Analyst Duncan "Thorin" Shields analyzed Team Spirit's chances at IEM Cologne Major 2026 in Counter-Strike 2 and concluded that the team could very well take the trophy. The main condition is to maintain the form with which the team passed PGL Astana 2026.
The expert specifically highlighted the dynamics within the roster and the players' roles in the attack:
— ThorinSpirit showed very confident play at PGL Astana 2026. They did not lose a single series and only dropped one map throughout the tournament. Donk had an amazing tournament and demonstrated phenomenal play, especially in the attack. But the key factor is tN1R. He doesn't need to deliver a high rating in every game, but when he turns it on, their trio with donk and sh1ro delivers enough frags for victories. And magixx and zont1x simply maintain the team balance.
According to Shields, the Russians unexpectedly became one of the main contenders for the title:
— ThorinAnd suddenly Spirit looks like they could go and win this major. If this isn't the team you think will win the tournament, then they will definitely finish at least top-3 or top-4. This team will go far, at least to the semifinals, and maybe even to the finals. And if Spirit reaches that stage, then donk could theoretically bring them victory in any series due to his gameplay.
Team Spirit's season start was not successful: in the first three months of 2026, the team did not win a single tournament and therefore enters the major only from the second stage. By summer, the situation changed – the team took silver at IEM Rio 2026 and won at PGL Astana 2026.
IEM Cologne Major 2026 will take place from June 2 to June 21 in Germany, with a prize pool of 1.25 million dollars. After the tournament, the professional scene will take a traditional summer break.
