“NiKo: ‘I would say that we learned our lesson from the Austin Major’” 

“NiKo: ‘I would say that we learned our lesson from the Austin Major’” 

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NiKo Sees Growth After Austin Collapse as Falcons Secure Playoffs at Budapest Major

Bosnian-star Nikola “NiKo” Kovač admits that his team Falcons took hard lessons from the disastrous outcome at the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 — and now feel better equipped heading into the playoff stage of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. 

After a shaky start in Hungary — including a loss to B8 in Stage 3 — NiKo stressed that the team’s mindset and mental state have improved, in large part thanks to the wake-up call from Austin. “We entered Way better into the second game,” he said. “I would say that we learned our lesson from the Austin Major.” 

A Major Disaster in Austin

Earlier in 2025, Falcons entered the Austin Major as one of the clear favourites. Despite their strong season form and high expectations, they failed to advance to Stage 3, a shocking early elimination that NiKo himself described as “so unacceptable to drop the ball in such a crucial moment.” 

During the event, their pistol-round wins were abysmal, an indication of deeper issues rather than a mere bad day. NiKo stated:

“There are a lot of reasons why we crumbled. Our individual level was just off. … We were under pressure every game, always trying to fight back.” 

The “Austin collapse” left a mark: one esports expert even wrote that “no player of his stature has failed so many times at a Major” when discussing NiKo’s ongoing inability to secure a Major title. 

Taking the Hard Route in Budapest

Fast forward to Budapest: Falcons’ road was far from smooth. After that initial loss to B8, they had to fight through two tight matches — against MOUZ and then against G2 Esports — the latter ended in a 2-1 win that secured their playoff spot. NiKo called the G2 match “one of the hardest matches of my career.” 

He candidly admitted the early stumble was uncomfortable:

“It’s not a nice feeling to start a Major that way. But now that we are qualified, I’m glad that we took the harder route.” 

By choosing not to avoid the difficult path, NiKo believes Falcons have strengthened their mental resilience and team bond — key ingredients for the playoffs.

Mindset Shift, Not Just Strategy

Beyond in-game tactics and map vetoes, NiKo stressed that Falcons’ growth is as much mental as it is physical:

“People overreacted, that’s 100 %, but it was not random … we played really well. … But after that event [Austin] we didn’t add too many things. For the Major we added a lot, and it was really good before the Major.” 

Essentially, he’s acknowledging past complacency: the winning momentum from prior events mis-led them into thinking they were set, only to discover at Austin they weren’t. Now, after that painful reminder, they feel sharpened and more realistic.

Strategic Considerations

When it comes to in-game roles and structure, NiKo didn’t shy away from admitting the challenges:

“The IGL role … is a pain in the ass … You need to be sharp individually, work with all of the players, work with the coach and with management staff as well.” 

This insight shows that Falcons see long-term cohesion and structure — not just one tournament — as their pathway to success.

Why This Moment Matters

• A wake-up call: Austin taught Falcons the stakes aren’t just about skill but about consistency, preparation and mentality.

• A harder path = stronger outcome: By facing adversity early in Budapest, the team now feels battle-tested as they enter high-stakes playoffs.

• Mental game recognized: Falcons now emphasise mental fortitude, teamwork and preparation over just tactics and individual flashes.

• NiKo’s legacy still at stake: Despite being one of the best players in CS2, he still lacks a Major trophy — and this moment may define his next chapter.

What’s Next for Falcons?

As they head into the playoff bracket, NiKo acknowledges the competition is stacked. He emphasises that Falcons must carry the same mindset, not just rely on raw talent or roster hype. In his words:

“I really believe that this game and the way that we have played to get to the playoffs will make us stronger in the playoffs.” 

They’ll need to rely on:

• Map veto clarity and tactical diversity

• Strong pistol-round win rates and CT halves (areas exposed in Austin)

• Mental resilience when facing pressure moments or adversity

• Clear leadership and communication as a unit

Final Thoughts

For NiKo and his team Falcons, the message is clear: the Austin Major failure wasn’t just an embarrassing exit — it was a lesson. A harsh one, but one they appear determined to use. Their path through the tougher route in Budapest seems intentional rather than accidental, a choice to earn their playoff spot in a way that built strength.

If Falcons maintain this renewed focus, their next steps could see them not just contending for trophies, but rewriting a narrative that has long eluded NiKo: finally capturing a Major title.