In a thrilling upset at the Intel Extreme Masters Cologne Major 2026, 9z Team defied expectations by defeating higher-ranked Team Vitality with a close 2:1 series victory. The match saw momentum swing back and forth, starting with a dominant 13:4 Inferno win for Team Vitality. 9z Team rallied to secure Mirage 13:9 before clinching the decisive map Dust2 with a tense 13:11 scoreline. Despite a strong performance from Vitality's flameZ who achieved an impressive 1.31 rating and 46-38 K-D, 9z Team ultimately emerged victorious.