The opening stage of IEM Cologne 2025 features a high-profile showdown between two renowned organizations — NIP and HEROIC, who currently find themselves in very different form. The Ninjas are showing solid and consistent results, while HEROIC are searching for a way out of a rough patch. This best-of-three will reveal who is truly ready for one of the biggest events of the summer.
Current Form
NIP come into IEM Cologne 2025 in excellent shape, having won 43 out of 67 maps in the past three months. They recently finished 2nd at CCT Season 3 Europe Series 3 and 3rd–4th at Exort The Proving Grounds S1. The team won 3 of their last 5 matches (against BIG, TNL, and Iberian Soul) and lost only to NAVI Junior and fnatic. Overall, the Ninjas are playing with stability and upward momentum.
HEROIC, on the other hand, are going through a deep slump. With only 35 wins from 56 maps, they failed to impress at FISSURE Playground 1 (13–16th) and couldn’t reach playoffs at BLAST.tv Austin Major (9–11th). They’ve lost 4 of their last 5 matches (vs BetBoom, Nemiga, BIG, and B8), winning just once — against TYLOO.
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Map Pool
In a bo3 series, the map veto and picks will likely unfold as follows:
- NIP first ban – Mirage (their standard ban; strong map for HEROIC with 67% WR)
- HEROIC first ban – Inferno (their typical ban and one of NIP’s preferred maps)
Picks:
- NIP pick Nuke — their best-performing map with 89% win rate and a 7-win streak
- HEROIC pick Ancient — one of their go-to maps (55% WR), and weaker for NIP
Second bans:
- NIP ban Dust2 — to deny HEROIC a comfortable pick
- HEROIC ban Train — NIP is solid here (55% WR)
- Decider – Overpass, a relatively neutral map for both sides
Projected map pool:
- Nuke (NIP pick)
- Ancient (HEROIC pick)
- Overpass (decider)
Head-to-Head
NIP and HEROIC haven’t faced each other in official matches in the past six months. With roster changes on both sides, this will be their first direct clash in 2025, adding a layer of unpredictability to the series.
Match Prediction
Given current form, NIP clearly look like the stronger side. Their confidence on Nuke, overall consistency, and recent deep runs in tournaments give them a clear edge. HEROIC, while still a respected name, are in a performance crisis with multiple early exits and poor results.
Even if HEROIC manage to put up a fight on Ancient, NIP are favored to win both Nuke and a close decider on Overpass.
Prediction: NIP wins 2–1.
