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

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.

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

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