Hackerman
IEM Cologne Major 2026: The Battle of the Uncs
Tonight's Cologne Major Grand Final is not just FURIA vs Falcons. It is karrigan vs FalleN. Two legends, aged 35 and 36, on the biggest stage of their careers. Pure cinema.
I have been watching Counter-Strike for a long time. And I can tell you right now, tonight's grand final is one of the most special matchups I have ever seen set up in this game.
Grand Final — IEM Cologne Major 2026
FalconsTwo veterans. One trophy.
On one side you have karrigan. 36 years old. Five Major finals in his career, one title. He left FaZe, joined Falcons, and in sixty days he has built a team that is now standing in the Cologne final. On the other side of the server you have FalleN. 35 years old. Two Major titles already. And this one, if he wins it, would be his third — and almost certainly his last. FalleN has already announced he is retiring from professional CS at the end of this year.
The internet has been calling them the Uncs all week. I fully support this. These are not the young prodigies. These are the guys who have been around so long they have become part of the furniture of the game. And yet here they are, in a Major grand final, both playing some of the best CS of their lives.
What is at stake
If karrigan wins tonight it is his second Major title. But the story that makes it hit even harder is NiKo. karrigan reunited with his old teammate at Falcons, and NiKo has won everything in this game except a Major. Every. Single. Thing. If Falcons win tonight, NiKo finally gets that title. That alone is a storyline worth watching the whole match for.
If FalleN wins tonight it is his third Major, and the curtain call of a career that has meant everything to Brazilian CS. He built the scene. He carried the scene. And he would get to walk off with one final piece of gold before he goes.
My take
I think FURIA take this home. They looked the most composed team all tournament and FalleN has that hunger that only comes when you know the clock is running out on your career. But honestly? Either result is going to feel massive. This is the kind of grand final Counter-Strike only produces once in a long while. Sit down at 17:00 tonight and do not move.
Absolute cinema. See you in Cologne.
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