The first stage of the Counter-Strike festival, IEM Cologne Major 2026, has concluded, and we have the 8 teams that will be in Stage 2. Following 4 days of tough competition and Pick’Ems getting slaughtered, we have made our way to the next stage, and here is everything that happened on the final day.
TYLOO stand tall in Asian derby
With MongolZ waiting in the final stage, TYLOO has been Asia’s representatives in Stage 1, and in a match against Lynn Vision, they came out on top to secure their place in Stage 2 of the event. Starting strong on the first map, TYLOO dominated Lynn Vision on their own map pick as they came out with a 13-5 win on their own map pick as they came out with a 13-5 win before they went on to secure another comfortable 13-7 win to secure their spot in the next round of play.
FlyQuest Stun Liquid
Starting on their strong map, Anubis, FlyQuest secured 10 rounds on the less-favored defence that saw them secure a comfortable lead, which ensured a smooth win in the second half, putting Liquid one map away from getting eliminated. Securing a dominant 13-2 win, FlyQuest started on the defence of the second map, where they secured 9 rounds to post another dominant defence, leading to yet another unexpected but swift win that closed the game with a 13-7 scoreline.
BIG pulls off the impossible
The freshly minted NRG roster looked poised to outlast BIG following a solid start from the German side. From getting dominated, NRG built slowly into the game in the second map, following a tough contest in overtime. Edging out the map with a 16-13 scoreline, NRG went on to dominate the final map with a 12-0 start, only for BIG to pull off a shocker and win 12 rounds of their own to level the scoreline in a match that was all but over. Pushing the game to OT, BIG managed to remain flawless and close the Stage 2 door for NRG in a match that will be remembered for decades.
With Stage 1 coming to an end, we have seen more storylines get built up, making the tournament more interesting as it progresses. Stage 1 usually gives results that are hard to keep up with in the later stages, but we have seen miracle runs like that of FaZe in recent history. Only time can tell how this Major unfolds as we enjoy the festival of Counter-Strike in full swing.
