- IEM Kraków 2026 overview
- Grand final: FURIA vs Vitality
- Vitality’s CS2 era and ESL Grand Slam chase
- FURIA’s road to the final and recovery arc
- Aurora Gaming’s resurgence
- MOUZ, G2 and Spirit in the playoff mix
- s1mple’s return with BC.Game Esports
- Best underdogs at IEM Kraków 2026
- Big teams, big struggles
- How IEM Kraków 2026 shapes the CS2 skins meta
- What’s next for the 2026 CS2 season?
IEM Kraków 2026 overview
IEM Kraków 2026 will be remembered as a milestone for Counter-Strike 2: the first Intel Extreme Masters event of the year played in front of a roaring arena crowd, and a brutally honest stress test of every top team heading into the new season.
The narrative centered around two names: Team Vitality and FURIA. Their grand final clash in Kraków was a direct sequel to IEM Chengdu 2025, but this time the script flipped. Where FURIA had crushed Vitality 3‑0 in China, Kraków became Vitality’s revenge tour.
The playoff bracket ended with a familiar-looking top six:
- Vitality – champions
- FURIA – runners-up
- MOUZ & Spirit – semifinals
- Aurora Gaming & G2 Esports – quarterfinals
Behind that clean-looking list was a messy, entertaining tournament full of upset wins, heartbreaking chokes, and some of the best individual performances we’ve seen in CS2 so far.
Grand final: FURIA vs Vitality
The IEM Kraków 2026 grand final brought us the rematch everyone wanted: FURIA vs Team Vitality in a best-of-five. On paper, the veto promised a brawl:
- Map 1: Mirage (FURIA pick)
- Map 2: Inferno (Vitality pick)
- Map 3: Nuke (FURIA pick)
- Map 4: Overpass (Vitality pick)
- Map 5: Anubis (decider, never played)
Vitality ultimately closed the series 3‑1, but every map told a different story about the current CS2 meta and the mental strength of both squads.
Miracle comeback on Mirage
Mirage opened exactly the way Vitality fans hoped. They jumped to a dominant 9‑3 lead, abused mid control, and punished every overpeek. At that point, it looked like FURIA were doomed to repeat their shaky start from earlier in the event.
Then the Brazilian side did what they’ve done so many times before: they refused to die. FURIA chained round after round on the defense, hitting every retake timing and turning what looked like a stomp into a scrappy 13‑11 comeback to take map one.
This would be FURIA’s only map win of the series, but it proved their resilience is very real heading into the rest of 2026.
Vitality strike back on Inferno
Inferno was the swing map, and Vitality knew it. Their T-sides in CS2 are infamous for being suffocating once they get rolling, and Kraków was no different. The match turned into a classic back-and-forth slugfest where both teams clawed economy together and traded multi-kill rounds.
In the key moments, Vitality simply had more structure. Rotations were tighter, utility was layered better, and whenever a round looked like it might slip away, Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut stepped in with a pick or a clean multi-frag. Vitality closed Inferno 13‑8 to tie the series 1‑1.
Nuke: a defensive masterclass
If there was a single map that broke FURIA’s hopes, it was Nuke. Vitality produced a statement win: 13‑2. On the CT side, they put together a ruthless nine-round streak, giving FURIA almost no space to breathe.
Vitality’s rotations looked close to perfect: ramp pressure when needed, instant support towards upper, and almost no wasted utility. FURIA’s usual explosive plays ran face-first into well-prepared setups. Even when they found opening picks, converting rounds was a struggle.
From a CS2 theory standpoint, this map showed why Nuke is becoming a power pick for well-drilled teams: coordinated utility, crossfires, and mid-round calling matter more than ever.
Overpass: ZywOo puts the series to bed
Map four, Overpass, was FURIA’s last real chance. They actually looked composed early on and even held a promising 9‑6 lead, hinting that we might see the full five-map distance with Anubis as the decider.
Vitality had other plans. Swapping to the CT side, they shut the door round by round. In the final stretch, ZywOo simply refused to miss. Every peek seemed perfectly timed, every flick landed, and FURIA’s executes kept getting dismantled before the bomb could be safely planted.
Vitality closed Overpass 13‑10, locking in a 3‑1 series win and the IEM Kraków 2026 trophy. ZywOo finished with truly absurd stats in the grand final, posting roughly a 2.20 KDR and around 101 ADR. That’s not just championship-level CS2; that’s all-time series performance territory.
