Vitality have done it again. The French side closed out BLAST Rivals Spring 2026 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth on 3 May with a 3-0 sweep of Natus Vincere in the grand final, locking in their fifth consecutive trophy of the year and pocketing the $125,000 winner’s cheque from a $350,000 prize pool.

Your BLAST Premier Rivals Fort Worth Champions, @TeamVitalityCS 🏆🐝#BLASTPremier pic.twitter.com/pgoH62PwzV

— BLAST Premier 💥 (@BLASTPremier) May 3, 2026

The headline number is the streak, but the headline moment was Nuke. Vitality were 11-0 down on map one, the kind of hole that 99% of teams never climb out of, and somehow turned it into a 16-12 win in overtime. After that, the result felt inevitable, even if Anubis went the distance at 13-11 before Dust2 closed it out 13-3.

The 11-0 Comeback That Decided The Final

NAVI came out of the gates on Nuke and looked completely in control. They stormed to an 11-0 lead, hitting good timings Outside, Secret, T Red, and under Silo, and constantly catching Vitality’s utility on the wrong foot. On paper it was a demolition. In practice, NAVI were 4-0 in clutches during that run and had been gifted several 4v4s off Drin “makazze” Shaqiri’s deaths Outside, which left a thinner margin than the scoreboard suggested.

Vitality grabbed a round before the half, then went flawless on their CT side. Robin “ropz” Kool, Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut and William “mezii” Merriman all won crucial 1v1s in the second half, including a 4HP clutch from ropz that swung the momentum entirely. Dan “apEX” Madesclaire said on stage afterwards he picked Nuke because he “knew what they would do” on T side, and the second-half read showed it as Vitality smothered every NAVI execute with smoke spam in the yard.

Anubis And Dust2 Closed The Series Out

Anubis was where NAVI had their second real chance. They led 11-9 and were two rounds away from forcing a fourth map, only for Vitality to win the last four straight and take it 13-11. From there, Dust2 was a write-off. NAVI didn’t get a sniff, and Vitality ran out 13-3 to seal the sweep.

The defeat extends an ugly head-to-head trend. NAVI have now lost 12 maps in a row to Vitality, a run that goes all the way back to the IEM Cologne 2024 grand final. They are the world number two side and still cannot land a clean punch on the world number one.

Read More: Vitality Launches CS Academy Roster With ‘Project H’ Five

Read More: Team Vitality Win IEM Rio 2026, Make Counter-Strike History With Back-To-Back ESL Grand Slams

Final Map Scores And Player Stats

Here’s how the grand final broke down across all three maps and both rosters.

BLAST Rivals belongs to Vitality 🏆 pic.twitter.com/9wwOHpYIcJ

— HLTV.org (@HLTVorg) May 3, 2026

ropz was the standout performer of the series despite a quiet group stage and zero clutch wins heading into the final. He posted 60 kills, 38 deaths and an 81.6 ADR with a 1.55 rating across the three maps. Within his own team he sat ahead of ZywOo (1.29), flameZ (1.28), mezii (1.24) and apEX (0.81). On the NAVI side, Ihor “w0nderful” Zhdanov topped the scoreboard with a 1.07 rating, with Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen the worst performer at 0.66.

ZywOo Takes MVP Despite Calling It His “Shittiest Tournament”

ZywOo walked away with the HLTV x 1XBET MVP medal, the 32nd of his career, after a 2.18-rated Dust2 pushed him over the line in a tight race with flameZ. Across the playoffs the two were almost identical, with ZywOo at 1.32 and flameZ at 1.33, while ropz topped them both at 1.42 but couldn’t make up the ground from a slow group stage.

The Frenchman wasn’t shy about how he felt about the award. Speaking in the mixed zone in Fort Worth, he said he thought the medal was going elsewhere and called it his worst individual showing of the year.

“I thought it was ropz or flameZ who were going to get it. But for once, I’ll say I robbed them. ropz robbed me in Rotterdam, and now I rob him, so I’m happy for that.”

He went on to admit Vitality had barely practised heading into the event, with a major patch dropping during their five days off. “The spray changed, the movement changed. We came and we were like full noobies, but somehow, god bless,” is how Shahar “flameZ” Shushan described it from the desk after the win.

Vitality’s Run Of Records Keeps Growing

The Fort Worth title is Vitality’s fifth in a row this year, and BLAST Bounty’s curtain raiser remains the only event they attended in 2026 where the trophy did not go back to Paris with them. They have now won 27 playoff maps and 15 grand final maps in a row.

That 27-map playoff streak puts them ahead of every era-defining team of the modern era, with one exception. Here’s how the comparison stacks up.

Only NIP’s 36-map run from 2012-13 sits above them, and Vitality are still active. The win in Texas also follows back-to-back ESL Grand Slam titles, a feat no other organisation has managed in the CS2 era.

