Welcome to all esports and Counter-Strike 2 fans! From January 28 to February 8, 2026, the CS2 world will turn its attention to IEM Krakow 2026, one of the key tournaments of the winter season. A total of 24 teams will compete for the championship title and a $1 million prize pool.
Among the opening matches, the clash between G2 Esports and Passion UA stands out as an interesting storyline, pitting an established top-tier contender against an ambitious underdog looking to make a statement. As the teams prepare to meet on the server, we’ll take a closer look at this matchup and provide our CS2 analysis, betting tips, and key insights for the game.
How the bookies view it: G2 Esports are favored
G2 Esports are clear favorites heading into this matchup, with odds set at 1.33, reflecting the gap in experience and overall level between the two teams. Passion UA, priced at 3.24, come into the match as underdogs, with bookmakers giving them a significantly lower chance of pulling off an upset. While surprises are always possible in CS2, the odds suggest that G2 are expected to control the series if they play to their usual standard.
G2 Esports form. What result can be expected from G2 Esports
We start our CS2 tips by analyzing G2 Esports current form. G2 is one of the most well-known European Counter-Strike 2 organizations, regularly competing at the S-tier level and aiming for top results.
- G2 Esports roster: huNter-, malbsMd, HeavyGod, SunPayus, matys.
In 2025, G2 took part in several key tournaments. They reached the top-4 at BLAST Bounty Spring 2025 after losing to FaZe, and again secured a top-4 finish at IEM Katowice 2025. They also qualified for the playoffs at ESL Pro League Season 21, though they didn’t progress further.
After roster changes with m0NESY and NiKo leaving, G2 participated in BLAST Open Spring 2025, finishing top 6, and then took second place at PGL Bucharest 2025.
At the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025, G2’s performance was mediocre, finishing 9th–11th, though they showed flashes of their potential. At IEM Cologne 2025, they played better, securing wins over FURIA and 3DMAX and finishing 7th–8th.
At the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, G2 started strong with victories over Passion UA (13:8) and paiN (13:7), showing good form in the group stage. However, in the following matches, the team struggled against stronger opponents, losing 0:2 to FURIA and then 0:2 to The MongolZ, highlighting inconsistency against top-tier teams.
Earlier in 2025, G2 also celebrated a major success at BLAST Open Fall 2025, where they defeated FaZe Clan and FURIA, and then beat Team Vitality 3-2 in the grand final to become champions of the tournament.
G2 Esports Map Pool
Looking at G2 Esports map performance over the past three months, the team has been strongest on Dust2 and Inferno, with win rates of 77.8% and 76.9% respectively. Train is also a solid map for them at 71.4%, while their results on Ancient, Overpass, and Mirage have been noticeably weaker at 33.3%, 28.6%, and 22.2%.
Passion UA form. What result can be expected from Passion UA
Passion UA has established itself as a competitive Ukrainian squad in Counter-Strike 2, capable of strong performances but also marked by inconsistency. A major shift occurred in August 2025, when the organization rebuilt its roster, bringing in four former Complexity players while retaining Vladyslav “Kvem” Korol and keeping Tiaan “T.c” Coertzen as coach. This new lineup was designed to combine experience and emerging talent, aiming to stabilize the team and improve international competitiveness.
- Passion UA roster: JT, hallzerk, Grim, nicx, Kvem.
The coaching staff, led by T.c, has focused on improving tactical discipline, map control, and mid-round decision-making, helping the squad develop cohesion despite being relatively new as a unit. Early results show promise, though consistency remains an issue against top-tier opponents.
Since the roster overhaul, Passion UA has produced mixed results across tournaments. At the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, they secured impressive wins over Team Liquid and Imperial but also fell to G2 Esports and FaZe Clan. Other results include a 3rd-place finish at DraculaN Season 3 2025 and wins at smaller LAN events like Glitched Masters 2025. More recently, they lost 1:2 to GamerLegion at BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1, highlighting their potential but also their unpredictability. Overall, Passion UA are capable of strong individual plays and tactical moments, but their new roster will need time to fully gel if they hope to challenge higher-tier teams consistently at IEM Krakow 2026.
Passion UA Map Pool
Looking at recent results, Passion UA have shown mixed success across the competitive CS2 map pool. Their strongest map has been Inferno, where they won 66.7% of matches, followed by Train at 57.1% when used as their first pick. Dust2 has been a 50/50 proposition, while Overpass has proven more challenging, with a 40% win rate. The team has struggled on Nuke, winning just 33.3% of games, and Mirage, their typical first ban, has yielded only 25% wins. Overall, this data highlights that while Passion UA have some reliable maps, they remain vulnerable on several others, making map vetoes a crucial factor in predicting their performance.
Head-to-head: Passion UA vs G2
Passion UA and G2 Esports have a limited history of direct encounters, but past results highlight G2’s upper hand. The core of Passion UA’s current roster previously played under Complexity, which explains why many of their earlier matches against top European teams were recorded under that banner. Across several events, including PGL Bucharest 2025 and the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, matches between the two sides have generally favored G2. Scores include 13-8 on Anubis, 13-9 on Dust2, and 13-8 on Anubis, showing that while Passion UA (formerly Complexity players) can compete and even take rounds off G2, they have yet to consistently challenge the established powerhouse. Overall, the historical data suggests that G2 are the more experienced and reliable side in this matchup, though Passion UA’s roster evolution and individual skill still make them capable of producing surprises.
Match Prediction: Passion UA VS G2 Esports — IEM Krakow 2026 Stage 1
G2 Esports enter this matchup as clear favorites, thanks to their experience, depth, and consistency at the highest level of CS2 competition. The team’s roster—huNter-, malbsMd, HeavyGod, SunPayus, and matys—has proven capable of competing in top-tier tournaments, with strong performances in 2025 including a BLAST Open Fall title and consistent playoff appearances at IEM Katowice, StarLadder Budapest, and PGL Bucharest. Their map pool, particularly Dust2, Inferno, and Train, provides flexibility and allows them to exploit weaker maps from opponents.
Passion UA, by contrast, are still finding their footing under their rebuilt roster. While the squad has talented individuals—JT, hallzerk, Grim, nicx, and Kvem, coached by T.c—the team has shown inconsistency, particularly on maps like Nuke and Mirage, and their results against top-tier opponents have been mixed. Although they can produce moments of brilliance, including past wins over Team Liquid and Imperial, their limited experience as a unit against elite competition makes them vulnerable. The fact that the core of Passion UA’s roster previously played under Complexity explains their occasional flashes of high-level CS, but they are not yet at the same level of coordination and reliability as G2.
The head-to-head history supports this view. Matches between G2 and the former Complexity players now forming Passion UA have consistently favored G2, with scores like 13-8 on Anubis and 13-9 on Dust2. These results indicate that while Passion UA can contest individual maps, they have rarely sustained performance across a full series.
Given all this, a G2 victory is the most likely outcome. However, caution is advised regarding a straight 2:0 prediction. This is the opening match for both teams at IEM Krakow 2026, and early-tournament nerves, map veto strategies, and minor upsets can easily extend the series to a 2:1. Expect G2 to control the pace, leverage their stronger map pool, and capitalize on Passion UA’s inconsistencies, but also anticipate that Passion UA may steal rounds or a map if G2 missteps early.
Prediction: G2 Esports win.
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