The IEM Krakow playoffs present the sharpest Pick'ems test of the event. With six teams remaining and a single elimination bracket feeding into the semi-finals, there is no margin for sloppy reads. Fewer matches mean fewer chances to recover from a -1, and every incorrect team or player decision carries outsized weight.

Stage 2 clarified one key truth. Structure beats reputation. Teams that could navigate pressure, manage map vetoes, and stabilize economy under stress advanced. That context should guide every GoCore Pick'ems decision in the playoffs.

Spirit and Vitality enter directly into the semi-finals, and that advantage cannot be overstated. While they will play fewer maps than quarter-final teams, both compensate with extremely high reliability. Spirit's CT sides remain the most disciplined in the tournament. Their ability to shut down T side momentum, avoid anti-eco disasters, and close late rounds makes them the safest structural anchor in the entire bracket.

Vitality mirror that stability. Even in their loss to Aurora, individual output remained strong across the server. ZywOo continues to deliver impact on both sides of the map regardless of opponent or veto. From a Pick'ems standpoint, Vitality are not about chasing explosive upside. They are about minimizing downside and protecting consistency.

Quarter-Final Breakdown: Key CS2 Tournaments Matchups

FURIA vs Aurora

This is the most volatile series in the bracket and the most important decision point for Pick'ems players. Aurora arrive with momentum after beating Falcons and MOUZ and pushing Vitality into a competitive series. Their structure has improved significantly, and MAJ3R's calling has translated into long, fantasy friendly maps with high round counts.

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FURIA, however, arrive forged by pressure. Their lower bracket run forced them into repeated elimination scenarios, exposing weaknesses in their T sides but also increasing their resilience. FURIA's ceiling remains higher, especially if their riflers find early confidence and control opening duels.

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Pick'ems read: Aurora are the cleaner form team, but FURIA's experience in playoff pressure gives them a slight edge in a tight series.

Prediction: FURIA advance 2-1

G2 vs MOUZ

This quarter-final is about consistency rather than fireworks. G2's run through Krakow has been steady from Stage 1 onward, capped by a narrow loss to Spirit that showed they can compete with the tournament favorite. They rarely collapse outright and tend to trade maps even against superior opposition.

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MOUZ have advanced through resilience rather than dominance. Their recovery against Falcons showcased strong late-round decision making and mental stability after early setbacks. However, their slow starts continue to create unnecessary pressure.

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Pick'ems read: MOUZ benefit from potential series length, but G2 are more reliable at closing maps when ahead.

Prediction: G2 advance 2-0 or 2-1 depending on vetoes

Semi-Final CS2 Predictions: Spirit and Vitality Advance

Spirit vs FURIA

This matchup heavily favors Spirit from a structural perspective. Spirit's CT setups directly punish FURIA's occasional T side indecision, and their late-round discipline limits the swing rounds FURIA rely on to build momentum.

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Pick'ems read: Spirit offer the safest advancement pick remaining in the bracket.

Prediction: Spirit advance to the Grand Final

Vitality vs G2

This series is closer on paper than Spirit vs FURIA, but Vitality maintain the edge through individual reliability. G2 can push maps deep, but Vitality's ability to convert pistols and stabilize economy gives them a consistent advantage across a best of three.

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Pick'ems read: Expect competitive maps, but Vitality remain the safer Pick'ems anchor.

Prediction: Vitality advance to the Grand Final

Grand Final Forecast

Spirit vs Vitality

This is the final most Pick'ems players anticipated once Stage 2 concluded. Spirit bring superior structure and map control. Vitality bring unmatched individual output through ZywOo and strong mid-round adaptation. Over a best of five, depth and discipline matter more than explosive starts.

Spirit's consistency across CT sides, their ability to deny comeback windows, and their calm in extended series give them the edge in a marathon final.

Prediction: Spirit win IEM Krakow 2026

Pick'ems Strategy: Trusting the Best CS2 Players

The playoffs are not about perfect brackets. They are about limiting damage. Spirit and Vitality should anchor conservative GoCore Pick'ems cards. One calculated risk in the quarter-finals is sufficient to gain leaderboard ground without sacrificing consistency.

Build for survival. Trust form and map pools over name value. Let others overreach.

Choose battles wisely.

TL;DR

• Playoffs amplify every Pick'ems mistake
• Spirit and Vitality are the strongest structural anchors
• FURIA vs Aurora is the highest variance series
• G2 offer consistency, MOUZ offer map volume
• Spirit are the projected champions