IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage 3 Day 1 Betting Predictions – Thursday, June 11

The final 16 remaining Counter-Strike 2 teams in Intel Extreme Masters Cologne Major 2026 will enter the third stage of the tournament on Thursday, June 11, giving esports fans eight exciting games to follow and bet on.

Esportbet brings you free betting previews and expert picks for Thursday’s games, along with esports odds courtesy of the best bookmakers for CS2 gamblers.

• 

  Fast Payouts

---

PARIVISION vs 9Z TEAM

Best Odds	PV -138.89 at BetOnline | 9z +100 at SportsBetting
When	June 11, 2026 | 11:00 CEST
Watch Live	Twitch

PARIVISION return to the arena this Thursday for the first time since May 22, when they played their last game at CS Asia Championships. 9z Team, on the other hand, enter Stage 3 of Cologne Major warmed up after fighting their way through Stage 2 with a 3-1 record.

In Stage 2, 9z beat FlyQuest, Astralis, and TYLOO, while their only loss came against the high-flying Team Spirit. That is not a bad record, although 9z have still not beaten any truly elite teams, so it is fair to say they remain relatively unproven.

• 

  The bookies' bookie

PARIVISION have shown high highs this season, with a silver medal from PGL Cluj-Napoca, a top-four finish at BLAST Open Spring, and a trophy from BLAST Bounty Winter. That explains why the top CS2 betting sites have them listed as favourites for this match, but PARIVISION have slowed down significantly over the last two months.

This match looks closer to a coin flip than anything else. Considering 9z’s current form and match sharpness, they are an appealing bet at even money.

---

THE MONGOLZ vs BETBOOM TEAM

Best Odds	MongolZ -138.89 at BetOnline | BB +100 at SportsBetting
When	June 11, 2026 | 11:00 CEST
Watch Live	Twitch

The MongolZ have been away from action for over two weeks, having made their last appearance at CS Asia Championships. Even there, they failed to show anything especially memorable, continuing a streak of middling results.

BetBoom Team, meanwhile, have made their way through the first two stages of the Major, beating Gaimin Gladiators, Team Liquid, GamerLegion twice, M80, and Monte. Admittedly, The MongolZ should present a tougher challenge than any of those teams, but BB Team look well-prepared to take this step.

BetBoom Team have been playing well in Germany, where they have demonstrated a solid map pool and strong firepower. The MongolZ can match them in the map pool department, but being slightly rusty, there is a world where the Mongolian squad are not ready to deal with Kirill “Magnojez” Rodnov and Timur “FL4MUS” Maryev.

BB Team winning would not be a major upset, especially given how sharp they have looked across the opening stages.

---

MOUZ vs LEGACY

Best Odds	MOUZ -163.93 at BetOnline | Legacy +120 at SportsBetting
When	June 11, 2026 | 13:30 CEST
Watch Live	Twitch

MOUZ are expected to handle Legacy on Thursday, and that does not sound unreasonable. However, there are a few things to consider before backing the favourites at a short price.

MOUZ have recently welcomed back Ludvig “Brollan” Brolin, who had been away since mid-April, and they already struggled against Legacy earlier this season.

Legacy have also been ramping up ahead of the Major, finishing third at IEM Atlanta before winning CS Asia Championships 2026.

On paper, MOUZ are stronger, and if they can play at 100%, they should come out ahead. But Legacy are no pushovers, and their map pool gives confidence that the Brazilian lineup can keep this one close.

---

TEAM VITALITY vs FUT ESPORTS

Best Odds	VIT -714.29 at BetOnline | FUT +400 at SportsBetting
When	June 11, 2026 | 13:30 CEST
Watch Live	Twitch

The clash between Team Vitality and FUT Esports is viewed as the most one-sided game of the opening round of Stage 3. That is mainly because Team Vitality have been the most dominant CS2 team of the last year and are rightly given plenty of respect.

However, FUT Esports are no pushovers. They had an excellent run through IEM Cologne Major Stage 2, and as shown earlier this season, they are more than capable of punching up.

