MOUZ and Spirit Advance to IEM Kraków Semifinals as CS2's Elite Battle for Championship Glory

The Intel Extreme Masters Kraków 2026 playoffs have delivered high-octane Counter-Strike 2 action as MOUZ and Team Spirit advanced to the semifinals scheduled for Friday, February 7. In a surprising quarterfinal result, MOUZ defeated tournament favorites G2 Esports with a commanding 2-0 sweep, controlling crucial moments on both Overpass and Dust2 to book their place in the final four. The German-Danish organization will now face French powerhouse Team Vitality in the second semifinal at 7:00 p.m. CET.

MOUZ's victory over G2 represents one of the biggest upsets of the tournament thus far, as G2 entered the playoffs as one of the heavy favorites to lift the trophy. The German squad's tactical discipline and clutch plays in key rounds proved the difference, with their star players stepping up when it mattered most. The win continues MOUZ's impressive form throughout the tournament and establishes them as legitimate contenders to win their first major championship of 2026. Their semifinal clash against Vitality promises to be a tactical chess match between two of Europe's most cerebral teams.

In the other semifinal matchup, Brazilian squad FURIA will take on Team Spirit at 3:45 p.m. CET after both teams navigated their respective quarterfinal battles. FURIA advanced with a clinical 2-0 sweep of Aurora, with star player KSCERATO delivering one of the strongest individual performances of the entire tournament. His dominant fragging and game sense proved too much for the Aurora lineup to handle, as FURIA controlled the tempo of both maps from start to finish. The Brazilian side has looked increasingly dangerous as the tournament has progressed, finding their rhythm at precisely the right moment.

The semifinal stage marks a significant milestone for IEM Kraków, which is hosting the prestigious Intel Extreme Masters championship for the first time. Traditionally held in nearby Katowice, the tournament's relocation to Kraków has brought fresh energy and a new venue to Counter-Strike's most storied circuit. The tournament has already seen several major upsets, with former champions NAVI, FaZe Clan, and Astralis all eliminated during the group stage, opening the door for new champions to emerge.

The playoff atmosphere in Kraków has been electric, with Polish fans packing the arena to witness some of the best Counter-Strike 2 gameplay the competitive scene has to offer. The $250,000 prize pool and crucial circuit points have raised the stakes considerably, with each remaining team knowing that victory would provide massive momentum heading into the rest of the competitive season. Friday's semifinals will determine which two teams advance to Sunday's grand final, where a champion will be crowned and cement their place in CS2 history.

The winners of Friday's semifinals will meet on Sunday, February 8, in the grand final, with the champion taking home the lion's share of the prize pool and valuable ESL Pro Tour points. For organizations like MOUZ and FURIA, who have often played second fiddle to more established powerhouses, the opportunity to claim a prestigious IEM championship represents a chance to announce themselves as the new elite of Counter-Strike 2.