Team Spirit are on an 8-map winstreak at IEM Rio, as they head into a grand final stage either against CS2’s greatest team or the hometown heroes.
Team Spirit brushed off Falcons in convincing fashion despite losing 0-2 to them at this same tournament.
In the group stage, Falcons humbled us and we were down a map against Red Canids. Then, we all got our shit together.
Spirit proceeded to take down G2 and MOUZ with ease, setting up the Falcons rematch.
Match Summary
On Dust2, Spirit kept up their exceptional pistol round record at IEM Rio, winning both. Falcons did put up resistance, with a NiKo 3k with the Deagle almost stealing an early round.
He wasn’t alone, as m0NESY was arguably the star of the server with the AWP on Dust2, allowing a 6-6 opening half. He got a disgusting no-scope on tN1R as part of his highlight reel. Problem is, they could not convert enough rounds.
The second half was a stomp, as Spirit had a monstrous 7-1 CT side with their captain, magixx, top fragging. He got 19 kills, topping the server, with m0NESY close behind with 17, despite losing 7-13.
Mirage was an even more one-sided affair, as Falcons won the pistol but lost the conversion. It was all downhill from there, as Spirit went for so many aggressive moves that got them decisive rounds.
The returning youngster, zont1x, had an excellent game, completely booking NiKo on the CT side. He went 6-2 against the Bosnian superstar in a 13-4 win.
Setting up the stakes: Can Spirit be the David to Vitality’s Goliath?
With Vitality on a godlike path of map, series and tournament wins in 2026, it seems all but secure that they will take the ESL Grand Slam. Here, they have FURIA ahead, and then Team Spirit.
It seems like donk and his troupe have gotten their act together at the perfect time, demostrated by tN1R’s uptick in performance. With the Brazilian crowd on their side, can they nick Vitality’s inevitable title away from their grasp?
