ATOX removed from BLAST Lisbon
In a surprising turn of events, BLAST have revealed that Mongolian Counter-Strike team ATOX have been replaced for the upcoming BLAST Premier Lisbon Open as ATOX are currently subject to 'to a provisional suspension from all Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) Member events.' ATOX will be replaced by The Huns, whom they had beaten in the final of BLAST Rising Asia Spring 2025, which served as a qualifier event for BLAST Lisbon Open.
Further details about the suspension haven't been revealed yet but the news comes shortly after Chinese talent member Searph recently had revealed that the ESIC are investigating a 'top 30' team for 'suspected match-fixing at ESL Pro League 2024'. It is not clear whether ATOX was the team in question but the Mongolian team's current rank is #33 in the Valve rankings and #37 in the HLTV world rankings. ATOX finished 21st-28th in ESL Pro League Season 20 in September 2024.
With ATOX being replaced, the seeding for the event has been redone with The Huns as the last-seeded team.
With The Huns joining BLAST Open Lisbon, the Groups are as follows:
Group A
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Spirit
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MOUZ
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Falcons
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Vitality
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Astralis
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FaZe
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Virtus.pro
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The Huns
Group B
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G2
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M80
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Eternal Fire
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Liquid
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The MongolZ
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Imperial
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Natus Vincere
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FURIA
The BLAST Lisbon action will kick off from March 19, 2024 with Spirit taking on The Huns in the opening game while G2 will face Imperial in the opening game of Group B.
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