In the Group B lower bracket at BLAST Open London 2025, Team Spirit faced off against Team Liquid in a tense elimination match. For both squads, it was do-or-die, as defeat meant an early exit from the tournament. Spirit showed discipline and composure, and with the brilliant individual form of sh1ro and donk, they secured a convincing 2:0 victory.
Teams’ Path in the Tournament
Team Spirit started their campaign with a confident 2:0 win over FlyQuest but then fell 0:2 to FURIA, which dropped them to the lower bracket. Against Liquid, they bounced back and proved once again that they remain a serious contender.
Team Liquid began with a 0:2 loss to G2, immediately falling to the lower bracket. There, they eliminated Imperial (2:1), but in the following round ran into Spirit’s wall. The 0:2 defeat marked the end of Liquid’s journey at BLAST Open London 2025.
Match Timeline
- Dust2 (16:12, Liquid’s pick)
Liquid opened the series on their own pick but quickly lost control. The first half ended evenly (6:6), yet after the side switch Spirit completely shut them down with a flawless 10:0 run. Sh1ro and donk won nearly every duel, while only Twistzz managed to keep Liquid in the fight.
- Mirage (13:7, Spirit’s pick)
On their map choice, Spirit looked even stronger. Donk immediately seized momentum, while sh1ro closed the map with a string of decisive rounds. Liquid, despite efforts from NAF and NertZ, couldn’t break through Spirit’s defense. A 13:7 score sealed the series 2:0 for Spirit.
Player Stats for the Match
Player of the Match
The MVP of the series was Dmitry “sh1ro” Sokolov, who once again showcased why he is considered one of the most reliable AWPers in the world. His performance against Liquid was nothing short of phenomenal:
- K-D: 57–25 (+32)
- ADR: 119.4
- Rating 3.0: 1.61
Sh1ro consistently dominated duels, shutting down Liquid’s attempts to gain map control. His composure in clutch situations, combined with precise positioning and smart utility usage, made him nearly unstoppable. In the second half of Dust2, his impact was particularly visible as he helped secure a flawless streak of rounds. Calm, efficient, and lethal — sh1ro was the cornerstone of Spirit’s convincing 2:0 win.
Team Performance
Team Spirit
The driving forces were sh1ro and donk. Sh1ro put up outstanding numbers, while donk (46–27, 1.34 rating) consistently opened rounds and set the pace on offense. Zweih and chopper maintained balance within the team’s structure, while zont1x looked less confident but carried out the dirty work.
Team Liquid
For Liquid, Twistzz (33–37, 1.35 rating) was the standout, taking initiative, especially on Dust2. NAF played evenly (32–32) but couldn’t tip the balance. The rest — NertZ, siuhy, and especially ultimate — struggled to find rhythm against Spirit’s aggression.
Previous Encounters
This wasn’t the first time the two sides clashed in 2024–2025. Spirit have clearly dominated the head-to-head, winning five of their last seven meetings. Painful defeats for Liquid included IEM Katowice 2025 (8:13 Dust2, 10:13 Nuke) and Perfect World Major Shanghai, where Spirit once again came out on top. Liquid last managed to beat Spirit back at BLAST Premier Fall Final 2024, but since then have been unable to break their rival’s dominance.
Team Spirit once again proved their class and ability to perform under pressure in the lower bracket. Sh1ro and donk emerged as the true heroes of the series, while the whole squad showcased discipline and cohesion.
For Liquid, this loss is yet another warning sign: despite individual flashes, the roster still lacks stability. Their BLAST Open London 2025 run ends in disappointment, while Spirit move forward in the fight for the playoffs.
