The IEM Cologne 2025 Main Stage continues, and we’re about to witness a matchup that’s far from ordinary. Spirit, a team that’s been making headlines for months, will face Heroic — a squad eager to prove that their rebuild is yielding results. This Group B upper bracket quarter-final means not only a ticket forward without the stress of the lower bracket, but also a chance to solidify their status on Cologne’s legendary LAN stage.
Team Lineups
Spirit:
- zont1x
- sh1ro
- donk
- chopper (IGL)
- zweih
Heroic:
- tN1R
- nilo
- LNZ
- gr1ks
- yxngstxr
Spirit currently represents a mix of youthful aggression and seasoned stability. donk (1.45 rating) continues to deliver the highest level of entry fragging on the scene, creating space for his team, while sh1ro remains the guarantor of AWP precision and composure in clutch moments. Heroic, on the other hand, is holding together on enthusiasm and structure after a major rebuild. New leader tN1R (1.21 rating) has taken on the role of the main damage dealer, while experienced players LNZ and gr1ks try to maintain the balance.
Current Form
Spirit comes into this match in excellent form. They crushed Lynn Vision (13–7) and paiN (13–3), swept Natus Vincere (2–0), and only narrowly lost to MOUZ (1–2) in the final of their recent event. Spirit’s game is built on aggression, rapid decisions, and instant rotations. donk averages nearly one kill per round (0.97), while chopper, with decades of tournament experience, carefully manages the game’s pace to keep the team’s chaos in check.
Heroic looks more unstable. Yes, wins over Virtus.pro (2–0) and MIBR (2–0) show they can play tight, disciplined CS, but losses to BIG (1–2), BetBoom (1–2), and Ninjas in Pyjamas (1–2) reveal they haven’t yet found stability against top-tier opponents. Heroic has plenty of potential, but it isn’t always turning into results.
Map Pool & Veto Analysis
Map stats (last 3 months):
- Dust2: Spirit 78% | Heroic 36%
- Mirage: Spirit 71% | Heroic 75%
- Inferno: neither team plays it
- Nuke: Spirit 67% | Heroic 80%
- Train: Spirit 80% | Heroic 100%
- Overpass: neither team plays it
- Ancient: Spirit 50% | Heroic 45%
Expected veto:
- Spirit will remove Overpass, which isn’t in their pool.
- Heroic will almost certainly ban Inferno, a map they have no practice or clear structure on.
Likely picks:
- Spirit may go for Dust2 or Mirage, where donk’s aggression and dominance look most devastating.
- Heroic will likely take Train or Nuke — maps where discipline and structure could work in their favor.
Potential decider: Ancient looks like the likeliest third map — both teams play it at roughly the same level, making it the perfect battleground.
Key Duels
- donk vs tN1R — the duel for tempo: whoever wins more entry frags will dictate the game’s rhythm.
- sh1ro vs gr1ks — an AWP clash: sh1ro’s consistency versus gr1ks’ bolder, more experimental style.
- chopper vs LNZ — the captains’ battle: veteran experience against new-generation creativity.
Prediction
This matchup feels like a true IEM Cologne classic: Spirit enter as favorites, while Heroic aim to create an upset. Right now, Spirit is the best mix of individual form and team cohesion on the scene: donk is tearing opponents apart on entry, and sh1ro and zont1x are cleaning up everything else. Heroic, while promising, are still searching for the perfect balance and rely heavily on tN1R and nilo’s form.
If Spirit take their pick (Dust2 or Mirage) and transfer their aggression onto the second map, this could be a quick series. Heroic might grab momentum on Nuke or Train, but the edge in individual skill and confidence lies entirely with Spirit.
Predicted Score: 2–0 Spirit.
Heroic will have their moments, but Spirit are simply too strong right now and are unlikely to let this series drag into a full Bo3.
