Falcons and G2 Win Opening Matches at IEM Cologne 2025

Falcons and G2 showcased confident gameplay in the upper bracket quarterfinals of IEM Cologne 2025, securing 2-0 victories over GamerLegion and FURIA Esports respectively. Both teams looked impressive, and their updated rosters made a strong debut.

Falcons vs. GamerLegion
Falcons clinched Nuke with a score of 13:11, thanks to victories in key rounds towards the end. On Mirage, they left no room for their opponents: dominating from the first rounds led to an easy 13:6 victory.

The best player of the match was Nikola "NiKo" Kovač, who finished the match with 39 kills and 22 deaths, and an ADR of 91. 

G2 vs. FURIA Esports
G2 handled FURIA Esports with a 2-0 score, demonstrating somewhat inconsistent play on both maps. The first map, Dust2, was tense: despite a strong start from G2 (9:3 in the first half), FURIA Esports attempted a comeback, but G2 proved stronger in the end — 13:11. On Inferno, the team fully controlled the game and gave no chance for a comeback — 13:8.

The standout player of the match was Mario "malbsMd" Samayoa, who delivered a consistent series: 33 kills with 27 deaths and an ADR of 79.3. 

Both teams advance, where they will play for a spot in the playoffs. G2 will face the winner of the Vitality / Astralis matchup, while Falcons will go against the winner of 3DMAX / The MongolZ . FURIA Esports and GamerLegion drop to the lower bracket and will play against the losers of Vitality / Astralis and 3DMAX / The MongolZ respectively.