Day two of IEM Cologne 2025 has come to an end, and we have our first set of teams heading to the Group Stage later this week. GamerLegion, Ninjas in Pyjamas, and FaZe Clan are the first teams through, joining the eight teams directly invited via the VRS.
It’s been an exciting couple of days of action – let’s take a look at who has progressed already, and who is already struggling to survive at IEM Cologne 2025.
broky revived for FaZe as IEM Cologne Group Stage qualification secured
The big storyline so far is that FaZe Clan have avoided any hiccup, sweeping aside Team Liquid in what was a potential banana slip for the team. What was old is new again, with broky showing that the extra holiday appears to have done a ton of good. He looks happier and healthier, and his 1.25 rating against Team Liquid shows that maybe FaZe never needed s1mple after all.
Despite losing a map to Team Liquid, this was a fairly comprehensive win for FaZe Clan. After their well-documented struggles this year, IEM Cologne 2025 is an excellent opportunity for a full mental reset, and the Group Stage now awaits. The next objective: Playoffs.
GamerLegion and Ninjas in Pyjamas round out day two IEM Cologne winners
Joining FaZe Clan in the Group Stage are GamerLegion and Ninjas in Pyjamas, who beat Virtus.pro and 3DMAX respectively to secure their spots. For GamerLegion, this is continued vindication in the direction of this project, with PR currently the second-highest-rated player at IEM Cologne 2025 so far with a 1.46 rating. He’s one of the best young CS2 players to watch in 2025, justifying that reputation by dragging GamerLegion to watch wins at just 17 years of age.
Ninjas in Pyjamas will be delighted with their performance so far – they’re really making the most of their LAN appearances in 2025. Their ranking in the live VRS now stands at 19, and xKacpersky already looks like a great addition to the lineup. Snappi has properly cooked with this lineup, and I’m excited to see how his team fares when facing the stronger teams in the Group Stage. NIP are back (sort of)!
Several teams hang by a thread at IEM Cologne 2025
Moving into the final day of the IEM Cologne 2025 Play-In, several teams are fighting for their tournament lives already. Liquid are perhaps the most notable, with a clash against the jks-led FlyQuest deciding whether they’ll be moving onto the Group Stage. Given Liquid’s dire need for VRS points at the moment, an underperformance at Cologne could perhaps doom them to the dangerous lurch of online Counter-Strike, which certainly could lead to a period of hurt if they get really stuck. The stakes are immense against FlyQuest.
There’s an equally exciting match set to take place between Virtus.pro and HEROIC. Neither team particularly flattered at their FISSURE Playground 1 roster debuts, so they desperately need some wins to prove they’re on the right track. Winner goes through, loser goes home. Simple, high-stakes Counter-Strike.
