100 Thieves watched a golden opportunity slip through their fingers at Stake Pulse Beat II, surrendering the championship to HEROIC in heartbreaking fashion after holding a commanding 1-0 series advantage.
The North American squad navigated the playoff bracket with wins over BBL and Astralis. The Astralis matchup carried special significance as it marked the debut of Nicolai "device" Reedtz competing against his former organization while wearing 100 Thieves colors.
The championship showdown began favorably for 100 Thieves on Dust2. Following a competitive opening half where neither team could establish dominance, 100T edged ahead on their terrorist side. HEROIC briefly grabbed an 8-7 advantage before 100 Thieves responded decisively, closing out the map with a 13-8 victory.
Ancient proved to be the turning point. With a 12-10 cushion, 100 Thieves stood on the precipice of tournament glory, holding two match points to clinch the title. HEROIC refused to fold, however, clawing their way back to force overtime. In the second overtime period, the European squad finally broke through to force a deciding map.
Inferno delivered no drama whatsoever. HEROIC dominated from the opening pistol round, suffocating 100 Thieves with relentless pressure. The Swedish-majority roster conceded just a single round in the first half, building an insurmountable lead. They cruised to a 13-4 triumph, completing the reverse sweep with a 2-1 series victory.
With their Major qualification hopes hanging in the balance, 100 Thieves now turn their attention to upcoming events Stake Pulse Beat III and FiRe Last Chance 2026. Currently positioned just outside the qualification threshold for PGL Singapore based on HLTV rankings, these tournaments represent critical opportunities to secure their spot.
