FURIA quelled a Falcons that had only kyousuke firing.
m0NESY did not show up for today’s match, with a 0.93 rating and negative round swing.
Zonic said that they could not “translate the same atmosphere and good level” from the group stage to the playoffs.
Molodoy said that FURIA will have a “good chance” against Vitality, after losing to them once at ESL Pro League Season 22.
Team Falcons took on FURIA in the semifinal of IEM Chengdu. Falcons looked to continue the run they had in the group stage, where they didn’t lose a map and m0NESY topped the charts. FURIA looked to continue their recent form by taking down Falcons, who they have beaten twice in a row.
Yuurih locks down Inferno
FURIA chose to go to Inferno and got to start on the defensive side, as Falcons chose to start on the T side. Falcons would go on to get only two rounds in this half.
YEKINDAR was solid on banana, winning 4 out of 5 opening duels, and Falcons repeatedly walked into yuurih’s sightline on A. Yuurih racked up a whopping 16% round swing in this map, and was the bane of Falcons.
The side switch did not do so for Falcons’s fortunes, as they would win the pistol but ultimately fall to FURIA’s aggressive plays.
Kyousuke keeps Falcons alive
Falcons got off to a good start on Mirage on their terrorist side, but FURIA quickly responded.
It looked like FURIA might steal the half after losing the pistol, but kyousuke came in with a clean ace in a 2v4. It helped break FURIA and Falcons won the half 7-5.
Once it switched to FURIA’s T side, molodoy switched on. FURIA’s repetitive A executes were successful, giving molodoy space and time to find picks in the afterplant.
FURIA got onto match point first, when Falcons fought back with kyousuke shining once again.
YEKINDAR clutch round seals it
Round 24 meant heartbreak for Falcons as YEKINDAR made a crucial play to steal the round.
They had the man advantage, but YEKINDAR snuck into window to find two kills, and allowed yuurih to win the 1v1.
m0NESY was notably absent, getting less than half (9) of molodoy’s AWP kills (21), and missing the crucial trade on YEKINDAR in the final 2v2.
Grand final preview
FURIA goes on to face Team Vitality tomorrow.
Vitality look for their 9th tournament of the year, while FURIA will look for their first prestige win ever as an organization.
Match Statistics
Falcons vs FURIA – | IEM Chengdu 2025 Semi-final
5-13 (Inferno) – yuurih | 2.35 rating
11-13 (Mirage) – kyousuke | 1.64 rating
