Vitality vs BC.Game & Falcons vs Aurora to Kick Off IEM Kraków Stage 2 With High-Profile Duels
IEM Kraków 2026 Stage 2 Round 1 Matchups Confirmed
The opening round of Stage 2 at IEM Kraków 2026 has been finalized after the conclusion of Stage 1, featuring the 16 teams that advanced into the Group Stage of this prestigious Counter-Strike 2 event.
Highlights include two key showdowns:
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Vitality vs BC.Game – A mouthwatering clash that will see Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut and Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev face off — their first meeting in over two years.
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Falcons vs Aurora – Two Stage 1 qualifiers that earned their spots by advancing through early rounds, setting up a compelling upper-bracket Group B encounter.
Other Group B opening matches include:
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FaZe Clan vs 3DMAX
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MOUZ vs NRG Esports
Background: How They Got Here
🔹 Stage 1 Success
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Aurora secured a clean 2-0 victory over paiN Gaming to progress into Stage 2, with convincing wins on Mirage and Overpass.
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BC.Game booked their Stage 2 berth by eliminating Ninjas in Pyjamas in straight maps, showcasing improved defensive play.
These wins closed out Stage 1, allowing both teams to join the 16-team Group Stage lineup.
Group Structure and Playoffs Path
The Stage 2 group phase is played in double-elimination format, with each group seeded into upper and lower brackets. The path to the playoffs is as follows:
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Group winners → directly to semifinals
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Group runners-up and third place → quarterfinals
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Playoff Final → Best-of-Five on February 8
This format ensures that even teams losing early still have a route through lower bracket play into the main playoff bracket.
Key Player Matchups to Watch
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ZywOo vs s1mple: The spotlight on this clash can’t be overstated — two of CS2’s most elite players have not met competitively since August 2023.
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Aurora’s MAJ3R: After Stage 1 success, his leadership and finding openings against Falcons will be crucial.
Other intriguing narratives will emerge throughout Group B’s opening day.
Quick Reference: Stage 2 Opening Round Matches
Group B – January 31 & February 1
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Vitality vs BC.Game
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FaZe Clan vs 3DMAX
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MOUZ vs NRG
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Falcons vs Aurora
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