G2 Triumphs Over Passion UA to Close Day One of IEM Kraków 2026
G2 Esports began their IEM Kraków 2026 journey with an intense 2-1 victory against Passion UA during Stage 1’s opening day. Recovering from a shaky start on Overpass, G2 came back stronger on Dust2 and Mirage, solidifying their place as early contenders in the first major Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) tournament held in Poland.
Match Breakdown: G2 vs Passion UA
The best-of-three (Bo3) series kept fans on the edge of their seats, showcasing the unpredictability and excitement of top-tier CS2 matches. Here’s how the maps unfolded:
- Overpass: Passion UA 13–8 G2
- Dust2: G2 13–6 Passion UA
- Mirage: G2 13–3 Passion UA
After being caught off guard on Overpass, G2 recalibrated their strategy to dominate the remaining maps. This adaptability was key to their series win.
Map Highlights and Key Moments
Overpass: Passion UA Strikes First
Passion UA surprised G2 with sharp mid-round calls and impactful plays from Grim and Kvem. The map’s standout moment came from hallzerk, who pulled off a thrilling ninja defuse to deny G2 a chance to push the game into overtime.
Dust2: G2 Finds Their Groove
The momentum shifted on Dust2 as G2’s riflers took charge. With aggressive entry frags and consistent multi-kills, players like malbsMd and MATYS dominated the map, leaving Passion UA struggling to hold their defenses.
Mirage: A One-Sided Show
G2 closed the series in style on Mirage. malbsMd set the tone early with aggressive pushes, while MATYS and huNter- overwhelmed the opposition, restricting Passion UA to a mere three rounds.
Player Ratings: Top Performers
According to HLTV Rating 3.0, here are the top players from the series:
| Rank | Player | Team | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MATYS | G2 | 1.42 |
| 2 | malbsMd | G2 | 1.24 |
| 3 | HeavyGod | G2 | 1.18 |
| 4 | Grim | Passion UA | 1.16 |
| 5 | huNter- | G2 | 1.10 |
Series MVP: MATYS
With a stellar 1.42 rating, MATYS emerged as the series MVP, demonstrating his consistency and ability to perform under pressure. Grim also delivered an admirable performance, though Passion UA lacked the depth to match G2’s firepower.
IEM Kraków 2026: What’s Next?
The IEM Kraków 2026 tournament is a landmark event in CS2 esports, featuring a packed schedule and a $1,222,000 prize pool. After their opening victory, G2 now focuses on securing a direct qualification to Stage 2. Their win over Passion UA highlighted their ability to adapt, with players like malbsMd and MATYS stepping up when it counted most.
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Don’t Miss the Action
The IEM Kraków 2026 continues with Stage 1 running from January 28–30, followed by Stage 2 from January 31–February 3, and the playoffs from February 6–8. Hosted at the iconic TAURON Arena in Kraków, this event is shaping up to be a milestone for Counter-Strike 2 esports.