The Legends:

Astralis Denmark

Denmark - Group A



Lineup:

Nicolai 'device' Reedtz

Peter 'dupreeh' Rasmussen

Finn 'karrigan' Andersen

Andreas 'Xyp9x' Højsleth





Coach:

Danny 'zonic' Sørensen



Recent placements:

7th-8th at ECS Season 1

3rd-4th at DreamHack Summer 2016

7th-8th at ESL Pro League Season 3

9th-12th at DreamHack Masters Malmo 2016

3rd-4th at MLG Columbus 2016



Description:



Although Astralis is built up by some of the biggest names in the CS:GO history, the team always seems to struggle during major tournaments and unfortunately it is highly likely that this one will turn out to be the same story for the Danes, not only because they are using a stand-in, but also considering their disappointing recent placements. Nonetheless this team has the individual capability to outperform most teams in the tournament as it is no coincidence that their core managed to reach the playoffs of all official major tournaments to date. Denmark - Group ALineup: Lukas 'gla1ve' Rossander (stand-in)Coach:Danny 'zonic' SørensenRecent placements:7th-8th at ECS Season 13rd-4th at DreamHack Summer 20167th-8th at ESL Pro League Season 39th-12th at DreamHack Masters Malmo 2016Description:Although Astralis is built up by some of the biggest names in the CS:GO history, the team always seems to struggle during major tournaments and unfortunately it is highly likely that this one will turn out to be the same story for the Danes, not only because they are using a stand-in, but also considering their disappointing recent placements. Nonetheless this team has the individual capability to outperform most teams in the tournament as it is no coincidence that their core managed to reach the playoffs of all official major tournaments to date.

Counter Logic Gaming

United States of America - Group A



Lineup:

James 'hazed' Cobb

Steve 'reltuC' Cutler

Tarik 'tarik' Celik

Faruk 'pita' Pita

Kenneth 'koosta' Suen



Coach:

N/A



Recent placements:

5th-6th at DreamHack Austin 2016

9th-12th at DreamHack Masters Malmo 2016

5th-8th at MLG Columbus 2016



Description:



Counter Logic Gaming are in an awkward situation at the moment. The North American team had a respectable showing at the first season of ELEAGUE, but that was with their star player and AWP-er jdm64 on the front. He was traded to Team Liquid for koosta, who failed to impress in his now former team. Moreover CLG will use pita as the fifth, as the team was unable to find a replacement in time. The European player, who acted as their coach up until ELEAGUE, did perform well there, but will this be enough for them to reach the playoffs again? Doubt it. United States of America - Group ALineup:Coach:N/ARecent placements:5th-6th at DreamHack Austin 20169th-12th at DreamHack Masters Malmo 2016Description:Counter Logic Gaming are in an awkward situation at the moment. The North American team had a respectable showing at the first season of ELEAGUE, but that was with their star player and AWP-er jdm64 on the front. He was traded to Team Liquid for koosta, who failed to impress in his now former team. Moreover CLG will use pita as the fifth, as the team was unable to find a replacement in time. The European player, who acted as their coach up until ELEAGUE, did perform well there, but will this be enough for them to reach the playoffs again? Doubt it.

Natus Vincere

International - Group B



Lineup:

Danylo 'Zeus' Teslenko

Ioan 'Edward' Sukhariev

Ladislav 'GuardiaN' Kovács

Denis 'seized' Kostin

Egor 'flamie' Vasilyev



Coach:

Sergey 'starix' Ischuk



Recent placements:

2nd at StarLadder i-League Invitational

2nd at DreamHack Masters Malmo 2016

2nd at MLG Columbus 2016



Description:



