IEM Cologne 2025Vitality into Cologne playoffs, set up Major final rematch against The MongolZ
apEX and company proved a task too tough for G2's new side.
Vitality have won their 36th BO3/5 in a row by toppling G2 2-0 in Group A at IEM Cologne.
The win puts the world's best team on a collision course with The MongolZ to see who will skip straight to semi-finals, who Vitality beat in Austin's Major final at the end of last season.
But either way the Golden Hornets will await Vitality in the LANXESS for the first time in a year.
"It feels nice to be in another playoffs," William "mezii" Merriman told Tres "stunna" Saranthus on broadcast post-game. "We haven't played G2 this year so it's nice to play a new opponent. Also, to get more of the map pool after the break, bit of Train. It feels good."
G2, meanwhile, drop down to play 3DMAX in a more fair test of the new team's capabilities.
| Date | Matches | |
|---|---|---|
| IEM Cologne 2025 | ||
| 28/07/2025 |
18:30
|
Match |
| 29/07/2025 |
16:35
|
Match |
The Vitality match will be put down as a learning experience for Nemanja "huNter-" Kovač's new look G2, who had moments on Inferno despite losing both pistols and came close on Train after an inspired Nikita "HeavyGod" Martynenko performance.
The Israeli anchor won two 1v2s on CT side, and put G2 in the lead with a Glock ace as the halves switched.
But the gap in firepower and teamplay was made stark, as Vitality dominated the gun rounds.
On Inferno, even with Mathieu "ZywOo" Herbaut going 0-6 in openers on Inferno, Vitality strolled to victory. Any opponents who hoped for a post-summer slump will have to keep waiting.
malbsMd exposed on Ivy
Matúš "MATYS" Šimko loves A on Train so much he made a whole video about it with Martin "STYKO" Styk, and the Slovakian has kept his preferred spot.
With huNter- as the other A Rotator, that means Mario "malbsMd" Samayoa has to play Ivy in a return to the type of position the Guatamalan often played in 2024 when he first joined G2.
But malbsMd struggled badly when Vitality approached his spot, and Dan "apEX" Madesclaire was able to simply wait for a reswing in a round that summed up his half.
G2's new lineup is well balanced overall but it does throw up some conundrums with three natural rotators in the composition. Let's see if Train is one Eetu "sAw" Saha and company can solve.
More highlights from Vitality vs G2:
 G2 |
K - D | Swing | ADR | KAST | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 - 26 | +3.56% | 82.4 | 75.6% | 1.21 | |
| 26 - 34 | -2.76% | 80.0 | 65.9% | 0.95 | |
| 25 - 27 | -1.58% | 56.8 | 73.2% | 0.91 | |
| 20 - 36 | -4.64% | 63.0 | 68.3% | 0.72 | |
| 16 - 26 | -5.25% | 47.3 | 61.0% | 0.67 |
  Vitality |
K - D | Swing | ADR | KAST | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 - 26 | +1.92% | 85.7 | 75.6% | 1.24 | |
| 24 - 20 | +1.33% | 74.1 | 87.8% | 1.22 | |
| 33 - 25 | +1.78% | 82.1 | 73.2% | 1.22 | |
| 32 - 24 | +2.24% | 72.5 | 78.0% | 1.15 | |
| 29 - 24 | +3.13% | 68.4 | 80.5% | 1.12 |
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