In a format with no room for error, even one bad match can completely change the tournament picture. The latest series of the first stage not only determined three new participants for the next round, but also delivered a result that became one of the main upsets of Stage 1.
Tournament context
Stage 1 of BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 2 is played in a single-elimination format. Every Round of 32 match is played as a best-of-three series: the winner advances to Stage 2, while the losing team immediately ends its run at the tournament.
After the three series, 3DMAX, The MongolZ, and DENDELE advanced further. magic, HEROIC, and FURIA left the tournament, with the Brazilian favorite’s elimination becoming the loudest result of the playday.
How the matches unfolded — 3DMAX vs magic
Series score: 2:1 in favor of 3DMAX
- Cache (3DMAX’s pick) — 7:13
3DMAX could not convert their own map choice. magic played the key stretches better, did not allow the opponent to stabilize its game, and opened the series with a confident victory. - Ancient (magic’s pick) — 16:14
On the opponent’s map, 3DMAX returned to the match, but the team needed overtime to do it. The French roster survived a tense ending and leveled the score in the series. - Dust2 — 13:6
On the deciding map, 3DMAX’s advantage was already much more convincing. The team quickly imposed its tempo, did not allow magic to create another competitive finish, and closed the series with a 2:1 score.
Player of the Match — Jeremy “Kursy” Gast (3DMAX)
- K–D: 62–44
- ADR: 93.7
- Rating 3.0: 1.42
Key contribution: Kursy became the most consistent player of the series, gave 3DMAX an advantage in decisive duels, and played a central role in the comeback after losing the first map.
VRS results
- 3DMAX — +22 pt → 1355 pt
The victory allowed 3DMAX to compensate for the poor start to the series and keep 34th place in the VRS. The team received not only a ticket to Stage 2, but also an important ranking boost. - magic — -19 pt → 1479 pt
The defeat after winning the opening map cost magic 19 points. The team remained in 24th position, but ended its run already in the first round.
HEROIC vs The MongolZ
Series score: 2:1 in favor of The MongolZ
- Nuke (HEROIC’s pick) — 13:9
HEROIC started the match well and converted their own choice. The team controlled most of the map and did not allow The MongolZ to take over the initiative in the ending. - Cache (The MongolZ’s pick) — 13:8
The MongolZ responded on their own pick. The Mongolian roster played the key rounds much more consistently, leveled the series, and moved the matchup to Dust2. - Dust2 — 19:16
The deciding map became the longest and most tense one in the series. The teams reached overtime, where The MongolZ handled the pressure better and completed the comeback after losing Nuke.
Player of the Match — Usukhbayar “910” Banzragch (The MongolZ)
- K–D: 66–48
- ADR: 86.0
- Rating 3.0: 1.35
Key contribution: 910 showed the best individual performance of the series, consistently created advantages in duels, and became one of the main factors behind The MongolZ’s victory on the deciding map.
VRS results
- The MongolZ — +7 pt → 1665 pt
The victory brought The MongolZ seven ranking points. The team kept 14th place and will continue its run in the next stage. - HEROIC — -3 pt → 1417 pt
HEROIC lost three points and remained in 28th position. The team won the first map, but could not close the series and was eliminated from Stage 1.
DENDELE vs FURIA
Series score: 2:1 in favor of DENDELE
- Anubis (DENDELE’s pick) — 13:6
DENDELE confidently used their own map choice and forced the favorite to play at an uncomfortable tempo from the first rounds. FURIA could not find a stable answer and lost the opening map by a wide margin. - Mirage (FURIA’s pick) — 6:13
On their own pick, FURIA restored balance. The Brazilian roster controlled the map much better and did not allow the opponent to close the series early. - Cache — 16:14
The match was decided in overtime. DENDELE withstood the pressure from a much more experienced opponent, played the overtime better, and completed one of the main upsets of Stage 1.
Player of the Match — Máximo “maxxkor” Cortina (DENDELE)
- K–D: 53–37
- ADR: 80.0
- Rating 3.0: 1.27
Key contribution: maxxkor became the best player on the winning team, finished the series with a major frag advantage, and helped DENDELE survive the decisive rounds on Cache.
VRS results
- DENDELE — +31 pt → 1429 pt
The sensational victory over FURIA brought DENDELE a major increase and moved the team up to 29th place. Considering the opponent’s level, this is one of the most valuable ranking results of Stage 1. - FURIA — -27 pt → 1809 pt
The loss to a much lower-seeded team cost FURIA 27 points. The Brazilian roster kept 6th place, but unexpectedly ended the tournament after the very first series.
What’s next?
3DMAX, The MongolZ, and DENDELE advance to Stage 2 of BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 2, where they will continue the fight in the next round of the single-elimination bracket.
magic, HEROIC, and FURIA are eliminated from the tournament at the Round of 32 stage. The most painful result was FURIA’s, as they lost to the team with the 27th seed and failed to confirm their status as one of the favorites of the matchup.
Match summary
All three matches ended with a 2:1 score, but developed according to different scenarios. 3DMAX came back after losing their own pick, The MongolZ got past HEROIC thanks to an overtime victory on Dust2, and DENDELE survived the deciding map against FURIA to deliver the main upset of the day.
The results showed how dangerous the BLAST Bounty format remains. Favorite status and a high seed do not guarantee advancement: HEROIC and FURIA left the tournament, while 3DMAX, The MongolZ, and DENDELE received tickets to Stage 2 and positive changes in the VRS.
