The Play-In stage of IEM Katowice 2025 concluded with 16 teams competing for 8 coveted spots in the main event. FURIA, Eternal Fire, 3DMAX, GamerLegion, Astralis, Liquid, Virtus.pro, and BIG advanced to the group stage, while paiN, Wildcard, MIBR, HEROIC, Complexity, Imperial Female, FlyQuest, and SAW were eliminated. Let’s take a closer look at the performance of the teams.

The Bottom Finishers

SAW finished last, and their performance left much to be desired. This team has struggled to adapt to the top-level competition since making roster changes, losing three consecutive matches at BLAST Bounty and IEM Katowice. Their new players couldn’t fill the gaps left by arrozdoce and ewjerkz, and it showed. Another last-place finish seemed inevitable.

FlyQuest also failed to impress. Despite showing some progress after adding a new sniper, they were unable to capitalize on their opportunities. A lopsided loss to 3DMAX on Train highlighted their struggles, as they managed only five rounds on their map pick. Though they fought valiantly against Astralis, it wasn’t enough, and FlyQuest demonstrated that they’re not yet ready to challenge Europe’s best.

Imperial Female ended up where many expected, at the bottom. Their one highlight was taking FURIA to overtime, but that’s where the excitement stopped. Across three maps, they managed only 10 rounds. The gap between them and the likes of BIG or FURIA is massive, and while they tried their best, the result was predictable.

Near the Bottom

Complexity, with their revamped roster, put up a fight but ultimately couldn’t win a single map. They had close games against Eternal Fire on Train and Liquid on Ancient, but their current lineup is a far cry from their previous strength. The team’s recent changes have left them with less experienced players who aren’t ready for this level of competition. They’ll need to regroup and focus on qualifying for the Major.

HEROIC’s new roster didn’t fare much better, though SunPayus showed flashes of great game. They managed an upset win over Liquid on Dust2, thanks to SunPayus’s heroics, but close losses to Eternal Fire and BIG highlighted their weaknesses. While they have potential, it’s clear this lineup still has a long way to go.

MIBR continued their poor form, failing to get through the Play-In stage yet again. Despite a strong Major run last year, they’ve been unable to replicate that success. Their struggles in high-stakes matches have become a recurring issue, and this tournament only added to their woes.

Falling Short

paiN had a disappointing run after a solid showing at BLAST Bounty. They started strong by crushing Virtus.pro in their opening match but failed to maintain momentum. Consecutive losses to GamerLegion and Astralis sent them packing. Despite some promising individual performances, the team needs more time to gel with their new roster.

Wildcard showed promise but fell short in critical moments. They began with a solid win over BIG and played a tight series against FURIA, losing 16-13 on the decider map. Their match against Liquid also had its moments, but a 13-0 loss on Anubis ended their run. While they look stronger than last year, they still lack the experience to close out games against top teams.

The Advancers

BIG and Virtus.pro clawed their way through the lower bracket to secure their spots. BIG rebounded from an opening loss to Imperial Female by defeating HEROIC and Imperial Female again in dominant fashion. Their sniper delivered exceptional stats, providing a confidence boost for the team moving forward.

Virtus.pro took a similar path, overcoming early defeats to SAW and MIBR with strong performances in the lower bracket. They closed out their matches convincingly but remain underdogs heading into the group stage.

Astralis and Liquid both recovered from first-round losses to make it through. Astralis had a close call against FlyQuest but comfortably dispatched paiN to secure their spot. Liquid, meanwhile, defeated Complexity and Wildcard to advance. Both teams showed resilience but will need to step up their game in the main event.

Strong Performers

GamerLegion impressed with their dominant play. The additions of REZ and PR have strengthened the lineup, and their debut on LAN was a success. They crushed SAW and paiN without much trouble, and with MOUZ as their first group stage opponent, they have a chance to go even further.

3DMAX also made a strong statement, advancing without dropping a map. While their opponents, FlyQuest and MIBR, weren’t the toughest competition, the French team handled them with ease. This marks the first time in 10 years that 3DMAX has reached the main stage at IEM Katowice, and they’ll look to keep the momentum going.

Eternal Fire proved why they were considered the strongest team in the Play-In. Led by XANTARES, woxic, and Wicadia, they showed resilience in close matches, winning over Complexity and HEROIC in overtime. After a strong second-place finish at BLAST Bounty, they’re solidifying their status as a Tier 1 team.

FURIA also advanced without dropping a series, though their path wasn’t as convincing. They struggled against Imperial Female, going to overtime, and had a rough start against Wildcard on Inferno. However, they bounced back to close out both series and secured their spot. With NAVI as their first opponent in the group stage, they’ll need to improve significantly to compete.

The IEM Katowice 2025 Play-In stage delivered plenty of excitement, with underdogs surprising and established teams showing their dominance. As the main stage begins, all eyes are on the advancing teams to see if they can carry their momentum forward. The journey continues, and the stakes are only getting higher.