Two ambitious teams, HEROIC and Eternal Fire, will meet in the Play-In stage of IEM Katowice 2025. This match will determine which of them will continue to the main stage of the tournament. HEROIC, one of the most stable European bands in recent years, is eager to prove its class and regain confidence after mixed performances. Eternal Fire, on the other hand, demonstrate noticeable progress and readiness to compete at the highest level, thanks to their recent successes on the international stage. The match promises to be intense and will likely go to three maps.

Current form of the teams

HEROIC continue to look for stability in their results. At the IEM Katowice 2025 Play-In, the team defeated Liquid (2:1), and at the BLAST Bounty Spring 2025, they defeated 3DMAX (2:1), but lost to Spirit (0:2), demonstrating an uneven game. Their recent results include a number of good performances, but they have had difficulties in critical moments of matches with equal opponents.

Eternal Fire looks more confident. Their victories over G2 (2:1) and Vitality (2:0) prove that they are prepared for serious challenges. However, the defeat of Spirit in the final of BLAST Bounty Spring 2025 (1-3) shows that the Turkish team still has something to improve in their game. Eternal Fire also demonstrate strong interaction and individual play, which makes them dangerous on any map.

Map pool 

HEROIC have a strong map pool, with Ancient (63%) and Dust2(56%) being the most prominent. These maps are the backbone of their game, where they show reliable tactics and understanding of key points. However, the weak performance on Anubis(48%) and Nuke (47%) opens up opportunities for opponents. 

Eternal Fire, on the other hand, demonstrates confidence in Anubis (75%) and Mirage (53%). These maps are their trump card, where they often win due to their aggressive playstyle and individual decisions. However, the weak performance on Ancient (0%) and problems on Nuke (47%) can play against them in a match against HEROIC.

Expected map pool in the Bo3 match: Anubis, Mirage, Dust2.

Match Prediction

HEROIC, as a more experienced team, has an advantage in this match. Their experience in LAN tournaments and tactical flexibility make them a favorite. Eternal Fire has a chance to win if they can realize their strengths on Anubis and Mirage. However, there is a high probability that HEROIC will not allow this to happen. A tough match is expected with a score of 2:1 in favor of HEROIC.

Prediction: 2:1 in favor of Eternal Fire.

Over the past six months, HEROIC and Eternal Fire have not met each other, which adds intrigue to this duel. HEROIC is eager to prove that they remain a top team despite their unstable results. Eternal Fire, on the other hand, aims to continue their progress and establish themselves as a serious competitor on the international scene.

The match, which will take place in the Bo3 format, promises to be a spectacular show with a fight at all levels. Eternal Fire will most likely confirm their status as a favorite, but HEROIC is ready to put up a serious fight.

IEM Katowice 2025 will take place from January 29 to February 9 in Katowice, Poland. Twenty-four teams will compete for a prize pool of $1 million. You can follow the event's schedule and results through this link.