If we make an exception and take out the Brazilian team, now under the banner of SK Gaming, Na'Vi are the best contender for the Cologne title. The team is extremely versatile, consistent and in addition possesses enormous firepower. Na'Vi managed to finish up as runner-ups in multiple events including MLG Columbus 2016, where the team fell down against the Brazilian powerhouse in the grand final. Na’Vi is one of the absolute favorites to win this competition. International - Group BLineup:Coach:Sergey 'starix' IschukRecent placements:2nd at StarLadder i-League Invitational2nd at DreamHack Masters Malmo 2016Description:If we make an exception and take out the Brazilian team, now under the banner of SK Gaming, Na'Vi are the best contender for the Cologne title. The team is extremely versatile, consistent and in addition possesses enormous firepower. Na'Vi managed to finish up as runner-ups in multiple events including MLG Columbus 2016, where the team fell down against the Brazilian powerhouse in the grand final. Na’Vi is one of the absolute favorites to win this competition.

Ninjas in Pyjamas

Sweden - Group B



Lineup:

Patrik 'f0rest' Lindberg

Christopher 'GeT_RiGhT' Alesund

Richard 'Xizt' Landström

Adam 'friberg' Friberg

Jacob 'pyth' Mourujärvi



Coach:

Björn 'threat' Pers



Recent placements:

7th-8th at ECS Season 1

2nd at DreamHack Summer 2016

3rd-4th at ESL Pro League Season 3

1st at DreamHack Masters Malmo 2016

5th-8th at MLG Columbus 2016



Description:



If there is a team that you should never count out from a major tournament too early, it is non other than the Ninjas! Despite that the Swedes are frequently moving up and down in the rank board, NiP are always an indomitable opponent when it matters the most. The problem of the Swedish giant however lies in the individual performance of the CS:GO veterans and this is where their coach must step in, otherwise a top four finish is not an option. Sweden - Group BLineup:Coach:Björn 'threat' PersRecent placements:7th-8th at ECS Season 12nd at DreamHack Summer 20163rd-4th at ESL Pro League Season 31st at DreamHack Masters Malmo 2016Description:If there is a team that you should never count out from a major tournament too early, it is non other than the Ninjas! Despite that the Swedes are frequently moving up and down in the rank board, NiP are always an indomitable opponent when it matters the most. The problem of the Swedish giant however lies in the individual performance of the CS:GO veterans and this is where their coach must step in, otherwise a top four finish is not an option.

Team Liquid

United States of America - Group C



Lineup:

Spencer 'Hiko' Martin

Jonathan 'EliGE' Jablonowski

Nick 'nitr0' Cannella

Josh 'jdm64' Marzano





Coach:

Luis 'peacemaker' Tadeu



Recent placements:

5th-6th at ECS Season 1

5th-6th at ESL Pro Series Season 3

3rd-4th at DreamHack Austin 2016

13th-16th at DreamHack Masters Malmo 2016

3rd-4th at MLG Columbus 2016



Description:



Team Liquid are arguably the strongest team in North America at the moment. The team comes with a refreshed lineup for the Cologne major, which at least on paper looks more than promising. Liquid will use a familiar stand-in, but that should not be an issue at all, as s1mple has been contributing to the brand for months already. The team had an astonishing run at the last major and another one is also possible. United States of America - Group CLineup: Alexander 's1mple' Kostylev (stand-in)Coach:Luis 'peacemaker' TadeuRecent placements:5th-6th at ECS Season 15th-6th at ESL Pro Series Season 33rd-4th at DreamHack Austin 201613th-16th at DreamHack Masters Malmo 2016Description:Team Liquid are arguably the strongest team in North America at the moment. The team comes with a refreshed lineup for the Cologne major, which at least on paper looks more than promising. Liquid will use a familiar stand-in, but that should not be an issue at all, as s1mple has been contributing to the brand for months already. The team had an astonishing run at the last major and another one is also possible.

