This tournament offered Counter-Strike 2 fans plenty of unexpected twists. Some teams pleasantly surprised with their progress, while others fell short of expectations. Here’s a summary of the main surprises and disappointments of the event.
Surprise: Falcons and Their Form with m0NESY
Falcons emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest sensations. After winter roster changes and the signing of young star m0NESY, the team has shown rapid progress. A new spirit is clearly visible: aggressive yet composed gameplay, smart decision-making in key moments, and exceptional firepower from their core players.
What’s particularly impressive is how quickly Falcons adapted after rebuilding their roster. Their current level sends a strong message to all top teams — this project is set to fight for major trophies very soon.
Disappointment: NAVI and Their Form
Unfortunately, NAVI turned out to be the tournament’s biggest disappointment. The team looked unconvincing both on the attack and on defense. Inconsistent performances, a lack of clear strategy, and questionable communication led to serious struggles, even against lower-ranked opponents.
The tournament revealed that NAVI still have unresolved issues — both in terms of player roles and overall team structure. With this level of play, achieving success at the Major will be extremely difficult.
Surprise: GamerLegion with Their Re-Signed Coach
GamerLegion once again proved that coaching stability plays a crucial role. After re-signing their head coach, the team regained confidence: solid map pool preparation, bold tactical decisions, and strong performances in critical moments.
Their gameplay reflects a clear idea: even in tough situations, GamerLegion stick to their structured approach, allowing them to challenge any opponent. This provides the team with a strong foundation for the future.
MOUZ and The MongolZ
While more was expected from MOUZ and The MongolZ in the semifinals, it would be unfair to call their performances failures. Both teams showed good form throughout the tournament, overcoming tough opponents and gaining valuable experience.
Their semifinal games exposed some weaknesses — clutch instability, struggles with pacing, and adaptation issues against stronger resistance. However, these defeats should serve as important lessons and motivation to improve ahead of future events, especially the Major.
Surprise: Liquid Gaining Momentum
Liquid are another standout example of progress. After a shaky start to the season, the team managed to pull themselves together, showing strong teamplay and a well-organized structure.
With better role distribution and a gradual return to form by key players, there’s real reason for optimism. If Liquid maintain this trajectory, they could soon re-establish themselves as a top force on the international stage.
