Natus Vincere’s run through the Intel Extreme Masters Cologne group stage culminated in a statement victory on Tuesday evening, when the Ukrainian‑run organisation swept FaZe in the Group B lower bracket final. NAVI jumped out to a commanding 9‑3 lead on Ancient and closed the map 13‑4 before edging Inferno 13‑10, a result that knocked FaZe out of the tournament and sent NAVI directly to the LANXESS arena quarter‑finals. The win capped a long day of matches at IEM Cologne and headlined a slate of decisive results across both groups.
Group B: Spirit top the group as NAVI survive the lower bracket
Spirit fend off MOUZ in a marathon series
Team Spirit claimed first seed in Group B after a dramatic 2‑1 victory over MOUZ in the upper bracket final. Spirit edged their own map pick Ancient 16‑13, lost a 22‑19 double‑overtime epic on Mirage, but closed the series 13‑6 on Overpass. Russian prodigy donk and veteran AWPer sh1ro combined for 76 and 73 kills respectively to carry Spirit through. The win booked Spirit a direct berth in the semi‑finals.
FaZe outclass Aurora before falling to NAVI
Before meeting NAVI, FaZe dispatched Aurora in the lower bracket semi‑final. The European side took Nuke 13‑10 after a close 7‑5 T‑side half and then crushed Aurora on Mirage 13‑1, with rain and frozen delivering key clutches. MVP rain averaged 1.56 rating across the two maps. Aurora’s tournament ended with a 9‑12th place finish.
NAVI claw past Ninjas in Pyjamas in a three‑map battle
NAVI’s road to the final began with a hard‑fought 2‑1 win over Ninjas in Pyjamas. NiP took Nuke 13‑9, but NAVI responded with a commanding 13‑3 on Inferno and edged Train 13‑11 after building an 8‑4 half. AWP’er w0nderful led the scoreboard with 51 kills, and iM and b1t provided clutch multi‑kills to deny NiP’s comeback.
NAVI send FaZe packing
The day’s marquee result came in the lower bracket final, where NAVI dominated FaZe. The Ukrainian side raced to a 9‑3 CT half on Ancient and closed the map 13‑4, led by iM’s 21 kills. On Inferno, FaZe briefly rallied but NAVI’s new rifler makazze and AWP’er w0nderful delivered decisive rounds to secure a 13‑10 victory. iM finished the series with a 1.68 rating and 106 ADR. With FaZe eliminated in seventh‑eighth place, NAVI advanced to Friday’s quarter‑final against The MongolZ.
Group A: Vitality continue historic run; FURIA qualify
Vitality dismantle The MongolZ
Group A’s upper bracket final saw reigning Major champions Team Vitality extend their winning streak to 38 series with a 2‑0 sweep of The MongolZ. On Mirage, Vitality turned an 8‑4 half into a 13‑5 victory, led by star AWPer ZywOo and new in‑game leader mezii. Inferno followed a similar script; Vitality edged the first half 7‑5 and closed the map 13‑8 as flameZ’s ace and ropz’s crossfire held off The MongolZ’s late push. With the win, Vitality booked a semi‑final berth and pushed their series streak to an eye‑watering 37 wins.
FURIA knock out G2 in a thriller
The Group A lower bracket final between FURIA and G2 Esports delivered one of the day’s most dramatic finishes. FURIA stormed their map pick Dust2 13‑6, then survived a back‑and‑forth Inferno that required overtime. G2 led 7‑5 at halftime and forced OT with clutches from malbsMd, but FURIA edged the extra rounds 16‑14 thanks to late heroics from KSCERATO and YEKINDAR. Molodoy finished the match with a series‑high 46 kills and a 1.50 rating, propelling the Brazilians into their first Cologne playoff appearance since going international.
What’s next
With group stage action complete, the playoff bracket is set. Vitality and Spirit await in the semi‑finals, while MOUZ face FURIA and The MongolZ meet NAVI in Friday’s quarter‑finals. FaZe and G2 bow out in seventh‑eighth place, while Aurora and NiP finish 9‑12th. Friday’s winners advance to meet the group champions, and Sunday’s grand final will determine who lifts the trophy and claims the lion’s share of the $1 million prize pool
