IEM Cologne, one of the main eSports events of the year and the first LAN event after a long break, has reached the playoff stage. After the group stage, there are six teams left that will compete for the main prize. Two quarterfinal matches will take place on Friday, the semifinals – on Saturday, and on Sunday there will be a grand final, which will be played in the best of 5 format.
In the first quarter-final, on Friday, Virtus.pro will meet Astralis after the Danes failed to defeat Natus Vincere in the final of the upper bracket of the group tournament in Group B. In the second quarter-final, which will take place on the same day, Gambit, who occupy the top position in the world rankings, will meet FaZe – the only playoff participant to overcome all stages, starting with play-in.
G2 and Natus Vincere, who have become leaders in their groups and have not suffered a single defeat, will go straight to the semi-finals. Thus, these two teams will have more time to rest and prepare for the decisive matches. At the same time, G2 will meet with the winner of the “Astralis” pair. Virtus.pro", and Natus Vincere – with the one who wins in a pair of “FaZe” Gambit." The grand final, which will determine the winner of the main prize, will take place on Sunday at 17.00.
