IEM Cologne playoff bracket set

With the group stage for IEM Cologne drawing to a close, the six-team playoff bracket that will play out in front of a full audience in the historic LANXESS Arena has been set.

After advancing flawless through the upper bracket of their respective groups, FaZe and Natus Vincere will begin their on-stage run in Germany in the semi-finals on Saturday, awaiting the winners of the two quarter-final matchups.

MOUZ — who made it through to the playoffs against all odds by picking up wins against Heroic, Vitality, and NIP in the lower bracket — will go up against an Astralis lineup that finally looks to be hitting its stride, having convincingly beaten FURIA and Cloud9 in the upper bracket of Group B before faltering in a lacklustre final match against FaZe.

Liquid will return to play in the LANXESS Arena against Movistar Riders

The other quarter-final match will see Movistar Riders taking on Liquid. The Spaniards came into Cologne in stellar form, riding the momentum of a trophy lift on home soil in Valencia where they had beaten MIBR, Sprout, and Outsiders to claim the title. Despite facing far steeper opposition in Germany, Alejandro “⁠alex⁠” Masanet‘s side haven’t missed a beat, besting Vitality twice and beating MIBR and G2 en route to a playoff berth.

Liquid, meanwhile, have made their second playoff appearance at a Big Event this year, their last run dating back to ESL Pro League Season 15 where they had beaten Heroic and fallen to NIP to be eliminated in 5-8th place.

With Mareks “⁠YEKINDAR⁠” Gaļinskis stepping in for the team, they have displayed renewed vigor by beating 00NATION, Cloud9, and FURIA, momentum which they must maintain as they take to the stage against the Spanish side in hot form.

The schedule and draw for the playoffs can be found below:

Friday, July 15
15:30 Europe MOUZ vs. Denmark Astralis (BO3)
19:00 Spain Movistar Riders vs. United States Liquid (BO3)

Saturday, July 16
15:30 Ukraine Natus Vincere vs.Europe MOUZ / Denmark Astralis (BO3)
19:00 Europe FaZe vs. Spain Movistar Riders / United States Liquid (BO3)

Sunday, July 17
16:00 – Grand Final (BO5)

Time Stamp:

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