BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 2 continues Stage 1 with a match between Nuclear TigeRES and MOUZ. In the first round, the teams will play a Bo3 series, where the winner will continue the fight for a place at the LAN Finals, while the loser will end their run at the tournament. Nuclear TigeRES independently chose MOUZ as their opponent, but the European roster approaches the match as the clear favorite based on ranking, experience, and bookmaker odds.
BLAST BOUNTY 2026 SEASON 2 STAGE 1 — FORMAT SPECIFICS
Stage 1 is played in a Single Elimination format. All matches are played as Bo3, so one unsuccessful series immediately means elimination, while the winners continue the online qualification for the LAN Finals.
Nuclear TigeRES, with the 28th seed, chose MOUZ, who received the fourth seed. This is a risky decision, because there is a significant difference between the teams in international tournament experience, quality of opposition, and stability in Bo3 series.
HEAD-TO-HEAD — A NEW MATCHUP
Nuclear TigeRES and MOUZ have not previously faced each other in official matches, so there is no historical advantage.
For Nuclear TigeRES, this may become a certain advantage during preparation: MOUZ have no direct experience playing against this roster. At the same time, the European team competes much more often against top-level opponents and has more tools for adapting between maps.
CURRENT FORM
Nuclear TigeRES — positive results and a dangerous Anubis
Nuclear TigeRES have recently shown competitive form. The team defeated Nemesis, K27, Gentle Mates, and illwill, but lost their latest series to Ateides with a 0:2 score. The roster is capable of consistently beating opponents of its own level, but the match against MOUZ will be a much tougher test.
flouzer has the best individual numbers with a 1.14 rating over the last three months. He remains the main source of impact and creates the biggest threat in rifle duels. senka and z1k4 will also be important, as they need to provide stability in opening contacts.
MOUZ — higher class and the need to restore stability
MOUZ approach the match after a difficult stretch. The team lost to FUT, Vitality, and FURIA with 1:2 scores, but at the same time confidently defeated Legacy and MIBR. The results remain unstable, but the level of MOUZ’s opponents was much higher than Nuclear TigeRES’.
The leader of the roster is xertioN, who has a 1.24 rating, 87.9 average damage per round, and the best individual impact among all players in the match. Spinx and torzsi will also play a major role, as they can create an advantage through rifle power and AWP control.
MAP POOL & VETO
Statistics over the last 3 months (Nuclear TigeRES | MOUZ):
- Cache: — | —
- Dust2: 57% | 57%
- Mirage: 57% | 62%
- Inferno: — | 57%
- Nuke: 60% | 64%
- Ancient: 62% | 50%
- Anubis: 87% | —
Expected veto:
- MOUZ will almost certainly ban Anubis — Nuclear TigeRES’ strongest map, where the opponent has an 87% win rate, while the European team practically does not play it.
- Nuclear TigeRES are highly likely to remove Inferno. The team does not have a full current sample on this map, while MOUZ have a 57% win rate and much more experience against strong international opposition.
Likely picks:
- Nuclear TigeRES: Ancient — the team has a 62% win rate, while MOUZ have won only half of their matches on this map.
- MOUZ: Mirage or Nuke — maps where the European roster has positive statistics and can convert its advantage in individual class.
Possible decider map: Dust2 looks like the most logical option for the third map. Both teams have a 57% win rate, but MOUZ’s experience in high-level matches should give them an advantage in tactical preparation and late-round situations.
KEY DUELS
- flouzer vs xertioN — the main rifle duel between the most productive players on both teams
- senka vs torzsi — the battle for first contacts and control of key distances
- z1k4 vs Spinx — the duel for space and converting man advantages in the middle of rounds
PREDICTION
Nuclear TigeRES have a workable map pool and enough individual potential to create problems for MOUZ on Ancient or Dust2. The team can also take advantage of the favorite’s unstable form and impose a fight through an aggressive start.
However, the difference in roster class remains too large. MOUZ have stronger individual players, much more Bo3 series experience, and a wider set of tactical solutions. After the likely Anubis ban, Nuclear TigeRES will lose their main trump card in the veto.
Projected result: MOUZ 2–0 Nuclear TigeRES
