The first day produced some upset results, with The Mongolz and Heroic going down as the esports betting sites’ favourite in their opening best-of-three series.

The Mongolz are on the brink of elimination at IEM Cologne after a 1-2 loss to SAW, faltering on defence.

BIG, on the other hand, managed a comeback victory over FlyQuest after initially blowing a 9-3 lead.

These two winners will face off for a spot in the main event of the tournament.

SAW, energised and well-prepared under new head coach Danny “?BERRY?” Krüger, overcame a slow start on Anubis.

They trailed 4-8 on the counter-terrorist side but rallied in the second half, exploiting The MongolZ’s weak B bomb site.

Despite a comeback from The Mongolz forcing overtime, SAW secured a 16-13 win.

After The Mongolz won on Ancient, SAW dominated Dust2, with key contributions from Jo?o ‘story’ Vieira, Michel ‘ewjerkz’ Pinto, and Rafael ‘arrozdoce’ Wing, to win 13-5.

.@BIGCLANgg put a stop to the @FlyQuestCS comeback at the last hour! The German squad opens their #IEM Cologne 2024 campaign with a victory

14-16 Ancient
13-10 Inferno
13-11 Vertigo pic.twitter.com/B9DTOIWTD7

— Intel? Extreme Masters (@IEM) August 7, 2024

BIG’s match against FlyQuest was similarly dramatic.

After trading 9-3 terrorist halves and forcing overtime, FlyQuest took the lead.

BIG responded by winning on Inferno and dominating Vertigo with a 10-0 start.

FlyQuest attempted a comeback, but BIG held on for a 13-11 victory.

MIBR, under new in-game leader André “?drop?” Abreu, defeated Heroic 2-1.

Heroic struggled on the defensive side, losing 7-13 on Mirage and Anubis after a strong start on Ancient.

MIBR’s Felipe “?insani?” Yuji and AWPer Rafael “?saffee?” Costa were standout performers.

.@MIBR take down @heroicgg 2-1 in their opening game of #IEM Cologne 2024

10-13 Ancient
13-7 Mirage
13-7 Anubis pic.twitter.com/GtNPlIX1xR

— Intel? Extreme Masters (@IEM) August 7, 2024

The next phase will see 3DMAX face Heroic in an elimination match, and 9z Team take on MIBR for a group stage spot.

9z easily defeated 3DMAX 13-3 and 13-4, showcasing star player Franco “?dgt?” Garcia and captain Maximiliano “?max?” Gonzalez.

Eternal Fire is close to securing a spot in the main event after a 2-1 win over Falcons.

The match saw standout performances from Ismailcan “?XANTARES?” D?rtkarde? on Vertigo and ?zgür “?woxic?” Eker on Dust2, despite some sloppy play from both teams.

Team Liquid and FURIA won their opening matches, defeating paiN Gaming and Imperial, respectively.

Liquid, coming off strong performances at BLAST Premier Fall Groups, overcame paiN with solid terrorist-side efforts on Anubis and Inferno.

FURIA’s Brazilian derby against Imperial saw them recover from a disastrous start on Dust2 to win the series 2-1, highlighted by a 13-0 thrashing on Inferno.

Day one of #IEM Cologne 2024 and we've seen it all.

A back and forth affair that goes 3 maps until @FURIA decided to end it with a 13-0 against @imperialesports

3-13 Dust 2
13-11 Nuke
13-0 Inferno pic.twitter.com/Os0naPYZyI

— Intel? Extreme Masters (@IEM) August 7, 2024

Thursday’s IEM Cologne play-in fixtures

• SAW ($1.80) vs BIG ($1.90) @ 1:30pm CEST
• The Mongolz ($1.40) vs FlyQuest ($2.75) @ 1:30pm CEST
• 3DMAX ($2.25) vs Heroic ($1.57) @ 3:45pm CEST
• FURIA ($2.62) vs Team Liquid ($1.44) @ 3:45pm CEST
• ALTERNATE aTTaX ($7.00) vs Falcons ($1.08) @ 6:45pm CEST
• Complexity ($2.10) vs Eternal Fire ($1.66) @ 6:45pm CEST

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FlyQuest and BIG have enough talent on their rosters to qualify for the IEM Cologne 2024 main event. However, it is tough to pick a winner between these two, and betting on the total maps market looks to be the safest play.

