Team Spirit have secured their place in the semi-finals of ESL Pro League Season 21 after a hard-fought series against Eternal Fire. The two squads previously clashed in the BLAST Bounty Season 1 Finals, where Eternal Fire mounted an impressive comeback on Anubis before Spirit decisively closed out the grand final. This time, however, the match unfolded with more challenges for the reigning Shanghai Major champions, who had to battle through adversity to advance.
Spirit’s path to victory was not as smooth as expected, with their young star player struggling to find his usual rhythm early on. Their advantage on Nuke, where they led 11-5 at one point, was at risk of slipping away until an unexpected offensive push from their in-game leader helped them hold their ground. That opening win proved crucial, as Eternal Fire dominated Anubis in the first half and left Spirit scrambling to recover. However, once the series moved to Mirage, Spirit’s form returned, making it clear which team would take the final victory.
One of Spirit’s key players, despite finishing with the highest rating for his team, was visibly frustrated by his own performance in the early maps. Throughout Nuke and Anubis, his usual high-impact plays were absent, and he struggled in key duels, making uncharacteristic mistakes that set Spirit back. His disappointment was evident as he lingered at his PC after Spirit’s failed attempt to turn the tide on Anubis. He later admitted that he wasn’t playing at his usual level and that the match was significantly tougher because of it. His impact was undeniable on Mirage, though, where his strong mid-round plays contributed to Spirit’s dominant close-out.
Illness was also a factor in Spirit’s performance, affecting both their captain and another key player. Despite concerns about how it might influence their coordination, they showed no hesitation from the outset. Their leader set the tone early by delivering his first ace in two years and clutching a key round to give his team the upper hand. Spirit capitalized on multiple mistakes from Eternal Fire, including a critical 2v4 conversion, to push ahead with a commanding lead. However, their opponents fought back, adjusting their defense and countering Spirit’s mid-round strategies. At one point, a clutch play from Eternal Fire’s AWPer seemed to tilt the momentum in their favor, but Spirit managed to claw their way back in overtime, led by their in-game leader’s decisive calls and another crucial triple kill in the final moments.
The team acknowledged the recurring issue of player illness during tournaments, citing previous experiences at the Major and Katowice. They expressed that it had become a familiar challenge but one they were learning to manage.
Eternal Fire, meanwhile, missed their opportunity to secure a 2-0 series win, falling short on Nuke despite having match points in their favor. While they rebounded strongly on Anubis, led by their top-performing rifler, their form declined on Mirage, where Spirit took control. Interestingly, the most impactful player for the Turkish squad was their least experienced member, who delivered crucial plays and held the best performance for his team on Nuke. However, with two of their most important players failing to match that level, Eternal Fire struggled to close out the series.
Reflecting on the loss, Eternal Fire’s captain noted that they had a real shot at winning but faltered in key moments. He pointed out that if they had managed to capitalize on their overtime chances on Nuke, the match could have gone in their favor. He also highlighted lost eco rounds and poor defensive decisions on Mirage as major setbacks, acknowledging that their opponents executed their game plan better when it mattered most.
With this win, Spirit advances to the semi-finals, while Eternal Fire exits the competition. Despite their struggles, Spirit proved they could adapt under pressure, setting the stage for an intense final stretch of the tournament.