Atlanta Is Next, Then The Major

The roster is heading into a short break before regrouping for IEM Atlanta, with the IEM Cologne Major waiting in June. ZywOo confirmed he and flameZ are planning a hike during the downtime, with other players splitting off to New York and San Francisco, but said the team’s mentality going into the next event won’t change.

“We always have fuel. We say we’re not here to waste our time. apEX says that every time we play a non-priority tournament for us, but every time we play a tournament, we’re here to win it.”

For NAVI, Atlanta represents another shot at finally landing a series win against the side that has owned them for nearly two years. flameZ openly said Vitality’s “floor” might drop further in Atlanta after their fatigue catches up, which gives the world number two team a real opening if they can take it. The longer the head-to-head streak runs, though, the more it starts to look less like a slump and more like a permanent ceiling.

The post Vitality Beat NAVI 3-0 To Win BLAST Rivals Spring 2026 In Fort Worth appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The opening round of IEM Atlanta 2026 is locked in, and the group stage is starting with a rematch that’s going to set the tone for the whole event. Vitality and BC.Game will kick things off in Group A, while NAVI take on Passion UA as the marquee fixture in Group B. Sixteen teams, two groups, and only six spots in the playoffs up for grabs.

The tournament runs from 11 to 17 May at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, with a reported $1 million prize pool on the line. Here’s the full bracket breakdown and what to watch for on day one.

Group Stage Format And What’s At Stake

The 16 teams have been split into two double-elimination, best-of-three groups. The top three from each group move through to the single-elimination playoffs, meaning ten teams will be sent home before the bracket stage even begins. That’s a brutal cut for an event of this size, and it puts real pressure on every opening match.

Both groups have a clear headline fixture, but there’s no shortage of dangerous floaters lurking underneath. Group A in particular has a stacked top end with Vitality, FaZe, and paiN all sharing the same bracket.

Vitality vs BC.Game Is A Direct Rematch From Kraków

The pick of the opening round is Vitality against BC.Game, a fixture that already has recent history. The two sides met in Stage 2 of IEM Kraków back in February, with Dan “apEX” Madesclaire’s Vitality squad winning 2-0 on Dust2 and Overpass.

BC.Game won’t be running the same lineup this time, though. The org double-benched Christopher “MUTiRiS” Fernandes and António “aragornN” Barbosa following Kraków, and they’ve reshuffled significantly for Atlanta. Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold has joined on loan from The MongolZ, while team analyst Robin “ScrunK” Röpke is stepping in as a stand-in for both this event and the upcoming CS Asia Championships.

Whether that’s enough to flip a 2-0 deficit against the world’s top-ranked side is another question entirely, but it makes the rematch significantly more interesting than a straight repeat would have been.

NAVI vs Passion UA Is The Group B Headliner

Over in Group B, Natus Vincere drawing Passion UA in the opening round is the standout match-up, and there’s a nice bit of symmetry to it. Passion UA recently picked up Viktor “sdy” Orudzhev on loan to fill the gap left by Senzu’s departure to BC.Game. So both opening fixtures essentially feature teams adjusting to brand new lineups against established top-tier opposition.

The rest of Group B is a mixed bag of European challengers and North American hopefuls, with Liquid vs Astralis the other tie that should produce fireworks.

Read More: Steam Controller Launches May 4 at US$99, Valve Confirms

Group A Opening Round Matches And Start Times

Group A’s opening day stacks all four matches at the same slot, so it’s a single block of CS to clear your schedule for. Beyond the headline Vitality vs BC.Game tie, paiN vs FaZe is the other must-watch, with paiN making their debut appearance since signing Rafael “saffee” Costa.

Group B Opening Round Matches And Start Times

Group B mirrors the same simultaneous start, with NAVI vs Passion UA as the headliner and Liquid vs Astralis as the other tie that’ll pull serious viewership. Two organisations with deep CS pedigree, both currently somewhere short of their best, both desperate for a result on a stage like this.

Full Group A And Group B Line-Ups

Here’s how all sixteen teams have been seeded across the two groups for the IEM Atlanta 2026 group stage.

What Comes Next After The Opening Round

With only six of sixteen teams advancing, the double-elimination format means a single bad day at the office can end an org’s tournament before it really begins. Expect the opening round to set the upper-bracket runs that everyone will want, and watch how the new BC.Game and Passion UA lineups handle the pressure of a real LAN debut against tier-one opposition. The playoffs run through 17 May.

