HOTU Crowned Champions of Roman Imperium Cup V After Beating Gentle Mates in Grand Final
HOTU Crowned Champions of Roman Imperium Cup V After Beating Gentle Mates in Grand Final
In a thrilling conclusion to the Roman Imperium Cup V Counter-Strike 2 event, HOTU emerged as the tournament champions with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Gentle Mates in the grand final. The LAN competition took place from February 19 to February 22, 2026, in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, bringing together 16 international teams competing for both prize money and vital Valve Regional Standings (VRS) points.
The final series was a dramatic three-map battle. HOTU opened the match with a 13-9 win on Mirage, but Gentle Mates responded emphatically on Nuke, routing HOTU 13-0 in one of the most dominant performances seen at the event. The decisive third map, Overpass, saw HOTU regain control and close out the series 13-6, securing the title and the lion’s share of the prize pool.
Final Standings and Prize Distribution
| Place | Team | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 1st | HOTU | $5,929 |
| 🥈 2nd | Gentle Mates | $2,964 |
| 🥉 3rd | BetBoom Team | $1,779 |
| 4th | fnatic | $1,186 |
| Prize totals according to official results. |
The victory marks a major achievement for HOTU, who navigated a strong field of competitors to take home the title and valuable VRS points that can impact qualification for future Valve-sponsored events and possibly CS2 Majors.
Tournament Structure and Path to the Final
Roman Imperium Cup V was a B-Tier, offline tournament organized by KKM Esports. With a €10,000 prize pool and 16 entrants, the event featured both well-known esports organizations and emerging squads. Notable participants included 100 Thieves (in their LAN debut with the newly finalized roster) and fnatic, alongside other established names like Ninjas in Pyjamas and BetBoom Team.
The event began with a group stage featuring four groups of four, with the top two teams from each advancing to the single-elimination playoff bracket. From there, HOTU and Gentle Mates both won their quarterfinal and semifinal matchups to reach the final. Highlights of the playoff bracket included:
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Gentle Mates defeating Passion UA in the quarterfinals and then BetBoom Team in the semifinals.
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HOTU earning a 2–0 win over Betclic in their quarterfinal match and following it with another 2–0 victory against fnatic in the semis.
This progression highlights both teams’ resilience and strategic adaptation throughout the event.
Gentle Mates: Strong Performance but Falls Short
The Spanish-based outfit Gentle Mates entered the tournament with momentum and delivered a competitive run to the grand final. Before meeting HOTU, they reached the playoffs with decisive wins and proved themselves capable of deep runs. In particular, Gentle Mates swept Passion UA in their quarterfinal series on maps Overpass (13-10) and Nuke (13-11), showcasing tactical depth and coordinated play.
While they ultimately could not maintain consistency in the final match — suffering a shutout on Nuke — their second-place performance is a strong result that helps maintain their competitive profile on the international CS2 scene.
Tournament Significance and Broader Impact
Although Roman Imperium Cup V is categorized as a Tier 2 B-Tier event, its importance goes beyond prize money. With Valve emphasizing the Valve Regional Standings as part of the qualification pathway for CS2 Majors, strong finishes at events like this can significantly improve a team’s ranking and opportunities.
Moreover, many teams not yet established in the upper echelons of Counter-Strike’s competitive hierarchy used the tournament as a benchmark for progress and roster assessment early in the 2026 season. For organizations like 100 Thieves and BetBoom Team, participation offered valuable LAN experience against a diverse international field.
Looking Forward
For HOTU, the Roman Imperium Cup V title provides confidence and momentum as they head deeper into the 2026 competitive calendar. Meanwhile, Gentle Mates and other teams will analyze their performances and look to build on the lessons learned from this LAN event.
With multiple Tier 2 and Major-level events on the horizon this year, teams will be eager to leverage results like these to boost their global rankings and secure invitations to the sport’s most prestigious tournaments.
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