Virtus.pro

Poland - Group C



Lineup:

Filip 'NEO' Kubski

Jarosław 'pasha' Jarząbkowski

Wiktor 'TaZ' Wojtas

Janusz 'Snax' Pogorzelski

Paweł 'byali' Bieliński



Coach:

Jakub 'kuben' Gurczyński



Recent placements:

1st at StarLadder i-League Invitational

3rd-4th at CEVO Gfinity Pro Season 9

5th-8th at DreamHack Masters Malmo 2016

5th-6th at MLG Columbus 2016



Description:



The Polish pride has always been performing outstandingly in big tournaments and this one is by far not an exception either. All members of the Virtus.pro CS:GO team are incredibly experienced and skilled, and I am thrilled to see them back in action once more. The roster has been together for years and with a little more preparation and motivation than usual, we can indeed see the Poles lifting a major championship trophy again. Poland - Group CLineup:Coach:Jakub 'kuben' GurczyńskiRecent placements:1st at StarLadder i-League Invitational3rd-4th at CEVO Gfinity Pro Season 95th-8th at DreamHack Masters Malmo 2016Description:The Polish pride has always been performing outstandingly in big tournaments and this one is by far not an exception either. All members of the Virtus.pro CS:GO team are incredibly experienced and skilled, and I am thrilled to see them back in action once more. The roster has been together for years and with a little more preparation and motivation than usual, we can indeed see the Poles lifting a major championship trophy again.

SK Gaming

Brazil - Group D



Lineup:

Gabriel 'FalleN' Toledo

Fernando 'fer' Alvarenga

Marcelo 'coldzera' David

Lincoln 'fnx' Lau

Epitácio 'TACO' de Melo Filho



Coach:

Wilton 'zews' Prado



Recent placements:

2nd at ECS Season 1

1st at ESL Pro League Season 3

1st at DreamHack Austin 2016

9th-12th at DreamHack Masters Malmo 2016

1st at MLG Columbus 2016



Description:



The Brazilian powerhouse is undoubtedly the world’s best team at the moment and furthermore the current world champion. Aside from MLG Columbus 2016, the team managed to win the third season of ESL Pro League and DreamHack Austin as well. To this moment, our only rivals are the Swedes from Fnatic, same as back in the Counter-Strike 1.6 era ironically, and fortunately SK Gaming are in one group with them. SK Gaming have arguably the biggest chances to prevail once more and considering the environment, as the group we are in may turn out to be the hardest in all the previous majors, can make the greatest run in the CS:GO history. Brazil - Group DLineup:Coach:Wilton 'zews' PradoRecent placements:2nd at ECS Season 11st at ESL Pro League Season 31st at DreamHack Austin 20169th-12th at DreamHack Masters Malmo 2016Description:The Brazilian powerhouse is undoubtedly the world’s best team at the moment and furthermore the current world champion. Aside from MLG Columbus 2016, the team managed to win the third season of ESL Pro League and DreamHack Austin as well. To this moment, our only rivals are the Swedes from Fnatic, same as back in the Counter-Strike 1.6 era ironically, and fortunately SK Gaming are in one group with them. SK Gaming have arguably the biggest chances to prevail once more and considering the environment, as the group we are in may turn out to be the hardest in all the previous majors, can make the greatest run in the CS:GO history.

Fnatic

Sweden - Group D



Lineup:

Olof 'olofmeister' Kajbjer

Freddy 'KRiMZ' Johansson

Robin 'flusha' Rönnquist

Jesper 'jw' Wecksell

Dennis 'dennis' Edman



Coach:

Viktor 'vuggo' Jendeby



Recent placements:

3rd-4th at ECS Season 1

3rd-4th at ESL Pro League Season 3

5th-8th at MLG Columbus 2016



Description:



