Team Vitality and Aurora Gaming have secured their spots in the IEM Kraków 2026 playoffs after achieving wins in the Group B upper bracket.
These two teams triumphed over 3DMAX and MOUZ, respectively, which qualified them for the upper bracket final, assuring them a position among the top six contenders and an opportunity to compete within the TAURON Arena.
Team Vitality Upholds Its Undefeated Streak
After vanquishing BC.Game with a decisive 2-0 victory, the current Major title holders confronted a 3DMAX squad, which is actively leading the renewed prominence of an entirely French roster on the global competitive circuit.
Even though 3DMAX showed initial resistance, Team Vitality decisively overcame their adversary with a commanding 13-6 win on Inferno, spearheaded by Shahar ‘flameZ‘ Shushan’s 21 eliminations. Dust II saw Team Vitality demonstrate its offensive capabilities, securing nine out of a possible twelve rounds in the initial segment.
3DMAX succeeded in accumulating three offensive rounds themselves during the second half, yet Team Vitality’s defensive strategy proved resilient for four rounds, culminating in a 13-6 win and another clean 2-0 series victory.
This outcome extends Team Vitality’s formidable performance in the Kraków tournament. The French esports entity has not surrendered a single map throughout its initial pair of contests.
Aurora Gaming Advances to the Playoff Stage
Subsequent to not qualifying for Stage 3 of the Budapest Major, Aurora Gaming’s choice to recruit Caner ‘soulfly‘ Kesici has yielded positive results, as the Turkish contingent has now secured a spot in its initial playoffs since their triumph at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025.
Aurora Gaming and MOUZ were evenly matched during the opening half of Dust II, until Aurora’s defensive play in the latter half became crucial in stopping one of 2025’s most reliable teams. Engin ‘MAJER‘ Küpeli’s 17 eliminations spearheaded the effort, leading to a 13-7 win and an early advantage in the best-of-three series.
Aurora Gaming’s defensive strategy remained paramount on Inferno, resulting in an 8-4 lead by the halfway mark. Despite a late rally from MOUZ, the Turkish offensive sustained its momentum, piercing through their defenses to conclude the map with a 13-9 score and finalize the 2-0 triumph.
The IEM Kraków 2026 Playoff Stage
Team Vitality and Aurora Gaming now join G2 Esports and Team Spirit in the IEM Kraków 2026 playoffs, with two additional teams yet to qualify as the Group Stage concludes.
Team Vitality and Aurora Gaming are set to compete against each other in the Group B upper bracket final, a match that will determine which squad advances into the playoffs with a superior seeding. The team earning the top seed will commence its playoff run directly in the semi-finals, whereas the second-place finisher will start in the quarter-finals.
Spectators have the option to watch the remaining Group Stage contests on ESL’s Twitch and YouTube platforms.
This article, discussing Team Vitality and Aurora Gaming’s qualification for the IEM Krakow playoffs, originally appeared on Esports Insider.
