The group stage of IEM Kraków 2026 marked an important checkpoint for several teams. However, the spotlight fell on the debut performances of new players in Aurora and Astralis. On one side stood the LAN debut of Caner “soulfly” Kesici in a new role and system. On the other were the first official matches of phzy and ryu under the iconic Danish banner.
soulfly’s debut in Aurora: from doubts to stability
This tournament marked soulfly’s first major LAN appearance with Aurora. The conditions could not have been tougher. He joined the roster as a role player, not as a star. In this position, every mistake directly affects the team structure. The start looked shaky. Still, once play moved to Kraków, his adaptation accelerated faster than expected.
- vs Falcons (2:1) — Aurora beat one of the tournament favorites. soulfly stayed composed even on the deciding maps. (rating – 1.31)
- vs MOUZ (2:0) — another upset. The newcomer matched the pace and handled MOUZ’s aggressive system well. (rating – 1.29)
- vs Vitality (0:2) — a loss, yet Aurora stayed competitive. soulfly did not fade against the world’s best team. (rating – 1.06)
Across the group stage, he posted an average rating close to 1.19. For a debutant at this level, that number matters. More importantly, he did not disrupt Aurora’s system. Instead, he gradually blended into it and took responsibility in passive roles.
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The contrast: phzy and ryu’s debut in Astralis
On the other side of the bracket stood Astralis. The team continues to navigate a transition period. For phzy and ryu, Kraków marked their first true test in the red jersey.
The results told a mixed story:
- vs PARIVISION (2:1) — Astralis secured the win. phzy ranked among the most consistent players in the series. (ruy – 1.03; phzy – 1.00)
- vs FUT (2:1) — another victory. Once again, the AWP delivered solid individual impact. (ruy – 1.10; phzy – 1.34)
- vs FURIA (1:2) — a loss that exposed Astralis’ issues. The team lacked consistency and lost control on key maps. (ruy – 1.05; phzy – 0.99)
Unlike soulfly, phzy and ryu debuted in a roster still searching for identity. The AWP pairing looks promising, but the overall structure remains unstable.
Two different debuts — two different messages
The comparison highlights a clear difference in approach.
- Aurora + soulfly — the newcomer enters a defined system. Veterans carry the load. No heroics required.
- Astralis + phzy / ryu — individual potential exists. The team has yet to fully adapt its structure.
As a result, soulfly’s debut feels calm and controlled. Astralis, meanwhile, still looks for answers from match to match.
Scene reaction: Dustin “dusT” Mouret and the community response
soulfly’s debut did not go unnoticed outside the server. After the group stage, journalist Dustin “dusT” Mouret weighed in. He delivered a clear verdict. Aurora should feel satisfied.
If you’re Aurora, you have to be pretty happy about soulfly’s debut so far. He struggled in Stage 1, but looked solid against Falcons, MOUZ, and Vitality. Astralis should also be happy with phzy and ryu.
dusT also singled out phzy. He suggested that several organizations would regret not signing him earlier. Both debuts earned positive professional feedback, grounded in context rather than hype.
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One System, Two Different Beginnings
IEM Kraków 2026 proved that a debut is not just about numbers. Context matters more. In Aurora, soulfly did exactly what the team needed. He handled pressure and added stability without forcing plays. In Astralis, phzy and ryu opened a new chapter. The potential is obvious, but questions remain. For Aurora, the debut already looks like a smart decision. For Astralis, the real evaluation still lies ahead.
