#UkrainianWar#NoFlyZone #StopRussianAggression #RussiaInvadedUkraineSupport the Armed Forces of Ukraine
EGamersWorld/News/Counter-Strike (CS2)/Shockwaves at IEM Cologne Play-In: OG Shakes the Scene as Forze Gets Replaced!

Shockwaves at IEM Cologne Play-In: OG Shakes the Scene as Forze Gets Replaced!

Add as a Preferred Source

ESL has announced that FORZE, the Russian team, will unfortunately be unable to participate in the highly anticipated IEM Cologne Play-In. Visa complications have forced FORZE to sit out one of the most significant tournaments on the calendar.

However, following the rules outlined in the German tournament organizer's rulebook, OG has been selected to replace FORZE in the IEM Cologne prelude. According to the guidelines, the spot is awarded to the next highest-ranked team in the ESL World Ranking.

OG, an international squad, has recently undergone a major roster overhaul. In an exciting development, their in-game leader Nemanja "⁠nexa⁠" Isaković has returned to the active lineup after an absence of nearly six months. Among the changes during the off-season, Maciej "⁠F1KU⁠" Miklas is the sole survivor, while Nils "⁠k1to⁠" Gruhne, Dion "⁠FASHR⁠" Derksen, and Iulian "⁠regali⁠" Harjău have joined the team.

To prepare for their IEM Cologne Play-In journey, OG will have the opportunity to warm up with their new lineup at the BLAST Premier Fall Groups, scheduled from July 13 to 23. Subsequently, they will travel to Germany to compete in the IEM Cologne Play-In, which kicks off on July 26.

Don’t miss esport news and update! Sign up and recieve weekly article digest!
Sign Up

The updated team list for the IEM Cologne Play-In now includes:

  • Apeks from Europe
  • Liquid from Europe
  • Monte from Ukraine
  • MOUZ from Europe
  • Ninjas in Pyjamas from Sweden
  • FURIA from Brazil
  • Astralis from Denmark
  • fnatic from Europe
  • Imperial from Brazil
  • 9INE from Poland
  • Into the Breach from Europe
  • Complexity from United States
  • Grayhound from Australia
  • TheMongolz from Mongolia
  • BIG from Germany
  • OG from Europe
  • Shockwaves at IEM Cologne Play-In: OG Shakes the Scene as Forze Gets Replaced!. Photo 1

Bodello
Bogdan Lashchenko

Bogdan Lashchenko – content manager at EgamersWorld.Bogdan has been working at EGamersWorld since 2023. Joining the company, he began fillin the site with information, news and events.

More about tournaments
Counter-Strike (CS2) Latest news
counterstrike165stawraithG2 Crowned Champions of BLAST Open London 2025 after 3:2 Victory over VitalityThe grand final between G2 and Vitality turned into a thrilling five-map battle, with G2 ultimately securing the championship title after a hard-fought 3:2 win.VitalityG2 EsportsBLASTRead more...
counterstrike226fauesdeG2 unexpectedly crush FURIA to reach the BLAST Open London 2025 Finals grand finalAt BLAST Open London 2025, G2 stunned favorites FURIA with a dominant 2-0 win, advancing to the grand final to face VitalityFURIAG2 EsportsBLASTRead more...counterstrike223fauesdeTeam Vitality Defeat MOUZ to Reach BLAST Open London 2025 Finals Grand FinalVitality defeat MOUZ 2–0 in the BLAST Open London semifinals, advancing to the grand final to face either G2 or FURIAVitalityBLASTRead more...
counterstrike313fauesdeG2 defeat FaZe 2:0 and advance to the semifinals of BLAST Open London 2025 FinalsFaZe fall to G2 in a tense BLAST Open London 2025 quarterfinal, as G2 move on to face FURIA in the semifinalsFaZeG2 EsportsBLASTRead more...counterstrike235fauesdeMOUZ defeat M80 2:1 and will face Vitality in the BLAST Open London 2025 Finals semifinalsThe BLAST Open London 2025 Finals kicked off with MOUZ beating M80 2-1, earning a spot in the semifinals against VitalityVitalityBLASTRead more...
counterstrike351fauesdeFURIA’s International Lineup Shows Progress in Hunt for First TrophyAfter key roster changes, FURIA turned into a true contender in 2025. With two Major quarterfinals and a top-5 world ranking, they now aim for their first big trophy at BLAST Open LondonRead more...