Team Spirit secured a hard-fought 2–1 victory over G2 Esports in the Group A upper bracket final at IEM Kraków 2026, closing out a tense LAN series and advancing directly to the semifinals. Across three contrasting maps, Spirit combined explosive individual impact with disciplined late-round execution, while G2 were left to rue missed opportunities in key moments.
Road to the matchup — momentum versus experience
G2 entered the upper bracket final on a strong run, having already defeated The MongolZ and FUT earlier in the tournament. Those wins highlighted their growing consistency and ability to adapt within series, but they also exposed familiar issues — several maps slipped into tight late-round situations where margins were razor-thin.
Spirit, meanwhile, arrived with a different kind of confidence. Prior to this match, they had convincingly beaten Astralis and Natus Vincere, reinforcing their reputation as a LAN-hardened lineup that thrives against established opposition. Backed by recent head-to-head success against G2 across multiple events, Spirit leaned on experience, star power, and composure — elements that once again shaped the balance of this matchup.
read more
Anubis — 13:8. Spirit strike first
Anubis, G2’s pick, quickly turned against them. Spirit controlled the early tempo through assertive mid pressure and sharp timing on rotations, repeatedly punishing G2’s attempts to establish map control. Despite moments of resistance from G2, Spirit’s cleaner executes and superior mid-round reads allowed them to pull away and close the opener 13:8, immediately seizing the series momentum.
Overpass — 13:8. G2 answer back
Overpass saw a much more composed G2. Strong CT-side setups and improved utility usage allowed them to deny Spirit space early, forcing slower rounds and unfavorable duels. With better economic management and more decisive late-round calls, G2 closed Overpass 13:8, leveling the series and pushing the match into a decider.
Dust2 — 16:13. Spirit hold their nerve
Dust2 delivered the closest Counter-Strike of the series. Both teams traded rounds deep into regulation, with neither side able to build a decisive lead. In the final stages, Spirit’s composure proved decisive. Clutch conversions and confident mid-round aggression allowed them to edge ahead and close Dust2 16:13, sealing the series and the upper bracket final.
Player statistics for the match
Player of the match — Dmitry “sh1ro” Sokolov
Spirit’s AWPer delivered a decisive performance across all three maps:
- 1.42 rating
- 92.4 ADR
- 74.6% KAST
His consistency in opening duels and late-round situations anchored Spirit’s success and provided stability in the most pressured moments of the match.
Teamplay breakdown — execution under pressure
Spirit won the series through balance. While individual highlights were present, their true edge came from controlled mid-round decisions and calm execution when rounds tightened. G2, by contrast, showed strong structure but struggled to convert advantages on the decider. Missed timings and a lack of closing power in key rounds ultimately tilted the series away from them.
VRS impact
- Team Spirit: +38 points — strengthening their top-tier ranking position
- G2 Esports: −8 points — a minor drop, but with plenty of recovery potential ahead
read more
Tournament implications
With this win, Team Spirit advance directly to the IEM Kraków 2026 semifinals, positioning themselves as a prime title contender and avoiding the volatility of the quarter-final stage. G2 drop into the quarter-finals, where they will need to regroup quickly. The performance showed promise, but sharper execution will be required if they are to challenge for the trophy. Spirit move on — composed, confident, and increasingly dangerous as Kraków heats up.
