Team Spirit dominates The MongolZ to win their second BLAST Bounty trophy
Team Spirit has claimed their second consecutive BLAST Bounty trophy, delivering a masterclass performance against The MongolZ in the grand finals of BLAST Bounty 2025 Season 2 on Sunday, August 17th. The Russian squad secured a dominant 3-0 victory (13-11 on Nuke, 16-13 on Mirage, and 13-5 on Ancient) cementing their status as the one of world's top Counter-Strike 2 team.
Donk Claims Historic 10th Career MVP Award
The tournament's standout performer was undoubtedly Danil "donk" Kryshkovets, who earned his 10th career MVP award, a milestone that places him alongside legendary players Kenny "kennyS" Schrub and Christopher "GeT_RiGhT" Alesund in the all-time MVP rankings.
The 18-year-old prodigy delivered exceptional statistics throughout the tournament. In the grand final alone, donk posted remarkable numbers with a 65-48 kill-death ratio and a 106.7 average damage per round. His consistency throughout the event was extraordinary, combining the online qualifiers and LAN stages to achieve a 95.0 ADR and 0.85 kills per round across 13 maps.
The Russian rifler's performance was particularly dominant against Virtus.pro in the quarterfinals, where he posted a +20 kill-death difference on Ancient. His aggressive playstyle and clutch performances in crucial moments proved instrumental in Spirit's path to the championship.
Team Spirit Claims World Number One Ranking
This victory carries significant implications beyond the trophy itself. Team Spirit has officially overtaken Team Vitality at the top of the Valve Ranking System, marking a dramatic shift in the global Counter-Strike 2 hierarchy. The achievement is particularly noteworthy given Vitality's dominant run throughout the first half 2025, where they had secured seven tournament victories in eight attempts.
Team Vitality had maintained their position as the world's number one team since April 2025, following an unprecedented streak that included victories at IEM Katowice, ESL Pro League Season 21, and the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025. However, their recent struggles became evident when The MongolZ eliminated them in the semifinals of this tournament, ending their reign of dominance.
Spirit's ascension to the top ranking represents the culmination of an impressive 2025 campaign that now includes victories at IEM Cologne 2025, PGL Astana 2025, and both BLAST Bounty tournaments held this year.
A bittersweet moment as zont1x holds the trophy for the last time as a Spirit player (at least for now)The Path to Victory
Team Spirit's tournament run showcased their depth and tactical versatility. They began their playoff campaign with a commanding 2-0 victory over Virtus.pro in the quarterfinals, where donk's exceptional form was immediately apparent. The semifinals saw them dismantle MOUZ 2-0, with Spirit demonstrating their ability to adapt their strategies across different map pools.
While donk deservedly claimed the spotlight, his teammates provided crucial support throughout the tournament. Dmitry "sh1ro" Sokolov contributed significantly with a 60-38 kill-death ratio in the finals. The team's newest addition, Ivan "zweih" Gogin, proved his worth with consistent performances. Leonid "chopper" Vishnyakov and Alexey "zont1x" Kirichenko rounded out the roster with solid support play, ensuring Spirit maintained their tactical discipline throughout high-pressure situations.
The MongolZ's Impressive Journey
Despite the defeat, The MongolZ deserves recognition for their outstanding tournament performance. The Mongolian squad's path to the final included a historic victory over Team Vitality in the semifinals, only their second-ever series win against the French organization. Their young roster, led by Azbayar "Senzu" Munkhbold and Usukhbayar "910" Banzragch, continues to establish itself among the world's elite teams.
The final represented The MongolZ's second appearance in a major tournament final this year, following their runner-up finish at the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025. Their consistent performance throughout 2025 has solidified their position as Asia's premier Counter-Strike 2 representatives.
Roster Changes and Future Tournaments
Interestingly, this BLAST Bounty victory marked the final tournament for zont1x with Team Spirit. The organization has already announced that tN1R, formerly of HEROIC, will join the roster for their upcoming appearance at the Esports World Cup 2025, which begins on August 20th.
With their $360,000 prize money secured and their number one ranking confirmed, Team Spirit enters the second half of 2025 as the team to beat. Their combination of individual brilliance from donk, tactical sophistication, and roster depth positions them as strong favorites for upcoming tournaments.
The victory also extends Spirit's remarkable record at BLAST Bounty events—they have now won both editions of the tournament held in 2025, establishing themselves as the premier team in this particular competition format.
The New Era of Counter-Strike 2
Team Spirit's triumph at BLAST Bounty Fall 2025 represents more than just another tournament victory. It signals a potential changing of the guard in professional Counter-Strike 2, with the Russian organization proving they can consistently challenge and defeat the world's best teams. With donk entering his prime years and the supporting cast continuing to develop, Team Spirit appears positioned for sustained success at the highest level of competitive Counter-Strike.
Their dominant 3-0 victory over The MongolZ, combined with their reclamation of the world number one ranking, establishes Team Spirit as the definitive standard-bearers for excellence in Counter-Strike 2 as the 2025 season progresses toward its climax.
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Featured Image Credits: BLAST