Austin Major quarter-finals preview!

The competition is coming to its apotheosis in Austin, Texas. Eight teams are still in the running, hoping to grab the title of the BLAST Major. We've witnessed stunning Counter-Strike and we are confident the fun is only beginning. In this article, we review the four quarter-finals, their storylines and our betting tips. Enjoy!

Spirit vs MOUZ

Even if all eyes have been set on Vitality in the last few months, the match-up MOUZ vs Spirit has slowly become a staple at the highest level of Counter-Strike. In fact, more than seven head-to-head happened in the last 18 months. Recently, MOUZ have taken the better of their opposition with two straight victories in extremely close matches (in Lisbon and Stockholm).

How did they get here?

Minimal efforts were necessary on the side of Spirit. Kicking things off during Stage 3, due to their VRS points, donk and his teammates only played four maps so far in Austin. Easy victories versus paiN and Lynn Vision led them to a qualification game versus Natus Vincere, won 2:0. Out of all these maps played, only once have Spirit allowed their opposition to get to double digit. They have been brutal. Statistically, donk and sh1ro occupy the 2nd and 3rd best rating of Stage 3 with 1.54 and 1.42 respectively. Phew.

MOUZ's path was diametrically opposed to that. A sleepy first day during Stage 3 resulted in two losses, to Virtus.Pro and FaZe. MOUZ ended up with their backs against the wall in the dreaded 0:2 category of the swiss system. They tackled on this challenge wonderfully. Resilience is the keyword as 9 maps were necessary to mount this metaphorical comeback. Ôn top of that, the 3rd map versus Liquid was spectacular and filled with overtimes. After having survive that scare, MOUZ went on to best Aurora and Legacy, in 3-maps series as well. Survivors.

Our betting tip (MOUZ 2:1 Spirit)

We believe this will be a close game, most likely three maps to be expected. The mental strength displayed by MOUZ on their way to the playoffs make them look like an incredibly solid squad at this point in time. Even if Spirit will very likely have the two best players of the server on their side, the resilience of MOUZ coupled with their recent track record against Spirit feel like decisive elements. MOUZ 2-1.

FURIA vs paiN

Without a doubt the most unexpected card in all of the playoffs. FalleN had to wait six years to finally find his way to another Major playoffs (it feels worth mentionning that the Godfather of Brazilian Counter-Strike holds two Major titles scooped in 2016). Picking up molodody and YEKINDAR turned out to be as successful as it was bewildering. When it comes to paiN, once again flying under the radar, we find biguzera in his antics. His contract extension has just been announced and we are sure paiN are thrilled to keep him in thier ranks.

How did they get here?

FURIA started their journey during Stage 2, with victories over Lynn Vision, M80 and B8. The only red spot in their track record was a BO1 loss to, you guessed it, paiN! During Stage 3, they surprised everyone as they brushed aside The MongolZ, Aurora and finally Virtus.Pro to secure a 3:0 berth to playoffs. We need to mention as well the fashion with which they disposed of VP, losing only a mere 8 rounds over the course of the entire series. Domination.

The Brazilians of paiN also come from Stage 2, with W's against Nemiga, FURIA and Lynn Vision. Their stage 3 was strikingly similar to MOUZ's as day 1 went horribly wrong with severe losses to G2 and Spirit. Once in survival mode, paiN arguably benefitted from relatively comfortable match-ups and handled Nemiga, 3DMAX and Virtus.Pro to punch their tickets for the playoffs.

Our betting tip (FURIA 2:0 paiN)

FURIA vs paiN is akin to the conversation of teamplay vs skill. Surely, paiN's playbook is deeper, their executes finer and their teamplay more established. However, we have been so stunned by molodody that he might just be enough to sway our opinion. With YEKINDAR's confidence returning game after game, on top of yuurih and KSCERATO's potential for overtaking a game, we believe FURIA's deck is too stacked for paiN. 2-0 FURIA.

Natus Vincere vs Vitality

Major champions at each other's throat, isn't it beautiful. This is the most anticipated quarter-final by a fair margin. Each step of the way, the community will be waiting (and possibly praying) on Vitality's downfall. Their promised major with everything to lose. Natus Vincere will be their first opponent, a team that needed to virtually come back to life after a very complicated beginning of the year.

How did they get here?

Surely nobody has forgotten our Vitality started their journey by ending their winning streak in a shocking fashion versus Legacy on Inferno. Pages and pages of news and articles came out to signal the end of what was the second longest streak in the history of Counter-Strike. Thankfully, the fans of Vitality did not need to wait too long to see a reaction. Against Nemiga, that very day, Vitality bounced back immediately and hasn't slowed down since. Neither 3DMAX nor Virtus.Pro stood a chance as ZywOo topped the charts of Stage 3.

Natus Vincere have a relatively clear record even though they needed to employ themselves in a few of those victories. Aside from a Spirit 0-2 loss, NaVi bested 3DMAX (in overtime), Nemiga and G2 (in overtime again, with a bistering dust2 finish). We guess that we can celebrate the calmness that jL and his troop have displayed in these tense moments, signaling the improvement of their mental strength overall.

Our betting tip (Vitality 2:0 NaVi)

Every step of the way, Vitality will be the favorites. They must win. Now that we're stepping on the big stage once again, we believe the experience (all these trophies won in 2025) will play an important role for ropz and his crew. Vitality 2-0.

FaZe vs The MongolZ

The superstar s1mple has affirmed his return! After a complicated IEM Dallas showing, FaZe Clan are once again in the playoffs of a Major and they look dangerous as hell. Elation, hype, vibes are words we could be throwing around to describe them as they play a messy but explosive Counter-Strike. With the crowd definitely pushing FaZe, we shall see if The MongolZ have the nerves to sustain that pressure.

How did they get here?

FaZe had to start from Stage 2 and it did not look pretty. Let's say they powered up throughout their campaign in Texas. First, losses to Legacy and 3DMAX (in BO3's) forced FaZe to play a deciding game versus MIBR to make it to Stage 3, which they did with a minor overtime scare on map 2 but still quite cleanly. With that obstacle in the rearview mirror, they gained in momentum and confidence. During Stage 3, only Aurora were capable of taking map off of them (during day 1) after which MOUZ, Legacy and The MongolZ (!) were dominated clearly.

For The MongolZ, it was no fishing trip either. They had to play all five series to make it to the playoffs with losses to FURIA and FaZe, and victories to Liquid, Lynn Vision and finally G2. One can argue that their path to playoffs was not the easiest at all. Still, they maintained their status and even though their amibition grows, their mission is accomplished with this playoffs qualification. j

Our betting tip (FaZe 2:0 The MongolZ)

Two major issues for The MongolZ here. First of all, their recent confrontation, in Austin, felt too comfortable for FaZe. Even if one of the maps required all rounds of regulation to be played, FaZe were in control from the eye-test. Worse now, this rematch will happen on stage, a context which all of the FaZe stars absolutely adore and thrive in. With the support of the crowd (so many storylines to love in that project), we believe FaZe will power through this game.