The Mongolz broke into the top 10 on the ESL world rankings for the first time, but they have since dropped to 11th. The Mongolian squad is ranked 18 spots higher than SAW and shouldn’t have much trouble beating the Portuguese roster.

Heroic will have to play at IEM Cologne with Volodymyr “Woro2k” Veletnjuk as a stand-in, which should make this clash against MIBR closer than first expected. Neither team enters this event in great form, so taking the underdog at the match line is the play.

9z Team surprised everyone when they finished in third-fourth place at IEM Dallas 2024, where they defeated the likes of Liquid, Vitality and MOUZ. 3DMAX have had little time to prepare for their IEM Cologne campaign after being added as a replacement for BetBoom Team on Monday. At $1.80 with top esports bookmakers, 9z represent great value.

These teams are separated by 84 spots in the ESL world rankings, so it is no surprise that Complexity are $1.06 favourites. There is no value in head-to-head or match-line betting with esports betting sites, so the round-line market is the value option.

Falcons have yet to win an S-Tier tournament since their inception into Counter-Strike; however, recent results suggest they are improving steadily. Eternal Fire enter this series as favourites, but given the improvement of this Falcons squad, the underdogs can spring a surprise.

FURIA are heavy favourites to beat Imperial, as they are 16 spots higher in the ESL world rankings. Following a strong performance at the Esports World Cup, it is hard to bet against this new and improved FURIA outfit.

Team Liquid have looked better under the leadership of Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken, defeating Natus Vincere twice en route to qualifying for the BLAST Premier Fall Final. PaiN Gaming have been competing against South American teams in qualifiers and A-Tier events, so it is hard to see them beating Liquid in this series.

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Eternal Fire and Virtus.pro are coming off two dominant victories on day two, and the winner of this clash will qualify for the playoffs. This contest will be very tight, so taking the overs in the total maps market is the play.

Imperial can count themselves unlucky here, as they will run into a FaZe Clan squad that will be very disappointed with their 1-13 defeat at the hands of Eternal Fire on day two. FaZe will be very short with esports betting sites, and it is hard to see them losing this.

Although Team Vitality have won their last two series, they only beat TheMongolz and Imperial, whereas Complexity were humbled 0-2 by a rampant MOUZ in a best-of-three match. Expect to see all three maps in this clash.

G2 Esports has to win this series against ECSTATIC to keep their Major hopes alive. Although G2 were beaten by Cloud9 and Natus Vincere in their last two matches, they should be able to handle ECSTATIC here.

Cloud9 and Natus Vincere will be the best series of the day as both teams strive to qualify for the playoffs. We saw all three maps played the last time these two met, so expect a similar score line in this one.

Heroic and paiN Gaming will close out day three, with both teams striving to stave off elimination from PGL Major Copenhagen. Heroic should have too much firepower for the Brazilians here.

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Both G2 Esports and Cloud9 recorded a dominant win and suffered a tough defeat on the opening day of the elimination stage. This series is going to be very tight, so the overs in the total rounds market look like the best play.

Virtus.pro recently defeated Heroic 2-0 in a best-of-three series where the maps went to 23 and 24 rounds, respectively. With both of these teams showing inconsistencies, the total rounds market appears to be the safest bet.

FaZe Clan has a chance to make a statement in this match by taking down a serious team in Eternal Fire. Expect FaZe to flex their muscles and dominate a slightly weaker team in a high-pressure clash.

Team Vitality have yet to show their best Counter-Strike through two matches this Major, while Imperial will be doing some soul-searching after a crushing 13-2 loss to Team Spirit on day one. Team Vitality have to win this to keep their Major hopes alive.

