Both of these teams have already exceeded most expectations coming into Cologne, but one of them is now guaranteed a semifinal appearance. That’s what makes this matchup so fascinating. BetBoom spent most of the Major proving they belong among the elite, while Aurora quietly recovered from an inconsistent start and have looked stronger with every passing round.

The biggest reason I’m leaning toward Aurora is their ability to perform against top opposition throughout Stage 3. Taking down G2 and completely dismantling 9z in the qualification match showed a level of consistency that BetBoom haven’t always managed to maintain. Even in victories, BetBoom often relied on close maps and individual heroics to get over the line.

Aurora also have players who have been here before. XANTARES remains one of the most dangerous riflers left in the tournament, while Wicadia continues to impress whenever the opposition level rises. BetBoom should absolutely make this competitive based on what they’ve shown throughout the tournament, but Aurora feel slightly more reliable heading into the first playoff match.