Ukrainian team B8 shocked the esports world by defeating tournament favorites Heroic 2:1 in their opening match at the CCT Global Finals 2025. This result came as a surprise to many, as Heroic were widely regarded as one of the top contenders for the title.
Let’s take a closer look at how B8 performed on each map:
Map 1 — Anubis (13:11)
The series began on Anubis , B8’s pick — and the Ukrainian squad immediately set the pace. Playing on the T-side, they displayed flexible setups, early mid-control, and frequent tempo shifts that threw Heroic off balance. Their strong start allowed them to close the first half with an 8:4 lead.
In the second half, Heroic ramped up the pressure and nearly tied the game, but B8 held strong in crucial rounds. Esenthial stood out with key multi-kills and smart use of utility to stop fast pushes and retakes.
Map 2 — Ancient (8:13)
On Ancient, Heroic bounced back by showcasing their defensive prowess. They quickly established control over key choke points and won a string of force buys that crippled B8’s economy. The first half ended dominantly for Heroic at 10:2.
After the side switch, B8 showed grit — with successful entries from npl, coordinated trading, and well-timed retakes helping to close the gap. However, the deficit was too large, and Heroic’s consistency in pivotal rounds secured them a 13:8 win.
Map 3 — Mirage (13:9)
The final map was Mirage — a fan favorite — and B8 delivered with flair. They seized early control of mid, executed calm and calculated splits, and closed the half with a confident 9:3 lead.
Heroic responded with fast B hits and aggressive pushes after the break, but headtr1ck shut them down with precise aim. Meanwhile, npl once again proved to be the team’s rock, clutching retakes and making crucial plays when it mattered most.
Overall Summary
This was a brilliant victory. B8 didn’t just win their own pick — they recovered after losing Ancient and closed the series on a high note. With balanced team play, stellar individual performances from npl and headtr1ck, and confident decision-making, B8 showed they are a serious threat at CCT Global Finals 2025.
