Falcons managed a solid win against GamerLegion in the opening round of IEM Cologne Stage 2, marking a promising start for Maxim “kyousuke” Lukin in tier-one play. The match showcased some tight moments, but the Falcons’ experience and key plays carried them through.
Slow Start on Nuke but Strong Finish
Falcons struggled initially on Nuke, trailing 5-3 after impressive multikills from Fredrik “REZ” Sterner for GamerLegion. However, a crucial pistol round win helped Falcons claw back. Kyousuke made a notable impact early on with a sharp 4k on the Ramp hold, helping his team take the lead. The second half remained competitive; GamerLegion’s force buys and Sebastian “Tauson” Tauson’s clutch plays kept them in the game, but the Falcons’ calmness in the final rounds secured a 13-11 victory.
Comfortable Control on Mirage
Mirage was a different story as Falcons quickly established dominance with a 6-0 lead, eventually taking the half 8-4. REZ kept GamerLegion somewhat close with an impressive 1vs3 clutch. Despite GamerLegion’s quick start on the T side, René “TeSeS” Madsen, now the B anchor, turned things around with four precise Deagle headshots to halt their push. Falcons closed the map at 13-6.
kyousuke Proves His Worth
Kyousuke’s debut in tier-one has drawn plenty of attention, and his performance justified the hype. On Nuke, he held Ramp on CT and played Outside on T, maintaining a 1.09 rating. But it was on Mirage where he truly stood out, playing Short with a 1.60 rating and delivering several multi-kills that helped Falcons secure the win.
NiKo joked in a post-match interview about the age gap, saying, “It’s a weird feeling I can call someone 11 years younger than me.” He also praised TeSeS for his sacrifices and mentioned appreciating the chance to focus more on lurks, supporting kyousuke’s aggressive style.
Match Highlights
- Falcons 2vs4 conversion
- GamerLegion second-round force
- Tauson 1vs2 keeps GL alive
- Kursy whiff costs GamerLegion the map
- REZ gets GL their first with 1vs3
- m0NESY 1vs2
Watching a new player step into the tier-one scene and hold their own is always interesting. Kyousuke’s calm and aggressive plays hint at potential for more interesting moments ahead. What do you think this means for Falcons’ future matches? Could kyousuke become a key figure in this roster? I’m Margarita, I love you all, and have a great day! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
