FaZe will be missing out on the IEM Cologne Major after falling at the final hurdle of their last-ditch qualification campaign, faltering to BIG 1-2 in the grand final of HLC Belgrade PRO. With this result, SINNERS will lay claim to the final spot up for grabs at the German Major.
This result marks the end of an arduous Major qualification attempt for FaZe , who have struggled throughout the year to accrue Valve Regional Standings (VRS) points in their various tier-one outings. FaZe failed to clinch their Major spot at DraculaN Season 6 after departing the Romanian event in 9-12th place, forcing them to sign up for HLC Belgrade PRO while forfeiting their first two games of PGL Bucharest in one final attempt to qualify for the Major.
With no margin for error, FaZe marched through the group stage and most of the playoffs of the Serbian event with ease. It took until the grand final for FaZe to face their first notable opposition in the form of BIG ; FaZe got off to a good start as Finn "karrigan" Andersen posted his third-highest career rating (2.32) on the first map of Dust2, but a narrow loss 11-13 loss on Overpass gave way to a lopsided 3-13 Anubis defeat, putting an unceremonious end to FaZe 's Major dreams.
With FaZe now out of the running ahead of the April 6 invitation deadline, SINNERS , who recently hoisted the title at BC Game Masters Championship Season 1, have secured their first Major berth in the organization's history.
The projected Cologne Major invites from Europe look as follows: