FlyQuest Stuns Liquid, Eliminating Them from IEM Cologne 2026

Liquid’s tough 2026 continues as the underdog team FlyQuest pulls off a stunning upset in their 2-2 match, earning a spot in Stage 2. This loss means Liquid is out of the Major, and roster speculation is already buzzing online. On the flip side, FlyQuest has been given a fresh opportunity in Cologne, gearing up for Stage 2 on June 6.

The match kicked off with FlyQuest claiming the pistol round thanks to two quick USP-S kills on B. Their Portuguese sniper, story, came out swinging, racking up an impressive 10-0 kill count in the first four rounds. Liquid struggled to find their footing, managing only isolated kills until they finally made a force-buy push into A in round six, securing their first win.

INS wasn’t ready to let Liquid gain momentum, though, as he delivered three headshots to clutch a 3v5 for FlyQuest. It took a standout performance from Liquid’s IGL, siuhy, who secured four kills, to get the bomb planted and double their score before the half ended at 2-10. With NAF as the lone resistance, FlyQuest swiftly closed the map with a dominant 13-2 score.

FlyQuest continued their momentum, winning another pistol round and quickly building a lead. ultimate, who had struggled on Anubis, finally made his mark with four headshots during a B-attack for Liquid’s first round. However, a Banana skirmish allowed former Liquid player JKS to clutch a 1v2, halting Liquid’s brief celebration.

Inferno typically rewards teams that secure early frags, but even when Liquid gained the advantage, FlyQuest remained composed during retakes. The half concluded with a commanding 9-3 lead for the Australians. Another successful pistol round put FlyQuest on the brink of Stage 2 qualification. Although Liquid showed some fight, particularly with an EliGE 1v2, the score was too steep to overcome, and the map ended at 13-7.

Given FlyQuest’s limited practice this season and their lack of international experience, a 1-3 elimination was expected at Cologne. However, a fortunate draw against THUNDERdOWNUNDER and a match against Liquid propelled them into Stage 2. While they may still be seen as underdogs, they’ve already demonstrated their potential with these victories.

The real disappointment lies with Team Liquid. For years, the organization has struggled to assemble a truly competitive roster, often catering to star players with only mediocre results. They barely qualified for the Major thanks to a last-minute transfer of malbsMd.

Ultimately, the onus falls on TL’s management. This result should serve as a wake-up call for a roster overhaul. There are still solid players in the mix, especially the trio of American riflers, but they need a stronger foundation to thrive. Without significant changes, one of the longest-standing organizations in the game risks enduring many more seasons of disappointment.