The opening day of IEM Cologne 2025 kicks off with a clash between two teams searching for stability — 3DMAX and MIBR. Both lineups have shown inconsistent form in recent months, but this best-of-three series could be a turning point in their season. Let’s analyze who has the upper hand in this matchup.
Current Form
3DMAX heads into the first stage of IEM Cologne 2025 with inconsistent results, having won only 15 out of 33 maps over the past three months. At FISSURE Playground 1, they finished 5th–8th, managing wins against paiN and Rare Atom, but falling short against TYLOO, Lynn Vision, and paiN once again. Their performance indicates struggles with consistency, even against mid-tier opposition.
MIBR finds itself in a similar position — 16 map wins out of 38 in the last three months and a 9th–12th place finish at FISSURE Playground 1. While they suffered defeats to FaZe and Astralis (twice), they picked up solid wins over Virtus.pro and Falcons, showing flashes of potential. Still, their form remains unstable heading into Cologne.
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Map Pool Breakdown
In a BO3 format, the likely ban and pick sequence is as follows:
- 3DMAX First Ban – Mirage. Their most frequent ban, and MIBR has a solid 50% win rate on it.
- MIBR First Ban – Dust2. A standard ban for them and one of 3DMAX’s best maps (57% win rate).
- 3DMAX Pick – Ancient. While their win rate here is 50%, it’s a comfort pick and MIBR has just a 14% success rate on it.
- MIBR Pick – Nuke. With Mirage off the table, Nuke is their next go-to pick despite a low 29% win rate, mainly because 3DMAX rarely plays it.
- 3DMAX Second Ban – Train. MIBR’s best-performing map (60% win rate), making it a logical ban.
- MIBR Second Ban – Inferno. 3DMAX picks this often, though with a weak 25% win rate — still a potential risk.
- Decider – Overpass. Recently reintroduced to the map pool, neither team has recorded official stats on it, making it a fairly neutral battleground.
Projected Map Pool:
- Ancient (3DMAX pick)
- Nuke (MIBR pick)
- Overpass (decider)
Head-to-Head
Over the past six months, 3DMAX and MIBR have faced off twice — at IEM Katowice 2025 and PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025. Both matches ended in 2-0 victories for 3DMAX, showcasing their dominance over the Brazilian side. These results also give the European squad a psychological edge heading into their third encounter.
Match Prediction
Both teams enter the event with shaky form and inconsistent performances. However, 3DMAX holds the advantage when it comes to key maps, recent results, and head-to-head history. MIBR has shown promise in isolated matches but continues to struggle with structural issues, especially on Ancient — a likely pick for 3DMAX.
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Considering current form, map dynamics, and past encounters, 3DMAX is favored to win. Prediction: 3DMAX to win 2-1, with strong control on Ancient, a competitive Nuke, and a tight decider on Overpass.
