Virtus.pro managed to avoid elimination from FISSURE Playground 2 by defeating French side 3DMAX in a series that determined the fate of both teams. Despite collapsing on Inferno, the Russian squad won their pick Train and closed the decider Dust2, sending 3DMAX home.
FISSURE PLAYGROUND 2
The match took place in the Swiss round with both teams sitting at 1-2. A loss meant elimination, while a win kept playoff dreams alive. For Virtus.pro, it was a chance to prove progress after a difficult run of losses. For 3DMAX, it was an opportunity to solidify their status as a roster steadily climbing the global rankings.
ROAD TO THE MATCH
3DMAX entered this match after a very mixed run of results. The French team defeated TYLOO and Lynn Vision but fell to The MongolZ, FaZe, and GamerLegion. They hovered around the middle of the rankings, with their biggest question mark being consistency — players’ form often swung drastically from map to map.
Virtus.pro, on the other hand, were in a slump. The team lost to Falcons, Astralis, GamerLegion, and M80, with only a win against Lynn Vision providing slight stability. For the “Bears,” this match was a chance to prove that recent struggles were not a long-term trend, but rather a result of a tight schedule and ongoing adaptation to their new lineup.
VIRTUS.PRO STAY ALIVE
Virtus.pro found the right balance between experience and youth. Train was the turning point: the team showed composure in clutches and stayed cool under pressure. While they were crushed on Inferno by 3DMAX, Dust2 restored the initiative to the “Bears,” where they showcased their resilience.
MATCH TIMELINE
- Train (Virtus.pro pick) — 13:11 for Virtus.pro
3DMAX won the opening pistol, but Virtus.pro quickly replied with a string of force-buy victories. In the mid-rounds, the French side pulled ahead thanks to Ex3rcice and Maka’s aggressive play, but in the second half, Perfecto and fame secured key clutches that allowed the “Bears” to close the map 13:11.
- Inferno (3DMAX pick) — 13:5 for 3DMAX
The French squad completely dominated on their pick. Graviti and Lucky shut down every site push, while bodyy finally stepped up with a string of impactful frags. Virtus.pro looked completely lost, failed to find answers on offense, and collected just five rounds.
- Dust2 (decider) — 13:11 for Virtus.pro
The decider was a true thriller. VP pulled ahead 7:5 early thanks to tO0RO’s aggressive entries and FL1T’s consistency. 3DMAX responded with a comeback, leveling the score. The final rounds proved decisive: fame delivered a crucial multikill on A-site, while ICY sealed the victory with accurate shots on long. Virtus.pro edged out 13:11 to win the series 2:1.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Petr “fame” Bolyshev was the key hero of the series, giving Virtus.pro the edge in decisive moments.
- K-D: 47–39 (+8)
- ADR: 73.4
- Rating 3.0: 1.29
- KAST: 71.2%
His confident plays on Train and Dust2 ensured the team avoided elimination.
TEAM PERFORMANCES
Virtus.pro delivered a more balanced showing. fame emerged as the leader in decisive rounds, with consistent multikills tipping the scales even in difficult scenarios. tO0RO provided crucial space in attack, while FL1T added composure in clutches. Perfecto, despite negative stats, won several vital duels on Train. ICY, though statistically the weakest, played a supportive role in key Dust2 rounds.
3DMAX showed strong individual moments but lacked team discipline. Ex3rcice was the most consistent, delivering important trades. Graviti and Maka maintained tempo but lacked stability. Lucky failed to make an impact on the decider Dust2, and bodyy once again underperformed statistically, which proved costly.
HEAD TO HEAD
Before the match, 3DMAX held the edge in their rivalry (2–1). In February, the French side defeated VP twice at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025, but the “Bears” had taken revenge once on Dust2. The record is now tied: 3DMAX — 2 wins, Virtus.pro — 2.
WHAT’S NEXT
For Virtus.pro, this win was a breath of fresh air: the team preserved their playoff chances and proved they can still compete on the big stage. Up next is a decisive match for a playoff slot against even tougher opponents. If fame maintains his form, the “Bears” have every chance to climb the rankings and stabilize their season.
For 3DMAX, this elimination is a painful blow. The French roster exits the tournament with a sense of missed opportunity: individual flashes weren’t enough to cover their lack of consistency. The coming months will show whether they can hold onto a top-15 spot or risk sliding down again.
