Yxngstxr confident HEROIC can reach IEM Cologne Stage 2

HEROIC recovered from an 0-2 start at the IEM Cologne Major after defeating Gaimin Gladiators, keeping the team’s Stage 2 hopes alive. The Danes now need two straight wins in the Stage 1 1-2 bracket to advance; their next match is against Liquid on June 4 at 17:00 local time.

HEROIC opened the tournament with narrow best-of-one losses to Lynn Vision and FlyQuest, leaving them in the 0-2 pool after the first day. The single-map format in the 1-2 bracket means each match can decide whether a team advances or is eliminated.

Simon “yxngstxr” Boije said the team has been working to regroup after a run of poor results. He recalled their last win before Cologne came at Astana against Aurora and noted they followed that with mixed outcomes, including a 1-3 finish at one event and an 0-2 result at Stake.

Boije acknowledged he had been unwell and not at his best in recent matches but said he feels better now. “I have no doubt in my teammates, I have no doubt in the team and the coaching staff behind us, that we will make it to Stage 2,” he added. He described switching from a rifling role to the AWP as an adjustment but said match practice is making the role more comfortable.

HEROIC and their coaching staff are focused on correcting the individual and team errors Boije mentioned ahead of the Liquid match. Winning two consecutive single-map matches would secure the team a place in Stage 2 of the IEM Cologne Major 2026.