Fnatic sweep MIBR to stay alive at PGL Masters Bucharest

Fnatic kept their Bucharest run going with a commanding 2–0 over MIBR (13–3 Inferno, 13–5 Mirage) in the 0–2 pool. The Europeans were ruthless from the pistol rounds onward, with Benjamin “blameF” Bremer and Freddy “KRIMZ” Johansson topping the server on 2.08 and 1.71 HLTV ratings, respectively. A second-round eco on Inferno swung heavily Fnatic’s way after a Five-SeveN triple from blameF, and on Mirage, KRIMZ rolled back the years with a composed 17–9 to close the series. 

MIBR, playing without their new AWPer Klimentii “kl1m” Krivosheev due to visa issues and fielding academy stand-in Bruno “brn$” de Araújo, exit Bucharest winless. The short-notice change undercut their hopes of rebounding from a rough stint in Shanghai.

The result moves Fnatic into a stacked 1–2 bracket as they continue to justify their recent roster call—benching Cai “CYPHER” Watson in favor of Nikita “jackasmo” Skyba—ahead of the Budapest Major. 

Key match facts

Score: Fnatic 2–0 MIBR — Inferno 13–3, Mirage 13–5. 

Top performers (Fnatic): blameF (40–18 K-D, 2.08), KRIMZ (31–13, 1.71).

Context: MIBR used brn$ as a stand-in for kl1m (visa), hindering cohesion and comms.

What the players and staff are saying

Raphael “exit” Lacerda (MIBR IGL) on the stand-in situation and preparation:

“It’s never easy to accept a defeat… Unfortunately we had a stand-in, which made it way harder… We didn’t have much practice… We are going to have a one-month bootcamp for the Major.” 

Rodion “fear” Smyk (Fnatic captain) on travel and roster timing earlier this month:

“That was a really busy schedule… I feel jetlag… We’ll make the Major roster decision close to the Major.”

Fnatic Strategy & Analysis Lead Ross “RossR” Rooney on choosing jackasmo:

“The debate was between jackasmo and CYPHER or jackasmo and KRIMZ.” 

Benjamin “blameF” Bremer (context, 2024) on his mission with Fnatic:

“It’s up to me to help take fnatic back to tier-one if I want to play there.”