The IEM Cologne 2026 Major is one of the most important tournaments of the year, bringing together the best teams in the world to fight for the title in the Cathedral of Counter-Strike. As always, alongside the matches themselves, fans also get the chance to test their game knowledge through the Skin.Club Pick’em Challenge.
The Skin.Club Pick’em follows the classic Major prediction format: players select teams to go 3–0, 0–3, and advance through each stage. Every correct pick grants points, which move you through reward tiers — from basic prizes all the way up to top-tier rewards like knives, gloves, and even the legendary AWP | Dragon Lore for the best performers. In a format where consistency matters more than perfection, every decision can define your final result.
IEM Cologne 2026 Major format
The tournament is divided into four stages, each increasing in difficulty and importance:
Stage 1 runs from June 2–5 and features a 16-team Swiss system. All standard matches are played as best-of-one, while elimination and advancement matches are best-of-three. The top 8 teams move on to Stage 2, while the remaining 8 are eliminated.
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Stage 2 takes place from June 6–9 and follows the same structure: 16 teams in a Swiss format with BO1 matches and BO3 deciders. Once again, only 8 teams advance further, while the other half leave the tournament.
Stage 3, running from June 11–15, shifts the format entirely to best-of-three matches. This stage is where consistency, map pool depth, and preparation become critical. The top 8 teams from this phase qualify for the Playoffs.
The Playoffs take place from June 18–21 in a single-elimination bracket. All matches are played as best-of-three, except for the Grand Final, which is a best-of-five — the ultimate test to determine the champion of IEM Cologne 2026.
Playoffs
hades
hades predicts FURIA and Aurora to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Falcons progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Team Spirit in the Grand Final and picks Team Spirit as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
NadeKing
NadeKing predicts FURIA and BetBoom to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Vitality in the Grand Final and picks Vitality as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
n0rb3r7
n0rb3r7 predicts FURIA and BetBoom to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Team Spirit in the Grand Final and picks Team Spirit as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
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Straty
Straty predicts FURIA and Aurora to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Vitality in the Grand Final and picks Vitality as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
Tech Girl
Tech Girl predicts BetBoom and FURIA to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. She has FURIA facing Team Spirit in the Grand Final and picks Team Spirit as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
zews
zews predicts FURIA and Aurora to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Vitality in the Grand Final and picks Vitality as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
Arrow
Arrow predicts FURIA and BetBoom to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Vitality in the Grand Final and picks Vitality as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
aunni
aunni predicts Aurora and FURIA to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has Aurora facing Vitality in the Grand Final and picks Vitality as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
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Austin
Austin predicts FURIA and Aurora to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Vitality in the Grand Final and picks Vitality as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
BanKs
BanKs predicts 9z Team and Aurora to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has 9z Team facing Vitality in the Grand Final and picks Vitality as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
chopper
chopper predicts FURIA and BetBoom to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Falcons progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Team Spirit in the Grand Final and picks Team Spirit as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
Cnd
Cnd predicts BetBoom and FURIA to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Vitality in the Grand Final and picks Vitality as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
CS Tactics
CS Tactics predicts Team Spirit and Vitality to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with FURIA and Aurora progressing from the lower side. He has Vitality facing FURIA in the Grand Final and picks Vitality as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
DeadFox
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DeadFox predicts 9z Team and Aurora to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has 9z Team facing Team Spirit in the Grand Final and picks Team Spirit as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
Elfishguy
Elfishguy predicts 9z Team and BetBoom to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Spirit and Falcons progressing from the lower side. He has 9z Team facing Falcons in the Grand Final and picks Falcons as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
Garmour
Garmour predicts Spirit and Vitality to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with 9z and BetBoom progressing from the lower side. He has Vitality facing 9z in the Grand Final and picks Vitality as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
Gaules
Gaules predicts Spirit and Vitality to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with FURIA and BetBoom Team progressing from the lower side. He has Spirit facing FURIA in the Grand Final and picks FURIA as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
Hawka
Hawka predicts FURIA and BetBoom to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Vitality in the Grand Final and picks Vitality as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
KODIAK
KODIAK predicts FURIA and Aurora to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Team Spirit in the Grand Final and picks Team Spirit as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
