Team Liquid and 3DMAX Impress at IEM Kraków 2026
The Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Kraków 2026 is off to a thrilling start with standout performances from Team Liquid and 3DMAX during Stage 1 of this premier Counter-Strike 2 tournament. Hosted at Poland's Tauron Arena from January 28 to February 8, this event boasts a $1 million prize pool, attracting the best CS2 teams in the world. With double-elimination play-ins and intense best-of-three (BO3) matches, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Liquid’s Dominant 2-0 Victory Over NiP
Team Liquid kicked off their IEM Kraków campaign with a commanding 2-0 win against Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) in the Upper Bracket of Stage 1. Despite playing with a stand-in, Karim “Krimbo” Moussa, replacing Keith “NAF” Markovic due to personal reasons, Liquid delivered an impressive performance.
The series began on Nuke, where NiP initially took a brief lead on the T-side. However, Liquid quickly turned the tide, securing a dominant 13-6 victory thanks to impactful plays from Krimbo. On Mirage, NiP’s Rasmus “sjuush” Beck briefly swung momentum with a stellar 4-kill round before halftime. Despite this, Liquid’s Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski stepped up in the second half, leading his team to close out the map and the series.
With this 2-0 victory, Liquid advances to the Upper Bracket quarter-finals, where they will face G2 Esports in a high-stakes clash. Fans and bettors alike are eagerly anticipating this matchup, with opportunities for CS2 betting available on platforms like CS2bet.io.
3DMAX’s Remarkable Comeback Against FUT
Meanwhile, on the B stream, 3DMAX delivered one of the most exciting performances of the day with a comeback victory against FUT Esports. The series opened on Ancient, where FUT looked dominant early on, but 3DMAX fought back to force overtime. In the extra rounds, 3DMAX capitalized on key errors from FUT, including missed shots and team-kills, to secure the map.
Moving to Dust2, 3DMAX maintained their momentum, closing the series decisively and earning their place in the Upper Bracket quarter-finals. Their next opponent, BC.Game, presents another challenging hurdle in their play-in journey.
IEM Kraków 2026: Event Structure and Stakes
The IEM Kraków 2026 features a 16-team double-elimination play-in stage, with only eight teams advancing to the main group stage. Every match in Stage 1 is a BO3, emphasizing not just skill and strategy but also the endurance required to compete at the highest level in Counter-Strike 2. Teams in the Upper Bracket have a significant advantage, needing fewer wins to secure progression.
For fans of CS2 esports, this tournament offers a thrilling start to the competitive year. Whether you’re following the action live or looking to engage in CS2 betting, platforms like CS2bet.io provide expert analysis and betting opportunities for every step of the competition.
What’s Next?
As the play-ins continue, the competition intensifies. Can Team Liquid maintain their momentum against G2 Esports? Will 3DMAX continue their underdog story? Stay tuned for more updates from IEM Kraków 2026 as the world’s best CS2 teams battle for glory.