Vitality’s CS2 era and ESL Grand Slam chase
With the Kraków trophy, Vitality continued one of the most dominant stretches we’ve seen in early CS2. Their 2025 run was already stacked with titles and two Major victories, and now they open 2026 by securing another elite-tier championship.
This win also pushes Vitality deeper into contention for the ESL Intel Grand Slam VI. Kraków gives them their third Grand Slam point, putting them dangerously close to another million-dollar bonus if they can secure one more IEM or ESL Pro League victory within the cycle.
In the semifinals against MOUZ, Vitality looked downright terrifying. Dan “apEX” Madesclaire led from the front, farming early round impact with aggressive entries and smart repositioning. ZywOo brought vintage form with unstoppable AWPing, and the rest of the roster played like a synchronized machine, especially during the second half on Dust II where MOUZ couldn’t find a way back into the game.
After the final, apEX summed it up perfectly: Vitality are “making history”. Trophy after trophy, this roster is building an era that rivals some of the best CS:GO dynasties we remember.
FURIA’s road to the final and recovery arc
For FURIA, Kraków was less about domination and more about emotional recovery and proving that their 2025 surge wasn’t a fluke.
The second half of 2025 almost turned into a full-blown FURIA era. They lifted several big trophies and rolled into the StarLadder Major 2025 in Budapest as heavy favorites. That campaign ended painfully in the playoffs with a loss to NAVI, leaving question marks hanging over the team.
Group Stage: shaky start, big bounce-back
IEM Kraków started in the worst way possible for FURIA: a 0‑2 loss to FUT Esports in their opening group match. While FUT are a dangerous lineup, most people expected FURIA to clear that hurdle comfortably. Instead, they were forced down into the lower bracket immediately.
That drop might have been the wake-up call they needed. FURIA then rallied with wins over two legitimately strong opponents:
- The MongolZ – a team that had built a reputation as dark horse killers, even if their consistency still wobbles.
- NAVI – a particularly sweet revenge match after the Budapest Major heartbreak.
Those victories not only pushed FURIA into playoffs but also re-centered their mental game. Beating NAVI in a high-pressure setting helped close the emotional loop from 2025.
Playoffs: from Aurora sweep to Spirit marathon
In the playoffs, FURIA looked more like the dangerous, structured team we saw at their peak.
- They dispatched Aurora Gaming without too much trouble in the quarterfinals, showing clear class difference when it came to mid-round calling and late-round composure.
- Against Team Spirit in the semifinals, things got much more intense. Spirit pushed them into overtime on Mirage and stole Dust II, forcing a decider on Nuke.
That final Nuke map ended up being one of the most convincing showings from FURIA all tournament. Their T side looked polished and fearless, breaking through Spirit’s setups and closing the series with authority to reach yet another big-event grand final.
Yes, the loss to Vitality in the final stings, but overall Kraków was an important step forward. FURIA rebuilt confidence, showed they can still go toe to toe with elite squads, and banked valuable reps before the rest of the 2026 season.
Aurora Gaming’s resurgence
Among the non-favorite teams, Aurora Gaming were arguably the biggest winners of IEM Kraków 2026. Coming into the event, most eyes were on PARAVISION after their BLAST Bounty Winter 2026 heroics, which made it easy to quietly underestimate Aurora.
After their title at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 (a result that put them firmly on the map), Aurora hit a period of slumping results. Kraków was their chance to prove that Bucharest wasn’t a one-off miracle.
Group Stage highlights
Aurora delivered. They finished in the top six, collecting some serious scalps along the way:
- Beat Falcons, one of the most hyped rosters in CS2, on the back of smart mid-rounds and surprisingly calm clutch play.
- Took down MOUZ, a consistent top-tier contender, in another statement match.
Even in defeat, Aurora fought tooth and nail. Their series against Vitality included one of the most absurd maps of the tournament: a 22‑25 Ancient, the longest overtime we saw in Kraków. That game alone will do wonders for their reputation as a team that can push giants to the limit.
MOUZ, G2 and Spirit in the playoff mix
The rest of the top six at IEM Kraków paints an interesting picture of the current CS2 hierarchy. We have three teams who have hovered around contender status for a while but still struggle with consistency at the very top: MOUZ, G2 Esports, and Team Spirit.
MOUZ: eternal promise, eternal pain
Being a MOUZ fan is not easy. This roster has sky-high potential and has been on the brink of multiple trophies, but every time they get close, something blocks the final step.
