IEM Cologne 2025 begins in just a couple of days’ time, with the Play-In coming up first before the Group Stage. While the very best CS2 teams won’t enter until the Groups, we’ll still be treated to a few days of intense in-server action, with teams fighting for the chance to feature in the Cathedral of Counter-Strike further down the line.
ESL has eight top-tier matches on day one of IEM Cologne 2025 – it’s time to take a look at those opening matches and make a few predictions.
Complexity found themselves some momentum through the middle of last season, but have stalled again of late. Meanwhile, despite missing out on a place at the BLAST.tv Austin Major, GamerLegion have shown consistent improvement driven by the incredible form of young talent PR. In terms of overall quality, I actually don’t think much separates these two teams, but in terms of consistency, you have to bet on GamerLegion to get this one done.
My prediction: GamerLegion 2:0 Complexity
Hot on the heels of winning FISSURE Playground 1, TYLOO are showing incredible form of late. They couldn’t be coming into the IEM Cologne 2025 opening matches with more momentum and confidence. Compare that to Virtus.pro, who crashed out of the same event in their first showing with Perfecto in unconvincing fashion. The individuals could be enough to see VP take a map in their IEM Cologne opener, but there’s no denying that TYLOO are the ones you’d back to take the series.
My prediction: TYLOO 2:1 Virtus.pro
Astralis were Grand Finalists at FISSURE Playground 1, and will be disappointed not to have won their first trophy in years. Still, progress is progress, and a 100% Grand Final rate under HooXi is nothing to be baulked at, considering their struggles over the last couple of years. They’re looking solid, but B8 continue to make a very impressive name for themselves with each showing, too. The young Ukrainians are going to be a problem for Astralis, but I reckon the Danes will be eager to swiftly bounce back from their recent disappointment. Expect this to be a particular banger of an IEM Cologne 2025 opening match.
My prediction: Astralis 2:1 B8
FlyQuest have shown a lot of ambition in the off-season by adding jks to their majority-Aussie lineup. But for me, it doesn’t move the needle when it comes to matches like this. FURIA will be disappointed by their FISSURE Playground 1 showing, and they’re clearly a much better lineup than they showed in their return to the server. Certainly, they should have more than enough quality to sweep FlyQuest aside in their IEM Cologne 2025 opening match.
My prediction: FlyQuest 0:2 FURIA
Of all the IEM Cologne 2025 opening matches, FaZe Clan vs. BIG might be the one that excites me the most. FaZe Clan are making their return with broky back in the lineup, and I’m absolutely fascinated to see how it will play out. In BIG, they face a team that are underperforming at the moment, so it’s an excellent opportunity for an early confidence boost with a big win. Lose, though, and they could be in a rough time at IEM Cologne 2025.
My prediction: FaZe Clan 2:0 BIG
In truth, there’s not much narrative surrounding 3DMAX vs. MIBR. Even if it’s a competitive game, it’s not one I imagine will live long in the memory. MIBR are fine. 3DMAX are fine. It’s a coin toss in this one.
My prediction: 3DMAX 1:2 MIBR
Team Liquid come into the IEM Cologne 2025 opening matches badly needing a few wins, or they risk losing VRS invites going forward. The pressure is on, now, while paiN Gaming arrive off the back of a slow start to the season at FISSURE Playground 1. I don’t expect this one to be pretty, even if Team Liquid likely take it once all is said and done. I’m not at all confident, though.
My prediction: Team Liquid 2:1 paiN Gaming
It was clear after HEROIC‘s recent debut that this latest iteration of the roster is going to face some serious growing pains. Meanwhile, it’s a first outing for Ninjas in Pyjamas, too, after they replaced arrozdoce with young talent xKacpersky. I’ve liked what I’ve seen from the rest of the NIP core earlier in 2025, grasping every opportunity given to them with both hands. It could be too early for HEROIC, while I think the time is right for Ninjas in Pyjamas to get a few more solid wins under their belt.
My prediction: Ninjas in Pyjamas 2:1 HEROIC
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