IEM Cologne 2024 CS2 Recap
The Cathedral of Counter-Strike roared to life once again as IEM Cologne 2024 unfolded with thrilling matches, shocking upsets, and triumphant victories. This year’s spectacle saw 24 elite teams from around the world battling it out for the coveted trophy and a share of the million-dollar prize pool.
An Exciting Start to the Season
The new Counter-Strike 2 season kicked off with a bang. NAVI proved their mettle with a victory at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, while other top contenders faced off in the BLAST Fall Groups. Notably, roster changes during the off-season brought fresh dynamics to the competition, with Team Liquid’s new lineup making waves.
Tournament Overview
IEM Cologne 2024 was a multi-stage tournament with a gripping three-stage format:
- Play-In Stage: 16 teams fought in a double-elimination bracket. Winning two best-of-threes advanced them to the group stage.
- Group Stage: The remaining eight Play-In teams joined the group stage invites, battling in another double-elimination bracket. Upper bracket winners moved to the semifinals, while runner-ups and losers progressed to the quarterfinals.
- Playoffs: Six teams fought in a single-elimination playoff bracket at the iconic Lanxess Arena, known as the “Cathedral of Counter-Strike.”
Teams and Qualification
Direct Qualification (Group stage)
- Team Spirit, FaZe Clan, MOUZ, G2 Esports, Vitality, NAVI, Astralis, Virtus.pro
ESL World Rankings
- EU: HEROIC, Eternal Fire, Falcons
- North America: Complexity
- South America: 9z Team
- Asia: The MongolZ
- Oceania: FlyQuest
Next-best ranked teams included Liquid, Imperial, FURIA, BIG, paiN, MIBR, SAW, and 3DMAX. Alternate aTTaX qualified through the German Qualifier.
Standout Matches
- Friday, Aug. 16
- SAW edged out FaZe in a nail-biter, advancing to the semifinals.
- MOUZ eliminated G2 with a commanding performance.
- Saturday, Aug. 17
- Vitality steamrolled SAW to claim their spot in the grand final.
- NAVI defeated MOUZ to set up a thrilling showdown against Vitality.
- Sunday, Aug. 18
- In a high-stakes final, Vitality emerged victorious over NAVI, securing the prestigious trophy with a 3-1 series win.
Watch the Action
Missed the live action? Catch up on all the matches with replays available on Twitch and YouTube. Relive the excitement of IEM Cologne and see which strategies and plays defined the tournament.
Looking Ahead
With IEM Cologne 2024 wrapped up, the focus shifts to the road ahead, leading to the Shanghai Major. Teams are already gearing up for their regional qualifiers, eager to secure their spots for the season’s pinnacle event.
Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as we continue to follow the thrilling Counter-Strike 2 season. Join us as we celebrate the passion, skill, and unforgettable moments that define esports!