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Mac
Mac predicts Spirit and Vitality to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with FURIA and BetBoom progressing from the lower side. He has Spirit facing FURIA in the Grand Final and picks FURIA as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
maleK
maleK predicts FURIA and Aurora to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Vitality in the Grand Final and picks Vitality as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
MrMaxim
MrMaxim predicts FURIA and Aurora to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Vitality in the Grand Final and picks Vitality as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
NartOutHere
NartOutHere predicts FURIA and Aurora to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Falcons progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Falcons in the Grand Final and picks FURIA as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
Ne0Kai
Ne0Kai predicts FURIA and BetBoom to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Vitality in the Grand Final and picks Vitality as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
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OverDrive
OverDrive predicts FURIA and BetBoom to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Team Spirit in the Grand Final and picks Team Spirit as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
Ozzny
Ozzny predicts Aurora and FURIA to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Team Spirit in the Grand Final and picks FURIA as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
Pimp
Pimp predicts FURIA and Aurora to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Vitality in the Grand Final and picks Vitality as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
shoke
shoke predicts Spirit and Vitality to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with FURIA and Aurora progressing from the lower side. He has Spirit facing FURIA in the Grand Final and picks Spirit as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
Skriv
Skriv predicts FURIA and BetBoom to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Vitality in the Grand Final and picks Vitality as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
statsmeister
statsmeister predicts FURIA and Aurora to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Vitality in the Grand Final and picks FURIA as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
Thorin
Thorin predicts FURIA and Aurora to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Vitality in the Grand Final and picks Vitality as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
TrilluXe
TrilluXe predicts FURIA and Aurora to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Team Spirit in the Grand Final and picks Team Spirit as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
Vince
Vince predicts FURIA and Aurora to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Team Spirit in the Grand Final and picks Team Spirit as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
Trav
Trav predicts FURIA and Aurora to advance to the Semi-finals from the upper side of the bracket, with Team Spirit and Vitality progressing from the lower side. He has FURIA facing Team Spirit in the Grand Final and picks Team Spirit as the winner of IEM Cologne Major 2026.
Stage 3
Austin
Austin places Vitality and Falcons in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects Legacy and B8. His advancing teams include Spirit, FURIA, NAVI, FUT, PARIVISION, and MOUZ.
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Banks
Banks goes with Vitality and Spirit as his 3–0 picks. For 0–3, he selects Monte and PARIVISION. His advancing teams include Falcons, FURIA, NAVI, FUT, Aurora, and The MongolZ.
ceh9
ceh9 chooses Vitality and Spirit for 3–0. For 0–3, he selects The MongolZ and PARIVISION. His advancing teams include Falcons, FURIA, NAVI, FUT, Monte, and B8.
Cnd
Cnd places Vitality and Spirit in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects Aurora and B8. His advancing teams include Falcons, FURIA, NAVI, FUT, PARIVISION, and G2.
CoJoMo
CoJoMo goes with Vitality and Spirit as his 3–0 picks. For 0–3, he selects Monte and B8. His advancing teams include Falcons, FURIA, NAVI, FUT, Aurora, and The MongolZ.
Cooper
Cooper places Vitality and Spirit in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects Monte and B8. His advancing teams include Falcons, FURIA, NAVI, FUT, The MongolZ, and G2.
dona
dona chooses Vitality and MOUZ for 3–0. For 0–3, he selects Monte and Legacy. His advancing teams include Spirit, Falcons, NAVI, FUT, FURIA, and G2.
Elfishguy
Elfishguy goes with Vitality and The MongolZ as his 3–0 picks. For 0–3, he selects Monte and B8. His advancing teams include Falcons, FURIA, NAVI, FUT, Aurora, and Spirit.
fl0m
fl0m chooses Vitality and Falcons for 3–0. For 0–3, he selects PARIVISION and B8. His advancing teams include Spirit, FURIA, NAVI, FUT, Legacy, and The MongolZ.
Gaules
Gaules places Vitality and Spirit in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects PARIVISION and B8. His advancing teams include Falcons, FURIA, NAVI, FUT, Legacy, and 9z.
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kassad
kassad chooses Vitality and Spirit for 3–0. For 0–3, he selects Monte and B8. His advancing teams include MOUZ, FURIA, NAVI, FUT, Aurora, and G2.
LucyLuce
LucyLuce chooses Vitality and Spirit for 3–0. For 0–3, she selects 9z and B8. His advancing teams include Falcons, FURIA, NAVI, FUT, Legacy, and G2.
Maka
Maka goes with Vitality and Spirit as his 3–0 picks. For 0–3, he selects Monte and PARIVISION. His advancing teams include Falcons, FURIA, NAVI, FUT, Aurora, and The MongolZ.
malek
malek places Vitality and Falcons in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects Monte and 9z. His advancing teams include Spirit, FURIA, NAVI, PARIVISION, Aurora, and The MongolZ.
Mauisnake
Mauisnake chooses Vitality and Spirit for 3–0. For 0–3, he selects Monte and G2. His advancing teams include Falcons, FURIA, NAVI, FUT, Aurora, and MOUZ.
NadeKing
NadeKing places FURIA and Spirit in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects Monte and Legacy. His advancing teams include Falcons, Vitality, NAVI, FUT, The MongolZ, and G2.
