Liquid and 3DMAX Lead the Charge at IEM Kraków 2026
The Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Kraków 2026 kicked off with dramatic action in Stage 1 as Team Liquid and 3DMAX made significant statements. Liquid dominated Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) in a 2-0 series, while 3DMAX staged a thrilling comeback to defeat FUT Esports. This landmark Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) event, held at Tauron Arena in Poland from January 28 to February 8, 2026, is one of the first major CS2 tournaments of the year and boasts a staggering $1 million prize pool.
Team Liquid’s Upper Bracket Triumph
Despite fielding a stand-in for their absent rifler Keith “NAF” Markovic, Team Liquid demonstrated resilience and dominance against NiP. The series began on Nuke, where NiP initially showed promise on their T-side. However, Liquid quickly took over, winning 13-6 with standout performances from Karim “Krimbo” Moussa, who stepped in with remarkable impact.
The battle continued on Mirage, where NiP’s Rasmus “sjuush” Beck briefly shifted momentum with an impressive 4-kill round. However, Liquid’s Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski delivered a commanding second-half performance, securing the map and the series 2-0. This victory advances Liquid to the Upper Bracket quarter-finals, where they will face G2 Esports in a crucial best-of-three match that could shape their path in the tournament.
3DMAX’s Comeback Against FUT Esports
On the B stream, 3DMAX showcased grit and determination in their match against FUT Esports. The clash on Ancient saw FUT take an early lead, but 3DMAX clawed their way back, forcing overtime and eventually taking the map. FUT’s errors under pressure, including costly team-kills, opened the door for 3DMAX to capitalize.
Momentum carried into Dust2, where 3DMAX closed the series with a decisive win. This remarkable comeback sets them up for an Upper Bracket quarter-final against BC.Game, another strong contender in this competitive CS2 tournament.
The IEM Kraków 2026 Format
The Stage 1 play-ins feature a double-elimination bracket with 16 teams vying for eight spots in the main group stage. All matches are best-of-three (BO3), pushing teams to adapt and endure under high-stakes conditions. Teams that remain in the upper bracket after Day 1 have a significant advantage in securing progression to the next phase of the tournament.
CS2 Betting Insights from CS2bet.io
As the action unfolds at IEM Kraków, CS2 betting enthusiasts can find valuable insights and predictions on CS2bet.io. With thrilling matchups like Liquid vs. G2 and 3DMAX vs. BC.Game on the horizon, this is the perfect time to analyze team dynamics and strategies for your CS2 gambling decisions. Stay tuned for more updates on CS2 matches and tournaments as the competition heats up!