We’re into the money-makers now.

This is where the big movers and shakers make their names. This is where the teeth get cut and the diamonds are smoothed. This is IEM Cologne, in the LANXESS Arena. Stand up and be counted.

Now we’ve got the platitudes out the way…

We’re on the ground in Cologne and will be dropping you daily newsletters for the next few days, and boy howdy do we have some gems for you.

We’re kicking off tomorrow with FaZe vs SAW, which is a really tough one to call. At first it seems like a David vs Goliath, but this is a wounded, beatable Goliath and a David who has been working out.

FaZe are a team who, while they pulled off a crazy comeback, were 1-11 down to Liquid. SAW won’t be quite as generous if they get in front, which has been quite clear from their games so far. They smacked G2, let’s not forget.

MOUZ enter the LANXESS with question marks over their arena ability, but they face a G2 team who are a different team from day to day. If the best G2 show up, MOUZ will shrivel up and hide, but if the worst G2 show up, then MOUZ’ crowd yips won’t have any effect whatsoever.

Both games could be brilliant, but both could easily be a walkover.

Either way, we’re bloody excited to watch them. Vamos!