Stage 2 of ESL Pro League Season 23 didn’t just produce dominant wins from tournament favorites — it also delivered several surprising results that quickly shook the Swiss bracket.
Underdogs stepped up with confident performances, punishing mistakes from higher-ranked opponents and once again highlighting how volatile the CS2 era can be. From clutch-heavy series to unexpected map control, these matches showed that even top teams can stumble early in the tournament.
Below, we break down the biggest upsets from the opening round.
B8’s Young Core Delivers — s1zzi Impresses in Breakout Performance
B8’s upset victory over FURIA was built on strong individual performances across the roster, with several players stepping up in key moments of the series. B8 secured the match 2–1, winning Mirage 13–8 before closing the decider after FURIA briefly equalized the series on Overpass.
One of the most interesting storylines of the match was the performance of s1zzi, the 16-year-old Ukrainian rifler currently playing for B8 on loan from Spirit Academy.
Despite his young age and limited tier-one experience, s1zzi showed impressive composure throughout the series, consistently holding his positions and contributing important frags in mid-round situations. His confident rifling helped B8 maintain momentum during several crucial rounds against the Brazilian side.
B8’s overall team performance also played a major role in the upset. The squad maintained solid trading and defensive setups, preventing FURIA’s stars from gaining consistent entry advantages.
Key individual notes
-
s1zzi — one of the standout stories of the match, showing strong composure despite being one of the youngest players in the tournament
-
B8’s riflers consistently traded kills and controlled mid-round situations
-
FURIA struggled to convert advantages and lost several late rounds
The result highlights B8’s growing potential as a developing roster, with their young players — including s1zzi — showing they can compete against established tier-one teams on a major stage.
Astralis Turn the Tables on FUT Esports
Astralis produced one of the biggest betting upsets of the opening round by defeating FUT Esports despite entering the series as clear underdogs.
Pre-match odds placed Astralis at 2.97, while our betting analysts gave HooXi’s squad only a 30% probability of winning the matchup. FUT also held the advantage in recent head-to-head meetings and arrived in stronger form, making the result one of the most surprising outcomes of the day.
Astralis, however, delivered a disciplined performance that disrupted FUT’s rhythm. Strong mid-round decision-making and confident individual plays allowed the Danish side to control key moments of the series and convert crucial late rounds.
Key points
-
Astralis entered the match with 2.97 odds and just a 30% projected win probability
-
FUT Esports had the edge in recent meetings between the teams
-
Astralis capitalized on critical mid-round situations to secure the upset
The victory gives Astralis valuable momentum in ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage 2, while FUT now faces additional pressure in the Swiss bracket after the unexpected loss.