The post IEM Atlanta 2026 Bracket – Vitality vs BC.Game Headlines Day One appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

MOUZ have confirmed a major shake-up of their CS2 roster, signing Justinas “jL” Lekavicius on a short-term loan from Natus Vincere and promoting MOUZ NXT prospect Adrian “xelex” Vincze to the main team. Ludvig “Brollan” Brolin and Jimi “Jimpphat” Salo have both been benched, while Dorian “xertioN” Berman steps up as the new in-game leader. The catch: Major Supplemental Rulebook restrictions mean jL cannot debut at IEM Cologne, so Brollan returns for that event only.

We are making the following roster changes effective immediately. Our roster will be as follows for the next three tournaments:

Astana and Shanghai:

• xelex
• Spinx
• torzsi
• xertioN (IGL)
• jL (On loan from NAVI)

Cologne Major:

• xelex
• Spinx
• torzsi
• Brollan… pic.twitter.com/tHG7odkNmz

— MOUZ (@mousesports) April 18, 2026

The announcement, made on 19 April 2026, ends weeks of speculation about how MOUZ would respond to a steep dip in form after more than a year as one of the most consistent teams in Counter-Strike.

The New MOUZ Roster Explained

The changes take effect immediately, but MOUZ will run two slightly different lineups across the next three tournaments because of Major rules. jL slots in for the Asian swing at PGL Astana 2026 and CS Asia Championships, while Brollan returns as a one-event substitute at IEM Cologne before officially leaving the organisation.

xelex, xertioN, torzsi and Spinx are the four constants across both rosters. xertioN takes over the in-game leader role full-time, with xelex stepping into the pack opener slot that xertioN previously occupied.

Dennis “sycrone” Nielsen remains in the coaching seat across all three events.

Why jL Cannot Play The Cologne Major

The split-roster situation comes down to the Major Supplemental Rulebook. Teams are locked into the lineup that was listed on the invite VRS from 6 April, and they are only permitted one change through a substitute. MOUZ have used that substitute slot to bring Brollan back for Cologne, which means jL has to sit the event out despite already being a signed player.

MOUZ explained the unusual timing as a deliberate choice to give the new lineup a head start rather than wait for a cleaner window after the Major. The organisation said confidence in the previous roster’s ability to bounce back had run out, and that prioritising preparation for the next competitive cycle outweighed keeping the existing five intact for one more tournament.

Brollan And Jimpphat’s Exit

The decision to move on from Brollan is the more delicate of the two. He was the player who took on in-game leadership duties after Kamil “siuhy” Szkaradek was removed in early 2025, and that transition kicked off the run that saw MOUZ reach at least the semi-finals at 13 of 15 events between early 2025 and early 2026.

That stretch ended sharply. The team has missed the top four at three consecutive events, capped by a last-place finish at BLAST Open Rotterdam last month.

This decision is not fair to him on a personal level. But leadership sometimes means accepting that fairness and necessity are not always the same thing.

That line came from sycrone in his statement on the changes, acknowledging Brollan’s role in the team’s previous success while explaining the call to bench him. Brollan will leave the organisation entirely after the Cologne Major, and his replacement has not yet been announced. Jimpphat has already been removed from the active roster.

Read More: karrigan Reportedly Set To Join Falcons Ahead of IEM Cologne Major, Replacing kyxsan

Read More: FMPONE Releases New CS2 Map Splinter Set in the Canadian Rockies

xelex’s Promotion From MOUZ NXT

xelex’s call-up continues a now-familiar pattern at MOUZ, where the academy team has steadily fed the main roster. xertioN and torzsi both came through the same pipeline, and xelex now joins them after a year and a half in MOUZ NXT.

The Hungarian rifler put up a 1.21 average rating across 154 maps in 2026, a workload that landed him in the top 15 of HLTV’s Prospects series as of last month. MOUZ’s CBDO Jan Dominicus framed the promotion as consistent with the organisation’s preference for in-house development, calling xelex a player aligned with that philosophy.

jL’s Return To Tier-One CS

For jL, the loan deal is his first appearance on a professional roster since he stepped down from Natus Vincere in July last year to take time away from the game. The trial spans only the Asian swing for now, with Astana opening on 7 May.

Dominicus said the team is looking for jL to bring initiative in tough situations and to lift the squad’s communication, two areas the organisation appears to feel were lacking. Whether that short window is enough to convert the loan into something permanent will likely depend on how the new five gel before the post-Major reset.

What Comes After Cologne

The Cologne Major is the closing chapter for the current era of MOUZ as much as it is the next event on the calendar. Brollan walks away, jL’s loan ends without a guaranteed extension, and MOUZ still need to lock in a fifth player for whatever the next competitive cycle looks like. The Astana and Asia Championships campaigns will effectively serve as the audition window for the version of MOUZ that follows.

