The Stage 2 Round of 16 match between Inner Circle and Team Spirit ended in a decisive 2–0 victory for Spirit, sending the CIS powerhouse through to the BLAST Bounty 2026 LAN Finals. Spirit were in full control across both maps, shutting down Inner Circle’s comfort picks and leaving no room for an upset. For Spirit, it was a clean and professional performance. For Inner Circle, the gap in class proved too wide to bridge at this stage of the tournament.
Road to the matchup — ambition meets elite opposition
Inner Circle entered the match hoping to build on their earlier progress in the event. While results in recent months had been mixed, the team showed enough resilience to believe in a competitive showing, particularly on Ancient.
Spirit approached the series as clear favorites. With a roster stacked with firepower and LAN qualification within reach, their objective was simple: impose structure early and avoid unnecessary complications.
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Ancient — 13:8. Spirit dismantle the pick
Despite Ancient being Inner Circle’s choice, Spirit took control almost immediately. Superior trading, sharper mid-round decisions, and consistent opening duels allowed them to build an early lead. Inner Circle struggled to find space on both sides of the map, and while they managed isolated rounds, Spirit never loosened their grip. The map closed 13:8 in Spirit’s favor.
Dust2 — 13:5. No room for resistance
Dust2 followed a similar script. Spirit dictated the pace from the opening rounds, quickly breaking Inner Circle’s economy and denying any chance of momentum. Inner Circle were repeatedly shut down before executions could develop, and the map slipped away rapidly. Spirit wrapped up Dust2 13:5 to seal the series without drama.
Player of the match — Daniil “donk” Kryshkovets
Spirit’s young star delivered a dominant performance across both maps:
- 1.80 rating
- 110.8 ADR
- 87.2% KAST
- +6.58% swing
donk consistently won opening duels, applied relentless pressure, and set the tempo for Spirit throughout the series.
Teamplay breakdown — efficiency at every stage
Spirit secured the win through discipline and overwhelming individual quality. The team converted advantages cleanly, minimized risks, and maintained structure from start to finish. Inner Circle fought hard but lacked the firepower and composure required to challenge Spirit in extended rounds, particularly once the economy tilted out of their favor.
VRS impact
- Spirit: +1 point — steady reinforcement of their top-tier position
- Inner Circle: –2 points — a modest drop following elimination
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Tournament implications
With this victory, Spirit qualify for the BLAST Bounty 2026 LAN Finals, reaffirming their status as one of the tournament’s strongest contenders. Inner Circle exit the event at the final online hurdle, gaining valuable experience but also a clear reminder of the level required to compete with the elite. Spirit move on — calm, dominant, and firmly LAN-bound.
