As we are saying goodbye to TACO, an integral part of our core CS:GO roster for the last two years, we want to take a look back at the beginning - the ESL One Cologne Major 2016, the first of many tournament wins and perhaps the most prestigious one.

ESL One Cologne 2016 was the first event the Brazilians played under the SK Gaming banner and one that took place in our hometown of Cologne, Germany. Everything about the tournament was special and topping it off with the trophy was a dream come true.

In retrospect, the team easily cruised through the group stage and the quarter-finals. The real test however came when we faced Virtus.Pro in the semis. An overtime that we lost on our pick, a win on theirs and a neck and neck battle on the decider - the game was an instant classic and it was especially nerve wracking to watch from the sidelines for fans and staff alike.

When we met Team Liquid in the final, everyone showed their A game and after a quick 2-0 the trophy was ours. An era was about to begin.

In an Ask Me Anything session TACO held just a few days ago, he pointed towards the Cologne Major as both his favourite moment with the team and the time he feels he’s played the best CS of his life so far. The significance of the tournament for both the organisation and the players is evident and we hope all of you feel the same way. Let us know your favourite memories about the Major in the comments or on social media!


For a more detailed overview of the ESL One Cologne Major 2016, check our event page and our report of the final.