A highly anticipated showdown took place at IEM Katowice 2025, as former G2 Esports teammates Nikola "NiKo" Kovac and Ilya "m0NESY" Osipov faced off in their first CS2 match since NiKo's move to Falcons. The match, set in the elimination round of group A, delivered intense moments and unexpected twists.
The tension escalated from the start, with an amusing incident occurring in the initial rounds. NiKo, originally from Bosnia, unexpectedly eliminated Magisk with a Deagle, sparking jokes among fans about his adjustment to playing on a different team. G2 Esports cleverly teased NiKo's role as a "secret agent" for his former squad.
The teams showcased their prowess on opponents' map picks, Ancient and Dust 2, setting the stage for a thrilling finale on Mirage. Despite Falcons maintaining the lead, a remarkable 2v4 clutch by G2 turned the tide, leading to a 13:11 victory for the team.
Amid the fierce competition, the bond between NiKo and m0NESY remained evident, as they both ended the match with an 8:8 kill score, showcasing their mutual respect and sportsmanship.
NiKo's transition to Falcons post-Shanghai Major 2025 had a significant impact on the rising AWPer, m0NESY, with whom he had built a strong relationship over the years. The emotional farewell after their final match together highlighted the deep connection between the former teammates.
Despite their valiant efforts, Falcons were eliminated from the tournament, setting the stage for G2 Esports to face the loser of FaZe vs Vitality in the upcoming match scheduled for February 3.
