Upsets mark the opening day of ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage 2 as FURIA, FUT, and FaZe stumble

Upsets mark the opening day of ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage 2 as FURIA, FUT, and FaZe stumble

The opening day of ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage 2 delivered several unexpected results, as a number of high-profile teams failed to secure victories in their first matches of the Swiss stage. Among the biggest disappointments were FURIA, FUT, and FaZe, all of whom suffered early defeats and were immediately pushed into the lower side of the bracket. 

Stage 2 of the tournament runs from March 6 to March 10 and uses a Swiss format, meaning teams must accumulate three wins to advance to the playoffs while three losses result in elimination. With 16 teams competing for a limited number of playoff spots, every early match carries significant weight. 

B8 deliver the biggest upset against FURIA

The most surprising result of the opening round came late in the day when Ukrainian squad B8 defeated the Brazilian lineup FURIA in a closely contested three-map series. Despite entering the match as the clear favorites, FURIA were unable to maintain consistency across the series and ultimately fell 1–2. 

B8 began the match confidently on Mirage, their map pick, where they secured a narrow first-half lead before closing the map with a 13-8 victory. FURIA responded strongly on Overpass, dominating the map from the start and tying the series with a convincing 13-2 win. However, the deciding map Dust2 swung back in B8’s favor as the Ukrainian side controlled key engagements and built an early lead that they never relinquished, sealing the map 13-6 and the series victory. 

The defeat was particularly disappointing for the Brazilian team, who had not played an official match for nearly two weeks prior to the event. The lack of recent competition may have contributed to their slow start, although the team still had additional chances to recover due to the Swiss format. 

FUT unable to maintain Stage 1 momentum

Another team that struggled on the first day was FUT, who had previously impressed during Stage 1 of the tournament. The roster advanced to Stage 2 with a flawless 3-0 record, highlighted by a convincing victory over Astralis in the qualification series. 

However, their strong form did not carry over into the next stage. FUT were defeated in their opening match, placing them among the teams forced into the 0-1 bracket. While the loss did not immediately threaten their tournament run, it significantly increased the pressure for the following matches, as teams must avoid accumulating losses in the Swiss system. 

FaZe continue difficult run in 2026

The start of Stage 2 also proved challenging for FaZe, who suffered an opening loss that further extended what has already been a difficult period for the team. The European roster has struggled to find consistent results in 2026, winning only two matches out of their first ten appearances this year and posting a win rate of just 38.5% over the last three months. 

Their defeat on the opening day placed them in the 0-1 pool, forcing them into elimination-threatening matches much earlier than expected. The pressure quickly intensified in subsequent rounds, as FaZe later dropped another series against paiN, falling to the 0-2 bracket and moving dangerously close to elimination from the event. 

Favorites prevail elsewhere

While several notable teams struggled, the majority of favorites were able to start their campaigns successfully. Teams such as NAVI, Astralis, Team Spirit, Aurora, G2, The MongolZ, MOUZ, and B8 all secured victories in the opening round and advanced to the 1-0 pool. 

These results created clear early divisions in the Swiss standings: the winners continued competing against each other for quick qualification, while the losing teams faced tougher paths to survival.

Early results set the tone for Stage 2

Although the opening day represents only the first step of the Swiss stage, the results immediately shaped the trajectory of the tournament. Teams that suffered early defeats, such as FURIA, FUT, and FaZe, were forced to navigate the more dangerous lower bracket, where a single additional loss can place them on the brink of elimination.

At the same time, surprise victories like B8’s triumph over FURIA demonstrated the unpredictable nature of the event. With several rounds still remaining before the playoff spots are decided, the early upsets suggest that ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage 2 could feature even more dramatic shifts in momentum as teams fight to secure their place in the final stage of the competition.