The post MOUZ Sign jL On Loan, Promote xelex As Brollan And Jimpphat Are Benched appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The IEM Rio 2026 playoff bracket is set. Six teams remain, two quarter-finals open the stage, and the headline draw is Natus Vincere getting a shot at Vitality just months after losing the BLAST Open Rotterdam grand final to them 3-0. Falcons and FURIA sit in the semi-finals already, waiting on the winners.

The playoffs run from 17 to 19 April at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, with the grand final scheduled for the evening of 19 April local time. MOUZ open proceedings against Spirit in a rematch of their IEM Krakow third-place decider, and the winner walks into a semi-final against Falcons.

MOUZ Vs Spirit Kicks Off The Bracket

MOUZ and Spirit meeting in a quarter-final is the second time these two have crossed paths at a big event in 2026. The last meeting, the third-place decider at IEM Krakow, went Spirit’s way in a fairly clean two-map series. MOUZ will be looking to flip that result here, with the stakes significantly higher than a bronze medal match.

Whoever survives this one faces Falcons in the semis, which, given how Falcons have looked through the group stage, is the kind of draw nobody really wants. A rested Falcons side with m0NESY in the form he is in right now is a genuinely frightening prospect.

NAVI Vs Vitality Is The Revenge Draw

The other quarter-final is the one that sells tickets. Natus Vincere and Vitality last met in the grand final of BLAST Open Rotterdam, where apEX’s side steamrolled NAVI 3-0 to take the trophy. It was a lopsided, clinical win, and NAVI have not had a chance to answer back until now.

There is a grand final streak on the line for NAVI as well. They have reached the last two big grand finals they have played, and making it three in a row runs directly through the team that beat them last time. Vitality, meanwhile, are coming off the loss to Falcons and now have to grind through the lower side of the bracket to get back to a trophy match.

Read More: Falcons End Vitality’s 18-Match Winning Streak at IEM Rio 2026

FURIA Wait On The Home Crowd’s Behalf

FURIA sit on the other semi-final line, and they will face whoever comes out of the NAVI versus Vitality match. The Farmasi Arena crowd is the variable that everyone is quietly factoring in, and a FURIA run deep into their home event would light the place up. They have been steady rather than spectacular so far, but the bracket has opened up in a way that gives them a real shot.

Full IEM Rio 2026 Playoff Schedule

Below is the full schedule for the IEM Rio 2026 playoffs. Times have been converted to Brazil local time (BRT, GMT-3) where the event is being held, with major broadcast timezones included for international viewers.

What The Bracket Means For The Title Race

Falcons are the clear beneficiaries of how this has shaken out. They get a semi-final against a team that has already had to play an extra Bo3, and they go in as arguably the form side of the tournament. Vitality’s path, by contrast, requires beating NAVI, then likely Spirit or MOUZ, then Falcons or FURIA, all in succession.

For neutrals, the draw is close to ideal. A hometown FURIA semi-final, a NAVI revenge match, a Spirit versus MOUZ rematch with real stakes, and Falcons sitting in the catbird seat. The next three days in Rio should sort out where the trophy lands and, more interestingly, reshape the top of the world rankings heading into the next swing of the calendar.

The post IEM Rio 2026 Playoff Bracket Locked In – NAVI Get Vitality Rematch appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Team Vitality have officially won BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026, sweeping Natus Vincere in a dominant 3-0 Grand Final and securing their third major Counter-Strike 2 trophy of the year.

🐝🏆🐝#BLASTPremier @TeamVitalityCS pic.twitter.com/ESgfkGQYXN

— BLAST Premier 💥 (@BLASTPremier) March 29, 2026

The result not only reinforces Vitality’s position as the top CS2 team right now, but also puts them just one tournament win away from completing another ESL Grand Slam run, something no team has managed back-to-back in the modern era.

Vitality Dominate NAVI In One-Sided Grand Final

Vitality’s 3-0 win over Natus Vincere came across Inferno, Anubis, and Dust2, with scorelines of 13-7, 13-10, and 13-10 respectively.

While the series looked close on paper at times, NAVI struggled to convert key moments. Multiple lost force-buy situations and missed clutch opportunities allowed Vitality to stay in control throughout the match.

Inferno set the tone early, with both teams trading rounds before Vitality pulled ahead late in the half and shut things down convincingly on defence. On Anubis, NAVI briefly found momentum through individual plays, including multi-kill rounds from Drin Shaqiri, but again failed to capitalise on crucial rounds.

Dust2 followed a similar pattern, highlighted by a standout Glock round from Robin Kool, who opened the map with an all-headshot 4K that set Vitality up for another controlled win.

A Flawless Tournament Run In Rotterdam

Coming into the event as favourites, Team Vitality delivered a near-perfect run at the Rotterdam Ahoy Arena.

They opened with a 2-0 win over 9z, followed by clean 2-0 victories against The MongolZ and PARIVISION in the group stage. That momentum carried into the playoffs, where they dispatched Aurora Gaming 2-0 before sweeping NAVI in the final.

