The group stage of BLAST Rivals 2025 Season 2 continues with a high-stakes clash between Spirit and Falcons — two title contenders meeting in the Opening Round of Group A. This matchup will be crucial in determining the group’s frontrunner, as the winner secures a direct path to the upper bracket, easing their way toward the playoffs. Both teams have faced each other several times on the international stage, and their history guarantees an intense and closely fought encounter.
BLAST RIVALS 2025 SEASON 2 — A LAN EVENT IN HONG KONG
BLAST Rivals 2025 Season 2 is taking place from November 12 to 16 in Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong, with a $350,000 prize pool. The participants include Vitality, FURIA, Falcons, Spirit, The MongolZ, paiN, TYLOO, and Passion UA. The tournament format features Double Elimination Bo3 in the group stage and Single Elimination Bo3 in the playoffs. The Grand Final will be played in a Bo5 format, with the champion taking home $125,000 and valuable VRS points toward the global ranking.
In Group A, alongside Spirit and Falcons, play The MongolZ and Passion UA, making the fight for playoff spots particularly fierce. The matchup between Spirit and Falcons will be the centerpiece of the opening day.
HEAD-TO-HEAD — A LONG-STANDING RIVALRY
Spirit and Falcons have faced each other several times — over the past year, they’ve played seven matches, with Falcons winning four and Spirit just one. Their most recent encounters took place at IEM Chengdu 2025, where Falcons prevailed twice (13–6 on Dust2, 16–13 on Ancient). Historically, Falcons hold the edge thanks to their stability and deep map pool, though Spirit are known for breaking any game plan once they find their rhythm.
Currently, Falcons are ranked #3 in the world, while Spirit sit at #6, underscoring the high level of this Opening Round clash.
CURRENT FORM
- SPIRIT — REBIRTH THROUGH CHAOS
Spirit (#6 HLTV, #7 VRS) enter the tournament after a disappointing showing at IEM Chengdu 2025, finishing 7th–8th following losses to The MongolZ (1–2) and Falcons (0–2). Still, they displayed strong performances against Heroic (2–1) and paiN (2–0), proving the team’s potential remains high. Over the past three months, Spirit maintain a 62.5% win rate, with an average team rating of 1.12.
The key figure remains donk, who continues to be the driving force of the roster with a 1.35 rating and 95.8 ADR. His aggressive playstyle and high KAST (76.8%) create constant pressure on opponents. Alongside him, sh1ro remains one of the most consistent AWPers in the CIS region, while chopper provides the backbone of the team’s structure and discipline.
However, Spirit’s main weakness lies in their inconsistency against top-5 teams. They often take the opening map but fail to close out decisive moments — a flaw that cost them dearly in Chengdu.
- FALCONS — A EUROPEAN MACHINE IN FULL MOTION
Falcons (#3 HLTV, #3 VRS) come into BLAST Rivals in excellent form. The team has won 4 of their last 5 matches, including victories over MOUZ (2–1), TYLOO (2–0), and Spirit (2–0). Their three-month win rate of 68% makes them one of the most stable teams in the world.
Under kyxsan’s leadership, Falcons have evolved into a disciplined yet aggressive roster capable of adapting to any opponent. m0NESY (rating 1.29, ADR 80.9) and NiKo are the team’s stars — with NiKo regaining his top-10 form after roster changes this summer. TeSeS and kyousuke ensure strong map control, allowing Falcons to dictate tempo in nearly every matchup.
After defeating Spirit at IEM Chengdu, Falcons arrived in Hong Kong aiming for the title. Having already reached two finals in 2025, this event could finally be their step toward a championship victory.
MAP POOL & VETO
Last 3 months (Spirit | Falcons):
- Dust2: 62% | 67%
- Mirage: 64% | 80%
- Inferno: — | 45%
- Nuke: 33% | 88%
- Train: — | 40%
- Overpass: 67% | —
- Ancient: 80% | 100%
Expected veto:
- Spirit will remove Nuke, where Falcons boast an 88% win rate and dominate through fast rotations.
- Falcons will ban Overpass, a map where Spirit perform comfortably and confidently.
Likely picks:
- Spirit: Ancient — one of their strongest maps, where donk consistently dominates entry duels.
- Falcons: Mirage — their comfort zone, perfectly suited for m0NESY to shine.
Decider: Dust2 — a classic aim-heavy battlefield, where individual brilliance will decide the outcome.
KEY DUELS
- donk vs m0NESY — the headline clash of the match. Two young stars shaping the new era of Counter-Strike. donk plays with pure aggression, while m0NESY offers superior consistency and AWP precision.
- chopper vs kyxsan — a duel of captains with opposing philosophies. chopper relies on improvisation and aggressive map control, while kyxsan approaches every round methodically, adjusting tempo to his opponent.
- sh1ro vs NiKo — a battle of experience. NiKo has regained confidence after a summer slump, while sh1ro seeks to reclaim his title as the best sniper in the CIS region.
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PREDICTION
The Spirit vs Falcons matchup stands out as one of the most compelling in the opening round. Both teams possess elite rosters but enter with contrasting momentum: Falcons riding a streak of victories and form, while Spirit are still searching for stability after crucial losses.
If Spirit manage to dictate the game through donk and sh1ro, they can secure their map and force Falcons under pressure. However, Falcons have the deeper map pool, stronger adaptation, and greater composure in clutch moments. Their organization and tactical maturity give them the upper hand in a Bo3 series.
Predicted score: Falcons 2–1 Spirit.
