Day two of Stage 1 at the legendary IEM Cologne 2025 delivered three remarkably intense series, where experience met ambition, control met chaos, and the new wave clashed with battle-tested veterans. GamerLegion, TYLOO, and Ninjas in Pyjamas all secured pivotal victories that not only keep them alive in the tournament but also reshape the competitive dynamics of the bracket.
GamerLegion vs Virtus.pro — Cold-Blooded Execution and Tactical Precision
- Score: 2:0 (Dust2 13:8, Ancient 13:11)
Virtus.pro opened with their usual conservative approach by picking Dust2, but it was GamerLegion who seized momentum right out of the gate. A strong 7:5 T-side start gave them the confidence to close out the map on defense. The team showed composure in clutch moments and clinical shooting — especially from PR, who dominated long and consistently found entry kills.
Ancient saw Virtus.pro improve, even taking an early 8:4 lead. But they couldn’t maintain the tempo. GamerLegion launched a decisive 6-round streak on the CT side, and key impact kills from REZ and Kursy in late-round scenarios sealed the map and the match.
GamerLegion move forward to Stage 2, showcasing excellent team cohesion and tempo control, while Virtus.pro drop to the lower bracket with serious questions looming over their lineup and roles.
TYLOO vs Complexity — Grit, Grind, and a Comeback on Ancient
- Score: 2:1 (Overpass 11:13, Inferno 13:6, Ancient 13:8)
After a disappointing first match, TYLOO came into this series under pressure. Their clash with Complexity became a litmus test for the resilience of the Chinese squad. Overpass, picked by Complexity, started strong for the North Americans — a 7:5 first half with solid coordination from JT and CZKi. Yet even on this map, TYLOO fought until the end, only narrowly losing.
On Inferno, it was a different story. TYLOO dictated the pace. Jee and Moseyuh were relentless in finding entry picks, and Complexity looked lost, managing just two T-side rounds. The map ended quickly at 13:6.
Ancient was a test of willpower. Complexity had a slight edge at the half (7:5), but the second half was all TYLOO — dominating retakes, aggressive tempo from JamYoung, and a critical 6-round run closed the series.
TYLOO advance in the lower bracket, while Complexity exit the tournament, leaving major concerns about the team’s trajectory moving forward.
Ninjas in Pyjamas vs 3DMAX — Experience Overcomes Momentum
- Score: 2:0 (Nuke 13:8, Dust2 13:7)
3DMAX came into this matchup as a dark horse, riding the momentum of recent upsets against paiN and others. But NiP drew a clear line between raw energy and structured discipline. On Nuke, the Swedes looked confident on the T side, grabbing 8 rounds early. xKacpersky and sjuush maintained control across the map.
Dust2 was the pinnacle of NiP’s structure — a flawless 8:0 CT-side start left no room for a comeback. The map closed swiftly, with NiP showing class in every retake and duel.
NiP advance to Stage 2 without dropping a single map, proving that structured CS and veteran leadership remain invaluable. For 3DMAX, the journey continues in the lower bracket.
Takeaways of the Day: Control, Comebacks, and Rising Stars
- GamerLegion proved they’re ready to fight the world’s best — their discipline and aim are translating into results.
- TYLOO bounced back after an early stumble, showing impressive depth and character in one of the hardest-fought matches of the day.
- NiP once again proved that proper structure and experience are key, even when facing energetic, fast-paced underdogs.
Up next is Stage 2 — the final battle for spots in the IEM Cologne 2025 Group Stage. The tournament is only heating up.
