The deciding phase of IEM Kraków is ahead - 6 teams left

The deciding phase of IEM Kraków is ahead - 6 teams left

The dust from the group stage has not yet settled, and we are already preparing for the final resolutions. IEM Kraków is entering its deciding phase. From the initial lineup of 16 teams that started the struggle in the group stage, only the six best formations in the world remain on the battlefield. Tauron Arena Kraków will become the capital of global Counter-Strike this coming weekend, hosting players fighting not only for a prestigious title but also for the lion's share of the prize pool amounting to over 1.2 million dollars.

The group stage brought us plenty of surprises, dramas, and plot twists. We saw the fall of favorites, the birth of new stars, and tactical chess at the highest level. Now, however, there is no more room for error. The Single Elimination bracket system is ruthless - one defeat means packing bags. Ahead of us are three days that will define the beginning of the 2026 season.

Quarterfinal pairs - who plays on Friday?

Friday, being the first day of the playoff phase in the arena, will bring us two incredibly interesting quarterfinal clashes. Teams that took second and third places in their groups must fight a fratricidal battle for the right to play in the semifinal.

The first quarterfinal pair is FURIA and Aurora. The Brazilians, led by scene legends, had to fight their way through the lower bracket of Group A, eliminating brands like Natus Vincere and Astralis along the way. On the other hand, Aurora is the absolute revelation of the tournament, having stood up to the biggest powers in Group B, succumbing only to Vitality in the upper bracket final.

The second quarterfinal is a true hit that all fans are waiting for. G2 Esports and MOUZ will face each other. G2, despite a great start, stumbled in the Group A final against Spirit, which pushed them to the quarterfinals. MOUZ, in turn, showed incredible character, returning from the "underworld" of Group B's lower bracket and eliminating the star-studded Falcons along the way.

Tournament sensation - Aurora's incredible road to the playoffs

If we had to point out the "dark horse" of this tournament, it would undoubtedly be the Aurora formation. Before the start of the event, this team was not considered a favorite to advance from the group, yet their performance in Group B shocked the experts.

Aurora started with a bang, defeating the star-studded Team Falcons 2:1 in the first round. Many considered this an accident for the favorites, but in the next match, Aurora proved their worth by demolishing MOUZ 2:0 in the upper bracket semifinal. Only in the Group B final did they have to acknowledge Vitality's superiority (0:2), which still gave them a secure spot in the quarterfinals. Their presence in the playoffs is proof that rankings don't play at IEM Kraków.

Giants wait in the semifinals - dominance of Spirit and Vitality

Two teams can rest on Friday and analyze the game of their future rivals. The group winners secured direct promotion to the semifinals, which is a huge privilege, giving a day off and certainty of a place in the medal zone.

Waiting in the first semifinal is Team Spirit, which dominated Group A. The Russian formation went through the group stage like a storm, defeating Astralis (2:0), Natus Vincere (2:0), and G2 Esports (2:1) in the group final sequentially. Their form is terrifying for rivals - they lost only one map in the entire tournament. On Saturday, they will face the winner of the FURIA vs Aurora match.

The second semifinalist is Team Vitality, the winner of Group B. The "Bees" had an equally impressive path, eliminating BC.Game (2:0), 3DMAX (2:0), and finally Aurora (2:0) one by one. ZywOo and company did not lose a single map on their way to the semifinal, making them the main favorite for the final triumph. On Saturday, they will take on the better of the G2 vs MOUZ pair.

The great absentees - who won't we see in Spodek... I mean in Kraków?

The group stage was brutal for many titled formations. IEM Kraków has already said goodbye to several teams that had an appetite for the cup. The biggest disappointment is certainly the attitude of Team Falcons. The "Super-team" first lost to Aurora, and in the match for survival in the lower bracket, was demolished by MOUZ (0:2), finishing the tournament in a distant place.

Also saying goodbye to the tournament were:

• FaZe Clan: Lost the opening match to 3DMAX, and were then eliminated by MOUZ in the lower bracket (0:2).