The three times world champions Fnatic are back on track after the recovery of their best player. The Swedish powerhouse have lost a lot since, but are now hungry to prove themselves again and for the first time ever in CS:GO, win four major championships. There is no doubt that the team will be more prepared than ever before. Will Fnatic be the juggernaut they once were? Hard to say, but they are definitely one of the very few teams to keep your eyes on all the time during the Cologne major. Sweden - Group DLineup:Coach:Viktor 'vuggo' JendebyRecent placements:3rd-4th at ECS Season 13rd-4th at ESL Pro League Season 3Description:The three times world champions Fnatic are back on track after the recovery of their best player. The Swedish powerhouse have lost a lot since, but are now hungry to prove themselves again and for the first time ever in CS:GO, win four major championships. There is no doubt that the team will be more prepared than ever before. Will Fnatic be the juggernaut they once were? Hard to say, but they are definitely one of the very few teams to keep your eyes on all the time during the Cologne major.

The Challengers:

Team Dignitas

Denmark - Group A



Lineup:

Mathias 'MSL' Lauridsen

Ruben 'RUBINO' Villarroel

Kristian 'k0nfig' Wienecke

Jesper 'Tenzki' Plougmann

Rene 'cajunb' Borg



Coach:

Casper 'ruggah' Due



Recent placements:

1st at DreamHack Tours 2016

5th-6th at CEVO Gfinity Pro Season 9

5th-8th at DreamHack Masters Malmo



Description:



The Danish team also comes in with a new player, who is none other than the former Astralis player cajunb. Despite that Dignitas do have other strengths in players such as the rising Danish talent k0nfig, it is unlikely for the team to reach anything more than the playoffs, at least based on their previous achievements and raw statistics. Denmark - Group ALineup:Coach:Casper 'ruggah' DueRecent placements:1st at DreamHack Tours 20165th-6th at CEVO Gfinity Pro Season 95th-8th at DreamHack Masters MalmoDescription:The Danish team also comes in with a new player, who is none other than the former Astralis player cajunb. Despite that Dignitas do have other strengths in players such as the rising Danish talent k0nfig, it is unlikely for the team to reach anything more than the playoffs, at least based on their previous achievements and raw statistics.

Gambit Gaming

Russia - Group A



Lineup:

Dmitri 'hooch' Bogdanov

Mihail 'Dosia' Stolyarov

Dauren 'AdreN' Kystaubayev

Rustem 'mou' Telepov

Ivan 'spaze' Obrezhan



Coach:

Alexandr 'beAst' Yakovlev



Recent placements:

9th-12th at MLG Columbus 2016



Description:



Gambit Gaming will be an interesting team to watch once more. The Russian team had several praiseworthy showings such as at the major in Ohio as well as at the TBS studio in Atlanta, Georgia. The team is led by one of the oldest and most experienced players in the scene and reinforced from fraggers such as Dosia and AdreN. Their chance of reaching the playoffs is relatively small, but an upset is absolutely possible nonetheless. Russia - Group ALineup:Coach:Alexandr 'beAst' YakovlevRecent placements:Description:Gambit Gaming will be an interesting team to watch once more. The Russian team had several praiseworthy showings such as at the major in Ohio as well as at the TBS studio in Atlanta, Georgia. The team is led by one of the oldest and most experienced players in the scene and reinforced from fraggers such as Dosia and AdreN. Their chance of reaching the playoffs is relatively small, but an upset is absolutely possible nonetheless.

Flipside Tactics

Ukraine - Group B



Lineup:

Yegor 'markeloff' Markelov

Andrey 'B1ad3' Gorodenskiy

Aleksandr 'Shara' Gordeev

Georgi 'WorldEdit' Yaskin

Jan 'wayLander' Rahkonen



Coach:

N/A



Recent placements:

7th-8th at StarLadder i-League Invitational

13th-16th at MLG Columbus 2016



Description:



The Ukrainian team is frequently spotted at majors, but never manages to move further than the group stage. Unfortunately, their recent placements and showings are also not speaking in their favor. The team however this time comes with a new player, wayLander from Finland. He is an established player and might secure a better placement for markeloff's team in the end. Ukraine - Group BLineup:Coach:N/ARecent placements:7th-8th at StarLadder i-League InvitationalDescription:The Ukrainian team is frequently spotted at majors, but never manages to move further than the group stage. Unfortunately, their recent placements and showings are also not speaking in their favor. The team however this time comes with a new player, wayLander from Finland. He is an established player and might secure a better placement for markeloff's team in the end.

