In the quarterfinals of IEM Cologne 2025, The MongolZ and NAVI will clash — two teams with contrasting styles but similar ambitions. The Mongolian side has defeated NAVI three times this year already, but the Ukrainian team, now with a revamped lineup, is showing signs of progress and a strong desire for revenge. This article offers a detailed match prediction, including an analysis of the teams’ form, map pool, key players, and potential match scenario.
Current Form
NAVI come into the IEM Cologne 2025 quarterfinals with inconsistent but promising form. Over the past three months, they’ve won 17 out of 30 maps. At this tournament, they have already secured wins against NiP and FaZe (twice), while suffering losses to Vitality and MOUZ. This shows they can compete with top teams, but still struggle against structured opponents.
The MongolZ, on the other hand, look much more solid: 26 wins out of 40 maps over the past three months and convincing victories in Cologne over paiN, 3DMAX, and Falcons. Their only setbacks were against Vitality, underlining their difficulty in breaking through elite-tier opposition. As the finalists of the Austin Major, The MongolZ head into playoffs with confidence and momentum.
Teams’ Map Pool
In a bo3 series, teams typically aim to pick maps that suit their strengths and target the opponent’s weaknesses.
Bans:
- NAVI are likely to ban Dust2 first, despite their 100% win rate on it, as The MongolZ prioritize this map (80% WR).
- The MongolZ will probably respond by banning Train, which is their usual ban and a solid pick for NAVI (75% WR).
Picks:
- NAVI are expected to pick Inferno, where they boast an 86% win rate and five-game win streak. The MongolZ, in contrast, have a poor 38% WR and a five-loss streak on this map.
- The MongolZ will likely opt for Mirage, their most played map (12 times, 75% WR) and a map on which they’ve repeatedly beaten NAVI.
Second Bans:
- NAVI may remove Ancient, which they are not comfortable on.
- The MongolZ could ban Nuke, even with a 75% WR, to avoid potential surprises.
Decider:
- This likely leaves Overpass as the decider — a map neither team has played much, adding unpredictability but also an opportunity for strategic depth and adaptation.
Head-to-Head and Key Players
Over the last six months, The MongolZ have won three out of four series against NAVI, including dominant 2–0 victories at IEM Katowice 2025 and EPL Season 21. NAVI managed to win only at BLAST Open Lisbon (2–1), but The MongolZ came out on top again at PGL Astana 2025.
Two standout performers for The MongolZ are senzu (1.2 rating) and 910 (1.05), both showing consistent form. For NAVI, the star is iM, who is enjoying one of his best tournaments with a 1.32 rating. Newcomer makazze is yet to reach his full potential, currently posting a 1.00 rating in Cologne compared to his 1.16 in NAVI Junior.
Match Prediction
This matchup promises to be intense and strategic. The MongolZ hold a psychological and stylistic advantage, having defeated NAVI multiple times and adapting well to their opponents. Mirage remains a reliable pick for the Mongolian side, while Inferno looks almost guaranteed for NAVI. Much will depend on whether makazze can support iM, and how senzu and co. perform on the decider.
A 2–1 series is the most likely outcome, with NAVI taking their map, but The MongolZ edging out Mirage and Overpass through cohesion and adaptability.
Prediction: The MongolZ to win 2–1.