NartOutHere
NartOutHere chooses Vitality and Spirit for 3–0. For 0–3, he selects Monte and B8. His advancing teams include Falcons, FURIA, NAVI, FUT, Aurora, and The MongolZ.
petr1k
Austin
Austin places Spirit and B8 in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects FlyQuest and Monte. His advancing teams include FUT, Astralis, GamerLegion, M80, BetBoom, and G2.
CoJoMo
CoJoMo goes with Spirit and Legacy as his 3–0 picks. For 0–3, he selects FlyQuest and TYLOO. His advancing teams include FUT, Astralis, 9z, B8, BetBoom, and G2.
Elfishguy
Elfishguy places Spirit and Legacy in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects BIG and MIBR. His advancing teams include FUT, TYLOO, GamerLegion, FlyQuest, BetBoom, and G2.
fl0m
fl0m goes with Spirit and FUT as his 3–0 picks. For 0–3, he selects FlyQuest and TYLOO. His advancing teams include M80, Astralis, G2, B8, BetBoom, and Legacy.
Gaules
Gaules places Spirit and G2 in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects FlyQuest and Monte. His advancing teams include FUT, paiN, 9z, MIBR, BetBoom, and Legacy.
hades
hades selects Spirit and FUT for 3–0. For 0–3, he picks FlyQuest and TYLOO. His advancing teams include GamerLegion, Astralis, 9Z, G2, BetBoom, and Legacy.
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kassad
kassad chooses Spirit and FUT for 3–0. For 0–3, he picks FlyQuest and M80. His advancing teams include TYLOO, Astralis, G2, MIBR, BetBoom, and Legacy.
launders
launders goes with Spirit and B8 for 3–0. For 0–3, he selects BIG and paiN. His advancing teams include FUT, M80, 9z, G2, BetBoom, and Legacy.
LucyLuce
LucyLuce places Spirit and FlyQuest in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, she selects M80 and Monmte. Her advancing teams include FUT, G2, BIG, B8, BetBoom, and Legacy.
Mac
Mac chooses Spirit and FlyQuest for 3–0. For 0–3, he selects M80 and MIBR. His advancing teams include GamerLegion, paiN, Monte, TYLOO, BetBoom, and Legacy.
malek
malek goes with Spirit and G2 as his 3–0 picks. For 0–3, he selects TYLOO and MIBR. His advancing teams include FUT, Astralis, GamerLegion, B8, BetBoom, and paiN.
Mauisnake
Mauisnake places Spirit and Legacy in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects FlyQuest and TYLOO. His advancing teams include FUT, Astralis, GamerLegion, B8, BetBoom, and G2.
NartOutHere
NartOutHere chooses Spirit and G2 for 3–0. For 0–3, he selects FlyQuest and TYLOO. His advancing teams include FUT, Astralis, GamerLegion, MIBR, BetBoom, and Legacy.
Ozzny
Ozzny places Spirit and G2 in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects FlyQuest and TYLOO. His advancing teams include FUT, Astralis, GamerLegion, B8, BetBoom, and Legacy.
Pimp
Pimp chooses Spirit and G2 for 3–0. For 0–3, he selects FlyQuest and Monte. His advancing teams include FUT, Astralis, GamerLegion, B8, BetBoom, and Legacy.
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smooya
smooya places Spirit and G2 in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects FlyQuest and TYLOO. His advancing teams include FUT, Astralis, BIG, B8, BetBoom, and 9Z.
TaZ
TaZ places Spirit and G2 in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects MIBR and paiN. His advancing teams include FUT, Astralis, GamerLegion, M80, BetBoom, and Legacy.
Thour
Thour chooses Spirit and Legacy for 3–0. For 0–3, he selects FlyQuest and Monte. His advancing teams include FUT, Astralis, GamerLegion, G2, BetBoom, and 9z.
Trav
Trav places Spirit and G2 in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects FlyQuest and TYLOO. His advancing teams include FUT, Astralis, GamerLegion, B8, BetBoom, and Legacy.
markeloff
markeloff places Spirit and FUT in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects Monte and 9Z. His advancing teams include G2, B8, BetBoom, paiN, GamerLegion, and Legacy. Teams he expects to miss qualification at 2–3 include Astralis, TYLOO, MIBR, BIG, and FlyQuest.
Stage 1
Ash
Ash places his trust in MIBR and B8 as the only 3–0 team. For the 0–3 slot, he selects Lynn Vision and THUNDERdOWNUNDER, expecting them to struggle heavily in the BO1 format.
His advancing picks include HEROIC, BetBoom, GamerLegion, BIG, M80, Liquid, and Gaimin Gladiators — a very balanced mix of favorites and stable mid-tier teams, built to secure points rather than chase risky outcomes.