Across the entire event, Vitality did not drop a single series, underlining just how far ahead they currently are in the CS2 competitive scene.

The win also extended their incredible streaks, with reports highlighting a 22-map win streak and 16 consecutive series victories heading into and through the final.

ropz Claims MVP With Standout Playoff Performance

Robin “ropz” Kool was named MVP of BLAST Open Rotterdam, earning the award for the first time since joining Vitality.

Interestingly, he was not the standout player during the early stages of the tournament, with Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut and Shahar “flameZ” Shushan leading performances in the group stage.

However, once playoffs began, ropz stepped up massively. He delivered multiple high-impact maps, finishing with a 1.54 rating in the arena and consistently turning key rounds in Vitality’s favour.

This marks his sixth career MVP medal and his first since 2023, further reinforcing his reputation as one of the most reliable big-stage performers in Counter-Strike.

Vitality Move One Step Closer To ESL Grand Slam

With victories now at IEM Kraków, PGL Cluj-Napoca, and BLAST Open Rotterdam, Vitality are closing in on another ESL Grand Slam title.

They now need just one more eligible tournament win to secure the $1 million prize and complete back-to-back Grand Slam runs, something that would further cement this roster’s place in Counter-Strike history.

The current lineup of Dan “apEX” Madesclaire, Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, Robin “ropz” Kool, William “mezii” Merriman, and Shahar “flameZ” Shushan continues to deliver consistent results, with no signs of slowing down.

What Comes Next For Vitality

Vitality’s next challenge will be IEM Rio, scheduled from April 13 to April 19.

Given their current form, they will once again enter as clear favourites. Another title there would not only extend their dominance but also secure the ESL Grand Slam, adding even more weight to what is already shaping up to be one of the most dominant eras in Counter-Strike 2.

If this run continues, conversations around the greatest CS team of all time are only going to get louder.

The post Vitality Win BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 After 3-0 Sweep Over NAVI appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Rumours about CS2 player salaries have exploded this week, with claims that some of the biggest names in Counter-Strike could be earning eye-watering monthly paycheques.

According to Belarusian caster Konstantin “Leniniw” Sivko, players like Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut and Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev are commanding salaries that would rival top-tier athletes, though it’s important to note these figures are unverified and heavily debated.

Reported Salaries From Leniniw’s Claims

Speaking on a recent podcast and later on Telegram, Leniniw shared what he says are insider figures for several top CS2 players and staff.

The most headline-grabbing number is ZywOo, who is claimed to be earning around €100,000 per month while playing for Team Vitality. That would put him well over six figures in USD terms, making him one of the highest-paid players in the scene if accurate.

Leniniw also claimed that when s1mple was negotiating a move to BC.Game, he requested a monthly salary of $120,000. According to the caster, s1mple’s goal was to become the highest-paid Counter-Strike player in history.

Other figures mentioned include NiKo and m0NESY, who were both said to be earning roughly $70,000 per month, while NAVI coach Andrii “B1ad3” Ghorodenskyi was described as the highest-paid member within the organisation, though no exact number was given.

s1mple Responds With A Joke

Shortly after the claims began circulating, s1mple responded on Telegram with a tongue-in-cheek comment.

He joked that $120,000 per month was actually “a bit too low”, adding that many tier-one CS players already earn that amount and implying he had asked for even more.

The response didn’t confirm or deny the report, but it did add fuel to the conversation and highlight just how speculative these numbers are.

Conflicting Claims From Falcons Leadership

What makes these salary rumours even more interesting is how they clash with previous statements from Falcons management.

The organisation’s CEO had previously suggested that NiKo and m0NESY were earning somewhere between $16,000 and $32,000 per month, which is significantly lower than Leniniw’s reported $70,000 figure.

Former coach kassad publicly pushed back on those lower estimates, calling them a “blatant lie”, which only adds to the confusion around what top players are actually being paid.

How Reliable Are These Salary Leaks?

Even Leniniw himself admitted that some of the information came indirectly, in one case citing “someone who knows well-informed people” as the source.

Other figures were shared without detailed sourcing, and none of the players or organisations involved have officially confirmed the numbers.

That uncertainty has led to scepticism among fans, with many pointing out that the reported salaries seem extremely high, even by modern esports standards.

The Bigger Picture Around CS2 Salaries

While exact numbers are rarely made public, it’s widely accepted that top Counter-Strike players earn significant salaries through a mix of team contracts, tournament winnings, and sponsorship deals.

If figures like €100,000 per month are accurate, it would signal just how far the esport has grown financially, particularly with increased investment from organisations and sponsors in recent years.

At the same time, the gap between reported figures and official statements shows how opaque esports contracts still are, especially at the highest level.

