Why It Matters
These results reshape the tournament’s playoff picture and highlight how roster compliance can directly affect competitive outcomes, influencing which teams advance toward Major qualification.
Key Takeaways
- •Passion UA defeats Rebels, clinches playoff berth.
- •HOTU advances after beating Rebels; ALGO forfeits.
- •Gentle Mates secure playoff spot, eye Major qualification.
- •EYEBALLERS eliminated; Major hopes now doubtful.
- •Roster lock disputes cause international team withdrawal.
Pulse Analysis
The Roman Imperium Cup V, held in Portugal, continues to shape the European CS:GO calendar as a key qualifier for upcoming Majors. Over the past 24 hours, the tournament has seen Passion UA overturn a previous loss to the Rebels, securing a coveted playoff spot, while HOTU replicated the feat, advancing after a decisive victory. Meanwhile, Gentle Mates opened their campaign with a win over Famalicão and later cemented their playoff berth, signaling strong form heading into the knockout stages. These results tighten the competition and set the stage for high‑stakes matchups.
One of the most disruptive storylines was the unexpected withdrawal of ALGO, an international roster slated to compete against HOTU. According to Dust2.dk, the team cited roster lock complications, a reminder that administrative compliance remains as critical as in‑game performance. Such forfeitures not only grant automatic advancement to opponents—in this case propelling HOTU directly to the upper‑bracket final—but also underscore the growing need for transparent roster management across the CS:GO ecosystem. Organizers are likely to tighten verification processes to prevent future no‑shows.
The fallout from EYEBALLERS' early exit illustrates how quickly fortunes can reverse in tournament play. Coach Faruk “pita” Pita lamented missed opportunities on Inferno and expressed uncertainty about the team's Major aspirations. With Gentle Mates now eyeing a Major slot and Passion UA gaining momentum, the remaining field must balance strategic adjustments with mental resilience. Analysts will watch closely how these teams refine their playbooks ahead of the next major circuit, as the Roman Imperium Cup serves both as a proving ground and a barometer for upcoming international competition.
Live updates from Roman Imperium Cup V
20‑2‑2026 00:43
Live updates from Roman Imperium Cup V
4 h ago – By MIRAA
Passion UA get revenge on Rebels to make playoffs
Passion UA vs. Rebels – match details
6 h ago – By Nohte
Subdued reactions from HOTU as they beat Rebels to make the playoffs
HOTU vs. Rebels – match details
7 h ago – By Nohte
mizu mows down four with the Dualies
HOTU vs. Rebels – match details
9 h ago – By Nohte
Rebels celebrate after spoiling Passion UA's debut with try
Passion UA vs. Rebels – match details
10 h ago – By Nohte
try nabs USP‑S 4k in first round with Passion UA
Passion UA vs. Rebels – match details
10 h ago – By MIRAA
ALGO a no‑show at Roman Imperium Cup
HOTU vs. ALGO – match details
The international team did not travel to Portugal, which means that HOTU will go straight to the group’s upper‑bracket final. According to Dust2.dk, the team isn’t playing the tournament “due to roster lock issues.”
10 h ago – By MIRAA
pita: “A quick U‑turn; it can change so fast in this game”
EYEBALLERS coach Faruk “pita” Pita stopped by HLTV’s microphone after the 2‑1 loss to Betclic, which sent his team out of the tournament.
He lamented that the team let a 9‑3 lead slip on Inferno against Gentle Mates due to miscommunication.
“Small miscoms, small decisions not going our way,” he said, adding that he thinks EYEBALLERS’ Major hopes are dead and buried after this match.
On being eliminated from the event on day 1:
“I think everyone is very upset, obviously. We had higher hopes… We started off the year very well versus FaZe Clan and did pretty okay versus number one in the world. And since then, we’ve had some… I would say we’re in some slump. But when we came into this tournament, I think we were hoping for some redemption.
We started off the day not very well but decently by beating Betclic, and then obviously winning the first map against Gentle Mates and being up 9‑3 in the second map. And looking at us right now, we have to leave already after the first day…”
On whether the team got complacent on Inferno against Gentle Mates:
“I think there were some miscoms, I would say, on the T side of Inferno. I think the start was… they were up 4‑0 and our first weapon round was just miscommunication. I think we maybe let it slip a little bit, even though we know Gentle Mates is a really good team on Inferno, especially their CT side is really, really good. Not that easy to play against.
But we had a lot of situations, I would say, on T side Inferno that I think we should have won. A 3v3 on B site after‑plant. We also had some rounds where we got into the site and we should just be able to clean that up pretty easy. But small miscoms, small decisions not going our way. So yeah, that sucks. And the third map, Ancient, was super close.”
On the impact of this loss on their Major hopes:
“We’ll see. I don’t know if the Major is still a possibility for us. If it is, obviously we’ll just try to go all in. But I think after this loss, we can maybe count out the Major and try to maybe decide what we’re going to play based on the long term.”
On the main lessons from this event:
“We need to keep on developing our playbook, I would say. We have a pretty loose style that fits these players very well. But as every time when the loose play style is not working, it’s usually because we’re not shooting our opponents the way we should. And obviously that makes it difficult. I would have to review the demo to exactly see what we have to keep on working.
A bad day, obviously. I think Betclic played really well. Obviously, Gentle Mates also played super well. So two really tough opponents. We could have been at the restaurant half‑celebrating that we made it through as number one in the group. A quick U‑turn. It can change so fast in this game. So it is what it is. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.”
11 h ago – By Nohte
Ro1f quad kill from Ebox pulls back 4v5
Betclic vs. EYEBALLERS – match details
14 h ago – By MIRAA
alex: “It would be amazing to qualify for the Major; that goal is making us work ever harder”
Alejandro “alex” Masanet sat down with HLTV after Gentle Mates booked their spot in the playoff stages of Roman Imperium Cup and discussed the team’s chances of reaching the Major.
“It would be amazing to get the spot. It’s also our goal, our main goal. But at the same time, it’s hard… If you have that goal, you’re going to have pressure on your shoulders, but I think we should play with that.
We created this team for high competition. It is what it is. I think the goal is making us work even harder. So, I mean, it would be amazing.”
14 h ago – By MIRAA
Gentle Mates celebrate as they secure playoff spot
16 h ago – By king_dempz
Gentle Mates get loud after forcing OT against EYEBALLERS with the series on the line
Gentle Mates vs. EYEBALLERS – match details
18 h ago – By king_dempz
Gentle Mates kick off Imperium Cup campaign with a win
Gentle Mates vs. Famalicão – match details
18 h ago – By king_dempz
Ro1f pulls off pistol 4k as EYEBALLERS seek to make comeback against Betclic
EYEBALLERS vs. Betclic – match details
18 h ago – By king_dempz
Check out the Roman Imperium Cup trophy
Image of the trophy
19 h ago – By MIRAA
The matches are about to get underway
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