soulfly on Aurora Gaming’s advancement to the IEM Cologne Major 2026 playoffs: “Today is a really good day for me.”
Daniil Korzhuev
Aurora Gaming rifler Kaner “soulfly” Kesichi commented on the victory over 9z Team and the team’s advancement to the tournament playoffs in an interview at the IEM Cologne Major 2026.
On the match against 9z Team and advancing to the playoffs
Today, all my shots landed where they were supposed to, and all my ideas worked out. So I’m really happy that it all came together for me.
On his performance on Nuke in the match against 9z Team
They picked me specifically because I play Nuke very well, which is why I’m here. And today, I basically carried the team, even though usually they carry me on Nuke and on other maps too. But today is a really good day for me.
On 9z Team’s condition after the match against Team Spirit
They always have really strong shooting, but I don’t think they shot as well today as they did against Spirit. They’re tired, and I understand them. They’ve been playing since the second stage, late-stage matches, and it all takes a long time. Losing matches like this is emotionally very tough. But I think they handled it well, and we had a good plan too. So I’m really glad they played well today as well.
Earlier, Aurora Gaming defeated 9z Team 2-0 and finished the third stage of the IEM Cologne Major 2026 with a 3-1 record. Thus, Kaner “soulfly” Kesic’s team advanced to the tournament’s playoffs and will continue their fight for the championship title there.
Photo — Sophie Barrowclough, BLAST.
Daniil Korzhuev
