The play-ins at IEM Cologne 2025 are underway, and three groups have already claimed spots within the group stage.
GamerLegion, Ninjas in Pyjamas, and FaZe Clan are the primary groups to qualify from the play-ins at IEM Cologne 2025. The trio of squads went 2-0 within the preliminary spherical, securing a spot within the group stage, which begins on July 26, 2025. 5 extra groups will be part of them over the subsequent two days, with one from the higher bracket and 4 from the decrease. These eight groups will face off in opposition to the eight direct invitations for a spot within the playoffs. It’s an uphill battle for the play-in squads, however one among at this time’s winners might go on to assert one of many greatest trophies of the yr within the grand finals on August 3.
GamerLegion’s PR Goes Off for 28 Kills
GamerLegion’s run began with a clean victory over Complexity, stomping Inferno 13-3 earlier than a extra even match on Nuke. Virtus.professional put up extra of a combat, placing up 8 rounds on Mud 2 and 11 on Historic. Nonetheless, a grand efficiency by star rifler Oldřich “PR” Nový secured the win with 28 kills and a standout 110.4 ADR.
Ninjas in Pyjamas had a extra turbulent bracket, dealing with play-in favourite HEROIC within the first spherical. Regardless of a formidable 5 T rounds on Nuke, NiP failed to shut out. Followers anticipated a sweep from HEROIC, however the Ninjas fired again with two 13-9 scorelines on Overpass and Historic to safe the upset. The second spherical in opposition to 3DMAX was a lot cleaner, ending 2-0 for the NiP with a monster pistol spotlight for Artem “r1nkle” Moroz.
Picture Credit score: Ninjas in Pyjamas
EliGE Will get Final Chuckle as FaZe Clan Roasts Liquid
FaZe Clan and Staff Liquid, each potential playoff contenders, ended the day with an anticipated win-and-in. Each groups misplaced their very own map choose, resulting in a decider on Nuke. FaZe lucked out beginning at CT and shortly ran away with the benefit, getting into the change at 10-2 with some shock fragging from Finn “karrigan” Andersen. A profitable pistol spherical secured the win. Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski was the person of the map, transitioning from a mediocre displaying to raining 20 frags with six multikills in opposition to this former workforce.
Credit score: Sebastian Pandelache, PGL
FaZe’s win over Liquid marked the tip of play-ins day one at IEM Cologne 2025. Tomorrow’s matchups to look at embody Astralis vs FURIA, BIG vs paiN, and TyLoo vs 3DMAX. As soon as the play-ins finish, the group stage of IEM Cologne 2025 will start on July 26.
