FaveN open to 10-year deal as BIG wins at IEM Cologne

Josef “faveN” Baumann returned to German team BIG in January and expressed willingness to sign a 10-year contract after the squad followed up a Stage 1 comeback with wins over paiN and MIBR at the IEM Cologne Major. The results put BIG at 2–1 in the Swiss stage of the event in Cologne.

FaveN first joined BIG at the end of 2021. He was benched late in 2023, spent time with BLEED and 9INE, and rejoined BIG this January. He said the return to a German organization reduced stress, helped him support his family and allowed him to focus on Counter-Strike.

The team carried momentum from a late Stage 1 recovery into Stage 2 matches in Cologne. FaveN highlighted immediate chemistry with teammate Benjamin “blameF” Bremer and credited head coach Sebastian “xenn” Hoch for structured team work during bootcamps. He described bootcamp activities such as playing FACEIT together and group runs as ways the squad built trust and avoided in-game blame.

On the server, faveN produced several decisive moments, including a four-kill pistol round and multiple clutch plays in Cologne. He stated he accepts demanding roles and adjusts to what the team requires, adding that some individual rounds simply go his way.

FaveN reflected on his earlier exit from BIG and on changes since that period. He acknowledged personal responsibility for past underperformance and said the organization now provides logistical support he lacked on non-German teams, allowing him to concentrate on competition.

He noted differences between practice and live events, saying matches at the Major expose mistakes that lower-tier opponents may not punish. Those match conditions give the roster clearer information about areas to correct when facing higher-level teams.

Early pick’em predictions ranked BIG low, but the team’s wins over paiN and MIBR secured a 2–1 record in the Swiss stage. FaveN offered a short comment on his contentment with the situation: “If they would give me a 10-year contract, I would probably sign it.”