TeSeS on Team Falcons’ victory at the IEM Cologne Major 2026: “It was destined to happen.”
Dan Kleiman
Team Falcons CS2 midlaner René “TeSeS” Madsen, in an interview at the IEM Cologne Major 2026, shared his emotions after winning the championship, spoke about the team’s captain, Finn “karrigan” Andersen, and recounted his challenging journey to claiming the title.
On his feelings after winning the event
What the hell is going on? I’ve even lost my voice! Oh my God, I knew this would happen from the very beginning. I told everyone in the media that we’d finish in second place, but I kept telling the team—and especially NiKo—throughout the entire tournament that now was the time and that we would win. It was destined to happen; I just knew it, that’s all.
About karrigan
I think everything worked out for us this time precisely because of karrigan. Right after the very first tournament we played with him, when he joined the team, I immediately knew we’d win the Major trophy. I don’t know why—it’s just so typical of him and completely his style.
On My Path to the Championship
I started my career quite a while ago and spent most of my time at HEROIC with the Danish roster, where we tried our best for five years but never managed to achieve success. We lost in the Major final in Rio, and that was definitely one of the hardest moments of my life. That night, I promised myself that if I ever made it to a tournament’s grand final again, I would never lose. I didn’t do anything special to secure the win today, but my teammates—yes, they shone brighter than ever before. I’m very happy for myself and for everyone else, and I’m incredibly proud of them.
Yesterday, Team Falcons defeated FURIA at the IEM Cologne Major 2026 with a score of 3–0 in a best-of-five series and became the tournament champions. Rene “TeSeS” Madsen’s team earned $500,000 in prize money for first place. For the Dane, this was the second Major final of his career; he lost the previous one.
Dan Kleiman
