The IEM Cologne Stage 1 elimination bracket hosted a historic matchup on Thursday, as THUNDERdOWNUNDER and FlyQuest faced off in the first all-Australian derby in the history of Counter-Strike Majors. Both teams entered the series with a 1-2 record, having defied early tournament expectations by securing opening round victories before suffering back-to-back defeats.
Anubis proves competitive before Inferno blowout
The series began on Anubis, selected by FlyQuest. The choosing team established an early advantage, closing the first half with an 8-4 lead. The second half proved highly competitive. Despite conceding an anti-eco round, THUNDERdOWNUNDER mounted a strong defensive effort and came close to equalizing the score. The comeback attempt fell short, allowing FlyQuest to secure their map pick and push their regional rivals to the brink of elimination.
The match transitioned to Inferno, where the competitive nature of the series abruptly ended. FlyQuest completely controlled the map on their Counter-Terrorist side, shutting out THUNDERdOWNUNDER to secure a flawless 12-0 first half. Facing a massive deficit, the trailing squad managed to win the second half pistol round, prompting an enthusiastic celebration from the players as if they had won the entire tournament. The joy was short lived, as FlyQuest immediately regained control to close the map with a 13-3 victory.
Vexite leads FlyQuest to the final round of Stage 1
Declan ‘Vexite’ Portelli delivered a standout performance across the series, earning player of the match honors for his impact on the server. The result sends THUNDERdOWNUNDER home from IEM Cologne, concluding a run that exceeded initial community expectations.
FlyQuest advances to the fifth and final round of Stage 1 tomorrow, where they will compete for a spot in Stage 2 of the Major.