At the end of April, FUT forced Vitality to three maps, and they have shown strong form this week by beating B8, TYLOO, and G2 Esports.

FUT Esports’ momentum, combined with the fact that Vitality have not played a game in nearly a month, gives hope that FUT can surprise. It is a longshot bet, but FUT Esports at +400 to upset is worth a stab.

---

TEAM FALCONS vs G2 ESPORTS

Best Odds	Falcons -250 at BetOnline | G2 +175 at SportsBetting
When	June 11, 2026 | 16:00 CEST
Watch Live	Twitch

G2 Esports qualified for the third stage of the Major with a 3-1 run in Stage 2, which included a 1-2 loss against FUT Esports and victories against M80, Monte, and BIG.

While going 3-1 looks promising on the surface, G2 Esports have looked very shaky, and considering the level of opponents they have faced, that is a concern.

Team Falcons are known for slow starts, and the two-week break they have had does not help their cause. However, since the arrival of Finn “karrigan” Andersen, the Falcons have looked more stable and consistent.

That makes it hard to doubt Falcons or their chances of defeating a shaky G2 Esports. Falcons should be able to take care of business and cover the handicap.

---

FURIA vs B8

Best Odds	FURIA -357.14 at BetOnline | B8 +250 at SportsBetting
When	June 11, 2026 | 16:00 CEST
Watch Live	Twitch

While the clash between FUT Esports and Team Vitality is billed as the most one-sided match of the opening round, there are arguments to be made that this game deserves that tag.

That is not necessarily because FURIA are that good, but rather because B8 have been fortunate to make it this far in the Major after showing some sketchy performances across the first two stages.

FURIA have their own wrinkles, and they have not amazed anyone with their performances at BLAST Rivals Spring or PGL Astana. However, they are still a tier-one team going against B8, who have recently struggled against the likes of GamerLegion, MIBR, and BIG.

FURIA are the stronger side and should have enough quality to make this a clean win.

---

AURORA GAMING vs MONTE

Best Odds	Aurora -200 at BetOnline | Monte +150 at SportsBetting
When	June 11, 2026 | 18:30 CEST
Watch Live	Twitch

Aurora Gaming made a splash in March, when they won silver at ESL Pro League Season 23 and reached the semifinals of BLAST Open Spring. Since then, they have been relatively quiet in bigger events, with top-eight finishes at IEM Rio and PGL Astana.

Those mediocre results inspire little confidence that Aurora Gaming can make it far in Cologne, and considering they have been away from action for nearly a month, it is fair to question how well they will do in the first round of Stage 3.

Monte have exceeded expectations by making it this far at the Major, and they fared well in Stage 2, beating BIG, paiN Gaming, and Legacy.

Monte even took a map from the in-form BetBoom Team, which is proof enough that they can dance with strong teams. Aurora have accomplished more this season, but they are rusty. Monte, on the other hand, are in good form and capable of causing an upset.

---

NATUS VINCERE vs TEAM SPIRIT

Best Odds	NAVI +137 at BetOnline | Spirit -188.68 at SportsBetting
When	June 11, 2026 | 18:30 CEST
Watch Live	Twitch

The final game of the day is also the most exciting one, as two of the world’s strongest teams clash for the second time this season.

Team Spirit won the last meeting in February, and they are expected to shine again. That comes as no surprise considering how good Spirit have been recently.

Spirit dominated PGL Astana in May, and in Stage 2 of the Major, they ran over BetBoom Team, MIBR, and 9z Team, dropping just 10 rounds across four maps.

Yet NAVI are a much tougher opponent than anything Spirit have faced at this event and are one of the more in-form teams in the scene. Natus Vincere enter the Major off a title run at IEM Atlanta, which they added to a solid grand final run at BLAST Rivals Spring at the start of May.

While Natus Vincere, unlike Spirit, are not warmed up, the +137 price is too tempting to pass on. Team Spirit are great, but they should not be this big of a favourite against NAVI.