The Falcons team defeated 3DMAX with a 2:1 score in a tense ESL Pro League Season 22 quarterfinal, earning a place in the semifinals of one of the most prestigious tournaments of the season. The match was a true test for both teams — from brilliant individual plays to dramatic clutches on the deciding map.
ESL PRO LEAGUE SEASON 22: THE TOURNAMENT THAT DEFINES THE CS2 ELITE
The ESL Pro League is one of the key events in the ESL Pro Tour season, influencing not only the prize pool distribution but also the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) system, which determines invitations to future Majors. Every victory here carries strategic value: beyond prestige, teams earn vital ranking points.
For Falcons, who have consistently held a top-3 position in the world rankings, this tournament was a chance to strengthen their claim to the #1 spot. For 3DMAX, it was an opportunity to prove that the French scene is still alive and capable of challenging the giants.
MATCH OVERVIEW
- Map — Inferno (3DMAX pick): 13–9
The French team started the series confidently on their favorite map. Ex3rcice showed excellent form, dominating clutch situations (54–44, rating 1.21). Thanks to his stability, 3DMAX took the first map, forcing Falcons to wake up. - Map — Ancient (Falcons pick): 13–7
Falcons quickly recovered. The powerful duo of m0NESY and kyousuke completely controlled the game, leaving their opponents no chance. Smart use of utility and aggressive pushes on the A site secured them a comfortable victory. - Map — Nuke (decider): 16–13
The fate of the match was decided on Nuke, where both teams played with extreme caution. Falcons demonstrated iron discipline, and Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov became the hero of the match with several crucial clutch rounds. His performance (53–37, rating 1.36) led the team to victory and a well-earned semifinal spot.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH — Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov
- K-D: 53–37
- ADR: 73.4
- Rating 3.0: 1.36
Impact: +5.9% swing, 79.2% fan votes
m0NESY once again proved why he is considered one of the best snipers in modern CS2. His composure and confidence in key moments allowed Falcons to turn the game in their favor. His style blends precision and risk — exactly the kind of player who can win a match single-handedly.
VRS RESULTS
- Falcons: +11 VRS points (1933 → 1944) — climbed from #2 to #1 in the world.
- 3DMAX: −6 VRS points (1726 → 1720) — remained at #10.
These changes are significant for both teams — Falcons have solidified their status as the top favorite for upcoming Majors, while 3DMAX now risk losing direct invitations to future ESL tournaments.
WHAT’S NEXT
Falcons will continue their run in the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the MOUZ vs Natus Vincere matchup. Both potential opponents are in excellent form, promising a “final before the final” type of showdown.
For 3DMAX, their playoff run in ESL Pro League S22 is still a major success. The team has shown improvement and coordination that they lacked earlier. This result gives them a chance to stay in the world’s top 10 and become a serious contender in future European events.
