In the first round of the Group B lower bracket at BLAST Open London 2025, a crucial clash took place between Team Liquid and Imperial. For both teams, it was a do-or-die match: the winner would keep their tournament hopes alive, while the loser would go home. The series turned out intense and dramatic: Liquid started strong, allowed their opponent to equalize, but regrouped on the decider and closed out the match 2:1.
Match Timeline
- Dust2 (13:5, Imperial’s pick)
Imperial opened on their own pick, but the choice backfired. Liquid seized control from the very start: aggressive entries from Twistzz and cold-blooded clutches from NAF left the Brazilians with no room to maneuver. After the first half (8:4), Imperial still had a chance, but once sides switched, Liquid gave them nothing, closing the map 13:5.
- Train (9:13, Liquid’s pick)
On their pick, Liquid looked set to close the series quickly, but Imperial fought back with confidence. try became the main threat to Liquid’s defense, while VINI added pressure with aggressive pushes. The Brazilians adapted better to their opponent’s style and, after stringing together key rounds, took the win 13:9 to level the series.
- Nuke (13:10, decider)
The match was decided on Nuke, which turned into a real test for both sides. The first half ended with a narrow Imperial lead (8:7). However, after the switch, Liquid played with greater discipline and composure. Twistzz and NAF delivered with individual brilliance, while Nertz provided crucial backup in tough moments. Imperial fought hard but lacked precision in decisive rounds. Liquid closed the map 13:10 and sealed the series.
Player stats for the match
Player of the Match
The MVP award deservedly went to Keith “NAF” Markovic. The Canadian veteran was the backbone of Liquid, finishing the series with:
- K-D: 55–38 (+17)
- ADR: 93.9
- Rating 3.0: 1.32
His consistent aim, composure under pressure, and timely clutches repeatedly saved Liquid. Thanks to his confidence, the team recovered from their slip-up on Train and closed out the decider.
Team Performance
Team Liquid
Liquid displayed a more cohesive and disciplined game. NAF was the standout (55–38, 1.32 rating), the cornerstone of the defense and a clutch master. Twistzz (51–39, 1.30 rating) added firepower, especially on Dust2 and Nuke, where his sharp aim shifted the momentum in critical moments. Nertz (46–41, 1.27 rating) played a stable supporting role, creating space for teammates and maintaining balance in high-pressure situations. ultimate and siuhy were less impressive statistically but carried out essential dirty work — holding risky positions, using utility, and enabling the tactical structure. Thanks to this balance, Liquid managed to outlast Imperial on the final map.
Imperial
The Brazilian side showed character but lacked consistency and cohesion. VINI (48–44, 1.07 rating) and try (48–42, 1.04 rating) were the most impactful, often driving the team forward and taking initiative in attacks. chelo (43–45, 0.99 rating) alternated between strong moments and clear mistakes, while noway (39–46, 0.95 rating) looked shaky under pressure. The biggest disappointment was skullz (26–47, 0.88 rating), who posted the worst numbers of the series and failed to deliver in crucial rounds. Imperial looked solid on Train but couldn’t keep up on Nuke, collapsing when it mattered most.
Previous Encounter
This was already the second best-of-three between Liquid and Imperial this summer. Their previous meeting came in June during BLAST Premier, where Liquid also came out on top with a 2:1 victory (13:4 Dust2, 11:13 Nuke, 13:5 Anubis). Just like then, the North American squad proved superior in clutch situations, while Imperial once again fell short of consistency.
Team Liquid proved once again that even in tough conditions, they can find a winning path. NAF’s leadership, combined with the stability of Twistzz and Nertz, were the decisive factors in their success. The team stays alive in the BLAST Open London lower bracket and will look to push further.
Imperial, on the other hand, exit the tournament after yet another painful loss to Liquid. While they had some bright moments, it wasn’t enough to secure victory. They need to improve their map pool depth and team cohesion to challenge tier-one opponents in the future.