Best-of-three matches

MOUZ are deserving favourites in this clash with Complexity, and it is hard to see the world number four losing to North America’s only hope. MOUZ turned around two slow starts and converted them into wins on day one, but with a chance to progress to the playoff stage, expect a different team here.

Although TheMongolz and paiN Gaming are expected to play minor roles at PGL Major Copenhagen, this series has the potential to be one of the most exciting clashes of the day. It is hard to see either team winning this 2-0, so over 2.5 maps is the play.

FURIA will go into their clash with ECSTATIC as overwhelming favourites despite coming off two lacklustre performances, whereas ECSTATIC were impressive in a close loss against MOUZ. It is hard to tip either team to win this series, especially at the odds on offer with esports betting sites.

Team Spirit and Natus Vincere will play out the match of the day, with both teams coming into the series in very good form. Spirit triumphed 2-1 when these two met at IEM Katowice 2024, so expect a similar score line.

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Although TheMongolz are on a three-game winning streak after advancing from the opening stage, the teams they were beating are not on the same level as this Natus Vincere squad. Expect the favourites to win well.

MOUZ and ECSTATIC last met in the PGL Major Copenhagen Europe RMR, where the former won rather easily, 13-8. Therefore, we will be taking the favourites to cover the round line.

Team Vitality and Eternal Fire will be one of the better matches of round one, and even though esports betting sites seem to think differently, it should be a close contest.

Virtus.pro will put their six-game win streak on the line against a shaky Imperial in their opening match of the Major. After the Brazilians struggled to close out best-of-one maps during the opening stage, the favourites should have little to no trouble winning this one.

PaiN Gaming earned qualification for the elimination stage off the back of two dominant wins over ENCE and SAW. Complexity will need to be on their game if they want to record a round one victory against an in-form paiN.

FaZe Clan and Heroic have played close matches throughout the last few years, and with both teams at the peak of their powers coming into the Major, we expect nothing different here.

G2 Esports were one of the more impressive performers at the Europe RMRs, while FURIA had to survive three straight elimination matches in the opening stage. G2 will win this clash to set themselves up nicely going into round two.

Two of the Major favourites with Counter-Strike betting sites will kick off their elimination stage campaigns when Team Spirit take on Cloud9. This best-of-one will be very close, so betting on the overs in the total rounds market looks like the play.

Esports betting tips

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Eternal Fire advances to the Elimination Stage after an edge-of-your-seat series against GamerLegion! The battle was fierce, but EF emerged victorious! #PGLMAJOR " pic.twitter.com/lxD36D0Oz0

— PGL (@pglesports) March 19, 2024

Engin “?MAJ3R?” Küpeli expressed mixed emotions after the series, acknowledging the team’s subpar performance while also emphasizing the importance of winning Counter-Strike series even on off days.

Despite struggling early on Overpass and Mirage, where they faced a staggering 23-round losing streak, Eternal Fire managed to rally and secure crucial victories.

Their comeback was fueled by a sense of disrespect when GamerLegion called a timeout, igniting a hunger for redemption going into Inferno.

This map proved to be their stronghold, with Ismailcan “?XANTARES?” D?rtkarde? leading the charge in a dominant performance to secure a 13-2 map win.

The series reached its peak excitement on Vertigo, where both teams showcased their prowess.

Ultimately, it was key plays from XANTARES and Ali “?Wicadia?” Haydar Yal??n that secured Eternal Fire’s victory, despite a tense final round.

GamerLegion, though not eliminated, now sits in a precarious 2-2 position, awaiting further results to determine their fate in the tournament.

In another match, paiN secured their elimination stage berth with a convincing 2-0 (13-10, 13-7) victory over SAW, thanks in large part to Rodrigo “?biguzera?” Bittencourt’s standout performance.

paiN triumphs over SAW in a two-map series (2-0), clinching their spot in the Elimination Stage !

