The Falcons began their Thunderpick World Championship campaign on a disappointing note, suffering a 2-0 defeat at the hands of 3DMAX in the opening round of Group A. This match was particularly significant as it marked the return of renowned Ukrainian player Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyliev, who was making his first official appearance in over seven months. He joined the Falcons on a short-term loan until the end of the year, and fans were eager to see how he would perform after such a long hiatus.
The match took place on October 21, 2024, and attracted an impressive viewership of over 100,000 fans, all keen to witness s1mple's comeback. The excitement was palpable as many anticipated a stellar performance from one of the most celebrated players in Counter-Strike history. However, the reality of his performance was mixed, showcasing both moments of brilliance and signs of rustiness.
The first map, Anubis, proved to be a challenging environment for s1mple. Having barely played this map during his time with Natus Vincere, he struggled to find his footing. On the Terrorist side, he was rarely involved in key plays, managing only one opening kill throughout the entire half. Transitioning to the Counter-Terrorist side, his performance did not improve significantly; he managed just two frags—both secured with an AWP in the same round. This lackluster start was disappointing for fans who had hoped to see him dominate from the outset.
Despite the rocky start on Anubis, s1mple demonstrated signs of regaining his former self on Nuke. His gameplay became more aggressive and impactful, as he began to showcase his renowned fragging potential. Notably, he executed a remarkable 1v2 clutch early in the first half and followed it up with a series of stylish multi-kills that reignited hope for the Falcons’ chances in the match. By the end of Nuke, s1mple had racked up an impressive 27 kills—15 more than his closest teammate—and averaged 124 damage per round.
While s1mple's individual statistics were commendable, they were not enough to secure victory for the Falcons. The team struggled collectively throughout both maps, particularly on their map pick, Anubis. The lack of synergy and coordination among teammates ultimately hindered their ability to capitalize on s1mple's standout moments.
In conclusion, while Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyliev showed flashes of brilliance that reminded fans of his elite status in competitive play, it was not sufficient to overcome 3DMAX. The Falcons will need to regroup and improve their teamwork if they hope to bounce back in future matches of the Thunderpick World Championship. As s1mple continues to shake off the rust and adapt to his new team environment, fans will be watching closely to see how he evolves in upcoming games.