IEM Cologne 2025The MongolZ defeat Falcons to make LANXESS for the first time
Off games from NiKo and m0NESY gave the Mongolians an opportunity they did not squander.
The MongolZ are the first team into IEM Cologne 2025's playoffs after defeating Maxim "kyousuke" Lukin's new-look Falcons 2-0 (Dust 13-9, Mirage 13-9).
Rare off games occured simultaneously for star duo Nikola "NiKo" Kovač and Ilya "m0NESY" Osipov and The MongolZ didn't need a second invitation to show off the firepower of their own.
The win puts them in their fifth playoff in a row, their tenth in their last twelve big events, as they look to build on their second place finish at the Austin Major.
"Third time in Cologne, and now we made it to LANXESS," Ayush "mzinho" Batbold told Freya "Freya" Spiers post-game. "I'm really happy."
The winner of Vitality or G2 will face The MongolZ for a ticket straight to the semi-finals, setting up the likely scenario of a Major grand final rematch on July 29.
| Date | Matches | |
|---|---|---|
| IEM Cologne 2025 | ||
| 28/07/2025 |
18:30
|
Match |
| 29/07/2025 |
16:35
|
Match |
The problems kyousuke's firepower can't fix
Falcons' match was defined by 0.76 and 0.79 ratings from m0NESY and NiKo but their structure was also glaringly weak at times against The MongolZ.
They won both pistols on Mirage, but could not control the economy on either half thanks to rounds from Azbayar "Senzu" Munkhbold's deagle.
Dust2 was a different story, of poor starts to both halves, but letting slip of a 4v1 advantage against Garidmagnai "bLitz" Byambasuren was also reminiscent of some of the rounds Falcons managed to lose in Austin.
Very little blame can be put at kyousuke's door: He averaged a 1.34 rating (the second best was René "TeSeS" Madsen, on 0.88) with 98.8 ADR over the two map series.
The problems that affected Falcons in Austin and today's series are for others to fix.
Major Senzu gatecrashes the kyousuke party
For all of Falcons' firepower they were outclassed by an electric performance by Senzu.
The 18-year-old is in MVP form so far in Cologne with a 1.39 rating after four maps but was even better against Falcons than he was yesterday against 3DMAX.
A 9-2 record in opening duels, combined with +7.74% round swing and 1.35 kills per round win, was proof of his impact as he stole the spotlight from his opposition's big money signing(s).
More highlights from Falcons vs The MongolZ
 Falcons |
K - D | Swing | ADR | KAST | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 - 30 | +2.05% | 98.8 | 70.5% | 1.34 | |
| 26 - 29 | -0.34% | 57.6 | 75.0% | 0.88 | |
| 26 - 35 | -0.89% | 72.0 | 63.6% | 0.83 | |
| 21 - 28 | -3.06% | 64.4 | 59.1% | 0.79 | |
| 19 - 30 | -4.39% | 57.8 | 68.2% | 0.76 |
 The MongolZ |
K - D | Swing | ADR | KAST | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 - 24 | +7.46% | 97.5 | 79.5% | 1.56 | |
| 34 - 25 | +1.45% | 81.3 | 72.7% | 1.27 | |
| 29 - 27 | +2.14% | 70.9 | 68.2% | 1.05 | |
| 25 - 29 | -1.32% | 63.7 | 77.3% | 1.00 | |
| 18 - 29 | -3.43% | 50.5 | 65.9% | 0.77 |
Mario 'malbsMd' Samayoa
Álvaro 'SunPayus' García
Nikita 'HeavyGod' Martynenko
Matúš 'MATYS' Šimko
Eetu 'sAw' Saha
Dan 'apEX' Madesclaire
Robin 'ropz' Kool
William 'mezii' Merriman
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