IEM Cologne 2025 Playoff preview and predictions: Can Team Vitality walk out victorious?

Following a week of Play-In and Group Stage matches, the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Cologne 2025 Playoffs are set as the Tier-1 Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) LAN enters its final stages.

Out of the 24 teams in attendance, six have secured a place at the Lanxess Arena after battling through two double-elimination best-of-three brackets. Esports Insider checks out the teams competing within the cathedral of Counter-Strike and predicts how the event will unfold.

The opening quarter-final sees Austin Major runners-up The MongolZ take on NAVI in what could be a highly competitive contest between two in-form sides

The MongolZ has continued to build on its second-place at the Major with another strong showing over the course of the Group Stage. Victories over 3DMAX and Team Falcons set up a Major final rematch against Team Vitality to determine which team would begin the Playoffs in the semi-finals.

A 2-0 defeat to the French esports organisations resulted in the Mongolians finishing Group A with the second seed, creating a clash with NAVI.

In Group B, NAVI’s debut with Drin ‘Makazze’ Shaqiri has begun on the front foot, defeating FaZe Clan twice and Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) to qualify for the Playoffs through the lower bracket.

Although NAVI is the underdog in this particular match, the Ukrainian organisation is no stranger to defeating higher-ranked opposition in Cologne. For The MongolZ, a win in the quarter finals will cement its position within the top five of the Valve Regional Standings (VRS).

With both teams heading into the Playoffs with a spring in their step, there’s a possibility this best-of-three series goes the distance.

Winner: The MongolZ 2-1

In the second quarter-final, MOUZ faces off against FURIA, with the latter aiming to bounce back from a disappointing showing at FISSURE Playground 1.

Prior to the Austin Major, MOUZ has impressed in international tournaments, with victory at PGL Cluj-Napoca and second-place finishes at ESL Pro League Season 21 and BLAST Open Spring.

Wins over Team Liquid and NAVI secured a Playoff place, while a narrow 2-1 defeat to Team Spirit cemented MOUZ as the second seed.

FURIA’s rise through the ranks has been impressive. Despite a lacklustre showing at FISSURE Playground 1, the Brazilian organisation successfully broke into the top ten of the VRS in June, and has regularly given top teams a run for their money.

The Brazilian organisation’s IEM Cologne campaign began with a defeat to G2 Esports, but it battled through the lower bracket with wins over Astralis and Team Falcons before avenging its earlier loss to G2 with a win to earn a Playoff place. The Playoff appearance marks eight years since Gabriel ‘FalleN’ Toledo last competed at the Lanxess Arena.

FURIA heads into the quarter-final as the underdog, while MOUZ looks to continue its solid 2025 with another semi-final appearance. Danil ‘molodoy’ Golubenko‘s AWPing has shone through, and could make all the difference on the big stage.

Winner: FURIA 2-1

With The MongolZ and FURIA advancing to the semi-finals, the theoretical semi-final matches are as follows:

FURIA has the tricky task of usurping the best Counter-Strike team in its semi-final. Even if FURIA is firing on all cylinders, ending Vitality’s dominance is no easy feat. The French organisation has shown a few weaknesses in recent events, making it the heavy favourite in this match-up.

Winner: Team Vitality 2-0

The second semi-final between The MongolZ and Team Spirit could be a much closer contest. However, Danil ‘Donk’ Kryshkovets has played at his full potential, making the Shanghai Major winners a contender for championship glory once again.

A potential match between The MongolZ and Team Spirit could be the most competitive of the entire tournament. Given the recent form of both sides, there’s every chance the series goes down to a third and deciding map.

Winner: Team Spirit 2-1

Based on the outcomes of the theoretical semi-finals, a Grand Final between Team Vitality and Spirit is on the cards at IEM Cologne 2025.

The most recent CS2 Major winners have hit some incredible form over the past seven months, with the French building an unprecedented winning streak while the Russians have continued to build a team capable of ending it.

A best-of-five between the two sides has the potential to be an all-time classic. Team Spirit will have to bring all of its firepower to defeat a Vitality side that aims to add another accolade to its ever-expanding trophy cabinet.

IEM Cologne 2025 winner: Team Vitality 3-1