First round matches for Cologne chosen

The first round matches for the group stage of ESL One Cologne 2018 have been revealed by the organizaers. Using the format from the other 16 team ESL events this year, three teams will advance from each double elimination bracket group.

In Group A, Cloud9 are the only North American representatives and will face off against NiP in their first match. In Group B, Renegades will play MIBR while Liquid will take on BIG in their initial games.

Here is a full list of the games:

	Group A
Ninjas in Pyjamas	vs	Cloud9
Astralis	vs	ENCE
mousesports	vs	Gambit
G2	vs	Natus Vincere
	Group B
Renegades	vs	MIBR
FaZe	vs	B.O.O.T-dream[S]cape
Fnatic	vs	North
BIG	vs	Liquid

The first two games will begin at 6:00 AM EDT on July 3rd, with the group stage taking up the first three days of the event. The final three days will contain the playoffs.

Also read: mousesports going for n0thing at ESL One Cologne; STYKO reportedly benched