Team Falcons snap title drought days before TI14 with fiery lower bracket run in Fissure Universe

Team Falcons pulled off an incredible lower bracket run to secure victory at FISSURE Universe: Episode 6, ending their title drought in style just days before Dota 2 The International 2025 (TI14). Their dominant performance not only earned them the championship but also served as a clear warning to the rest of the TI14 field.

The Middle Eastern powerhouse swept past TI14 title favorites Team Liquid and Team Spirit on Sunday, claiming the $125,000 grand prize. As the final tier-one Dota 2 event before the world championship, the win cements Falcons as one of the most dangerous teams heading into the final tournament of the season.

Team Falcons began their championship Sunday with a statement, taking down Team Liquid 2-0 in the lower bracket final. That victory set the stage for the ultimate showdown against Team Spirit, the tournament favorites who had looked nearly unstoppable. Spirit entered the grand final unbeaten, boasting a flawless 4-0 group stage record and a convincing upper bracket win over Liquid the previous day.

However, Falcons came prepared to flip the script. In a jaw-dropping display of dominance, they stormed through Spirit with a clean 3-0 sweep. Falcons have finally broken their dry spell, clinching a long-awaited championship after months of near misses at major tournaments.

The last time Team Falcons lifted the trophy was at Dreamleague Season 24, held in November 2024. It had been over nine months since the roster fell into a slump after an elongated stretch of dominating tournaments for the better part of 2024.

The Saudi-backed team’s triumph at FISSURE Universe couldn’t have come at a better moment, landing just ahead of The International 2025, the crown jewel of the Dota 2 calendar. With confidence restored, Falcons now looks like a squad ready to carry this momentum into the biggest stage in esports.

Beyond the silverware, this win carries extra weight. It came against none other than Team Spirit, a side that had previously knocked Falcons out in crucial clashes. This time, however, there was no room for doubt. Their commanding sweep of Spirit not only avenged the recent loss in the grand final of EWC 2025 but also sent a clear message to the rest of the teams: when they are firing on all cylinders, even the most decorated rosters can be dismantled.

For Team Spirit, the story was very different. Having bulldozed their way through the tournament despite having Mirele as a stand-in mid laner for Larl, who missed the tournament due to health reasons, many expected them to lift the trophy. Yet in the grand final, they looked completely out of answers.

It was Malr1ne from Team Falcons who stole the show, averaging 9 kills and 16.3 assists against 1.3 deaths throughout the grand final. Before that, even Skiter showed his dominance in the series against Team Liquid. The star carry player averaged 14 kills and 9.5 assists in comparison to 4.5 kills in the lower-bracket final.

Now, with The International 2025 just around the corner, Falcons have thrown down the gauntlet. Their title run at the FISSURE Universe didn’t just earn them a trophy but also established them as legitimate contenders for the Aegis.

Falcons’ lower bracket run highlighted their composure under pressure, while their dominant performance in the finale showcased the killer instinct needed to conquer the best teams in the world. If they can carry this form into TI14, every opponent will be forced to take notice.