“NiKo is the best rifler in CS history”: talents react to Team Falcons’ victory at the IEM Cologne Major 2026
Alexey Mikhailov
Counter-Strike 2 analysts and commentators posted on their personal social media pages on X, commenting on Team Falcons’ victory in the IEM Cologne Major 2026 final.
Analyst Alex “Mauisnake” Ellenberg highlighted Nikola “NiKo” Kovac’s exceptional performance in the Major’s decisive match:
NiKo reunited with karrigan and displayed an impressive level of CS in the final. It’s truly a wonderful sight—a great player has finally lifted the Major trophy, and his team defeated all the world’s top teams along the way.
Host James “BanKs” Banks noted the impressive performance of the entire Team Falcons roster at the IEM Cologne Major 2026:
The Falcons achieved greatness by operating as a single, well-oiled machine. NiKo has finally become a Major champion. Beside him are tournament MVP m0NESY and kyousuke, who lived up to all expectations. TeSeS also made an incredible contribution to the team’s victory. And all of this was made possible by the best captain—karrigan!
Analyst Duncan “Thorin” Shields reflected on NiKo’s journey to Major victory:
NiKo is the best rifler in CS history, regardless of the number of trophies. What makes his Major victory so impressive is that he stepped away from his usual roles, went through a tough adjustment period, and achieved this victory on his own.
Never give up! Fight until the very end.
For his part, Dustin “dusT” Moore praised the Team Falcons players:
An incredible story for the Falcons.
m0NESY and kyousuke were the stars of the IEM Cologne Major playoffs. However, NiKo wasn’t the team’s anchor on the path to the trophy—he posted the highest rating in the Grand Final. The unassuming TeSeS is the team’s true hero. As for karrigan, he is the greatest captain in history.
Commentator Alex “Hawka” Hawkins was blown away by the story of Finn “karrigan” Andersen:
karrigan’s story is incredible—it’s hard to believe.
At first, he didn’t even qualify for the Major. Back then, absolutely everyone said that karrigan wasn’t good enough. However, at the last minute, he was invited to join a team led by the very person he had lost to in the Major final eight years ago.
karrigan returned to the top of CS and proved that all the haters were wrong.
Analyst Jacob “Pimp” Winneke congratulated Team Falcons on their victory and highlighted Danny “zonic” Sorensen’s outstanding achievement as a coach:
NiKo finally won his first Major, putting on a stunning performance in the Grand Final. It took karrigan just two months to lead the Falcons to the Major title. Congratulations to the entire team, and especially to TeSeS—these guys deserve this trophy.
zonic has won six Majors with three different teams. Take that information as you will.
Yesterday, Team Falcons defeated FURIA in the final of the IEM Cologne Major 2026 with a 3-0 map score. The team received $500,000 in prize money for winning the tournament. Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov was named MVP of the Major.
Alexey Mikhailov
