IEM Cologne Major Live Blog Stage 3 – Day 2

We're back for a second day of drama in the Cathedral.

⌚ 22:15

Team Spirit 2-1 Aurora Gaming

They had us in the first half, not gonna lie.

Aurora looked comfortable on Dust 2, MAJ3R was confident and their holds were solid. Hell, donk even went negative for once.

Though maybe that should’ve been the first sign that this was unsustainable.

As soon as Map 2 began, it looked more like what everyone expected. Spirit pushed spaces, hit nasty shots, and overran Aurora’s defence. Before you knew it, the map was over. The deciding map was honestly more of the same. Spirit started fast and dangerous, found the space in Aurora’s line, and closed out when they had to defend themselves.

Oh, and despite going negative in the first map, donk had a 1.41 rating for the series. Professional recovery all around.

⌚21:40 CEST

Vitality 1:2 9z

Pour one out for all pick’ems, because 9z have just mauled them.

All credit to 9z here, sure map 1 was a blowout for Vitality, but who cares now? meyern and luchov took it on the chest, then both dropped 20 kills on map 2 to take it to a decider. No one on Vitality could match that tally.

The decider was less of a two man show, and more of a team effort from 9z, a real display of “next man up” mentality. They collectively held it together despite Vitality having three players online, and narrowly closed out 13:11.

We honestly still don’t believe our eyes.

⌚ 17:10 CEST

BetBoom Team 2-0 Team Falcons

We expected a surprise, but we didn’t expect this.

Magnojez was completely imperious in this series. Falcons go to T-side Nuke? Magnojez shuts it down. Pivotal retake to complete the comeback on Ancient? Not on magnojez’s watch.

⌚ 16:40 CEST

NAVI 2-0 Legacy

That’s more like the NAVI we were expecting.

In fairness, Legacy also didn’t show up on Inferno but that’s none of NAVI’s concern. It especially doesn’t matter when dumau and latto show up for Ancient, and Legacy still lose. It was much closer mind you, but close doesn’t qualify you for the playoffs.

NAVI will eagerly await their next opponent, it’s likely to be 9z, but there is a world where they see Falcons

⌚16:10 CEST Ongoing

Team Falcons vs BetBoom Team

Four years ago, karrigan vs Boombl4 was a Major final headline. So expect some good CS in this one. Falcons aren’t perfectly drilled yet, so there could be a surprise here.

⏰ Up next

Aurora Gaming vs Team Spirit

Spirit are averaging a stunningly low ~3.2 rounds lost per map so far. Largely thanks to Donk’s insane form. It’s XANTARES masterclass or bust for Aurora.

Team Vitality vs 9z

We love luchov as much as the next guy, but this is probably a bit too much to ask from him. If Vitality start slow again like yesterday, it might be a game, just don’t be surprised if it’s an early finish tonight.

⌚ 13:30 CEST

Ongoing - FUT 1-1 G2

Stop reading this and go watch it for crying out loud. G2 are so watchable, and FUT are giving them one hell of a game.

⌚ 13:30 CEST

PARIVISION 1-2 Monte

PARIVISION are in deep, deep trouble. They look so powderpuff in terms of firepower, and people are starting to figure out their tricks. Monte are a good team, but PARIVISION a few months ago would have put this away.

Probably in double overtime, mind you.

Monte smashed them 11-1 on the first half on Inferno, before a bit of a cosmetic comeback from PARIVISION. Trouble ahead.

First results of the day are in.

⌚ 11AM CEST

The MongolZ 2-0 B8

Fairly routine win for The MongolZ. B8 pushed them to overtime on map one but were boxing shadows on Overpass. 910, a phenom on Mirage, basically dragged the Mongolians to a win, but he had plenty of back-up on Mirage.

For B8, at least s1zz1 is still playing - but they do look out of their depth in stage three.

⌚11AM CEST

FURIA 2-1 MOUZ

We feel like maybe MOUZ shouldn't have messed around so much with their roster pre-Major, because they were in this game.

All three maps were relatively one-sided, but one has to feel a full MOUZ line-up might have had a shot at beating a FURIA team who have been a bit underwhelming of late.

molodoy is back, though. That's good news for those of us who like Counter-Strike. A joy to watch today, and most days he's on it, to be honest.

On the slate today:

FURIA vs MOUZ

Probably the highlight of the day. One would think FURIA would win because of MOUZ's roster woes, but Brazil's favourite team just haven't been themselves fully of late. This could go either way.

The MongolZ vs B8

Not the best game here. A win is crucial for both, because you'd feel whoever loses is probably just going to go out. If you can't beat B8, you aren't going to do much at the event; similarly, if you can't beat The MongolZ...

FUT vs G2

BANGER. Must watch.

PARIVISION vs Monte

Whatever the opposite of 'BANGER. Must watch.' is. A second stream game in every sense of the word.

Falcons vs BetBoom

Loads of individual skill in this one, as well as two Major-winning IGLs. Will be a great game to watch.

NAVI vs Legacy

Legacy are up and down, but will need to be seriously up to get much done here.

Aurora vs Spirit

Can Aurora be the first team to stop donk? No, probably not.

Vitality vs 9z

That first round win was great, 9z, but you might as well have lost. You ain't winning this one.