents analyse tendencies, map choices and mid-round reads. When you’re labelled the favourite, mistakes are punished faster. FalleN knows this: defending a “throne” is never easy. He added that the position is tough—but his team is “managing it well so far”. 

Tactical implications and match-ups

FURIA’s path to dominance has included strong map versatility and the ability to close tight rounds. With FalleN orchestrating in-game calls, the Brazilians hold one of the richer tactical arsenals in CS2. For example, their recent results show a consistent ability to limit opponents’ first-kill advantage and convert set-ups.

Falcons and Vitality will need to exploit any chinks in that armour. Falcons’ semifinal win over Vitality underlines their capacity for surge moments: on Inferno they edged 16-13, on Nuke 13-7 (see match stats).  These performances provide evidence that when Falcons take control of tempo, they’re difficult to rein in.

Vitality’s recent encounters with FURIA have often centred on map negotiations (vetoes), early-round executions, and the ability to disrupt FURIA’s mid-round reads. Words from FURIA suggest they expect sharper opposition now—they’re preparing accordingly.

The psychological crossroads

What makes this moment compelling is speed of change. FURIA were comfortable on top; now they feel the threat building. Falcons and Vitality are not in pilot mode—they’re in predator mode. The mindset shift from challenger to challenger-turned-threat is real. FalleN’s remark that “any of them is going to be them coming for blood” underlines the adversarial intensity. 

For FURIA, maintaining composure under that pressure is crucial. Experience favours them—but momentum and hunger favour the challengers. If FURIA falter, the ascent of another team becomes likely.

Broader context in 2025 CS2

The broader CS2 circuit in 2025 has emphasised turnaround stories, rising squads and shifting power dynamics. Falcons themselves are emblematic of this rise—they’ve made deep runs, secured wins, and repositioned themselves from mid-tier to title contenders. Vitality likewise have a trophy-winning legacy and expect to be front runners.

FalleN’s quote echoes a turning point across the sport: dominance is fleeting, respect is earned, and titles are transitory. Teams that rested on laurels are being challenged harder than ever. The Hong Kong event (BLAST Rivals S2) serves as a micro-cosm of this: one tournament can redirect trajectories.

Why this moment matters

• For FURIA: Holding the throne means proving they can adapt and continue winning amid heightened expectation.

• For Falcons: Beating FURIA would validate their rebuild and cement them in the upper echelon of CS2.

• For Vitality: Closer to the top than many give credit for—they know FURIA well and intend to exploit familiarity to press advantage.

• For CS2 fans and spectators: A changing of guard feels both possible and imminent. Moments like this mark the emotional pivot between dynasty and disruption.

Final thought

When FalleN speaks of respect earned and blood-lust incoming, he’s not indulging in cliché—he’s capturing the shift underway. FURIA’s reign is no longer passive; it’s under threat. Falcons and Vitality aren’t just playing for prestige—they’re playing for legacy. And in the high-stakes lan environment of Hong Kong, every round, every clutch, and every mid-round read matters that much more.

In short: the battle lines are drawn. The challengers are stepping up. And the incumbents know it. For FURIA, that throne now demands a show of resilience. For Falcons and Vitality, the stage is set—they’re coming for blood.