IEM Cologne Major Stage 3 Live Blog - Last day of groups

One day. Three games. Three playoff spots left. IEM Cologne Major playoffs on the line. Who's in, who's out?

BetBoom Team 2-0 FUT 19:15 CEST

Boombl4 might have lost weight, but he’s still a brick wall.

FUT have completely fallen flat here at the end of Stage 3. All the qualities that saw them beat MOUZ yesterday were entirely absent in this series. They got out-aimed, out-thought, and out-worked. Tactically they couldn’t get anything done, at times it didn’t even seem like BetBoom had to try, FUT were unsettling themselves with their movement and positioning. Boombl4 even mentioned it on the desk after the game, saying they could tell FUT felt the pressure.

That's not to discredit BetBoom.

The opening line was no joke. BB are a brick wall for teams that have flaws. They find ways to expose teams without making it too obvious how their gameplan is put together. It’s wildly impressive they managed to do this with a stand-in. At this rate, they could be a serious issue for playoff teams, it’s just going to require a step up in firepower.

It wasn’t as electric as you would’ve thought, but BetBoom won’t be giving a toss.

NAVI vs G2 - 19:00 CEST

Two big dogs clashing for the final arena spot.

NAVI are the better team by far, this season, and at this event. They continue to prove that B1ad3 and Aleksi can solve practically any CS issue if given the time. What you can’t gameplan for though is when your stars fail to show up. makazze, b1t, w0nderfull, they’ve all vanished in important moments. Still, a regular performance from NAVI should be enough to beat G2 today.

This really should be out of G2’s control.

That’s not to say they stand no chance. There is so much talent on G2 when it’s firing. The problem with that, seemingly, is that they’re only allowed to have 1-2 players shooting back at any time. NertZ and SunPayus especially have really failed to hit their consistent stride. But you know who eliminated NAVI the last time they missed the Major playoff? NertZ and SunPayus on ENCE.

Will history repeat itself, or will NAVI get their belated revenge?

Up Next - BetBoom vs FUT - 16:30 CEST

Two Cinderella stories, with only one shoe to put on.

BetBoom came in to the Major with a stand-in, and no expectations. Still, they’ve shown up in every stage. All the way from Stage 1, they’ve kept beating teams and fragging out. Magnojez has cemented himself as a true star, who might even be ready for an upwards move. Not to mention Boombl4 whose redemption arc is something out of a Hollywood film. We just don’t know the ending yet.

Especially because FUT have no interest in giving him a third act climax.

FUT have been one of the most exciting teams at the Major so far, their brand of Counter-Strike is a brilliant watch for neutral fans. Proactive space taking in groups, and brilliant decision making in the micro. It’s even more impressive when you remember they’re the youngest team at the Major. It’s unlucky they faced Vitality and G2 in their two openers, but beating MOUZ yesterday confirmed that this team can beat these top teams. The IGLing was simply brilliant, but with a Major winning IGL on the other side today, it’s an entirely different test.

Whoever wins this will be a real treat to watch in the LANXESS, and for Counter-Strike, what more could you ask for?

9z 2-0 The MongolZ - 9z earn a playoffs berth - 14:00 CEST

The spectre of regret won’t haunt 9z this Major; instead it’s manifested in Mongolia.

This was a thoroughly impressive performance for 9z, holding their cool despite the pressure on their shoulders. Dgt especially needs to take a bow, his performance across both maps was just unbelievable. If they can play like this, who knows what their ceiling is.

Yet for however good 9z were, The MongolZ were equally disappointing.

The trend of them looking flat this Major continued, this team seems to clearly know their end is near. There just wasn’t any fight in them. They looked resigned to their fate, being the side character in South America’s folklore. The Mongolian empire is fading into history, and this Major will be a pivotal chapter in its end.

Congratulations 9z, you’ve done South America proud.

9z vs The MongolZ - 14:00 CEST

This is a rare matchup where both teams will be happy to draw each other.

9z have to believe that yesterday’s form is a blip, and that against a team that’s looked as beatable as The MongolZ they will be alright. It’s going to seriously require them to hold their nerves though. Against Spirit the pressure of being on map point caused them to fold, and they never recovered in overtime.

This has to be their chance, of all the 2-2 teams left, The MongolZ have a case for being the least convincing.

Now obviously there are no easy games at this stage. The Mongolian side are still a top 10 team in the world after all. They are going to fancy this, even if their ceiling at this event has looked limited. This roster is also used to pressure, regular playoff appearances will go a long way in hardening a team. (Unless you’re MOUZ, apparently)

If The MongolZ win, 9z will have nightmares about their dropped rounds versus Spirit. The simple solution then is to just not lose.

So 9z, are you men, or are you mice?

Last three games

9z vs The MongolZ - 14:00 CEST

9z beat Vitality but lost to Aurora, and their headline-grabbing run could come grinding to a halt against a MongolZ team who refuse to go down easy.

BetBoom vs FUT - 16:30 CEST

BetBoom have been growing in strength and stature since the FL4MUS move, but FUT are resilient and one of the best teams in the world - despite their incredibly tough run, they're still in with a shout.

NAVI vs G2 - 19:00 CEST

Oh boy, this is a biggie. Sit your buttocks down, watch and learn.