Team Falcons is the winners of the IEM Cologne Major 2026, beating FURIA with a 3-0 scoreline in a historic Grand Finals clash, earning NiKo his highly elusive Major trophy. After 10 years, 17 attempts later, the 3rd time proved to be the lucky charm, as Counter Strike‘s greatest rifler finally bags the one trophy that every Counter Strike player dreams of. With a historic run, beating 3 former Major champions in NAVI, Vitality and Spirit on their way, Falcons secure the trophy that their team has very dearly chased.
VETO
- FURIA removed Ancient
- Falcons removed Overpass
- FURIA picked Mirage
- Falcons picked Anubis
- FURIA picked Inferno
- Falcons picked Dust2
- Nuke was left over
Map 1: Mirage; Pick: FURIA; Winner: Falcons
Falcons hit the board, stopping a mid to B attempt from FURIA, which they built on to get a 5-0 start with the big names all getting on the board early on. As Falcons continued to dominate with correct gambles, FURIA hit the board with a slow take of mid, which saw them close out the half with an 8-4 scoreline. Trading rounds to kick off the second map, Falcons managed to hit double digits before FURIA started mounting a comeback. Winning 3 rounds in a row put FURIA within touching distance of OT before a clever mid-round adjustment saw Falcons find a gap in the defence, which let them break the streak and close out the map with a 13-8 scoreline. 19 kills from m0NESY saw him top the charts, with Kyousuke dropping impact when called for, giving Falcons the much-needed headstart in the B05.
Map 2: Anubis; Pick: Falcons; Winner: Falcons
Winning the pistol with a m0NESY 4K, Falcons raced to a 4-0 start before FURIA hit the board. With their first round, FURIA’s offence methodically dismantled Falcons for 6 rounds straight, before Falcons pulled one more round with a 7-5 scoreline before switching sides. Winning a convincing pistol, Falcons went on to put up a 5-0 streak before FURIA managed to bag their 8th with a solid hold of the B site. As the game progressed, FalleN’s perfect read of the situation had FURIA in a superior position in most of the rounds, only for Falcons to outclass them with pure firepower. Little by little, Falcons edged closer with m0NESY and Kyousuke topping the charts, and finally, with a B-site execute, they called the curtains on FURIA in Anubis with a 13-8 scoreline. m0NESY with 22-10 and Kyousuke right behind with 19-15 put NiKo closest he has ever been to a Major.
Map 3: Inferno; Pick: FURIA; Winner: Falcons
Starting with a pistol loss, the Falcons hit the board with the first force buy and maintained their momentum before FURIA hit back, exploiting a weakness on the B site. Karrigan pulled a rabbit out of the hat with 3 USP kills against a full buy that put them back on the board as they raced to an 8-4 finish of the half with the Brazilians winning the final round. Converting the pistol, Falcons opened the door to a comeback, losing to FURIA’s force. As FURIA started to make a comeback, the individuals of Falcons stepped up to break through the FURIA defence for 3 rounds in a row to close out the map with a 13-8 scoreline.
At long last, destiny kept its date. Through fallen kings and conquered champions, Falcons soared where years of longing had failed. Guided by Karrigan’s wisdom, strengthened by TeSeS’ silent toil, and illuminated by m0NESY and Kyousuke, NiKo illustrated that a trophy-laden crown had finally received the ultimate jewel that eluded him for over a decade. The undisputed kings in Cologne, Counter-Strike’s cathedral, gave NiKo and Falcons the deepest desire of their hearts.
Overcoming the tragedy of Boston, outlasting the hauntings of Stockholm, NiKo’s finally got the day he had chased ever since he touched the mouse, and he is forever a Major champion!
