Spirit to Begin IEM Cologne Major 2026 Without Coaching Staff

Spirit will start their IEM Cologne Major 2026 campaign without their coaching staff, as both coaches are unable to attend the beginning of Stage 2 in person.

The organization confirmed the news on social media, while also announcing the return of Sergey “hally” Shavayev as head coach. Dmitriy “S0tF1k” Forostyanko will assist him and work alongside the team’s IGL to help improve the roster.

However, Spirit also revealed that neither coach will be physically present at the event for the start of the stage. S0tF1k was denied a Schengen visa, while hally was urgently hospitalized.

The organization expects hally to recover soon, but both coaches will work with the team online for now.

Spirit received a direct invitation to Stage 2 of the IEM Cologne Major 2026 through their VRS ranking results. Stage 2 is scheduled to begin on June 6.