Falcons completed a remarkable run at IEM Cologne Major 2026 by defeating FURIA 3-0 in the grand final. The international squad dominated the Brazilian side across three maps to claim the organization’s first Major title and become the new kings of Counter-Strike.
Road to the title
Falcons began Stage 3 with victories over G2 and Monte before suffering a setback against BetBoom in the 1-0 pool. They recovered by eliminating NAVI in the 3-1 match to reach the playoffs. Once inside the LANXESS Arena, Falcons defeated Vitality in the quarterfinals and edged out Spirit in the semifinals before sweeping FURIA in the grand final. FURIA’s road to the final included victories over MOUZ and B8 in Stage 3, followed by wins against Aurora and 9z in the playoffs to reach Major final.
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Falcons dominate from start to finish
FURIA entered the final riding a five-match winning streak and hoping to capture their first Major trophy, but Falcons left little room for an upset.
The series opened on Mirage, FURIA’s map pick, but Falcons quickly silenced the Brazilian fans with a convincing 13-8 victory. Anubis followed a similar script, as m0NESY and kyousuke spearheaded another dominant performance to secure a 13-8 win and move one map away from the title.
Inferno, picked by FURIA, proved no different. Despite a few competitive stretches, Falcons remained firmly in control and closed out the map 13-8 to complete a clean 3-0 sweep.
NiKo finally lifts a Major trophy
Nikola “NiKo” Kovač delivered one of the best performances of the tournament in the grand final. The Bosnian superstar recorded 52 kills and a 1.43 rating to lead Falcons to victory. Young talents kyousuke and m0NESY also played key roles, posting ratings of 1.34 and 1.31 respectively, as Falcons showcased the firepower that made them one of the tournament favorites.
Team reaction
Falcons celebrated the historic achievement with a triumphant message on X:
We are your IEM Cologne Major champions.
The organization described the victory as making history and accompanied the announcement with a special championship poster. FURIA, meanwhile, thanked their fans after finishing as runners-up.
Our story at the Cathedral of CS ends with 2nd place. We are immensely grateful to everyone who cheered for us from start to finish.
The Brazilian organization promised to continue fighting together after an unforgettable tournament run.
A new era begins
With the victory, Falcons secure the biggest title in the organization’s history and establish themselves as one of the dominant forces in Counter-Strike. For NiKo, the triumph finally ends years of waiting for a Major trophy, while m0NESY, kyousuke and the rest of the roster add another prestigious title to their growing legacy.
FURIA leave Cologne with silver medals, but their deep run showed that the Brazilian side is once again capable of competing for the biggest trophies in the world.
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Skin.Club Pick’em Challenge
Running alongside the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is the Skin.Club Pick’em Challenge — an interactive feature where fans predict match results, choose advancing teams, and earn points throughout the tournament. By making accurate picks, participants unlock rewards ranging from premium skins to rare gloves and knives, with the ultimate prize being the iconic AWP | Dragon Lore.