James Banks
James Banks goes with one of the most standard setups: GamerLegion and B8 as his 3–0 picks. For elimination, he places Sharks and THUNDERdOWNUNDER in the 0–3 slot. His advancing pool includes MIBR, BetBoom, TYLOO, BIG, M80, and HEROIC — a very safe and structured Pick’em with minimal risk.
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Mauisnake
Mauisnake also sticks to GamerLegion and BetBoom for 3–0. For 0–3, he selects FlyQuest and THUNDERdOWNUNDER. His advancing teams include MIBR, BIG, SINNERS, M80, B8, and HEROIC.
STYKO
STYKO follows a disciplined, pro-style approach with BIIG and GamerLegion as a 3–0 lock, focusing on consistency rather than bold predictions.
He places THUNDERdOWNUNDER and FlyQuest in the 0–3 slot and builds his advancement pool around BetBoom, B8, HEROIC, SINNERS, M80, and MIBR— a very structured and “coin-safe” setup.
fl0m
fl0m goes with GamerLegion and BetBoom as his 3–0 picks, sticking close to the general meta.
For elimination, he selects Gaimin Gladiators and FlyQuest, and his advancing teams include M80, NRG, BIG, SINNERS, B8, and HEROIC. His Pick’em leans slightly more into volatile teams, giving it a bit more risk compared to others.
kane
kane builds around GamerLegion and B8 as his 3–0 teams, trusting the strongest BO1 performers. He places Gaimin Gladiators and THUNDERdOWNUNDER in the 0–3 slot, while his advancing picks include BetBoom, MIBR, NRG, BIG, HEROIC, and M80 — a balanced mix of favorites and solid contenders.
NartOutHere
NartOutHere once again focuses on matchup logic, selecting GamerLegion and BetBoom for the 3–0 position.
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For elimination, he puts Gaimin Gladiators and THUNDERdOWNUNDER in 0–3. His advancing teams include MIBR, Liquid, BIG, SINNERS, B8, and HEROIC— reflecting a strong belief in firepower-heavy teams surviving BO1 chaos.
cmtry
cmtry takes a slightly different route, placing GamerLegion and MIBR in the 3–0 slot instead of the usual favorites.
For elimination, he selects NRG and THUNDERdOWNUNDER , while his advancing teams include Heroic, BIG, Liquid, BetBoom, B8, and TYLOO — a more experimental setup compared to the rest.
launders
launders makes one of the boldest choices, putting GamerLegion and B8 in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects FlyQuest and THUNDERdOWNUNDER . His advancing teams include Heroic, BIG, M80, Liquid, MIBR, and BetBoom — combining risky top picks with a very stable core.
Mrtweeday
Mrtweetday places Heroic and GamerLegion in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects Lynn Vision and THUNDERdOWNUNDER. His advancing teams include B8, BIG, Sharks, BetBoom, M80, and Liquid.
shox
shox places GamerLegion and BetBoom in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects Gaimin Gladiators and Sharks. His advancing teams include M80, Liquid, BIG, MIBR, TYLOO, and B8.
Cnd
Cnd places BetBoom and GamerLegion in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects Gaimin Gladiators and Sharks. His advancing teams include B8, BIG, NRG, Liquid, SINNERS, and MIBR.
Anders Blume
Anders Blume places BetBoom and GamerLegion in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects NRG and TYLOO. His advancing teams include Heroic, M80, MIBR, BIG, Liquid, and B8.
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Golden
Golden places BetBoom and BIG in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects SINNERS and Sharks. His advancing teams include GamerLegion, B8, Heroic, Liquid, MIBR, and Gaimin Gladiators.
Joispoi24
Joispoi24 places MIBR and TYLOO in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects NRG and Liquid. His advancing teams include M80, Heroic, GamerLegion, BIG, BetBoom, and B8.
ThourCS2
ThourCS2 places GamerLegion and Lynn Vision in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects NRG and FlyQuest. His advancing teams include BIG, BetBoom, Heroic, MIBR, TYLOO, and SINNERS.
Tedd
Tedd places MIBR and GamerLegion in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects Gaimin Gladiators and FlyQuest. His advancing teams include SINNERS, BIG, Heroic, BetBoom, B8, and M80.
Peacemaker
peacemaker places B8 and Heroic in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects Gaimin Gladiators and THUNDERdOWNUNDER. His advancing teams include MIBR, BetBoom, GamerLegion, Liquid, M80, and BIG.
Ozzny
Ozzny places GamerLegion and B8 in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects Gaimin Gladiators and THUNDERdOWNUNDER. His advancing teams include M80, Heroic, BIG, BetBoom, MIBR, and Liquid.
