24 teams have become 16 after the conclusion of the IEM Cologne 2025 Play-Ins. But the action isn’t done yet – far from it, in fact. Tomorrow, the IEM Cologne 2025 Group Stage matches will begin, and the competition will really begin to heat up.
Six spots in the LANXESS Arena will be earned over the next few days – let’s take a look at the first matches in the IEM Cologne Group Stage!
G2 are undoubtedly one of the most curious subjects of the most recent round of CS2 roster changes. Bringing in MATYS and SunPayus for Snax and hades is undoubtedly an upgrade, but FURIA are in a decent vein of form of late. G2 arrive at the IEM Cologne 2025 Group Stage cold, whereas FURIA have the benefit of playing the Play-Ins. I think that alone is enough to swing the result of this series.
My prediction: G2 1:2 FURIA
It will be all eyes on Falcons vs. GamerLegion. Why? One reason: kyousuke. The young prodigy is finally set to make his Tier 1 debut at IEM Cologne 2025, and everyone wants to know if he has what it takes to be a star. Extra hype is naturally added by being an aggressive rifler hailing from Spirit Academy, following in the trophy-laden footsteps of donk. Me? I think it’ll go well. GamerLegion are good, but you don’t want to be first up against such an unknown quantity. They won’t know what’s hit them.
My prediction: Falcons 2:0 GamerLegion
Winners of just about everything, Vitality, start their season with a match against HooXi’s Astralis. The Danes have often taken a map from Vitality in the past, and the fact that Astralis have played so much Counter-Strike before the Major champs have even fired a bullet means there’s upset potential here. I don’t expect it, but it’ll be interesting to see how Vitality shake off any rust as they prepare their defence of their IEM Cologne title.
My prediction: Vitality 2:1 Astralis
The MongolZ vs. 3DMAX feels like a tune-up for the former team. They have to play somebody as they return to the server, and the result feels like a formality heading into the series. This is Counter-Strike, and anything can happen, but I’m expecting The MongolZ to return with fire in their bellies in their first match following their Austin Major Final loss.
My prediction: The MongolZ 2:0 3DMAX
Whisper it quietly, but broky’s return to FaZe Clan appears to be going quite well. This roster’s second debut at IEM Cologne 2025 went without a hitch, but the competition obviously steps up a notch against NAVI. Remember, though – NAVI are bedding in makazze, who is making the big jump from Tier 2 at this event. I reckon we’ll see some growing pains over at NAVI, and it could be enough to see FaZe Clan over the line in this one.
My prediction: NAVI 1:2 FaZe Clan
By the end of last season, it felt as though this Aurora roster had become the masters of disappointment. Their own worst enemy. Plenty to fix. Coming into their opening match at IEM Cologne 2025, Aurora are without star rifler XANTARES, with xfl0ud filling in on a temporary basis. A solid replacement, but Ninjas in Pyjamas have been very impressive so far in Germany. While you’d take Aurora on paper, the momentum swings just in favour of NIP for me.
My prediction: Aurora 1:2 Ninjas in Pyjamas
Since moving to Team Liquid, siuhy has failed to beat his former team on two occasions. MOUZ have simply had their number, with too much firepower for Team Liquid to deal with. Frankly, Team Liquid’s route to the IEM Cologne 2025 Group Stage was unconvincing, and facing arguably the second-best team in the world as the first match here is a rough draw. I expect siuhy’s losing streak against MOUZ to continue in compelling fashion.
My prediction: MOUZ 2:0 Team Liquid
Last, we have Spirit vs. HEROIC. For Spirit, this is an opportunity to debut their new roster in style, with zweih coming in for magixx. Although HEROIC have had to play a decent amount of CS already this season, there’s just too much firepower on Spirit now for me to predict anything but a big win. If HEROIC can take a map in this one, they can see it as a victory.
My prediction: Spirit 2:0 HEROIC
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