For now, these CS2 salary rumours remain exactly that, rumours, but they’ve certainly sparked a fresh conversation about just how much the biggest names in Counter-Strike are really worth.

The post CS2 Salary Rumours Claim ZywOo €100K, s1mple $120K Per Month appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 playoff bracket is officially locked in, with eight teams advancing to the knockout stage after the conclusion of the group phase. The action now shifts to the BT Arena, where the quarterfinals begin on February 20 and the race for the trophy enters its most intense stretch.

All quarterfinals will be played in a best of three format, setting up three straight days of high-stakes Counter-Strike before the champion is crowned in a best of five grand final on Sunday.

Quarterfinal Matchups Confirmed At BT Arena

The opening playoff clash sees Falcons take on PARIVISION. The two recently faced each other at the BLAST Bounty S1 Finals, where Dzhami “Jame” Ali’s side came out on top in a best of five series against a Falcons lineup missing Maxim “kyousuke” Lukin. That result adds a bit of extra spice heading into their latest meeting in Cluj.

Next up is MOUZ versus Natus Vincere, a matchup many fans have circled as the headline series of the quarterfinal stage. NAVI will have strong local support behind Mihai “iM” Ivan, who is finally set to compete in front of his home crowd after the organisation declined their invitation to last year’s edition of the tournament.

Vitality then meet Aurora in what shapes up as a rematch of their dramatic IEM Krakow encounter. That series famously took place on Ancient and required four overtimes to decide, underlining just how evenly matched these two squads can be.

The final quarterfinal sees FURIA face The MongolZ. This pairing has become surprisingly frequent over the past year, with the teams meeting eight times in the last 12 months. Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo and his Brazilian side currently hold a 5–3 edge in that head to head record.

Full Quarterfinal Schedule And Format

All quarterfinal matches will take place on Friday, February 20, with match times listed in Eastern European Time.

• 10:00 — Falcons vs PARIVISION
• 13:00 — MOUZ vs Natus Vincere
• 16:00 — Vitality vs Aurora
• 19:00 — FURIA vs The MongolZ

Each series will be played as a best of three.

⏭️ We’re going to BTarena on Friday for PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 Playoffs 🇷🇴

with…

🔥 @FalconsEsport | @parivisiongg | @mousesports
| @natusvincere | @TeamVitalityCS | @AuroraCS2_GG | @FURIA | @1mongolz 🔥

🎟️ Get your tickets: https://t.co/IZmRMTK3Pt#PGLClujNapoca pic.twitter.com/GFNyVtKTCv

— PGL (@pglesports) February 18, 2026

The semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, February 21, at 17:00 and 20:00 respectively, also in a best of three format. The bracket is structured so that the winner of Falcons vs PARIVISION will face the winner of MOUZ vs NAVI, while the Vitality vs Aurora winner meets either FURIA or The MongolZ.

Grand Final And Third Place Match Details

Sunday, February 22 will feature both the third place match and the grand final. The third place decider is set for 14:00, followed by the championship series at 18:00.

The grand final will be played as a best of five, giving the two remaining teams a full stage to prove themselves over an extended series. With several title contenders still in the bracket, including Major level rosters and recent big event finalists, the final weekend in Cluj is shaping up to feel more like a tier one LAN playoff than a routine stop on the calendar.

With previous rivalries being renewed and several storylines already brewing from earlier meetings this season, PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 now moves into the phase where one bad map can end a campaign. For fans heading to the BT Arena or tuning in from home, the next three days should deliver some of the most competitive Counter-Strike of the year so far.

The post PGL Cluj Napoca 2026 Playoff Bracket Set As Quarterfinal Matchups Confirmed appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The transfer of Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold to Passion UA has taken an unexpected turn, after the organisation’s CEO claimed they outbid Natus Vincere for the Mongolian star, only for NAVI to publicly deny making any offer at all.

In an interview, Passion UA CEO Artemijs Rjabovs said the club agreed to pay slightly more than what NAVI were allegedly willing to spend. Hours later, NAVI’s sporting director Amiran “aMi” Rekhviashvili took to X to call the claim “a lie”, insisting the organisation “didn’t offer anything”

Here’s what we know so far.

Rjabovs Says Passion UA Won A Bidding War

Speaking in an interview with Konstantin “leniniw” Sivko, Rjabovs described difficult negotiations with The MongolZ, noting that this was likely the first time the Mongolian organisation had sold a player.

According to Rjabovs, there were rumours about NAVI’s interest and how much they were willing to pay. Passion UA, he claimed, agreed with The MongolZ on a “slightly higher sum” than what NAVI were offering.

He also confirmed that the deal includes an option to make Senzu’s move permanent after IEM Cologne, if all parties are satisfied. Senzu initially joined Passion UA on loan, with the agreement running through the end of the current season.

