Big names do not guarantee safety when a series starts to go off script. In a double-elimination format, it only takes one confident opponent to shift the balance of power and force the favorites to fight for survival much earlier than expected.
Tournament context
IEM Kraków 2026 Stage 1 is a ranked LAN stage of the Intel Extreme Masters series that directly affects the distribution of Valve Regional Standings (VRS) points. Sixteen teams compete in a double-elimination Bo3 format: a win in the upper bracket opens the path to the later stages, while a loss immediately sends a team to the lower bracket with no margin for error.
For 3DMAX, this was a chance to prove that their progress is not a coincidence but the result of a structured process. For FaZe, it was an opportunity to navigate the opening stage calmly and avoid unnecessary pressure early in the tournament.
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How the match unfolded — 3DMAX vs FaZe
Series score: 2:0 in favor of 3DMAX
- Inferno (3DMAX pick) — 13:7
The French lineup immediately imposed strict tempo control. 3DMAX consistently won opening duels, quickly broke FaZe’s economy, and did not allow their opponents to build any attacking momentum. FaZe looked lost in mid-round situations and never found answers to the disciplined play of their opponents. - Nuke (FaZe pick) — 13:2
On their own map, FaZe suffered a complete collapse. 3DMAX shut down all key areas, read every rotation, and punished every attempt at aggression. The map turned into a one-sided display of dominance, with no real chance of a comeback for the favorite.
Player of the Match — Filip “Graviti” Brankovic (3DMAX)
Graviti became the symbol of this upset.
- K–D: 37–15
- ADR: 100.7
- Rating 3.0: 1.65
Key impact: dominance in opening duels, consistent defensive play, and complete control of key positions. His confident performance set the tempo for the entire series and ultimately broke FaZe’s resistance.
VRS results
- 3DMAX: +53 points → 1673 points — a major jump in the rankings and a significant boost in the fight for consistent LAN invitations.
- FaZe: –12 points → 1735 points — loss of rating buffer and increased pressure in the matches ahead.
For 3DMAX, this is one of the most important victories of the season. For FaZe, it is a clear signal that favorite status no longer guarantees an easy path.
What’s next?
3DMAX advance to the upper semi-finals of IEM Kraków 2026 Stage 1, retaining the right to one mistake and continuing the fight for a direct spot in the decisive matches of the tournament.
FaZe drop to lower round 1, where every subsequent series is an elimination match, with no room for experimentation.
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Match summary
3DMAX demonstrated complete tactical and individual superiority, confidently closing out FaZe on two maps. This victory cements the French roster as one of the biggest revelations of the tournament, while FaZe are now forced to take the most difficult possible path through the lower bracket with no margin for error.
