In a surprising upset at IEM Krakow Stage 2, the Turkish team FUT defeated Brazilian powerhouse FURIA 2-0, advancing in the upper bracket. FUT dominated on Mirage and Dust2, showcasing strong defensive plays. The victory sends FURIA to the lower bracket while FUT prepares to face G2 next.
The match took place during the upper-bracket round of IEM Krakow Stage 2, part of a tournament running from January 31 to February 3 with 16 teams vying for playoff spots. FUT, continuing their impressive run, pulled off the win against FURIA, ranked No. 1 by Valve Regional Standings.
The map veto process saw FUT remove Inferno, FURIA remove Ancient, FUT pick Mirage, FURIA pick Dust2, FUT remove Overpass, and FURIA remove Anubis, leaving Nuke undecided.
On Mirage, FUT excelled on the CT side in the first half, securing a 10-2 lead and restricting FURIA's offense. Despite FURIA mounting a comeback with solid defense, FUT clinched the map 13-11 by winning the pivotal 24th round, avoiding overtime.
Dust2 proved even more one-sided. FUT again started strong on CT, winning seven rounds in the first half. After switching sides, FURIA managed only one round on defense, as FUT's playstyle overwhelmed them, ending 13-6.
Dem0n earned match MVP honors with a 1.45 rating. This result keeps FUT's momentum alive, positioning them for a playoff spot against G2. FURIA now fights for survival in the lower bracket.