Thursday’s Cologne Major playoff slate features FURIA vs 9z and BetBoom vs Aurora, with CS2 odds, tips and expert predictions.
IEM Cologne Major 2026 Quarterfinals Betting Tips – Thursday, June 18
Intel Extreme Masters Cologne Major 2026 playoffs kick off on Thursday, June 18, with the first two quarterfinal fixtures. The day begins with FURIA clashing with the high-flying 9z Team, followed by a meeting between BetBoom Team and Aurora Gaming.
Esportbet brings you free Counter-Strike 2 previews and betting picks for the two games, along with odds courtesy of the best esports bookmakers for CS2 fans.
FURIA vs 9Z TEAM
9z Team will look to continue their miracle run on Thursday, when they clash with the in-form FURIA, who the top-rated bookmakers have listed as firm -400 favourites.
Seeing FURIA billed as the team to beat comes as no surprise, as they are far more experienced in LAN events, having attended seven events since the turn of the year. However, they have not found much success since February, with just one top-four finish at Intel Extreme Masters Rio.
In Cologne, FURIA have looked good, although their 3-0 run in Stage 3 is not viewed as a massive success, as they only had to defeat B8, MOUZ, and BetBoom Team.
Meanwhile, 9z Team ended the second stage with a 3-2 record. That run included a 2-1 victory against Team Vitality and a competitive loss against Team Spirit, which is more than enough to prove they belong in the playoff conversation.
9z Team have proven their worth and are a pleasant surprise at this Major. However, the lack of experience could become a problem once the tournament transitions to the big stage, especially against a FURIA lineup that have been here many times before.
While 9z can bite, FURIA are the more experienced team with a higher ceiling. They should have enough to win cleanly.
FURIA -1.5 maps
BETBOOM TEAM vs AURORA GAMING
| Best Odds | BB Team +110 at BetOnline | Aurora -151.52 at Bovada |
| When | June 18, 2026 | 15:00 CEST |
| Watch Live | Twitch |
BetBoom Team have made quite a run in Cologne, fighting their way through all three stages and dropping just three games in the process.
They started to show cracks in Stage 3, namely against stronger opponents in FURIA and Team Vitality, but BB Team still looked excellent in their wins against The MongolZ, Team Falcons, and FUT Esports.
Aurora Gaming made it through Stage 3 of the IEM Cologne Major with just one defeat against Team Spirit. They also handled Monte, G2 Esports, and 9z Team with relative ease, proving they are just as potent as they have looked throughout the season.
The problem with Aurora Gaming is not a lack of quality or firepower. Rather, they have become known as a team that can stumble in the playoffs, with some reports suggesting they even sought professional help to work through the mental block.
That might help Aurora avoid another disaster in Germany, but until proven otherwise, they remain a hard sell in a playoff match.
BetBoom Team have shown great things this tournament and have enough firepower to match Aurora. At plus money, they are worth a bet.
BetBoom Team to win
Mark Prezelj
Esports Betting Analyst
Mark Prezelj is a Slovenian esports betting analyst with over 3,500 articles at EsportBet and the founder of Lines64.com — someone who has been reading odds longer than most readers have been watching esports.
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