Image of Parivision Counter-Strike 2 player Jame competing at IEM Krakow 2026

Parivision, 3DMAX and G2 Esports qualify for IEM Kraków Group Stage

January 30, 2026


Picture credit score: ESL

Parivision, 3DMAX, and G2 Esports have develop into the primary three groups to qualify for the IEM Kraków 2026 Group Stage.

The trio efficiently navigated by the Play-In’s higher bracket, scoring two victories throughout the match’s first two days.

Parivision’s Type Continues

After knocking HEROIC into the decrease bracket in its opening match, Parivision continued its latest run of robust kind by reserving its place within the group stage with a 2-1 victory over Aurora Gaming

A one-versus-two clutch within the opening map from Vladislav ‘xiELO’ Lysov helped solidify the defence of the BLAST Bounty Season 1 champion, taking Mirage with a convincing 13-5 scoreline. 

Aurora Gaming’s choose of Anubis closely favoured the staff well-known for its robust performances on the map. A 13-5 win for Aurora Gaming levelled the sequence, however Parivision’s class shone by on the deciding Mud II.

A dominant 10-2 half constructed a lead not possible for Aurora Gaming to beat. Ultimately, Parivision closed out the map with a 13-4 scoreline to wrap up a 2-1 sequence victory and spotlight itself as one of many occasion’s darkish horses.

3DMAX Dominates BC.Sport

Image of 3DMAX Counter-Strike player competing at IEM Krakow 2026
Picture credit score: ESL

Earlier within the competitors, 3DMAX efficiently fended off FUT Esports in a tough best-of-three that required time beyond regulation within the first two maps. This victory arrange a conflict towards a BC.Sport facet that was additionally driving a wave of momentum after sweeping apart Legacy

An absence of cohesion from BC.Sport was evident from the outset, with 3DMAX showcasing superior teamplay to take Overpass 13-3. Regardless of Oleksandr ‘s1mple’ Kostyliev nearly finishing an unlikely one-versus-four clutch on Anubis, 3DMAX rounded out the second map with a powerful 13-4 scoreline to safe a dominant 2-0 sweep and transfer on to the following stage.

G2 Esports Marches On

Image of G2 Esports Counter-Strike player competing at IEM Krakow 2026
Picture credit score: ESL

Regardless of the absence of Keith ‘NAF’ Markovic, Group Liquid has continued to show indicators of brilliance throughout its Kraków marketing campaign. Nevertheless, in its approach was G2 Esports, which stays among the many world’s greatest groups within the early levels of 2026. 

G2 Esports started the sequence with a wonderful attacking show, successful seven rounds within the second half of Mirage to take Group Liquid’s map choose 13-8, securing an early lead. Not backing down, Group Liquid answered again on the BLAST Open London champion’s choose of Inferno, halting any form of assault to construct an 11-1 lead at halftime.

G2 Esports mounted a slight comeback within the second half, however two attacking wins from Group Liquid wrapped up a 13-6 win to power an Anubis decider. 

Much like Mirage, the offence of G2 Esports proved too robust for Group Liquid within the first half, incomes a 9-3 lead after 12 rounds. Nonetheless, Group Liquid diminished the deficit, together with breaking the G2 Esports financial system in spherical 19 to take the lead, because of a chic efficiency from Roland ‘final’ Tomkowiak on AWPing duties. G2 Esports answered again with three defensive rounds to ship the map and sequence to time beyond regulation. 

Finally, it was G2 that emerged victorious after buying and selling rounds backwards and forwards with Group Liquid, taking Anubis 16-14 to spherical off a hotly contested 2-1 victory. 

IEM Kraków 2026 Day 3 Particulars

Day three of IEM Kraków 2026 options extra teamslooking to safe one of many remaining locations on the occasion’s Group Stage. The remaining higher and decrease bracket matches happen from 1 PM GMT on January thirtieth.

Followers can watch the remaining groups throughout ESL’s Twitch and YouTube channels

Steven is a passionate sports enthusiast and writer who enjoys sharing insights, stories, and analysis from the world of football and beyond. With a keen eye for detail and a love for the game, he brings readers closer to the action while keeping them informed and entertained.