After four days of intense Counter-Strike 2 action, the opening stage of BLAST Bounty Season 1 has concluded, narrowing down the 32 initial teams to just 16 remaining contenders. From surprising upsets to historic performances, let’s dive into the key moments from the first stage.
MOUZ Stunned by BetBoom’s New Roster
One of the biggest shocks came when MOUZ fell to BetBoom in a 2-1 series. This was expected to be a comfortable win for MOUZ, with a $30k bounty on the line, but the newly revamped BetBoom squad, featuring Boombl4 and Ax1Le, pulled off a dramatic victory. Despite the loss, MOUZ, as one of the few unchanged teams from the off-season, will look to bounce back at Katowice.
G2 and FaZe Overcome Early Struggles
Both G2 and FaZe faced challenges in their opening matches. G2, with the addition of HeavyGod, narrowly defeated B8, while FaZe, now with EliGE replacing ropz, barely overcame M80. Although both teams survived, these early tests highlight the adjustments needed as their new rosters find their footing.
Imperial Fe’s Historic Performance Against NAVI
Imperial fe, known for its dominance in the ESL Impact scene, made history by putting up a strong fight against the NAVI. While they didn’t win, they kept the series competitive, showing their strength as female CS2 players. Despite losing 13-7 and 13-8, their performance was a major milestone for women’s CS, setting the stage for their upcoming match against FURIA at Katowice.
Falcons Begin Strong with NiKo
The spotlight was on NiKo as he made his debut for Team Falcons, a move that had sparked significant media attention. The pressure was immense, but the Falcons triumphed 2-0 over ENCE, with NiKo playing a key role in their success. This is just the start of what promises to be an exciting journey for the team.
Spirit and Vitality Deliver Expected Wins
As favorites heading into the tournament, Spirit and Vitality did not disappoint. Spirit swiftly defeated Fnatic, while Vitality dominated Metizport in their respective matches, both winning 2-0. These results were no surprise, given the strength of both teams.
With the opening stage wrapped up, BLAST Bounty Season 1 is shaping up to be a thrilling competition. What are your thoughts on the new format; do you prefer it over the traditional BLAST format?
