The French roster 3DMAX kicked off FISSURE Playground 2 with a bright performance, defeating the tournament’s main favorite — The MongolZ. The series ended 2–1 in favor of 3DMAX (13–10 on Inferno, 5–13 on Ancient, and 13–9 on Nuke) and turned into a true upset of the opening round. For The MongolZ, who arrived at the event as the world’s No.2 team, this loss was a serious blow. For 3DMAX, it was a loud statement of intent — at least for the playoffs, and possibly even more.
A victory that reshapes the balance of power
Heading into the tournament, The MongolZ were considered the top favorite — in the past month they had beaten Aurora, Vitality, and GamerLegion, showcasing consistency and strength. But it was 3DMAX who first halted their momentum, showing not only individual skill but also tactical flexibility. The Frenchmen especially impressed on the decider Nuke, where they withstood the pressure and closed out the series.
This result immediately changed the group dynamics. While most analysts had expected The MongolZ to cruise to the playoffs, attention has now shifted to 3DMAX, who proved they can beat even the strongest opponents.
A new captain, a new energy
The victory carried special significance for Filip “Graviti” Brankovic, who only recently took over the IGL role. The organization decided to relieve Bryan “Maka” Canda of the captaincy and hand it to the young Serbian player — a move that is already paying dividends.
Graviti himself admitted he is trying to build the game around the comfort of his teammates, creating conditions for maximum efficiency:
I’m confident we are now playing my vision on the T side. I try to make sure everyone feels comfortable and gets their best positions. It’s important to leave space for initiative but at the same time keep control of the key moments. And most importantly — everyone is listening to me. That feels really nice, and it works, explained the captain after the win.
For the 21-year-old, this is his first major event as a leader, but it’s already clear that his approach is charging the team with fresh energy.
A trophy in China as a springboard
It’s also worth recalling their recent success in China. At Perfect World CS Challenge Series 1 in Shanghai, 3DMAX secured their first trophy with this lineup. The tournament wasn’t easy: issues with practice servers, adapting to new conditions, and constant competition from local teams like TYLOO and Lynn Vision. But the victory brought the team not only confidence but also valuable VRS points, which give them a chance to reach Stage 3 of the Major. Graviti stressed that this title was a turning point:
We won the tournament in China, and it gave us a lot of confidence. Of course, it wasn’t easy, but that victory became the foundation for why we started so well at FISSURE. And it also gave us VRS points, which are critically important for the future.
Motivation for the tournament and looking ahead
After the win over The MongolZ, the new IGL didn’t hide his ambitions:
We beat the best team in the tournament right now, and it gives us extra confidence. But at the same time, we know there are still two more best-of-three series to win to reach the playoffs. And once there, we’ll face even stronger opponents. I’m confident we have the potential to beat anyone.
Up next for 3DMAX are matches against Falcons, Aurora, FAZE, and other dangerous opponents. The tournament has gathered an extremely stacked field, and as Graviti noted, “the level is so high here that any team can beat anyone.”
3DMAX opened FISSURE Playground 2 with a sensational upset that immediately shifted tournament expectations. Their victory over The MongolZ not only gave them confidence but also proved that the IGL change was the right decision. Right now, this team looks motivated, disciplined, and ready to fight on equal terms with the top contenders.
Will Graviti’s new approach be the key to the playoffs and a bigger story? We’ve already seen the first answers — but the biggest tests still lie ahead.
