The opening round of BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1 saw a confident statement from FUT Esports. The Turkish side defeated OG 2–0 in the Stage 1 Round of 32, calmly converting their advantage and carrying strong early-season form into the tournament. Despite OG’s efforts to control the veto and slow the pace, FUT were sharper on both maps — winning key mid-rounds, converting advantages with discipline, and closing the series without letting it reach a decider.
Road to the matchup — structure versus execution
- OG — searching for stability under pressure
OG entered the series as the lower seed and opted for a conservative approach in the veto, removing Anubis and selecting Ancient in hopes of creating a stable foundation. While there were flashes of individual impact — particularly from Adam “adamb” Ångström — OG struggled to convert momentum into map control once rounds reached mid-game.
- FUT — form, confidence, and clean fundamentals
FUT arrived on a four-match win streak and looked composed from the first gun round. Their approach leaned on strong spacing, efficient trading, and calm decision-making in late rounds — a formula that repeatedly punished OG’s defensive rotations.
read more
Ancient — 13:11. FUT weather the storm
OG’s map pick produced a competitive opening. The first half remained tight, with both sides trading rounds and controlling economy swings. However, once the game slowed down, FUT found consistency. Late-round executions and patient post-plant setups allowed FUT to edge out crucial rounds, eventually closing Ancient 13:11. OG stayed close, but failed to land the knockout blows when holding advantages.
Mirage — 13:11. FUT seal the series
Mirage followed a similar script. OG showed better early structure and individual confidence, yet FUT repeatedly punished overextensions and timing mistakes. Key opening duels tilted in FUT’s favor, and their mid-round calls consistently denied OG clean bomb plants. When pressure peaked, FUT remained composed — winning decisive clutches and converting their leads to lock in the second 13:11 and the 2–0 sweep.
Match MVP — Laurențiu “lauNX” Țârlea
The Romanian rifler was the clear standout of the series and earned Player of the Match honors:
- 1.47 rating
- 87.7 ADR
- 79.2% KAST
- +5.16% swing
lauNX combined consistency with impact, anchoring rounds on defense and delivering decisive multi-kills whenever OG threatened to regain control.
Teamplay breakdown — discipline over resistance
FUT’s victory was built on structure and execution rather than explosive dominance. They traded efficiently, avoided unnecessary risks, and consistently outplayed OG in late-round scenarios. OG, meanwhile, showed resilience but lacked the finishing edge. Missed conversions, lost clutches, and unstable mid-round communication ultimately cost them both maps.
VRS impact
- OG: +3 points — a modest but useful gain that helps limit the damage to their ranking despite an early exit.
- FUT: +4 points — a small yet meaningful boost that reinforces their momentum and moves the team up to #16 in the VRS.
read more
What this result means
FUT Esports begin their BLAST Bounty 2026 campaign with a mature, controlled win that reinforces their growing reputation as a disciplined and reliable contender. OG exit early with positives to build on, but also clear questions about closing power and consistency under pressure. The tournament has just started — and FUT have already made their intentions clear.
