Vitality vs Falcons in the Quarters

The bracket has not been kind. Vitality and Falcons will face each other in the quarter-finals of IEM Cologne, and that means one of the tournament's strongest sides is out before the final four.

This is the kind of draw that would normally only happen in a semi-final or final. Both teams came into Cologne as genuine trophy contenders, and now one of them will be watching the semis from home. It is a brutal outcome for either side regardless of how the match goes.

Falcons made it out of Stage 3 in style, beating NaVi in a tense double overtime on the final map. Vitality had a rougher path but got the job done. On paper this is as even a match as you will see at this event, which makes it all the more painful that it is happening in the quarters.

Whoever wins goes through. Whoever loses goes home. No second chances at this stage.