Quarterfinal 1 at IEM Cologne 2026 — Vitality versus Aurora — opens the Champions bracket June 17 at 17:00 CEST. The match is the largest seeding-gap quarterfinal of the bracket (Vitality #1, Aurora #8) with bookmaker odds at Vitality 1.10 / Aurora 7.50.
The veto forecast
The Bo3 veto order Aurora-Vitality-Aurora-Vitality-Aurora-Vitality, with the seventh pick the decider. Forecast read:
- Aurora ban 1: Anubis — Vitality's strongest map pool at Stage 2 (3-0 across the cycle).
- Vitality ban 1: Train — Aurora's strongest Stage 2 map (2-1 with a deep T-side gimmick read).
- Aurora ban 2: Inferno — Vitality's most-comfortable veto-defence.
- Vitality ban 2: Nuke — Aurora's bootcamp-prep read into Nuke had not leaked at Stage 2 closing.
- Aurora pick: Mirage — Aurora's deepest CT-side read.
- Vitality pick: Ancient — ZywOo's strongest Stage 2 individual map.
- Decider: Mirage or Ancient — depending on map-1 momentum.
The maj3r vs ZywOo individual matchup
The headline individual matchup is maj3r against ZywOo on AWP. maj3r posted a 1.21 Stage 2 rating with strong opening-pick reads on Train and Mirage. ZywOo posted a 1.24 Stage 2 rating and Stage-2-MVP-tier numbers across Vitality's 3-0 path. The duel will carry the AWP-driven first-blood reads on Mirage and the decider.
The Champions schedule
QF1 Vitality-Aurora opens June 17 17:00 CEST. QF2 NAVI-Spirit follows June 17 21:00 CEST. QF3 MongolZ-paiN and QF4 MOUZ-Falcons run June 18. Semifinals June 19-20. Grand Final June 21 at 17:00 CEST.
