World number one Team Vitality faces off against world number two FURIA in the Grand Final of IEM Krakow 2026, a best-of-five (Bo5) showdown for $400,000 in prize money and massive Valve Regional Standings (VRS) points.
Path to the Grand Final
Vitality has been untouchable, marching through the bracket without dropping a single map. Their dominant run includes 2-0 sweeps over BC.Game, 3DMAX, Aurora, and MOUZ in the semifinals (Nuke 13-7, Dust2 13-6).
FURIA, meanwhile, grinded through the lower bracket with grit, securing a thrilling 2-1 upset over Team Spirit in the semis to reach their first major final since 2022.
Team Rosters
Team Vitality
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| apEX | IGL/Support |
| ropz | Rifler |
| ZywOo | Star Rifler |
| flameZ | Rifler |
| mezii | Rifler |
FURIA
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| FalleN | IGL |
| yuurih | Rifler |
| KSCERATO | Rifler |
| YEKINDAR | Rifler |
| molodoy | AWPer |
Vitality's coach XTQZZZ has masterminded their flawless playoff run, while FURIA's revamped lineup with YEKINDAR and molodoy has sparked a resurgence.
Key Players to Watch
- ZywOo (Vitality): The French superstar boasts a 1.33 rating over the past three months, with 85.8 ADR and elite multi-kill prowess. He's the heavy favorite for MVP.
- KSCERATO (FURIA): Anchoring the Brazilians at 1.16 rating, 77.4 ADR, and strong KAST (75.6%).
- molodoy (FURIA): The young AWPer has been a revelation, shining in clutch moments against Spirit.
Head-to-Head Record
Vitality holds a slight edge overall (8-6 series wins), but FURIA claimed the most recent Bo3 2-1 at BLAST Rivals 2025 Season 2 (Inferno 13-5, Overpass 13-16, Nuke 13-11). In Bo5s, FalleN's experience gives FURIA an edge in long series.
Betting Odds & Community Picks
HLTV community slightly favors FURIA at 52.6% win probability, but markets like Polymarket list Vitality at 67%. Odds vary, with Vitality often around -150 across sites.
Prediction
Vitality's map dominance and ZywOo's peak form make them the pick, but FURIA's aggression and lower-bracket momentum could force overtimes. Vitality wins 3-2. Expect Nuke, Inferno, and Anubis to be battlegrounds.
How to Watch: Livestream Details
- Start Time: February 8, 2026, at 17:00 CET (16:00 UTC / 11:00 ET / 08:00 PT).
Official Streams
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| Twitch | twitch.tv/ESLCS |
| YouTube | ESL CS2 YouTube |
Tune in for English commentary, with regional broadcasts available. Follow live updates on HLTV.org or X (formerly Twitter) with #IEMKrakow2026.