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After three intense weeks of Swiss-stage chaos, upsets, and redemption arcs, the ESL Pro League Season 22 playoffs are finally here. Eight teams have survived the storm and now march toward the Spodek-like stage in Stockholm, each with something to prove: legacy, resurgence, or validation.

The bracket delivers everything CS2 fans crave: rematches, rivalries, and raw storylines. Let’s take a closer look at the contenders shaping the upcoming weekend in what could be one of the most competitive playoff brackets in CS2 esports history.

Team Spirit – The Unstoppable Force

No surprises here: Team Spirit entered the playoffs as the first team to lock in their berth, and they did it in style. With donk continuing his reign as the most explosive rifler in the scene and newcomer tN1R fitting in seamlessly, Spirit look untouchable.

The addition of tN1R has made their firepower terrifying, a 1.65 rating debut says it all. Combine that with sh1ro’s consistency and chopper’s refined mid-round calling, and you have a roster that defines the top CS2 teams conversation. Their next match against FaZe isn’t just a series, it’s a collision of experience versus raw talent.

Keep an eye on Spirit in CS2 upcoming tournaments. Their current trajectory suggests we may be witnessing the early stages of another era-defining roster.

Falcons – A Dynasty in the Making

The Falcons project has been building all year, and Stockholm might finally be their proving ground. NiKo, m0NESY, and kyxsan have found the chemistry to convert close maps into clean victories. Despite some shaky form on Inferno, their Ancient and Nuke dominance has been nothing short of clinical.

Their tactical evolution under kyxsan and mechanical edge led them to a statement win over MOUZ. Now, they face 3DMAX in the quarter-final, a match that will test whether Falcons can stay consistent across series.

If the stars align, this could be the event that propels them to the CS2 championship 2025 conversation.

MOUZ – Still Among the Elite

Few teams balance youth and structure like MOUZ. The European powerhouse, led by torzsi and xertioN, keeps proving why they’re one of the top CS2 teams heading into 2025. After a steady 3-1 group stage, their playoff qualification came through a confident win against 3DMAX, highlighted by dominant Inferno performances.

Coach sycrone emphasized the team’s maturity and development curve, noting that this EPL run is part of their preparation for the Major. With Jimpphat gaining experience and Brollan rediscovering form, MOUZ are once again in position for a deep run.

Their next test - Natus Vincere will serve as a litmus test for both teams’ progress in the CS2 tournament schedule 2025.

Natus Vincere – Returning to Form

NAVI’s journey has been anything but smooth. After a shaky start, Aleksib’s men found their footing at the perfect moment, eliminating The MongolZ in a convincing 2-0 series.

w0nderful stole headlines with his dominant AWPing display on Nuke, while iM and jL rediscovered their synergy. “It was so easy,” w0nderful said and while that might sound bold, the stats back him up. NAVI’s structured playstyle and improved confidence make them a genuine threat heading into the playoffs.

Their CS2 projections suggest a possible semifinal appearance provided they maintain the same cohesion and tempo seen against the world’s former #1 team.

FaZe Clan – The Last Dance

The FaZe Clan story writes itself. Starting 0-2 after a lineup eligibility fiasco, karrigan and his men clawed back from the brink with a dramatic 3-2 finish. rain, flown in at the last minute, turned back the clock with clutch plays on Dust2, including a crucial Five-SeveN double that kept their tournament alive.

Now facing Spirit, FaZe enter the playoffs as the underdogs with experience on their side. broky’s return to form has been crucial, while frozen remains their silent cornerstone.

Their ability to adapt in CS2 upcoming matches will determine if this truly is the “last dance” or another chapter in FaZe’s incredible legacy.

Vitality – The Reawakening

After months of mixed form, Vitality are back in business. Their 2-0 win over G2 wasn’t just a qualification, it was a statement. Coming back from 2-9 down on Mirage, the squad showed the resilience reminiscent of their 2023 form.

mezii continues to grow into a key contributor, while apEX’s leadership and ZywOo’s quiet dominance make them a balanced threat. If their communication improvements hold, Vitality might just be peaking at the right time.

With a quarter-final match against FURIA, fans and analysts alike are eyeing this as one of the upcoming CS2 matches to watch.

FURIA – Brazil’s Resurgence

Few expected FURIA to find such stability this season. But with the addition of YEKINDAR and molodoy, the team’s identity has evolved into something far more dangerous. Their win over Aurora was built on disciplined CT setups and clutch resilience.

FalleN’s leadership continues to pay dividends, guiding his mix of veterans and rising stars through the chaos of modern CS2. With a semi-final spot on the line, FURIA will face their toughest test yet : Vitality.

For those tracking CS2 match betting trends, FURIA are one of the most intriguing dark horses in the playoff picture.

3DMAX – The Cinderella Story

Perhaps the most surprising team in the playoffs, 3DMAX have gone from underdogs to crowd favorites. The French squad, led by bodyy and Ex3rcice, eliminated G2 in a 2-0 sweep and secured their first-ever big event playoff.

Graviti’s IGL transition has paid off, bringing structure and composure to a team built on aggression. Their matchup against Falcons offers a national rivalry and the perfect test of just how far this miracle run can go.

For fans following CS2 upcoming tournaments, 3DMAX’s rise is proof that Europe’s second-tier grind can still produce world-class stories.

Playoff Match Schedule & CS2 Projections

The ESL Pro League Season 22 playoffs kick off Friday, October 10, 2025, with a day stacked from start to finish.

October 10 Match Predictions

11:30 CEST — 3DMAX vs Falcons Prediction: Falcons 2–1 National rivalry, 3DMAX underdog story

14:00 CEST — MOUZ vs Natus Vincere Prediction: NAVI 2–1 Structured tactics vs. raw tempo

16:30 CEST — Spirit vs FaZe Prediction: Spirit 2–1 donk vs rain, old guard meets new

19:00 CEST — FURIA vs Vitality Prediction: Vitality 2–1 FalleN's strategy vs ZywOo's brilliance

Expect high-impact matches with multiple CS2 kill predictions today revolving around duels like donk vs broky and NiKo vs Ex3rcice.

For CS2 match betting followers, close matchups like MOUZ vs NAVI and FURIA vs Vitality could go the distance, making over 2.5 maps markets particularly attractive.

These playoffs are also crucial for CS2 pick'em players, as the final outcomes could shift 2025’s CS2 team rankings dramatically before the Major circuit resumes.

Final Thoughts

The ESL Pro League Season 22 playoffs perfectly capture the state of the CS2 scene heading into 2025 : dynamic, unpredictable, and fiercely competitive. From Spirit’s firepower to FaZe’s veteran grit and FURIA’s revival, every series has storyline weight.

As fans prepare for another weekend of upcoming CS2 matches, the only guarantee is chaos, clutch moments, and perhaps the birth of another era-defining champion.