OpTic Gaming

Canada - Group B



Lineup:

Damien 'daps' Steele

Keith 'NAF' Markovic

Peter 'stanislaw' Jarguz

Will 'Rush' Wierzba

Óscar 'mixwell' Cañellas



Coach:

N/A



Recent placements:

5th-6th at ESL Pro League Season 3

5th-6th at CEVO Gfinity Pro Season 9



Description:



A lot has changed for the Canadian team after the departure of former Cloud 9 player ShahZaM. OpTic Gaming managed to cause a couple of upsets at two LAN events so far, but nothing really extraordinary for them to be counted in for a top eight finish. Canada - Group BLineup:Coach:N/ARecent placements:5th-6th at ESL Pro League Season 35th-6th at CEVO Gfinity Pro Season 9Description:A lot has changed for the Canadian team after the departure of former Cloud 9 player ShahZaM. OpTic Gaming managed to cause a couple of upsets at two LAN events so far, but nothing really extraordinary for them to be counted in for a top eight finish.

Team EnVy

France - Group C



Lineup:

Kenny 'kennyS' Schrub

Dan 'apEX' Madesclaire

Vincent 'Happy' Cervoni

Nathan 'NBK' Schmitt

Timothée 'DEVIL' Démolon



Coach:

N/A



Recent placements:

3rd-4th at DreamHack Masters Malmo 2016

13th-16th at MLG Columbus 2016



Description:



Team EnVy was most likely the biggest disappointment back at the previous major, MLG Columbus 2016, as the French team dropped out early in the group stage and finished as last. Ever since kioShiMa left the team, EnVy could not pull out their usual results, but also since then enough time has passed for them to completely reset and move on. A quarter-final can be expected, but nothing more as of now. France - Group CLineup:Coach:N/ARecent placements:3rd-4th at DreamHack Masters Malmo 2016Description:Team EnVy was most likely the biggest disappointment back at the previous major, MLG Columbus 2016, as the French team dropped out early in the group stage and finished as last. Ever since kioShiMa left the team, EnVy could not pull out their usual results, but also since then enough time has passed for them to completely reset and move on. A quarter-final can be expected, but nothing more as of now.

mousesports

Germany - Group C



Lineup:

Nikola 'NiKo' Kovač

Chris 'chrisJ' de Jong

Johannes 'nex' Maget

Timo 'Spiidi' Richter

Denis 'denis' Howell



Coach:

Aleksandar 'kassad' Trifunović



Recent placements:

5th-8th at DreamHack Masters Malmo 2016

9th-12th at MLG Columbus 2016



Description:



It is hard to predict how well the German team will perform on tournaments such as this one. The team do have the firepower of NiKo, chrisJ and nex, and luckily an improved tactical approach thanks to their new coach. The former Serbian player and current coach kassad will be a big factor for mouz's success, as the team is simply not the same without gob b’s guidance. Germany - Group CLineup:Coach:Aleksandar 'kassad' TrifunovićRecent placements:5th-8th at DreamHack Masters Malmo 2016Description:It is hard to predict how well the German team will perform on tournaments such as this one. The team do have the firepower of NiKo, chrisJ and nex, and luckily an improved tactical approach thanks to their new coach. The former Serbian player and current coach kassad will be a big factor for mouz's success, as the team is simply not the same without gob b’s guidance.

