Quelle surprise. Spirit and Vitality are the first teams to make it to the Playoffs of ESL Pro League S21. These two teams are evidently head and shoulders above the entire competitive Counter-Strike scene at the moment, and they’ve met expectations in this latest tournament by securing a Playoffs berth without a hiccup.
They’re not the only two storylines of note at ESL Pro League – after three days of Group Stage action, some teams have already been sent home, while others have their hopes dangling by a thread. Let’s take a look at all the action up to this point!
Spirit and Vitality reach Playoffs with ease
Credit: Helena Kristiansson | ESL
First through in the 3:0 bracket were Spirit and Vitality. What more can you say about these two right now? It doesn’t matter who you put in front of them, you only ever fancy one team to come out on top. These two are the best CS2 teams in the world right now, without a doubt. Of the two, only Vitality have dropped a single map, but you can allow them that given the convincing fashion of their matches.
And do I really need to say who the stars of the show are? Spirit’s donk and Vitality’s ZywOo have absolutely dominated ESL Pro League S21 so far, with no one able to keep up with these superstars on the server. One thing is for sure: we deserve a rematch of the IEM Katowice 2025 Grand Final, as on this evidence, we’d be in for a much closer affair.
TYLOO and MIBR first out
Credit: Helena Kristiansson | ESL
We have our first winners of the second Swiss Group Stage of ESL Pro League, but we also have our first losers. We’re saying bye to both TYLOO and MIBR, who have crashed out with a 0:3 record. TYLOO in particular had established themselves as big fan favorites of the event during the first Group Stage, so it’s disappointing to see them leave already.
It’s hard to have too many complaints, though. TYLOO had finally met their match, and can use this experience to improve in future CS2 tournaments. MIBR will feel a little aggrieved to have faced Vitality, Eternal Fire, and FURIA in quick succession here – it’s probably the most challenging set of matches that could have been handed to the Brazilians.
Falcons and Eternal Fire must fight for survival
Credit: Helena Kristiansson | ESL
Coming into the last few days of the second ESL Pro League S21 Group Stage, there are a few big teams who must fight for their lives down from the 1:2 bracket. The most notable right now are Falcons and Eternal Fire, both of whom haven’t been able to get going so far in Stockholm.
I thought Falcons had turned a corner after they reached the Grand Final of PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025, but it has been business as usual here. Their latest humiliation ritual came against 3DMAX, with the French roster taking a 2:1 series as Falcons struggled to find any impact from TeSeS and degster. Eternal Fire are similarly down in the dumps, losing to both 3DMAX and MIBR. There’s something really wrong with EF at the moment, but there’s no more room for error if they’re to make the Playoffs of ESL Pro League.
In the 1:2 bracket, they’re joined by SAW, GamerLegion, paiN Gaming, and FURIA. Not great company if you’re looking to become an elite Counter-Strike team.
NAVI and MOUZ among teams on the verge of qualification
Credit: Luc Bouchon | ESL
Not every team can go 3:0, and that’s okay. Teams like NAVI and MOUZ stand on the brink of Playoffs qualification, although their place will likely come from the 2:1 bracket instead.
NAVI have managed to overcome an early wobble against SAW to put themselves in a great position to progress. Meanwhile, MOUZ have looked solid on the back of their PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 trophy win, their only loss coming against Vitality. There’s certainly no shame in that.
Alongside these two teams are the likes of Liquid, The MongolZ, G2, and 3DMAX. I’m backing NAVI and MOUZ in the 2:1 bracket, but it will set up quite a messy 2:2 decider at ESL Pro League.
Here are tomorrow’s matches at ESL Pro League Season 21:
2:1 Bracket
- The MongolZ vs. 3DMAX
- MOUZ vs. Liquid
- G2 vs. NAVI
1:2 Bracket
- SAW vs. GamerLegion
- Eternal Fire vs. paiN Gaming
- Falcons vs. FURIA