Falcons’ NiKo Praises Practice, Team Play After Big BLAST Bounty Run — Despite Challenges and Loss in Grand Final

Falcons’ NiKo Praises Practice, Team Play After Big BLAST Bounty Run — Despite Challenges and Loss in Grand Final

Nikola “NiKo” Kovač, the veteran Bosnian rifler and in-game leader, reflected on Team Falcons’ strong performance at the BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1 Finals in Malta, saying he wasn’t overly surprised by how well the squad played because “we did some good things in practice” — a comment that underscores the emphasis on preparation and cohesion that has defined Falcons in early 2026. 

Falcons’ Run With Stand-in and Without Coach
The BLAST Bounty Finals marked a significant test for Falcons. The team arrived in Malta without two key figures: head coach Danny “zonic” Sørensen, who was absent due to a family tragedy, and rifler Maxim “kyousuke” Lukin, sidelined by visa issues. As a result, 18-year-old academy prospect Matej “NucleonZ” Trajkoski was drafted in to fill kyousuke’s role for the week. 

Despite these setbacks, Falcons advanced to the grand final by beating Vitality 2–1 in the semi-finals. They won the opening map Inferno 13–10, struggled on their Anubis pick (losing 4–13), but sealed the decider 13–6 on Mirage with key duels from NiKo and strong support from NucleonZ — illustrating that even with lineup disruptions, Falcons were a formidable unit. 

On stage, NiKo attributed this performance to the team’s consistency since the IEM Cologne 2025 era, and to the practice bootcamp where Falcons worked on their tactical cohesion and corrected mistakes from previous events — particularly regarding “team play” and handling crucial rounds. He noted that this kind of fundamental preparation has helped elevate Falcons’ consistency, even if they still lacked some execution in high-pressure rounds. 

NiKo on Role Integration and Mindset
Speaking with media, NiKo stressed how important it was to put NucleonZ in familiar positions: the young stand-in was assigned the exact roles usually played by the absent kyousuke — allowing him to rely on routines he knew from academy practice rather than trying to mimic someone else’s style. NiKo’s message to him was simple: “You can’t be kyousuke — you need to be yourself.” This pragmatic approach helped the 18-year-old perform effectively under the LAN spotlight. 

NiKo also discussed the wider focus on team play. Falcons have been working to limit moments where they “play rounds badly,” especially in pivotal situations. This adjustment is part of a broader push from coaching and leadership figures to refine execution and strategic discipline — crucial ingredients for success at tier-one events. 

Falcons’ Recent History and Expectations
Falcons entered 2026 with high expectations. The organization heavily invested in its roster throughout 2025, assembling talent including NiKo, Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov, and other notable names. This blend of firepower and experience was expected to contend for top trophies, although results throughout 2025 and into early 2026 were mixed, with strong runs often falling just short of titles. 

Meanwhile, NiKo himself remains one of the most decorated players in CS2 history, known for his consistent individual brilliance and strategic leadership. Earlier in January 2026, he also publicly reaffirmed his belief in his abilities, stating that he’s “still confident that I’m one of the best in my role” despite statistical fluctuations from previous seasons. 

Grand Final and MVP Honor
In the grand final of BLAST Bounty Season 1, Falcons were swept 0–3 by the dark-horse squad PARIVISION, who completed a remarkable tournament run. Despite the result, NiKo’s performance — and his leadership throughout the event — earned him the HLTV x 1xBet Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, bringing his career total into the exclusive double-digit range (his tenth MVP), a rare achievement in competitive Counter-Strike. 

This individual accolade — won amidst adversity and while guiding a roster with stand-ins — highlights NiKo’s ongoing impact at the highest level of CS2. Even without lifting the trophy, his work in Malta provided a valuable affirmation of Falcons’ trajectory and the strength of their preparation methods. 

Looking Ahead
For Falcons, the BLAST Bounty Finals served both as a confidence booster and a reminder of where improvements are needed. With bigger LANs on the horizon — including IEM Kraków 2026 and PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 — the lessons from this event could help Falcons solidify their role as true contenders in 2026’s competitive landscape. NiKo’s belief in structured practice and team play will likely remain central to their pursuit of future success.