BC.Game’s run at the Esports World Cup 2026 Open Qualifier has come to an end after a dramatic 1-2 defeat to 100 Thieves in the Round of 16. Despite Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev finishing as the highest-rated player of the series, BC.Game failed to convert their strong start and saw their eight-match winning streak snapped. The result leaves BC.Game outside the EWC 2026 main event and represents the first major setback for the organization’s rebuilt roster featuring s1mple, electroNic, Magisk, Senzu and mzinho.
BC.Game collapse after dominant start on Inferno
BC.Game opened the series in convincing fashion on 100 Thieves’ pick of Inferno. The European side controlled the map from start to finish and secured a comfortable 13-7 victory.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically on Nuke. 100 Thieves established an 11-8 advantage, but BC.Game recovered and forced the map into a close finish. Jack “Gizmy” von Spreckelsen then produced a crucial 1v3 clutch to send the game into overtime. 100 Thieves dominated the extra rounds and eventually closed Nuke 16-12, forcing the series onto Anubis.
The deciding map remained extremely close. BC.Game started with a 4-1 advantage, while s1mple repeatedly kept his team alive in difficult rounds, including an important 4K. However, 100 Thieves gradually took control of the closing stages.
At 11-11, Gizmy delivered another decisive clutch, winning a 1v2 against s1mple and mzinho after BC.Game had initially found themselves in a favorable situation. Håvard “rain” Nygaard then secured a triple kill in the following round to close Anubis 13-11 and complete the comeback.
s1mple finishes as the best player despite elimination
s1mple was the standout performer of the entire series despite BC.Game’s defeat. The Ukrainian AWPer finished the three maps with a 1.34 rating, 64-44 K-D, 87.5 ADR and 76.4% KAST.
Gizmy led 100 Thieves with a 1.23 rating and played an especially important role in the decisive moments of the series. His clutches on Nuke and Anubis proved crucial in turning both maps in his team’s favor.
BC.Game struggled to provide s1mple with enough consistent support. Magisk finished with a 1.08 rating and mzinho with 1.01, while electroNic and Senzu both ended the series on 0.87.
BC.Game’s eight-match winning streak comes to an end
The defeat also ends an impressive run for BC.Game, who entered the match on an eight-series winning streak. The rebuilt roster had won Elisa Esports BreakOut Series 1 in its first tournament together before making a strong start in Paris. BC.Game defeated BASEMENT BOYS 2-1 in the group stage before recording consecutive 2-0 victories over 1win and OG.
The EWC qualifier, however, represented a significantly more important test for the new lineup. BC.Game were hoping that a deep run could accelerate their climb in the Valve Regional Standings and secure a place at one of the biggest tournaments of the season.
Instead, the defeat is expected to leave them around the edge of the VRS top 50. The projected standings shown after the match had BC.Game dropping two positions to No. 52 with 1,333 points, while 100 Thieves were projected to rise two places to No. 34 with 1,423 points.
TaZ admits BC.Game still have plenty to improve
After the elimination, BC.Game head coach Wiktor “TaZ” Wojtas acknowledged that the newly assembled roster remains a work in progress.
I feel like there is quite a lot to work on. From the perspective of tactics, of communication, reactions, we need to just work on it and get better.
TaZ also explained that one of the main challenges is combining players who developed under very different Counter-Strike systems. s1mple and electroNic bring one approach, while Senzu and mzinho came from another environment, forcing the coaching staff to find the right balance between structured play and individual freedom.
After the match, s1mple briefly reacted to BC.Game’s elimination, admitting that the team had largely beaten themselves and thanking the fans for their support.
And that’s the tournament over. Maybe we’ll play better now, as if we lost to ourselves again. Thanks everyone for the support and more.
For BC.Game, the defeat ends what had otherwise been an encouraging opening period for the new roster. Their first trophy and eight-match winning streak showed immediate potential, but the loss to 100 Thieves demonstrated that significant work remains before the team can consistently compete in high-pressure qualification matches.
