Cologne once again becomes the cathedral of Counter-Strike. ESL has officially revealed its expanded broadcast team for IEM Cologne 2025, one of the most anticipated tournaments of the year, set to kick off on July 23.
This year’s roster features 15 talents from five countries, who will cover the main stage, analyst desk, on-site interviews, and commentary across two streams — the A stream and B stream. The visual style of the announcement, inspired by Gothic stained-glass windows, reinforces the idea that ESL is turning IEM Cologne into a sacred celebration for CS2 fans.
Analysts, hosts, stage: familiar names, stable quality
ESL chose not to shake up the core of its broadcast team — we’re once again seeing proven combinations at the analyst desk:
- Jason “moses” O’Toole and Janko “YNk” Paunović return as the expert duo. Their deep analysis, coaching background, and insight into the game set the standard for ESL broadcasts.
- Jacob “Pimp” Winneche continues in his pundit role, focusing on micro-level decisions and in-game dynamics.
- Joshua “steel” Nissan, former pro player known for his candid commentary, joins after a successful series of appearances in 2024–2025.
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Broadcast Hosts:
- Freya “Freya” Spiers returns as the main desk host — she has long been the face of IEM.
- Tres “stunna” Saranthus will again lead stage segments and conduct live interviews.
- Eefje “sjokz” Depoortere, a fan favorite, will handle backstage interviews and quick reactions.
This trio builds the bridge between the studio, the players, and the audience — delivering both the show’s dynamic energy and its emotional heart.
Commentary: SPUNJ and Machine on A stream, new voices on B
As always, the commentator pairs are split across two streams — the main A stream and the secondary B stream.
A stream:
- Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill and Alex “Machine” Richardson — one of the most iconic casting duos in CS history. Their chemistry, charisma, and in-depth reads make them an essential part of ESL’s identity.
- Harry “JustHarry” Russell and Hugo “Hugo” Byron — the British duo that always delivers energy and intensity in high-stakes moments.
B stream:
This year’s B stream serves as a platform for the voices of a new generation:
- Neo “Ne0kai” Caine — rose quickly in 2025 with appearances at FISSURE and ESL Challenger.
- Harvey “Skriv” Rodgers — known for his online league work and rapid adaptation to LAN environments.
- Garret “Phy” Schier — one of the youngest talents on the roster, representing the new wave of American commentators.
- Cole “xner” McHenry — previously known for behind-the-scenes analytics, now taking the mic on the ESL stage for the first time.
Community reaction: memes, emotions, and missing names
The announcement sparked lively reactions across social media. ESL’s stained-glass poster tweet quickly surpassed 58,000 views in under an hour, with fans flooding the replies.
BIG responded with a humorous cat gif captioned “so many goats”, acknowledging the legendary status of the crew. Ne0kai, featured on the B stream, tweeted “I can’t wait ”, receiving enthusiastic support from fans and fellow talents.
Still, some questions emerged:
- “Where dupreeh?” — fans referenced the legendary Dane and IEM Cologne 2021 MVP, who was nowhere to be seen in any talent role.
- “Where @BanKsEsports?” — popular host James “Banks” O’Gallaher was notably absent from the lineup.
- “And who will be observing?” — fans were curious about the behind-the-scenes production team, including observers and technical staff.
- “Me praying the B stream isn’t remote” — some expressed concern over whether the B-stream casters would be present on LAN or working remotely again.
Overall, the reaction was positive, albeit tinged with nostalgia and a desire for more transparency regarding talent rotations.
Symbolism in the details: stained glass as homage to heritage
The poster design wasn’t just a visual gimmick. The Gothic theme, division of talents into “stained-glass windows,” and the cathedral-like backdrop all reinforced IEM Cologne’s legacy as the holy site of Counter-Strike. This tournament has always been special — from Astralis to
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NAVI, Vitality to Heroic, all champions spoke of the “magic of Cologne.” This year, ESL is not merely preserving that atmosphere — it’s enriching it, adding layers of meaning and legacy.
