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The second FISSURE Playground event is right around the corner, and with the first six teams locked in, all eyes are already turning to the potential storylines brewing ahead of the September showdown in Belgrade. One of the biggest? Team Falcons and their shot at redemption.

Six Teams, One Goal: VRS Clout

FISSURE Playground 2 is shaping up to be a banger of a LAN, not just for the hype matches, but also because it’s a crucial battleground for Valve Regional Standings (VRS) points. These points are everything in the lead-up to the Budapest Major later this year.

As of now, six teams are confirmed to attend:

  • FURIA
  • Team Falcons
  • Aurora Gaming
  • G2 Esports
  • Virtus.pro
  • Astralis

These squads are all in the top 20 of the August 4th VRS Global Rankings, with FURIA currently sitting the highest at 6th. Team Falcons follow closely at 7th, and they’ll be heading to Serbia with a serious point to prove.

The Falcons’ Rough Patch

Team Falcons haven’t had the smoothest run lately. Their early exit at IEM Cologne, thanks to FURIA no less, was a big hit to their momentum and confidence. The loss didn’t just sting in the standings; it sparked questions about the team’s strategy and synergy.

A lot of that spotlight has been on their roster shake-up. The team benched veteran Emil ‘Magisk’ Reif and brought in Maksim ‘kyousuke’ Lukin, a young gun from Team Spirit Academy. It was a bold move, and while kyousuke definitely showed up individually, his strong map ratings weren’t enough to carry the squad through Cologne.

That contrast, kyousuke shining while the rest of the team underperformed, has fans and analysts wondering if the Falcons’ problems run deeper than just one player swap.

A Shot at Revenge

But with FISSURE Playground 2, the Falcons get another shot. A chance to bounce back, prove the critics wrong, and maybe even get some revenge on FURIA if they meet again in Serbia. And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to see that rematch?

There’s plenty on the line. Not just the prize money (more on that in a bit), but critical VRS points that could shape their path to the Major. For the Falcons, every match is a chance to rewrite the narrative.

What’s the Format?

FISSURE Playground 2 kicks off September 12th and runs until the 21st. It all takes place at the Belgrade Arena in Serbia. Here’s the format breakdown:

  • Group Stage (Sept 12–17): Swiss format, best-of-threes
  • Playoffs (Sept 19–21): Single elimination, best-of-threes
  • Grand Final (Sept 21): Best-of-five for the title

Oh, and let’s not forget the prize pool: $500,000 USD . The winning team pockets $200,000, not to mention the juicy VRS points.

Final Thoughts

With big names like G2, Astralis, and Virtus.pro in the mix, plus Aurora Gaming fielding a full-strength roster including the returning XANTARES, FISSURE Playground 2 is going to be one to watch.

But for Team Falcons, it’s more than just another LAN. It’s a redemption arc waiting to happen. Can kyousuke help steer them in the right direction? Will they finally gel as a team and deliver on their stacked potential?

Guess we’ll find out soon enough.