An incredible performance that propels them forward. #PGLMAJOR pic.twitter.com/Pk8CDnYTUX

— PGL (@pglesports) March 19, 2024

Their success highlights their exceptional T-side play and ability to outclass top-tier opponents.

On the other hand, SAW’s momentum faltered as they suffered consecutive defeats, putting them at risk of an embarrassing exit from the Major.

ECSTATIC also secured their place in the elimination stage with a 2-1 (13-4, 10-13, 13-9) victory over Imperial.

ECSTATIC progresses to the Elimination Stage with a triumphant 2-1 victory over Imperial !

Imperial will fight tomorrow for their chance to remain in the tournament#PGLMAJOR pic.twitter.com/ROqhLveY8C

— PGL (@pglesports) March 19, 2024

Despite being considered underdogs, ECSTATIC’s solid gameplay and strategic depth propelled them to success, led by standout performances from Tobias “?kraghen?” Kragh Jensen and Magnus “?Nodios?” Olsen.

Imperial, on the other hand, struggled to match their opponents’ tactical prowess, highlighting a need for improvement in their strategic approach.

Meanwhile, Lynn Vision, Apeks, and ENCE were all eliminated from the Major after suffering their third loss of the opening stage.

Wednesday’s matches

• Legacy ($1.89) vs TheMongolz ($1.89) @ 1pm CEST
• Imperial ($1.98) vs GamerLegion ($1.81) @ 4pm CEST
• SAW ($2.02) vs FURIA ($1.78) @ 7pm CEST

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After suffering their first loss of PGL Major Copenhagen, Eternal Fire will attempt to qualify for the elimination stage for the second time against GamerLegion. With both teams ranked inside the top 15 in the world, this contest will be close, and all three maps are very likely to be seen.

The all-Asian clash between Lynn Vision and TheMongolz will be a rematch of the upper-bracket final of the Asia RMR, which TheMongolz won easily. With both of their Major lives on the line, it is expected that TheMongolz claim victory in two maps here.

Legacy will face Apeks in one of the most intriguing series of the day, as the former has struggled against European Counter-Strike teams, and the latter has struggled against Brazilian squads throughout the opening stage. This contest is too close to call, so betting on the overs in the total maps market looks like the play.

SAW’s 11-series win streak was snapped by Cloud9 on day two, while paiN Gaming destroyed ENCE in a best-of-one match. Expect SAW to kick off another win streak here with a dominant victory.

ECSTATIC and Imperial are set to play the match of the day as both teams strive to advance to the elimination stage. Both squads have shown good signs in previous series, so expect a tight three-map thriller.

ENCE and FURIA have been two of the most inconsistent high-profile teams during the opening stage, and it is hard to tip either squad with confidence in the final series of the day.

Esports betting tips

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Going off the first two matches that both Imperial and Apeks have played, Imperial look to be in better form after playing out two close maps on day one.

Although paiN Gaming surprised a few with an opening series win, ENCE come into this match as heavy favourites with the top Counter-Strike betting sites, and we expect to see them winning this match well.

Both GamerLegion and Legacy have proved to be no pushover during their opening two matches, and this clash could be one of the closest best-of-one series on day two.

Given the up-and-down form of both ECSTATIC and Lynn Vision, it is hard to back any team with confidence; therefore, we will take the overs in the total rounds market.

Best-of-three matches

With their Major future on the line, TheMongolz and AMKAL will clash in a do-or-die best-of-three series, with both teams seeking their first win of the opening stage. Although both teams have 0-2 records, this series will be close, and we expect to see all three maps.

Eternal Fire have been impressive in their opening two clashes, defeating TheMongolz and paiN Gaming easily, while Heroic struggled to beat Imperial in overtime. Due to their recent form, we will be siding with Eternal Fire in this contest.

Both FURIA and KOI have struggled in both of their matches, and they will have to win here to stay alive in the Major. FURIA are the higher-ranked team and clear favourite here, so we will be siding with Brazilian squad.

