Followers anticipated Natus Vincere and Staff Spirit to breeze via the qualifiers for BLAST Bounty Fall, however each groups confirmed indicators of weak point early within the bracket.
Regardless of each coming into as strong favorites, Na’Vi and Spirit each dropped maps to a lot lower-ranked groups on their method to the $500,000 LAN. On August 6, 2025, Na’Vi dropped a shock map to Staff Subsequent Degree to begin its match run. In the meantime, Spirit misplaced its personal signature map choose to Ardour UA. Each groups come recent off large finishes at IEM Cologne, with Spirit profitable the distinguished trophy and the $400,000 grand prize. The web qualifiers proceed to rage, with three extra days of competitors figuring out the roster for the principle occasion beginning on August 14.
Ardour UA and TNL declare enormous underdog map wins
Na’Vi drew its match towards TNL for the primary spherical, and followers anticipated a blowout. HLTV ranks Na’Vi the fifth greatest CS2 workforce on the planet. TNL falls a lot decrease at rank 31, just under BIG and M80. Nonetheless, map one on Historical instantly went awry with a pistol win for TNL and an ensuing 3-0 rating. The underdog earned 5 T rounds earlier than the change. The second half featured an enormous rally for TNL because it scored 5 CT wins in a row, ultimately forcing extra time. Stellar play by rifling duo Davyd “Dawy” Bibik and Artem “cairne” Mushynskyi secured the upset.
Picture Credit score: Staff Subsequent Degree
The analyst desk instantly dissected a sound clip of Na’Vi’s gamers arguing over utility plans in the course of the heated match. Regardless of communication points, the workforce proved that Historical was a fluke and soundly received the subsequent two maps, quelling the nerves of Na’Vi followers in every single place.
Staff Spirit’s map drop was much more surprising, because the IEM Cologne champion matched up with Ardour UA, rank 33. This time, Ardour served Spirit the dishonor of dropping by itself map choose. Beginning CT on Mud, the all-Ukrainian aspect earned solely 4 rounds as anticipated. Dmitriy “sh1ro” Sokolov even picked up a gorgeous one-on-three clutch for the spotlight reel.
Nonetheless, Volodymyr “Woro2k” Veletniuk exploded on T aspect with 14 kills and 156.4 injury per spherical. HLTV rated his T aspect efficiency on Mud 2 at a mind-boggling 2.41. Ardour would finish the half 9-2 to ensure a full sequence. Spirit handily took the remainder of the match 13-3 on Mirage and 13-4 on Historical.
Picture Credit score: Ardour UA
Whereas neither favourite misplaced their sequence, each Na’Vi and Spirit dropping maps early on is a worrying signal. It’s potential that its associated to the net nature of the match, as lower-ranked groups get extra on-line occasion follow whereas top-tiers spend extra time on LAN. There’s additionally the Cologne stoop, as Na’Vi comes straight off a deep run whereas Spirit is the defending champion. Assuming each groups win their qualifying matches, they’ll have till the principle occasion begins on August 14, 2025, to shake out their nerves.