That version of events paints the picture of a competitive transfer race, with Passion UA stepping up financially to secure one of the most promising riflers in the scene.

NAVI Respond: “We Didn’t Offer Anything”

Shortly after those comments gained traction, NAVI’s sporting director Amiran “aMi” Rekhviashvili publicly refuted the claim on X.

That’s a lie, we didn’t offer anything. Delusional CEO 🤡
Let’s reject NAVI and join PassionUA 😂 https://t.co/qUD2BefMhN

— ami 💛💙 (@NAVIami_R) February 15, 2026

“That’s a lie, we didn’t offer anything,” he wrote, adding a pointed remark suggesting the idea that Senzu “rejected NAVI and joined Passion UA” was delusional.

This directly contradicts Rjabovs’ suggestion that Passion UA had outbid NAVI. At this stage, there’s no public evidence of a formal offer from NAVI, and the organisation’s stance is clear, they say no offer was made.

Earlier context from NAVI coach Andrey “B1ad3” Gorodenskiy adds another layer. He previously confirmed that NAVI spoke to potential targets towards the end of 2025, but stressed it was part of a long-term strategy and “doesn’t mean we will take them.” That leaves open the possibility of exploratory talks, without any official bid being submitted.

What The Senzu Deal Actually Includes

Putting the back-and-forth aside, the confirmed details of the transfer are significant on their own.

Senzu joined Passion UA on 13 February on a loan deal that includes a buyout option. The loan runs until the end of the season, and Rjabovs says the organisation can make it permanent after IEM Cologne if everyone is happy with how things progress.

His debut is set to come at ESL Pro League Season 23, which runs its online stage from 27 February to 9 March. That event will determine which eight teams advance to the LAN finals out of 24 competing squads.

He will miss Roman Imperium Cup V due to the registration deadline, meaning fans will have to wait a little longer to see the new lineup in action.

The team has not officially confirmed which rifler will step aside for Senzu. Reports indicate Michael “Grim” Wince is set to move to NRG, which would allow Nick “nicx” Lee to remain as the team’s anchor.

A Statement Of Ambition From Passion UA

Beyond the transfer drama, this move signals how serious Passion UA are about climbing the rankings.

The organisation, backed by Arsenal footballer Oleksandr Zinchenko, has already shown ambition by acquiring the former Complexity core late in 2025. That roster change pushed them into bigger events, but the addition of Senzu and Argentine AWPer Santino “try” Rigal marks another step up.

Rjabovs framed it in almost emotional terms, pointing out that just two years ago the team were competing in smaller events like United21. Now they are signing a player ranked No. 13 on HLTV and targeting title contention rather than just top 20 placements.

He also revealed that Zinchenko personally called try multiple times to convince him to join, despite interest from three top-ten teams. The CEO highlighted try’s Major performances as a key reason for prioritising the signing, saying the team lacked the consistency a top sniper must bring.

Senzu, for his part, is set to take English lessons to integrate more smoothly into the squad, following the example of Vladyslav “Kvem” Korol, who improved significantly after joining the team.

Where This Leaves The NAVI Angle

Right now, the situation boils down to two conflicting public statements.

Passion UA’s CEO says they agreed to pay more than NAVI were willing to offer. NAVI’s sporting director says no offer was made at all. Without documentation from either side, it remains a matter of word against word.

What is certain is that Senzu is now part of Passion UA’s project, at least for the remainder of the season, and his performance at ESL Pro League Season 23 will likely define how this story is remembered.

If he helps elevate the squad into genuine title contention, the debate over who bid what may quickly fade into the background.

The post Passion UA CEO Claims They Outbid NAVI For Senzu As NAVI Deny Making Offer appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The stage is finally set for the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 playoffs, and fans are in for a massive weekend of Counter Strike. All eight teams in the bracket are ranked inside the global top 10, which means every match on the schedule has the potential to be a blockbuster. With long running rivalries, storylines that span the entire season, and a hometown favourite making a deep run, this Major is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in years.

A Marquee Duel To Open The Playoffs

Spirit will open the playoffs against Falcons, setting up another chapter in the season long clash between Danil “donk” Kryshkovets and Nikola “NiKo” Kovač. It will be their fourth meeting of 2025, and so far NiKo has had the edge. Falcons also arrive with momentum, replacing paiN as the only new team returning to the playoffs after Austin, already marking their best ever finish at a Valve sponsored event.

With Spirit in top form and donk looking unstoppable throughout the Swiss stage, this matchup is the clear headline for day one.

A Grand Final Rematch With Serious Stakes

The second quarterfinal brings a rematch of the Austin Major grand final, as Vitality take on The MongolZ. Both sides have navigated a tough Swiss stage to reach this point, and the rivalry between them has only grown stronger across 2025. Expect a tight, high pressure best of three, where every round counts and neither team can afford early mistakes.

