Spirit made Stage 3 look inevitable, finishing Stage 2 with a flawless run after a one-sided 2-0 win over 9z that secured their place in the next phase. The Russian lineup, riding momentum from a PGL Astana title, surrendered just 10 rounds across four maps during this stretch and left no doubt they belong among the favorites.
Quick scoreboard
| Date | Event | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 06/06/2026 | IEM Cologne Major Stage 2 — Spirit vs BetBoom | 13 : 5 |
| 06/06/2026 | IEM Cologne Major Stage 2 — Spirit vs MIBR | 13 : 1 |
| 07/06/2026 | IEM Cologne Major Stage 2 — Spirit vs 9z | 2 : 0 |
Match notes and stats
donk carried this run like a locomotive. On Spirit’s Mirage pick he produced six multikills, 150.3 ADR, a 17-8 K/D and a +9.41% Swing during the first half, helping build a 9-3 lead that crushed 9z early. On CT rounds that closed the map he went 8 kills and 1 death across the final four rounds, finishing Mirage without mercy.
The follow-up on Nuke was even nastier. donk posted 100% KAST, 144.9 ADR, a 23-7 K/D and a +18.34% Swing, earning a 2.76 map rating — his second-highest LAN map rating and third-best of his career. That kind of output turned a routine Stage 2 outing into a statement.
- Team efficiency: Spirit lost just 10 rounds across four maps vs BetBoom, MIBR and 9z.
- Mirage highlights: donk 150.3 ADR, 17-8 K/D, six multikills.
- Nuke highlights: donk 144.9 ADR, 23-7 K/D, 100% KAST, 2.76 map rating.
- Recent form: Spirit arrived here off a PGL Astana title and showed no rust.
Key moments
Beyond donk’s numbers, a few rounds defined the match tempo. sh1ro and zont1x combined in a 2v4 that swung momentum back after a tight exchange, while meyern’s 3k could not stop Spirit converting a 2v5 the next round. dgt staged a late clutch for 9z, denying tn1r’s 1v4, but those flashes were too little against Spirit’s engine.
Spirit looked like a team that has matched roster stability with peak individual form. Boris magixx’s tactics kept opponents guessing and the roster depth allowed aggressive CT rotations that suffocated site takes before they could get rolling.
What this means for Stage 3
Advancing early gives Spirit breathing room to scout opponents and set a strategic tempo. Their Stage 2 dominance pushes betting markets and line-makers to react fast, and sites tracking odds have been quick to update after the performance. If you follow markets, expect updates on platforms such as best CS2 gambling sites as odds compress around Spirit’s favor.
Stage 3 will be tougher — teams like Vitality, Natus Vincere and Falcons await — but Spirit’s four-map stretch, with only 10 rounds conceded and donk at peak form, makes them a legitimate threat heading into the next bracket.
Bottom line
Spirit did not just win, they dominated. The numbers are blunt: clean scorelines, staggering ADR and K/D from donk, and tactical discipline across the roster. Stage 3 just gained one of the hottest teams in the tournament.