NRG squander strong start against FUT in Atlanta

NRG made their IEM Atlanta debut against PGL Bucharest champions FUT. While the home team started off strong, they couldn't stop their opponent's comeback, nor secure their own.

Also read: IEM Atlanta Day 1: NA preview

Ancient kicked off with a bang, as Nicholas "nitr0" Cannella secured each of the opening round’s five frags with a pistol ace. The highlight from Captain America was a preview of NRG’s first half performance, which saw them go up six rounds. At 9-3, the North American squad seemed certain to close their map pick.

Victory was further assured by a second pistol round win, but FUT’s attacking side was unfazed by the now seven-round deficit. After tying the game 10-10, they eventually reached match point. Here, Aran "Sonic" Groesbeek would secure a massive 3K for NRG, leaving only Krabeni alive to watch the clock run out and overtime commence. However, FUT’s comeback was ultimately successful in a 16-13 win for the Europeans.

Overpass was a more hostile environment for NRG's opening defense. FUT would jump to a 9-3 score led by Dmytro "dem0n" Myroshnychenko and Džiugas "dziugss" Steponavičius, who would secure the sweep for FUT despite a solid comeback attempt from Michael "Grim" Wince and NRG.

IEM Atlanta 2026

Bo3

NRG

0 - 2

FUT

All maps

NRG	K - D	+/-	ADR	KAST	Rating 3.0
Michael 'Grim' Wince	40 - 40	+0	80.3	66.7%	1.03
Nick 'nitr0' Cannella	27 - 39	-12	73.1	64.7%	0.99
Aran 'Sonic' Groesbeek	29 - 40	-11	64.1	56.9%	0.95
Alexander 'br0' Bro	32 - 36	-4	73.1	66.7%	0.91
Josh 'oSee' Ohm	20 - 33	-13	40.8	70.6%	0.65

FUT	K - D	+/-	ADR	KAST	Rating 3.0
Džiugas 'dziugss' Steponavičius	49 - 27	+22	104.7	84.3%	1.58
Dmytro 'dem0n' Myroshnychenko	45 - 28	+17	83.6	70.6%	1.48
Aulon 'Krabeni' Fazlija	45 - 37	+8	100.0	72.5%	1.25
Nikita 'cmtry' Samolotov	27 - 25	+2	54.4	76.5%	1.00
Laurențiu 'lauNX' Țârlea	22 - 34	-12	59.1	74.5%	0.82