IEM Cologne 2025 kicks off with a thrilling duel between the FISSURE Playground 1 champions — China’s TYLOO — and the ambitious Virtus.pro squad led by electroNic. The two teams recently clashed, and that encounter tells us a lot. However, the LAN environment of Cologne, the Bo3 format, and the Play-In stage pressure may shift the balance.
Team Lineups
TYLOO:
- JamYoung
- Mercury
- Jee
- Attacker
- Moseyuh
Virtus.pro:
- electroNic
- FL1T
- fame
- Perfecto
- ICY
TYLOO continue their dominance thanks to JamYoung’s phenomenal form (1.27 rating, 86.3 ADR), carrying the team in both attack and clutch situations. Mercury and Jee provide consistency, and TYLOO’s tactics — showcased at FISSURE — now reveal a team far beyond simple aggression. They’re a tactical machine with flexibility.
Virtus.pro, meanwhile, have assembled a star-studded roster, with electroNic and FL1T forming the core. However, consistency remains a challenge. Their progress is visible, but breakdowns still occur in high-pressure moments.
Head-to-Head History
These teams met just recently — on July 15 at FISSURE Playground 1, where TYLOO won both maps in the group stage.
- Anubis: 16–14
- Inferno: 13–9
The matches highlighted the contrast: TYLOO looked confident and adaptive, while VP lacked composure in key moments. On Anubis, VP had a real shot at winning in regulation but crumbled in clutches. Inferno was a JamYoung masterclass — his AWP rounds and entry kills were game-changers.
The takeaway? TYLOO had better reads, faster adaptation, and thrived in chaotic moments — all elements that could resurface in Cologne, especially since VP still haven’t cracked TYLOO’s structural pressure.
Current Form
TYLOO: Riding high after their FISSURE win, the team looks razor-sharp. Their blend of aggression, timing, and opponent prep is elite. JamYoung is a true force (1.27 rating, 1.41 impact), and his duo with Mercury allows TYLOO to dictate the pace from the first round.
Virtus.pro: Their revamped lineup is showing flashes of brilliance, but the cohesion isn’t there yet. FL1T maintains strong individual numbers (1.09 rating), and ICY shows promise, but the team play isn’t fully gelled. Against a well-drilled squad like TYLOO, that might be the deciding factor.
Map Pool & Potential Veto
Map stats (last 3 months):
- Dust2: TYLOO — unplayed | VP — 50%
- Mirage: TYLOO — 86% | VP — 43%
- Inferno: TYLOO — 81% | VP — 83%
- Nuke: TYLOO — 71% | VP — unplayed
- Train: TYLOO — 67% | VP — 0%
- Overpass: both teams — unplayed
- Ancient: TYLOO — 58% | VP — 33%
Expected vetoes:
- Virtus.pro will likely remove Train, which TYLOO play confidently and VP avoid altogether.
- TYLOO might ban Overpass or Dust2, which are “unknowns” for both sides.
Possible Picks:
- TYLOO: likely to choose Mirage or Inferno, both high win-rate maps.
- VP: could pick Inferno (83%) or gamble on Dust2 if it remains unbanned.
- Decider: most likely Ancient — both teams play it moderately, with neither being a clear favorite.
Key Matchups
- JamYoung vs FL1T: The star duel. JamYoung has better stats, but FL1T has saved VP in tough spots.
- Mercury vs Perfecto: Site anchors. Mercury brings consistency, while Perfecto thrives in clutches.
- electroNic vs Jee: The veteran leader vs the young in-game leader. Whoever reads the game better will likely control the series.
Prediction
TYLOO have the upper hand — LAN form, synergy, star power in JamYoung, and strong stats on their comfort maps. Virtus.pro may challenge on their own pick, but their team play still needs refinement.
Predicted score: 2:0 or 2:1 in favor of TYLOO
While Virtus.pro show long-term promise, the current favorite is clear — and they fly the Chinese flag.
