{"id":397513,"date":"2026-06-09T20:23:55","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T20:23:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/community.skin.club\/?p=397513"},"modified":"2026-06-09T20:26:59","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T20:26:59","slug":"b8-reach-stage-3-big-exit-iem-cologne-major-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.skin.club\/en\/news\/b8-reach-stage-3-big-exit-iem-cologne-major-2026","title":{"rendered":"B8 defeat BIG to qualify for Stage 3 of the IEM Cologne Major 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

B8 have completed an impressive run through Stage 2 of the IEM Cologne Major 2026, defeating BIG 2-1 in the decisive qualification series to secure a place in Stage 3. The Ukrainian squad recovered after losing the opening map and dominated the final two maps to eliminate the German side in front of their home crowd. For BIG, the loss brought an end to a memorable Cologne campaign, while B8 continued one of the best Major runs in the organization\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

Tournament context<\/h3>\n
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Photo Copyright by BIG<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The series was one of the final do-or-die matches of Stage 2. Both teams entered the day with identical 2-2 records, meaning the winner would advance to Stage 3 while the loser would be eliminated from the tournament.<\/p>\n

BIG arrived in the deciding match after victories over paiN and MIBR, but losses against Monte and G2 left the Germans needing one final win to keep their Major dream alive.<\/p>\n

B8\u2019s path was far more dramatic. After opening Stage 2 with a loss to FUT and M80, the Ukrainian team responded with victories over\u00a0 GamerLegion and stand in the 1-2 pool. Their win over MIBR on the previous day gave them one final opportunity to fight for a place among the last sixteen teams.<\/p>\n\n

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read more<\/p>\n

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\n Legacy sweep TYLOO to reach Stage 3 of the IEM Cologne Major 2026<\/a>\n \n
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Jun 09<\/div>\n News<\/a> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ancient \u2014 BIG strike first<\/h3>\n
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Player statistics for the match \/\/ taken from HLTV<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

B8 selected Ancient, but BIG looked much sharper from the start. Johannes \u201ctabseN\u201d Wodarz and Benjamin \u201cblameF\u201d Bremer controlled the pace of the game and repeatedly punished the Ukrainians\u2019 attacks. The German side maintained its advantage throughout the map and secured a comfortable 13-7 victory to move one map away from Stage 3.<\/p>\n

Overpass \u2014 B8 answer back<\/h3>\n