Fresh off their IEM Cologne triumph, Team Spirit extended their reign with a clean 3-0 sweep over The MongolZ in the grand final of BLAST Bounty Season 2 Finals in Malta. The win signals not only the team’s red-hot form but also highlights the rise of new blood and the legacy of a departing star.
Bounty Fall 2025Malta
Team Spirit
The MongolZ
VitalityIt was an emotional send-off for Myroslav “zont1x” Plakhotia, who lifted the trophy first amid reports that Andrey “tN1R” Tatarinovich is set to take his place post-Esports World Cup. Meanwhile, the victory marks a blazing debut for 17-year-old talent Ivan “zweih” Gogin, whose impact is already being felt at the top tier.
Match Recap: Three Maps, Zero Doubt
The MongolZ found themselves outgunned at every turn, particularly in the pistol rounds where Spirit went a flawless six-for-six. The opening map, Nuke, set the tone early. A knife kill from Leonid “chopper” Vishnyakov lit the spark, and despite brief resistance from Sodbayar “Techno” Munkhbold and Ayush “mzinho” Batbold, Spirit regained control through strong multi-kills from a revitalized core.
Mirage proved the most contested of the series. With donk having a relatively muted first half, it was Dmitry “sh1ro” Sokolov and zweih who carried the load, particularly in late-round scenarios. A heroic quad-kill by sh1ro halted a MongolZ comeback and kept Spirit on track. It took overtime to close it out, but once donk came alive in the extra rounds, the map was sealed.
On Ancient, Spirit were untouchable. donk dominated from the start — 7:2 in openers, nine multi-kills, and a crushing 143.4 ADR. The MongolZ, demoralized and outpaced, had no answer as Spirit cruised to a 3-0 championship finish.
donk Claims 10th MVP — Enters Esports History
At just 18, Danil “donk” Kryshkovets has claimed his 10th HLTV x 1XBET MVP award, tying Christopher “GeT_RiGhT” Alesund and Kenny “kennyS” Schrub for most MVPs by a rifler. With seven of his MVPs coming from Big Events, donk is now within striking distance of Nikola “NiKo” Kovač, who holds eight.
“We didn’t face Vitality, and we need to beat them to become the best team in the world,” donk said post-match — a nod to unfinished business in Spirit’s quest for dominance. Despite not facing their fiercest rivals yet, the Russian squad has achieved a staggering 19-1 record in their last 20 games, and are now the top team in the VRS rankings.
zweih: The New Era Begins
While donk remains the centerpiece, Spirit’s next generation is already stepping up. zweih impressed with sharp mechanical prowess and fearless entries, particularly on Mirage and Ancient. “He’s improving really fast,” donk said. “He’s a fast learner, and he’s adapting to elite CS at a crazy pace.”
That adaptability helped Spirit not just dominate pistols but maintain momentum through late-round clutches and team cohesion. The lineup’s chemistry, bolstered by coach-led strategies and fearless play from their rookie, continues to evolve.
What’s Next for Spirit?
With back-to-back titles at IEM Cologne and BLAST Bounty Season 2, Spirit are riding high. But their hunger is far from satisfied. As donk sets his sights on surpassing his personal best five MVPs in a single year, the team looks ahead to facing top-tier rivals like Vitality and further solidifying their status at the summit of CS2.
One thing is clear: Team Spirit are no longer just a rising force — they are the team to beat.