Cloud9 and SAW will seek to earn promotion to the PGL Major Copenhagen elimination stage after recording back-to-back wins on day one. Given that SAW defeated Cloud9 in a best-of-three series two weeks ago, we are going to side with the underdog in this series.

Esports betting tips

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Both teams bring solid form into their opening match of the Major, and we expect to see a close game between Cloud9 and ECSTATIC.

Although Eternal Fire enters this match as a red-hot favourite, The Mongolz have shown improvement on the world stage in recent times, therefore, we will be taking the underdogs at the handicap.

The betting says otherwise, but the ENCE vs Imperial clash has the potential to be one of the closest matches of the day. We will be taking the overs in the total rounds market.

Apeks appears to be one of the safer bets of the opening day, as they clash with paiN Gaming, who were one of the last teams to qualify for the Major. We anticipate a dominant win by Apeks.

9 Pandas and AMKAL played out a close three-map series in the Europe RMR last month, with two of the three maps covering the 21.5-round line; therefore, the overs look like a great bet here.

Esports betting sites have got this one right. Heroic should dominate Lynn Vision here if the world number 12 thinks they have any chance to contend for the Major.

FURIA and Legacy will meet in an all-Brazil clash, with both teams putting their three-game win streaks on the line. These matches are normally very tight, so we will be taking the overs in the total rounds market.

SAW will put their nine-match win streak on the line against KOI, and we believe the favourites can extend that streak to 10 with a victory here.

Esports betting tips

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With a remarkable display, they dropped only five rounds in their initial best-of-one clashes against NRG and M80, followed by a convincing 2-0 (13-5, 13-4) victory over paiN Gaming.

Imperial is headed to PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024 after an incredible victory over paiN on two maps – Mirage and Nuke!

paiN isn't out yet; they'll return tomorrow for another shot at making it to Copenhagen! #PGLRMR pic.twitter.com/gNh64xUOmI

— PGL (@pglesports) March 3, 2024

Their journey to the Major marked a significant comeback for seasoned star AWPer Henrique “HEN1” Teles, who had not participated in a Valve-sponsored event since Krakow 2017 with Immortals, where they secured a second-place finish.

HEN1’s career has seen ups and downs, including a peak in 2020 with FURIA and subsequent challenges in maintaining tier-one status, but he returned with an impressive 1.62 rating to lead Imperial’s charge into the PGL Major Copenhagen.

Imperial showcased their dominance right from the start, swiftly punishing paiN’s decision to allow them to choose Mirage as the opening map.

Led by HEN1 and supported by standout performances from Jo?o “felps” Vasconcellos and emerging talents like Kaiky “noway” Santos and Lucas “decenty” Bacelar, Imperial secured an 8-1 lead and eventually closed out Mirage convincingly.

Nuke, paiN’s pick, also proved to be a stronghold for Imperial, as they surged to a commanding 9-1 lead with HEN1 delivering standout performances once again.

Elsewhere, FURIA secured their seventh consecutive Major appearance by defeating Complexity 2-1 (13-10, 13-16, 13-7).

Led by Kaike “KSCERATO” Cerato’s stellar performance, FURIA demonstrated resilience and stability throughout their matches.

FURIA is the second team to qualify for PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024 after its series against Complexity

A 2-1 victory and they are on their way to Denmark #PGLRMR pic.twitter.com/QOvVZyOAlB

— PGL (@pglesports) March 3, 2024

Meanwhile, Complexity faced disappointment yet again as they were denied by FalleN’s FURIA squad, relegating them to the 2-1 pool for a crucial matchup against Liquid.

Despite facing initial seeding challenges, Complexity put up a fight, particularly with standout plays from H?kon “hallzerk” Fj?rli and Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski, ultimately securing a hard-fought victory on Vertigo.

Monday’s Americas RMR matches

• paiN Gaming ($1.40) vs ODDIK ($2.87) @ 10am CST
• M80 ($2.03) vs Legacy ($1.77) @ 1pm CST
• Complexity ($1.87) vs Team Liquid ($1.91) @ 4pm CST

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