The main stage of IEM Cologne 2025 kicks off with a match that already feels like a clash of two eras. Falcons, entering as one of the favorites, will face GamerLegion — a team that has shown significant progress in recent months. Both lineups have changed since their May meeting at IEM Dallas, but that series still left a mark on their shared history.
Team Lineups
Falcons:
- NiKo
- m0NESY
- TeSeS
- kyxsan
- kyousuke
GamerLegion:
- REZ
- PR
- Tauson
- ztr
- Kursy
Falcons have strengthened their roster by signing kyousuke — one of 2025’s brightest talents. Alongside NiKo and m0NESY, this creates a combination of experience and explosive skill. GamerLegion, on the other hand, are leaning heavily on collective discipline and structured play under ztr’s leadership.
Head-to-Head: IEM Dallas 2025
The teams met back in May at IEM Dallas 2025, though with different rosters at the time. Falcons still had Magisk and their old core, while GamerLegion featured acoR instead of Kursy. Falcons ultimately won the series 2–1, but the maps were more competitive than the scoreline suggests:
- Inferno — Falcons 13–8 GamerLegion
- Nuke — GamerLegion 13–9 Falcons
- Ancient — Falcons 13–8 GamerLegion
That series proved that even the old GL lineup could cause problems — and with their revamped roster, they might be even more dangerous this time.
Current Form
Falcons: enter this match with a crucial roster upgrade in the form of kyousuke, who stormed onto the scene with a 1.39 rating. Before his arrival, Falcons looked inconsistent: they struggled at BLAST.tv Austin Major Stage 2, losing to MIBR, Lynn Vision, and B8, managing only one win against OG. Before that, they had a strong run at IEM Dallas 2025, including a respectable showing against Vitality in the semi-final. With kyousuke, the team plays more aggressively and confidently — though their risky style sometimes leaves openings for opponents to stage comebacks.
GamerLegion: boast 4 wins in their last 5 matches (2–0 vs Virtus.pro, 2–0 vs Complexity, 2–0 vs SAW, 2–1 vs Wildcard) and just one loss to BetBoom (1–2). REZ remains a consistent performer (1.11 rating), while Kursy adds aggression and creativity on the T side. GL look well-prepared, even if their new roster hasn’t fully reached perfect synergy yet.
Map Pool & Potential Veto
Map stats (last 3 months):
- Dust2: Falcons — 60% | GamerLegion — 100%
- Mirage: Falcons — 60% | GamerLegion — 14%
- Inferno: Falcons — 40% | GamerLegion — 33%
- Nuke: Falcons — 40% | GamerLegion — 67%
- Train: Falcons — 50% | GamerLegion — 100% (1 map)
- Overpass: Falcons — unplayed | GamerLegion — unplayed
- Ancient: Falcons — 83% | GamerLegion — 62%
Expected veto:
- Falcons will likely ban Overpass — a map neither team has played, and too risky for a LAN opener.
- GamerLegion are expected to remove Mirage, where they have a miserable 14% win rate and Falcons feel very comfortable.
Picks:
- Falcons may lean toward Ancient (83%) or Dust2 — both maps are strong for them.
- GamerLegion will likely pick Nuke (67%) or Dust2, trying to disrupt Falcons’ rhythm.
Decider: Inferno seems the most likely decider — both teams have middling results here, and it often slips through veto phases.
Key Duels
- kyousuke vs REZ — the Falcons’ new phenomenon against GL’s stability. If REZ can contain kyousuke on the T side, it could tilt the game.
- m0NESY vs Kursy — the AWP battle. m0NESY has experience and consistency, but Kursy is unpredictable and capable of clutch brilliance.
- NiKo vs Tauson — NiKo remains Falcons’ driving force, while Tauson is emerging as GL’s backbone.
Prediction
Falcons enter as clear favorites — their firepower and individual skill give them the edge. However, GamerLegion have shown they can challenge top-tier teams with structured, disciplined play. If GL can impose their tempo on Nuke or Dust2, they could steal a map.
- Predicted score: 2–1 for Falcons.
Falcons have more weapons to close the series, but GamerLegion look competitive enough to claim one map and make the favorites work hard for their opening-stage win.
