Mauisnake: “Team Falcons’ performance throughout the entire IEM Cologne Major 2026 was amazing.”
Analysts Alexander “kassad” Trifunović, Alex “Mauisnake” Ellenberg, and Duncan “Thorin” Shields discussed Team Falcons’ recent success at the IEM Cologne Major 2026 in the latest episode of the Hot Take Point Made podcast, and also speculated on how Finn “karrigan” Andersen might have influenced the team.
On Team Falcons and FaZe Clan
Mauisnake: Team Falcons’ performance throughout the IEM Cologne Major 2026 was incredible. karrigan managed to pull it off even though his individual stats were poor, and for a long time, the team gave the impression that they would never win. We also need to consider the fact that karrigan had been struggling just shortly before that. He was on a team that performed so poorly it failed to qualify for the Major. So, considering the level of CS that FaZe Clan displayed last season under karrigan’s leadership, as well as the fact that Team Falcons simply couldn’t get results, it was hard to imagine that the Falcons would be capable of such an outstanding performance.
On the secret to success and karrigan’s influence
Mauisnake: I’ve been thinking about how self-confidence and the mental aspect influence Counter-Strike. Shouldn’t the best tactics just work? But no, in reality, things are different. In fact, you need good strategies, excellent players, and a cohesive team. ...> I think that’s exactly what karrigan brought to Team Falcons. He created a different atmosphere. For example, I’ve never seen kyousuke smile so much. Even NiKo didn’t always have a serious expression on his face.
On a possible replacement for karrigan on Team Falcons
Thorin: I’d like to ask you a question, kassad, so you don’t stray off topic—I just need to clarify your position. Could you, in theory, imagine another IGL on Team Falcons who’s capable of leading the team to the same great result [at the IEM Cologne Major 2026. — Ed.]?
kassad: Are we talking about the same individual skill level among the players?
Thorin: You can pick anyone. Could you imagine someone else as captain of Team Falcons instead of karrigan, who could lead the team to the same result?
kassad: Yeah, probably.
Thorin: Who?
kassad: Aleksib, maybe—I don’t know. Aleksib.
Team Falcons took first place at the IEM Cologne Major 2026, which took place from June 2 to 21 in Cologne, Germany. In the grand final, the team defeated FURIA 3–0 in a best-of-five series and earned $500,000 in prize money.
Photo: PGL.
