The pressure reaches its peak as the IEM Cologne 2025 Main Stage begins. With the Play-In behind us, sixteen teams are now split across two ruthless double-elimination groups. Only six will advance to the playoffs in the Cathedral of Counter-Strike. Every team here has proven something — but now they must prove everything.
This stage isn’t just about form. It’s about survival. Best-of-threes, back-to-back. One loss, and the pressure doubles. Two, and you’re out. The stakes don’t get higher than this.
Group Stage Format
The Main Stage runs from July 26 to 29 and features two double-elimination (GSL) groups of eight teams each. Every match is a best-of-three. The top three teams from each group advance to the playoffs. Group winners move directly into the semifinals. Runners-up enter the quarterfinals as high seeds. Third-place finishers take the remaining quarterfinal slots as low seeds.
Opening Matches
The group stage opens with high-octane clashes right out of the gate. Vitality faces Astralis in a heavyweight battle. NAVI debuts their new roster against FaZe. G2, under a completely rebuilt lineup, takes on the unpredictable FURIA. These are not warm-ups — these are statement games.
The action continues Sunday with the debut of MOUZ, Liquid, Spirit, and HEROIC. For some, it will be a chance to confirm their dominance. For others, it might already be do-or-die.
Saturday, July 26 (CEST):
- 13:30 — G2 vs FURIA
- 13:30 — Falcons vs GamerLegion
- 16:00 — Vitality vs Astralis
- 16:00 — The MongolZ vs 3DMAX
- 18:30 — Natus Vincere vs FaZe Clan
- 18:30 — Aurora vs Ninjas in Pyjamas
Sunday, July 27 (CEST):
- 13:30 — MOUZ vs Liquid
- 13:30 — Spirit vs HEROIC
Group A
Vitality enter as the undisputed favorites. Unchanged roster, unstoppable streak, unshakable control. They are the most complete team in Counter-Strike right now, and Cologne is their battlefield to lose. Astralis meet them immediately — a team finally finding its rhythm, with dev1ce and HooXi forming a surprising but effective duo. If Astralis can punch back early, this could set the tone for the entire tournament.
G2 arrives with a fully rebuilt lineup: new AWPer, new IGL, new coach, new identity. Expectations are low, but raw talent is high. This group will test them instantly. Their opponent FURIA, on the other hand, thrives in chaos. They passed Stage 1 with confidence and could break G2 down with aggressive mid-rounds.
Falcons look solid on paper, but travel issues and limited match time make them difficult to predict. Cologne is critical for their global ranking and season trajectory. GamerLegion made a quiet but impactful upgrade in AWPer kursy and looked convincing during Play-In — though their level against top-tier opponents remains untested.
The MongolZ are always a wild threat. No roster changes, just relentless tempo. They’re capable of toppling anyone on their day. 3DMAX, in contrast, are a team of stability without a breakthrough gear. Their ceiling may already be in sight.
This group doesn’t ease in. Every opening matchup could swing the entire bracket.
Group B
Group B is fire from top to bottom. MOUZ bring structure, discipline, and months of top-tier consistency. Spirit bring explosiveness and arguably the scariest player in the world — donk. With fine-tuned roster upgrades and no weak links, they’re a favorite not just to top the group but to win it all.
FaZe are back in their comfort zone. broky has returned, and the s1mple stand-in experience gave the team clarity. Now focused and rested, they face off against an upgraded NAVI who added makazze and gained Overpass in their map pool. But doubts remain — w0nderful’s form and b1t’s impact still hang in the balance.
NiP looked clean in Play-In. The addition of xKacpersky boosted their firepower and didn’t hurt their chemistry. If that trend continues, they could be this group’s surprise package. Their first test comes against Aurora, who suffered a critical loss with XANTARES stepping out. xfl0ud steps in, but it’s a downgrade — and their Overpass ban could be exploited.
Liquid barely escaped Play-In and are still lacking in cohesion and execution. Cologne will be a mountain. One win might already be a success. HEROIC, meanwhile, are in the middle of a complete rebuild. Young, inexperienced, and still searching for identity, they’re more likely to gain lessons than playoff points.
The path to the playoffs here is brutal. Spirit and MOUZ may lead on paper, but NAVI bring firepower. NiP have momentum, and Aurora have nothing to lose. No one is safe.
AI Prediction
Based on form, roster depth, and Stage 1 performance, these six teams are most likely to qualify for the playoffs:
Group A:
- Vitality — tournament favorites, consistent and untouched since spring.
- Astralis — showing top form, strong structure with dev1ce and HooXi clicking.
- The MongolZ — explosive and confident, with momentum from Play-In.
Group B:
- Spirit — elite fragging power, donk in peak shape, clean system.
- MOUZ — no roster changes, consistent top-5 team with discipline.
- FaZe — broky is back, roster synergy restored, high LAN experience.
Dark horse watch: Ninjas in Pyjamas and NAVI could surprise if their new rosters peak in time. One upset pick is likely — Cologne always delivers drama.
Players to Watch in the Group Stage
Eight players to keep your eyes on as the pressure rises in Cologne:
- ZywOo — the best in the world right now. Can he keep up his dominant form against elite opponents?
- zweih — making his debut on the big stage. Spirit’s new star will be tested against tier-1 firepower for the first time.
- kyousuke — first tier-1 LAN, first English-speaking roster. Falcons’ rookie has a lot to prove.
- huNter- — new in-game leader for G2. How will he balance calling and fragging under pressure?
- makazze — a raw talent stepping into NAVI’s spotlight. Cologne is his trial by fire.
- kursy — looked sharp in Stage 1, but Group A will be a much tougher challenge for GamerLegion’s new AWPer.
- broky — performed well in Play-In, but those were lower-tier teams. Time to show up against real threats.
- xKacpersky — stepped up massively in the decider match, shutting down opponents almost single-handedly. Big stage awaits.
Conclusion
The IEM Cologne 2025 Group Stage is shaping up to be a ruthless clash of experience, form, and raw firepower. Vitality, Spirit, and MOUZ come in as front-runners, with FaZe and Astralis not far behind. But this stage isn’t just about who’s supposed to win — it’s about who can rise when it matters.
New faces like zweih, makazze, kursy, and xKacpersky are entering the spotlight. For some, it’s a debut. For others, it’s a make-or-break proving ground. Legends like ZywOo and broky will be under pressure to deliver against top-tier opponents, while G2’s huNter- takes on the double burden of fragging and leading a rebuilt roster.
Expect at least one major upset. NiP and NAVI are on the edge — and both could push through if their young stars hit their stride. Cologne never sticks to the script. Six teams will reach LANXESS Arena. The rest will be left outside the Cathedral, wondering what went wrong.