In early 2025, MOUZ were repeatedly stopped in grand finals and late playoffs by – you guessed it – Vitality. Results slumped a bit in the latter half of the year, but the org stayed committed to the lineup, betting on long-term synergy.
At IEM Kraków 2026, it finally looked like they might break through:
- They beat FaZe Clan, a team fresh off a Major grand final appearance.
- They took down Falcons, showing composure against another stacked roster.
- They played some high-quality CS in a tight series versus G2.
But once again, the wall called Vitality appeared in the semifinals. The second half of Dust II in particular was one-sided, with Vitality reading MOUZ’s plays and punishing their attempts to claw back into the game. Another run ends just short of a trophy, and the wait continues.
G2 Esports: back among the top CS2 teams?
G2’s form has been volatile for what feels like years. They swing between title contention and early exits, often at the same tournament circuit. At IEM Kraków, they didn’t fully solve that inconsistency, but top six is still a respectable result.
In groups, G2 took down The MongolZ, who are always dangerous when their individuals pop off. In the quarterfinals against MOUZ, G2 produced some highlight-heavy rounds that reminded everyone why this team is so loved when they’re on form.
There are still gaps in their game, but Kraków suggests G2 are stabilizing as at least a consistent playoff threat again.
Team Spirit: rebuilding “new/old” synergy
Team Spirit came into IEM Kraków 2026 in the middle of a roster-synergy rebuild. They recently brought two players back into the main lineup, which means they aren’t starting from zero chemistry, but there’s still a lot of catching up to do to match peak-tier teams.
Spirit’s Group Stage was strong and raised hopes that they could make a deep run and collect another ESL Grand Slam point. Instead, their journey was cut short by FURIA in the semifinals, who outlasted them in a grueling three-map battle, including a heartbreaking overtime loss on Mirage.
It’s not a disaster for Spirit, but it does suggest that simply reuniting past lineups isn’t an instant fix in CS2’s faster, more punishing meta.
s1mple’s return with BC.Game Esports
One of the most hyped storylines from the Play-In stage was the return of Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev to top-tier CS2 events. This time, not in a NAVI jersey, but under the banner of BC.Game Esports.
In the Play-In, BC.Game found some early success:
- Beat Legacy
- Beat NiP
Once they hit the main groups, things got much harder. BC.Game fell to 3DMAX, were outclassed by Vitality, and then lost to FaZe, ending their run without a group-stage victory.
Even so, seeing s1mple back on the big stage is massive for CS2 as a whole. This lineup clearly needs time, but if they can find the right structure around him, BC.Game could become one of the most dangerous spoilers throughout 2026.
Best underdogs at IEM Kraków 2026
Outside of Aurora’s deep run, a few underdog moments stood out in Kraków, even if they didn’t lead to Cinderella playoff stories.
FUT Esports stun FURIA
FUT Esports opened their Group Stage with a bang, handing FURIA a 2‑0 defeat in their very first match. It was one of the most surprising results of the tournament and instantly threw FURIA’s group into chaos.
For FUT, it was proof that they can absolutely punch upwards. They might not yet be ready to contest for titles, but any big name that underestimates them will pay the price.
3DMAX ride the FaZe rollercoaster
3DMAX also delivered a memorable upset, taking down FaZe Clan. Considering FaZe were fresh off a major spotlight run at the Budapest Major grand final, this result raised a lot of eyebrows.
In classic FaZe fashion, their results remain a rollercoaster. For 3DMAX, though, this win is a huge confidence boost and a reminder that on any given day, well-prepared Tier 2 rosters can absolutely collapse Tier 1 giants.
Big teams, big struggles
IEM Kraków 2026 wasn’t just about success stories. A handful of big organizations left Poland with more questions than answers.
NAVI continue to disappoint
NAVI entered Kraków trying to shake off an ugly run at Bounty 2026 Season 1, where they failed to secure a single win. Unfortunately, the storyline didn’t improve much here.
They managed to beat PARAVISION, but then dropped matches to both FURIA and Team Spirit, failing to reach the playoffs. Losing to two eventual top-four teams isn’t exactly shameful, but for an org with NAVI’s expectations, it still stings.
The MongolZ under pressure
The MongolZ have been slowly building a reputation as a high-ceiling squad that can upset favorites on their day. Kraków, however, didn’t go their way at all.
