NiKo Takes MVP, nota Becomes Sole EVP at BLAST Winter 2026
The BLAST Bounty Winter 2026 tournament delivered an unforgettable week of Counter-Strike 2 action, culminating in PARIVISION’s dominant grand final victory. While Nikola “NiKo” Kovač of Falcons claimed the HLTV x 1xBet MVP award, Emil “nota” Moskvitin of PARIVISION made history as the only player to earn an HLTV Exceptionally Valuable Player (EVP) award.
nota’s Historic EVP Recognition
According to HLTV, the unique single-EVP outcome at BLAST Winter 2026 stemmed from the tournament’s structure. The event featured an 8-team single-elimination bracket with a compressed LAN schedule, and only LAN-based performance metrics were considered. This format left little room for standout statistical performances, making nota’s achievement even more remarkable.
nota’s performance peaked in the grand final. Despite starting the tournament as PARIVISION’s lowest-rated player, he delivered clutch plays and momentum-shifting multikills in their title-winning series. His heroics turned heads and proved pivotal in PARIVISION’s 3-0 sweep to secure the championship.
PARIVISION’s Balanced Roster: A Key Factor
PARIVISION’s reliance on a balanced roster was another reason for the rare single-EVP scenario. Instead of a single superstar carrying the team, all five players contributed consistently to their success. Jame, PARIVISION’s in-game leader, came close to earning an EVP nod but was ultimately recognized as a strong supportive player rather than a statistical standout. As a result, nota emerged as the only player to surpass the EVP threshold.
NiKo’s MVP Performance Shines Despite Falcons’ Loss
While nota secured the only EVP, NiKo’s MVP award was well-earned, despite Falcons falling short in the grand final. The legendary rifler delivered high-impact performances throughout the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final, maintaining star-level consistency even in defeat. HLTV noted that his MVP candidacy solidified after m0NESY’s quieter showing in the grand final, which weakened the young star’s chances.
HLTV’s All-Star Team for BLAST Winter 2026
To round out the event’s accolades, HLTV announced the tournament’s All-Star Team, featuring the following players:
- NiKo (Falcons)
- nota (PARIVISION)
- Jame (PARIVISION)
- m0NESY (G2 Esports)
- zweih (Falcons)
This lineup reflects both individual brilliance and overall tournament impact, marking a fitting end to an exciting CS2 tournament.
Reactions from Players and Coaches
After the grand final, PARIVISION’s coach dastan emphasized the importance of stability moving forward: “I didn’t expect it, so I don’t want to be too overconfident. We need to be stable… I hope this win helps the guys become more confident.”
Jame, PARIVISION’s leader, highlighted the sacrifices made by the team to reach the top, showing the level of dedication required to compete at the highest level of CS2 esports.
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With the conclusion of BLAST Bounty Winter 2026, fans are already looking ahead to the next big CS2 tournaments. Whether you’re tracking star players like NiKo or underdogs like nota, CS2bet.io is your go-to platform for CS2 betting. Stay updated on the latest CS2 matches and tournaments, and put your analysis to the test with CS2 gambling opportunities tailored for esports fans.