3DMAX Deliver a Dominant Performance to Crush BC.Game and Secure a Spot in IEM Kraków 2026 Top 16

3DMAX Deliver a Dominant Performance to Crush BC.Game and Secure a Spot in IEM Kraków 2026 Top 16

At Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Kraków 2026, rising French squad 3DMAX continued their impressive run by overpowering European side BC.Game in a commanding 2–0 victory on January 29, booking their place in the tournament’s Top 16. The comprehensive result saw 3DMAX surrender just seven rounds combined across the two maps — a testament to both their strategic discipline and individual firepower. 

Masterclass From the French Roster

3DMAX looked increasingly confident throughout the match, controlling both Overpass and Anubis from start to finish. After BC.Game chose Overpass, likely aiming to leverage their previous success on this map, 3DMAX immediately seized the tempo. Strong anti-eco play, efficient utility usage, and decisive trading saw the French side close the map at 13–3. On Anubis, 3DMAX kept up the pressure, dominating rounds and never letting BC.Game settle into any rhythm, ending the map 13–4. 

Standout performances came from key 3DMAX players, particularly Lucas “Lucky” Chastang, who delivered one of his best LAN showings. His 24–8 kill-death tally on Anubis, including multiple multi-kill rounds and a flawless opening duel record, provided constant disruption to BC.Game’s offense. Meanwhile, Alexandre “bodyy” Pianaro and Bryan “Maka” Canda consistently pressured angles and secured critical early-round advantages that allowed 3DMAX to control the pace and momentum. 

BC.Game struggled to contain 3DMAX’s aggression. Their roster, led by star players such as Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev and Denis “electroNic” Sharipov, couldn’t find space or create clutch situations. While individual moments showed flashes of brilliance, BC.Game were generally outpaced, misjudged timings, and couldn’t consistently convert rounds. 

The Broader IEM Kraków 2026 Context

IEM Kraków 2026 Stage 1 is part of ESL’s Intel Extreme Masters circuit, one of the most prestigious annual Counter-Strike events outside of Valve-sponsored Majors. Held in Kraków, Poland, the tournament features a mix of elite and emerging teams competing on LAN for prize money, prestige, and VRS (Valve Regional Standings) points, which contribute to global rankings and Major invitations. 

The format for Stage 1 uses a double-elimination, best-of-three setup for all matches. Teams progressing through the upper bracket retain a margin for error (one loss doesn’t eliminate them), while lower bracket matches are do-or-die — making early wins vital for longevity in the event. 

Earlier in the Play-Ins, BC.Game had shown promise by defeating Legacy and earning a spot in the upper bracket, sending Legacy to the lower bracket before facing 3DMAX. Nevertheless, their journey hit a roadblock against the French side, pushing them into the lower bracket where they’ll have to fight to stay alive in the tournament. 

Meanwhile, 3DMAX’s success in this match places them among the teams advancing directly into the next group stage of the event. Their performance now shifts focus to their upper bracket quarter-final, where they’ll look to maintain their form and continue chasing deeper progression in the tournament. 

Implications for Both Teams

3DMAX (France)

• Advanced to Top 16 of IEM Kraków 2026.

• Showed high strategic maturity for their roster, often out-trading and out-rotating BC.Game.

• Strong individual form from core players positions them as a team to watch further in the tournament.

BC.Game (Europe)

• Dropped to the lower bracket following the loss.

• Will now need to win successive elimination matches to stay in the event.

• Inconsistency against higher-tier opposition was exposed in this series.

What’s Next at IEM Kraków 2026

The action across Stage 1 continues intensely. Other upper bracket teams such as PARIVISION and Astralis have already secured their progression, while fan-favorites like NiP continue their campaigns with tight victories against other opponents. Lower bracket matches are equally critical as eliminated teams fight for survival, creating high-stakes matchups throughout the rest of the Play-In stage. 

For 3DMAX, advancing to the next stage not only boosts their event momentum but also reinforces their growing reputation on the international Counter-Strike scene. A deep run at a premier event like IEM Kraków could solidify their status as legitimate contenders heading into future Majors and competitive seasons.