They played only two maps in the Group Stage and lost both – to G2 and FURIA – exiting the tournament before they could really settle in. Their status as a dangerous upset team is intact, but questions about long-term consistency at top-tier events remain.
FaZe and Falcons fall flat
For FaZe Clan, IEM Kraków was a harsh comedown after reaching the Budapest Major final. Losses to 3DMAX and MOUZ knocked them out early and reinforced the narrative that FaZe’s magic is powerful but flickers unpredictably.
Falcons had arguably an even more frustrating run. On paper, this lineup looks like a title threat at every event, but Kraków never really developed into a real campaign for them. They fell to Aurora Gaming and MOUZ, and while they did beat NRG and 3DMAX, those wins feel like poor consolation for a team that expects trophies, not early flights home.
How IEM Kraków 2026 shapes the CS2 skins meta
Top-tier tournaments don’t just shake up rankings and power levels – they also influence the CS2 skins economy in subtle but very real ways. IEM Kraków 2026 is no exception. Whenever star players pop off on broadcast, the weapons they use start appearing on wishlists and trade sites.
ZywOo’s form and AWP skin demand
Let’s start with the obvious: ZywOo’s grand final performance is the kind of thing that pushes AWP skins into the spotlight. When casual players and aspiring ranked grinders watch him drop a 2.20 KDR in a title match, they naturally want to emulate their hero – and that usually starts with cosmetic flex.
Expect increased interest in high-tier AWP finishes used by pros during the event, and more people browsing trading platforms to find their dream sniper skin.
Rifle meta and rifle skins trends
Kraków also reinforced that in CS2’s current meta, both sides of the rifle war – AKs on T and M4s on CT – are crucial. Tight executes on Overpass, long-range duels on Ancient, and scrappy fights on Dust II all reward clean rifle mechanics.
As a result, skins for staple rifles remain some of the most liquid and popular items to trade. Whether you prefer budget-friendly looks or high-end patterns, rifles are where a lot of your inventory value and flex potential will sit.
Why it’s worth using uuskins.com for trades
If you’re looking to adjust your inventory after IEM Kraków – maybe to swap into a clean AWP after watching ZywOo, or to upgrade your rifle collection – using a specialized marketplace is usually better than random peer-to-peer deals.
On platforms like cs2 skins traders get:
- Better liquidity: more active buyers and sellers means it’s easier to move items quickly.
- Transparent pricing: you can compare offers and track market trends instead of guessing at value.
- Safer transactions: proper trading infrastructure is far less risky than trusting random DMs or shady middlemen.
If you’re still running a mixed CS:GO/CS2 inventory or have older items from before the full CS2 transition, it’s also worth checking the dedicated csgo skins category. Some classic designs hold nostalgic value and can be traded or converted into fresh CS2 play skins that match the current meta and maps.
For players who follow esports closely, the best time to rearrange your inventory is often right after a big event. Prices can spike on trendy items or dip on less popular ones, giving savvy traders room to profit or at least pick up their favorite looks at decent value.
What’s next for the 2026 CS2 season?
IEM Kraków 2026 felt like the opening chapter of the new competitive year rather than the final word. Vitality and FURIA clearly sit at the top of the food chain, but teams like Aurora, MOUZ, G2, and Spirit all showed enough flashes to keep the season interesting.
The next must-watch event on the calendar is PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026, scheduled from February 14 to February 25. Many of the same squads will be in attendance, including both Vitality and FURIA, which raises a few burning questions:
- Can Vitality keep their streak alive and move even closer to another Intel Grand Slam?
- Will FURIA finally convert a deep run into a championship after their near-era in late 2025?
- Can teams like NAVI, FaZe, and Falcons bounce back from Kraków and prove their superteam projects still have teeth?
- Will Aurora or another rising squad crash the party again and disrupt the established hierarchy?
Whatever happens next, IEM Kraków 2026 has already done its job: it gave us a clear snapshot of who’s ahead, who’s chasing, and which players and teams are about to dominate both the server and the CS2 skins highlight reels in the months to come.
If you’re grinding ranked, watching demos, and tweaking your setups based on what you saw in Kraków, this is the perfect moment to align your in-game identity with your favorite pros. Whether that means hunting down a specific AWP finish, an AK pattern, or a clean M4 skin, staying active on a reliable marketplace like cs2 skins and csgo skins will keep you ready for the evolving CS2 era – both competitively and stylistically.
