Falcons have officially confirmed their decision to withdraw from the upcoming BLAST tournaments — Bounty (August 5–17) and Open (August 27 – September 7). The news came as a surprise to many in the community, especially considering the team’s rising popularity and recent transfer activity. However, as explained by Falcons’ CS operations manager Xavier Roussac, the move was calculated, strategic, and ultimately necessary.
Kyousuke and the Visa Challenge
According to Roussac, the main issue lies in visa difficulties faced by Maxim “kyousuke” Lukin, a talented 17-year-old player from the post-Soviet region who has little to no travel history.
Kyousuke doesn’t have a travel record, which makes getting a Schengen visa more difficult. We’re working on it, of course, but his first visa will likely only be valid for 30 days. That means we’d need to reapply between each European event. And with the time it takes for processing, we simply won’t make it, Roussac explained.
This situation not only undermines roster stability but also presents serious risks of last-minute tournament withdrawals. Falcons have opted not to gamble with scheduling and logistics, instead focusing on events where they can guarantee full participation.
Why BLAST Events Were Cut
Another key factor in the decision was the low weight that the BLAST Bounty and Open tournaments carry in the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) — the system that directly impacts qualification for Valve Majors. As Roussac emphasized, both events are primarily online, which significantly reduces their competitive value:
BLAST has minimal impact on VRS, especially compared to the time and resources needed to prepare and participate. The format is also less exciting to play, and we don’t see strategic value in investing effort there.
The Alternative — FISSURE Playground 2
Instead of competing in BLAST, Falcons have chosen to focus on FISSURE Playground 2, set to take place September 12–21 in Belgrade. This tournament is quickly gaining prominence on the international scene, featuring a LAN format, a $1.25 million prize pool, and, most importantly, significant VRS value.
While official invites have yet to be announced, Falcons are well within the expected invite range based on current global standings.
FISSURE Playground is exactly the type of event that makes sense for our calendar. It’s a LAN, it’s in Belgrade (outside the Schengen area), and it contributes heavily to the VRS. All the factors align, Roussac said.
Context: A New Era for Falcons
The decision to skip BLAST Bounty and Open also aligns with Falcons’ broader strategic transformation. The team recently completed one of the most ambitious transfer campaigns of the season, assembling a competitive international lineup with a clear objective: to qualify for Majors and compete for titles.
In this context, skipping events that don’t offer VRS points is not a step back — it’s a focused, deliberate move. Falcons are not a team chasing appearances; they’re prioritizing value and progression.
Community Reaction: Mixed Signals
The announcement sparked varied responses on HLTV. Some opted for humor — reversing the player’s name with “ekusuoyk” and “kekusuoy”, while others stayed blunt with a simple “ok”.
One user dryly rated the reasoning as a “6/8 excuse”, while another remarked:
Makes sense, but still iffy.
A more cynical take noted:
The Falconians can afford to miss out on tournaments if you know what I mean.
Others shifted focus to BLAST itself:
HAHAHA Blast got outed as being Mickey Mouse with new format they went for.
And as one pointed out, Falcons weren’t alone in skipping:
Yes, 3DMAX are also skipping both of the BLAST events.
Despite the mixed tone, most agreed: Falcons made a deliberate and calculated call.
Strategy Over Visibility
Falcons are betting on results, not appearances. In a landscape where young players face bureaucratic barriers and every tournament represents a strategic trade-off between prestige and effectiveness, the organization has chosen the latter. This disciplined approach is further evidence of their ambition — Falcons aren’t just playing CS2; they’re building for long-term success.
