Double-elimination tournaments quickly set the tone. At this stage, it is no longer about form — only about the ability to withstand pressure and win key rounds when a series reaches the deciding map.
Tournament context
IEM Kraków 2026 Stage 1 is a ranked LAN stage of the Intel Extreme Masters series, where 16 teams compete in a double-elimination Bo3 format. A win in the upper bracket quarter-final opens a direct path to Stage 2, while a loss forces a team to continue through the lower bracket with no room for error. The match between NRG and Astralis became exactly such a turning point.
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How the match unfolded — Astralis vs NRG
Score: 2:1 in favor of NRG
- Mirage (NRG pick) — 16:14
The series started in a very even fashion. Astralis held the tempo well in mid-round situations, but in the key moments NRG handled clutches and economy more effectively. Decisions from oSee and br0 in the late rounds allowed the Americans to edge out the map at the maximum distance. - Overpass (Astralis pick) — 13:5
The Danes responded decisively. Astralis fully controlled the map, aggressively took space, and left NRG with almost no chances to establish stable buy rounds. Overpass was played under complete domination by the European lineup. - Inferno — 13:7
On the decider, NRG looked far more composed. They read rotations better, consistently held bombsites, and did not allow Astralis to impose their pace. After the side switch, the Americans quickly closed the series without letting it reach a tense ending.
Player of the Match — Josh “oSee” Ohm (NRG)
oSee was the key figure of the series.
- K–D: 56–45
- ADR: 79.8
- Rating 3.0: 1.24
Key impact: consistent AWP control, crucial opening frags, and calm, composed play on Mirage and Inferno that secured NRG an advantage in the decisive moments.
VRS results
- NRG — +22 points → 1578 points, a rise in the rankings and stronger positions in the fight for invites to upcoming LAN events.
- Astralis — –16 points → 1601 points, a loss of rating buffer and increased pressure in the lower bracket.
For NRG, this victory is a strategically important step toward a stable season. For Astralis, it is a serious signal that every next match could be their last.
What’s next?
NRG move forward and get closer to Stage 2 of IEM Kraków 2026, maintaining tournament momentum and a comfortable position without immediate elimination risk.
Astralis drop to lower round 2, where any loss will mean the end of their tournament run.
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Match summary
NRG withstood the pressure of a full Bo3 series and managed to turn the match at the most critical moment. The victory over Astralis not only opens the path further in the bracket but also significantly affects the balance of power in the VRS rankings. For the Danish roster, the road in Kraków becomes much more difficult — there is no room for error anymore.
