IEM Cologne 2025: Can Anyone Stop Vitality’s Unstoppable Streak?

With the IEM Cologne 2025 playoff bracket now locked and six teams headed to the iconic LANXESS Arena, one question looms large: can anyone beat Vitality?

The reigning world number one didn’t just cruise through the group stage — they dominated, extending their series win streak to 37, crushing opponents with brutal efficiency, and securing a direct berth to the semi-finals. As the competition intensifies and legacy moments hang in the balance, the rest of the playoff field faces a towering challenge: dismantling the most consistent team in CS2 history.

Vitality’s Rise: Perfect Execution Meets Unshakable Form

There are winning streaks - and then there’s what Vitality is doing. Their 9-0 head-to-head dominance over The MongolZ, including a clinical 2-0 group stage victory this week, speaks volumes about their preparation, adaptability, and raw firepower.

ZywOo continues to operate on a different plane. His semi-final–clinching performance against The MongolZ wasn’t just impressive — it was demoralizing. A 14-3 K-D, 130.4 ADR, and a 2.25 CT-side rating on Inferno left no doubt about his current form. Combine that with flameZ’s clutch ace and mezii’s aggressive site holds, and you’ve got a team firing on all cylinders.

Pick’ems Insight: Vitality is your “choose battles wisely” option. For those looking to bank safe points and maintain monthly leaderboard positioning, locking in Vitality until the grand final is almost a no-brainer.

Follow our Tips section for full match analysis.

The Bracket: A Gauntlet of Underdogs and Rivals

While Vitality sits in the semi-final awaiting the winner of MOUZ vs. FURIA, the rest of the bracket is a battleground of redemption arcs and roster breakthroughs.

Spirit: Debutants With Bite

On the other side of the bracket, Team Spirit secured their own semi-final slot after finally toppling MOUZ — their first win in four meetings this year. It was also the team’s first elite showing with Ivan “⁠zweih⁠” Gogin, and if their cohesion holds, Spirit may be the only squad with the raw firepower to trade blow-for-blow with Vitality.

Pick’ems Insight: Spirit represents your “separate from the pack” play. A bet on their run to the final is high-risk, high-reward — ideal for players trailing on the leaderboard who need bold calls.

Follow our Tips section for full match analysis.

NAVI: makazze’s First Arena Test

Natus Vincere come in fresh off a statement win over FaZe and will field makazze for the first time on stage against The MongolZ. NAVI’s tactical structure looked sharp in groups, and if the new player holds his nerves, they may surprise.

The MongolZ, despite their rough showing against Vitality, have proven they can make deep runs. If they fix their late-round mistakes and secure pistol conversions, a rematch in the final isn’t impossible.

Pick’ems Insight: If you're choosing between NAVI and The MongolZ in quarters, study player form and role consistency. makazze’s lan debut is a wildcard — the smarter Pick’ems play may be The MongolZ for clutch potential alone.

FURIA vs. MOUZ: The Match That Changes Everything

The most unpredictable match of the playoffs might be FURIA vs. MOUZ, a rematch months in the making and the first since FURIA went international with YEKINDAR and molodoy.

MOUZ, meanwhile, will be laser-focused on redemption after blowing multiple leads to Spirit. This is a clash of fragging power versus momentum control — and the winner faces Vitality in the semi-final.

Pick’ems Insight: This matchup is your ultimate “separator.” If you think FURIA’s new firepower can catch MOUZ off-guard, a risky point here could make your leaderboard rise real. But remember, the winner runs into Vitality.

Can Anyone Actually Beat Vitality?

Let’s be realistic: Vitality hasn’t lost a series since who even remembers. They’ve dismantled top-10 teams, won high-pressure finals, and overcome both clutches and force buys with machine-like composure.

But there are cracks to watch. Their CT sides remain dominant, but on certain maps like Overpass or Ancient, they’ve shown moments of vulnerability, especially against aggressive entry setups or fast B-splits. If a team like Spirit or MOUZ brings early-map chaos and hits their pistols, Vitality could be pushed.

Strategic CTA: If you’re leading the Pick’ems board, keep backing Vitality and play conservative through to the final. If you’re chasing — especially behind by 4+ points — this is your moment to gamble against the streak. Choose Spirit or even FURIA in an upset run and go for glory.