No slow build, no reverse sweep. FlyQuest are out of Stage 2 at the IEM Cologne Major, finishing 0-3 after a decisive 2-0 loss to paiN. The Brazilians closed both maps and left FlyQuest with no answers on offense or defense, ending the run that barely survived Stage 1.
Stage recap: From Stage 1 comeback to Stage 2 exit
FlyQuest squeaked into Stage 2 by beating THUNDER dOWNUNDER and Liquid in best-of-three matches in Stage 1. Stage 2 told a different story. Back-to-back best-of-one losses to 9z and Legacy put them on the brink, and paiN sealed the deal in a best-of-three. Captain Justin jks Savage admitted limited practice and a rough year, thanking fans while calling the result disappointing but realistic given the circumstances. jks and the roster now face a tough off-season.
| Date | Opponent | Format | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06/06/2026 | 9z | BO1 | 9z 13 : 9 FlyQuest |
| 06/06/2026 | Legacy | BO1 | Legacy 13 : 7 FlyQuest |
| 07/06/2026 | paiN | BO3 | paiN 2 : 0 FlyQuest (Nuke 13-7, Anubis 13-10) |
Map breakdown vs paiN
paiN chose Nuke and ran a fast, clinical T-side that put FlyQuest against the ropes early. A 8-2 lead turned into a 13-7 finish after FlyQuest briefly fought back with a force-buy 1v2 play from INS that kept hope alive. But once saffee found an AWP and paiN stabilized their economy, FlyQuest could not retake control.
- Nuke final score: paiN 13 — FlyQuest 7
- Anubis final score: paiN 13 — FlyQuest 10
- Key plays: INS force-buy 1v2, saffee impactful AWP rounds
- Series result: paiN wins 2-0 and eliminates FlyQuest from Stage 2
On Anubis paiN exploded to a 9-1 lead on offense, using multi-kill clutches and trades to crush FlyQuest momentum. Important moments included a Deagle 3k from piriajr, a triple kill from snow during a B-site hold, and a clutch three-kill finish from vsm in the final round. FlyQuest threw together a late comeback run, but individual highlights from the Brazilians kept the map out of reach.
Numbers that matter
These figures are the raw scoreboard that tells the story. FlyQuest leaves Stage 2 with a 0-3 record in the stage. Their run in Cologne now reads like two different chapters: Stage 1 survival and Stage 2 disappointment. FlyQuest elimination feels brutal because the team showed flashes but failed to string rounds together when it mattered most.
- Stage 2 record: 0-3
- Stage 1 notable wins: best-of-threes over THUNDER dOWNUNDER and Liquid
- Map scores vs paiN: Nuke 7-13, Anubis 10-13
- Match-deciding factors: early T-side pressure on Nuke, Anubis offensive dominance, key multi-kills from paiN stars
For fans tracking odds or skin markets tied to these matchups, the scene is shifting quickly and value can appear fast. A good place to start is a list of the best CS2 gambling sites to see how bookmakers and skin markets are reacting to roster and form swings.
What’s next
FlyQuest head into an off-season that will ask tough questions about practice time, roster stability, and how to convert Stage 1 survival into consistent Stage 2 performance. paiN leave Cologne with momentum and individual highlights that will make them a team to watch in future events. For FlyQuest, the reset starts now.
FlyQuest exit is brutal but clean. No excuses left on the scoreboard.