G2 Esports

France - Group D



Lineup:

Cédric 'RpK' Guipouy

Richard 'shox' Papillon

Adil 'ScreaM' Benrliton

Edouard 'SmithZz' Dubourdeaux

Alexandre 'bodyy' Pianaro



Coach:

N/A



Recent placements:

1st at ECS Season 1

2nd at ESL Pro League Season 3

13th-16th at DreamHack Masters Malmo 2016

9th-12th at MLG Columbus 2016



Description:



Just a couple of weeks ago, the French team led by the former VeryGames player shox, made an astonishing run at the ECS season 1 finals in UK. G2 won the event by defeating the biggest names such as SK Gaming, back then still under the Luminosity Gaming banner, Ninjas in Pyjamas and even the Swedish powerhouse Fnatic. However, all the teams are well prepared now and it will take more than just pure individual performance this time. France - Group DLineup:Coach:N/ARecent placements:1st at ECS Season 12nd at ESL Pro League Season 313th-16th at DreamHack Masters Malmo 2016Description:Just a couple of weeks ago, the French team led by the former VeryGames player shox, made an astonishing run at the ECS season 1 finals in UK. G2 won the event by defeating the biggest names such as SK Gaming, back then still under the Luminosity Gaming banner, Ninjas in Pyjamas and even the Swedish powerhouse Fnatic. However, all the teams are well prepared now and it will take more than just pure individual performance this time.

FaZe

International - Group D



Lineup:

Håvard 'rain' Nygaard

Joakim 'jkaem' Myrbostad

Philip 'aizy' Aistrup

Ricardo 'fox' Pacheco

Fabien 'kioShiMa' Fiey



Coach:

Robert 'RobbaN' Dahlström



Recent placements:

13-16th at DreamHack Masters Malmo 2016

9th-12th at MLG Columbus 2016



Description:



FaZe Clan is also one of these teams that are nearly impossible to predict due to their nature. The international team is all about "muscle flexing" and albeit that is not the wisest move out there, it does do the job from time to time as we have seen several times the core of the team moving quite further in major tournaments. With this competition though, it will be harder than ever for the FaZe guys. International - Group DLineup:Coach:Robert 'RobbaN' DahlströmRecent placements:13-16th at DreamHack Masters Malmo 2016Description:FaZe Clan is also one of these teams that are nearly impossible to predict due to their nature. The international team is all about "muscle flexing" and albeit that is not the wisest move out there, it does do the job from time to time as we have seen several times the core of the team moving quite further in major tournaments. With this competition though, it will be harder than ever for the FaZe guys.

ESL One Cologne 2016, the ninth official major Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournament and the second in the series to feature a prize pool of total $1,000,000, will kick off on Tuesday, 5th of July, in Cologne, Germany.We have prepared an analysis of all the sixteen teams that will participate in the upcoming event in Cologne. This includes statistics, results from recent appearances in offline events, basic description of the teams and more.The Legends are the teams that managed to reach the playoffs of the previous major tournament, in this case MLG Columbus 2016, and as such have qualified automatically for the approaching major tournament as well. These eight teams are proven to be solid contenders for the title and each one of them is capable of winning it.This list includes the current world champions and top team SK Gaming, the returning Cologne champions Fnatic, Natus Vincere, Astralis Denmark, the North American teams Team Liquid and Counter Logic Gaming, the Swedish giants of Ninjas in Pyjamas and the Polish pride Virtus.pro.The Challengers are the teams that had to fight for a spot in the Cologne tournament throughout an offline qualifier hosted by ESL back in June in Katowice, Poland. Some of the teams do have previous experience in major tournaments, but were eliminated in the group stage of the most recent one. Others are crawling back, and some even new and playing for first time.This list includes the famous international roster of FaZe Clan, the French duo Team EnVy and G2 Esports, Flipside Tactics, Team Dignitas, OpTic Gaming, mousesports and the Russian team Gambit Gaming.More information such as the schedule, tournament structure, viewing experience, prize distribution and more can be found in our viewer's guide as well in the esport index We have also prepared two more extra articles scheduled to be released tomorrow both regarding the major tournament. Stay tuned to SK Gaming.