• Natus Vincere: After winning against PARIVISION, they succumbed to Spirit, and in the decisive lower bracket match lost to FURIA (1:2).

• Astralis: Despite fighting in the lower bracket (wins against PARIVISION and FUT), they ultimately succumbed to FURIA in the lower bracket final (1:2).

• BC.Game: s1mple's team dropped out very quickly, losing to Vitality and FaZe.

The Brazilian dream continues - FURIA fights for the Americas' honor

FURIA is the only representative of the Americas region left in the tournament. Their road to the quarterfinals was bumpy and full of emotions. After a defeat in the first round against FUT Esports (0:2), many wrote off the Brazilians.

However, in the lower bracket, they showed incredible character. First, they eliminated The MongolZ (2:1), then in a dramatic match sent Natus Vincere home (2:1), only to defeat Astralis (2:1) in the decisive clash. This is a team that ramps up from match to match and is not in a losing position in the clash with Aurora.

G2 Esports vs MOUZ - a hit clash for the semifinal

The G2 vs MOUZ match scheduled for Friday at 19:00 is undoubtedly the jewel of the quarterfinals. Both teams have something to prove.

G2 presented themselves solidly in Group A, defeating The MongolZ and FUT Esports, but in the clash for direct promotion, they succumbed to Spirit. MOUZ, on the other hand, went from hell to heaven. After a sensational defeat against Aurora in the upper bracket semifinal, they had to fight for survival against FaZe and Falcons. They won both these matches without losing a map, which shows that the "Mice" are on fire.

Weekend schedule - when to watch matches?

The organizers have prepared an intense weekend with CS2 for the fans.

The game plan presents as follows:

• Friday (Quarterfinals):

• 15:45 - FURIA vs Aurora (BO3)

• 19:00 - G2 vs MOUZ (BO3)

• Saturday (Semifinals):

• 15:45 - Spirit vs TBD (FURIA/Aurora) (BO3)

• 19:00 - Vitality vs TBD (G2/MOUZ) (BO3)

• Sunday (Final):

• 17:00 - Grand Final (BO5)

It is also worth noting the 3rd place match (Tiebreaker), which is scheduled for Sunday at 13:30.

Summary - who will lift the cup on Sunday?

Looking at the form from the group stage, Team Vitality and Team Spirit seem to be the favorites. Both teams dominated their groups and are waiting for rivals in the semifinals. However, playoffs have their own rules. Will Aurora maintain the title of giant slayer? Will FURIA, carried by cheering (and Brazilian samba), cause another surprise? Or maybe G2 or MOUZ, hardened in battle, will show superiority in the Arena? We will know the answers on Sunday evening.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the IEM Kraków playoff phase

1. How many teams remain in the fight for the IEM Kraków cup?

In the playoff phase, the 6 best teams will perform: Vitality, Spirit, G2, MOUZ, FURIA, and Aurora.

2. When will the grand final of the tournament take place?

The grand final is scheduled for Sunday at 17:00.

3. What format is the final played in?

The final match will be played in Best of 5 format (first to three map wins).

4. Who will play in the first quarterfinal?

On Friday at 15:45, FURIA and Aurora will face each other.

5. Who will Team Spirit play in the semifinal?

Spirit is waiting in the semifinal for the winner of the FURIA vs Aurora quarterfinal pair.

6. What path to the playoffs did MOUZ take?

After losing to Aurora, MOUZ fell to the lower bracket, where they eliminated FaZe Clan and Team Falcons, winning both matches 2:0.

7. Is FaZe Clan still playing in the tournament?

No, FaZe Clan was eliminated in the lower bracket of Group B, losing the elimination match against MOUZ.

8. Where do the playoff matches take place?

All playoff matches are played in Kraków, Poland (Tauron Arena).

9. What is the prize pool in the tournament?

The total prize pool amounts to 1,222,000 dollars.

10. Who eliminated Natus Vincere?

NAVI was eliminated in the lower bracket of Group A by the Brazilian team FURIA.