Hometown Energy As MOUZ Return To The Arena

Local fans will have plenty to cheer for as Ádám “torzsi” Torzsás and MOUZ step into the spotlight once again. Their matchup against Finn “karrigan” Andersen’s FaZe Clan is one of the most anticipated games of the weekend. FaZe bring a wealth of experience, while MOUZ look energised by the home crowd and their strong run through the Swiss bracket.

This quarterfinal will also open Friday’s schedule, setting the tone for the second day of playoff action.

FURIA vs NAVI: A Clash Of Titans

To close out the quarterfinals, world number one FURIA meet Natus Vincere in a heavyweight showdown. Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo is chasing his first Major trophy since 2016, and with FURIA sitting atop the rankings, the Brazilian squad enters with enormous expectations. NAVI, however, have proven time and time again that they thrive under high pressure. The two teams have met several times this year, and every encounter has delivered.

With single elimination rules in place, there is absolutely no room for hesitation.

Full Playoff Schedule

All matches will be played in best of three series, except for the grand final. The playoffs begin on 11 December and run through 14 December.

The #BudapestMajor Playoffs bracket reveal:@Team__Spirit vs. @FalconsEsport@TeamVitalityCS vs. @1mongolz @mousesports vs. @FaZeEsports @FURIA vs. @natusvincere pic.twitter.com/0cqmRhzCpT

— StarLadder CS2 (@StarLadder_CS) December 7, 2025

The post StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Playoffs Matchups Locked In appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Natus Vincere is gearing up for a fresh run in the VCT 2026 season, unveiling a revamped VALORANT roster that blends familiar faces with promising new firepower. The Ukrainian organisation shared the announcement through a cinematic reveal video, confirming two new signings who will join its returning core.

For a job this big, we’ll have to get the best we know.

Your NAVI Valorant VCT 2026 Roster has arrived. pic.twitter.com/LV3FFQC6UD

— NAVI Valorant (@NAVIValorant) December 3, 2025

A New Mix of Talent for 2026

NAVI’s updated lineup introduces Polish player Dawid ‘Filu’ Czarnecki and Turkish duelist Volkan ‘sociablEE’ Yönal. Both players arrive with solid experience in the VCT EMEA circuit, making them natural fits for NAVI’s rebuild.

Filu makes the move after his time with KOI, a chapter that ended abruptly due to Riot Games terminating its partnership with the Spanish organisation. SociablEE, meanwhile, spent the 2025 season with BBL Esports, where he made a name for himself as an aggressive and dynamic duelist.

They will play alongside NAVI’s returning trio
• Andrei ‘Shao’ Kiprskii
• Emirhan ‘hiro’ Kat
• Uğur ‘Ruxic’ Güç

Together, this five man roster aims to reset NAVI’s trajectory after a rocky 2025.

Coaching Staff Brings Stability and Veteran Insight

The squad will be guided by French coach Vincent ‘Happy’ Schopenhauer, who continues to build his legacy as one of the most respected strategic minds in the region. He will work side by side with Kyrylo ‘ANGE1’ Karasov, who recently stepped into a coaching role after retiring from competitive play earlier this year.

Assistant coach Dmytro ‘Chippy’ Bychenko will remain with the team as well, offering continuity as NAVI transitions into its new era.

As part of the roster reshuffle, NAVI parted ways with Alex ‘alexiiik’ Hawlasek, who had stepped in to replace GianFranco ‘koalanoob’ Potestio ahead of VCT EMEA Stage 2.

Reflecting on NAVI’s 2025 Performance

NAVI’s run through the 2025 VCT season was marked by inconsistency. The team opened the year with a top six finish in Stage 1, then bounced back with a stronger Stage 2, ultimately securing fourth place after a close lower bracket loss to GIANTX.

While the improvements were noticeable, it still wasn’t enough to secure enough Championship Points to qualify for Champions 2025. The organisation has now gone two full seasons without an international appearance, adding pressure to deliver in 2026.

The arrival of new talent, combined with a refreshed coaching structure, signals a serious effort to change that narrative.

When Will NAVI Debut the New Lineup?

Fans won’t have to wait long to see NAVI in action. The team is set to debut its roster at Project Blender, an open event featuring a mix of amateur, tier two, and tier one teams. It’s a chance to test chemistry, experiment with roles, and iron out strategies before the season officially begins.

From there, NAVI will turn its attention to the VCT EMEA Kickoff, launching on 20 January. With a stronger lineup and renewed motivation, the organisation will be hungry to reclaim its place among the region’s top contenders.

The post NAVI Reveals New VALORANT Lineup for VCT 2026 appeared first on Shane the Gamer.