The IEM Katowice 2025 Play-In stage has already delivered its first dramatic moments, with intense matchups setting the tone for what promises to be one of the most competitive tournaments of the season. The opening day saw four teams edge closer to securing a spot in the main event, while others now find themselves on the brink of elimination. Running from January 29 to February 9 in Katowice, Poland, this event continues its tradition of assembling the world’s top talent for a high-stakes showdown.
The first matches provided a glimpse into the fierce level of competition, with eight teams taking the stage to battle for early momentum. Some squads demonstrated absolute control, while others now face the challenge of climbing back from a rough start.
paiN vs. Virtus.pro
The action kicked off with paiN taking on Virtus.pro in a match that saw the Brazilian team assert complete dominance with a 2-0 sweep (13-8 on Mirage, 13-2 on Dust II). Mirage initially looked competitive, with Virtus.pro starting on the favored side, but paiN responded with a well-coordinated defense, taking five consecutive rounds after switching sides to secure the victory. On Dust II, the CIS squad was completely overwhelmed, managing to win only two rounds before paiN sealed the match with a decisive victory.
3DMAX vs. FlyQuest
The second match of the day saw 3DMAX cruise past FlyQuest, also securing a clean 2-0 victory (13-5 on Train, 13-7 on Inferno). On Train, the French lineup delivered a dominant first half, taking a commanding 10-2 lead. Although FlyQuest attempted to rally, 3DMAX quickly extinguished their hopes. Inferno followed a similar pattern, with 3DMAX controlling the early rounds and smoothly transitioning into a solid win, shutting down any chances of a comeback.
Astralis vs. MIBR
One of the most heated battles of the day unfolded between Astralis and MIBR, with the Brazilian squad emerging victorious in a close 2-0 series (16-12 on Mirage, 13-11 on Ancient). Astralis looked promising at the start of Mirage, but MIBR gradually found their rhythm, catching up and ultimately clinching the win in overtime. Ancient played out in a similar fashion—Astralis built an early lead at 11-9, but MIBR remained composed, stringing together four consecutive rounds to close out the match.
Beyond the fierce competition, the clash between Astralis and MIBR was extended due to multiple technical delays. In total, 44 minutes were spent in pauses on Mirage alone, with the longest break lasting over 12 minutes. While both teams struggled to maintain momentum, MIBR managed to stay focused and adapt to the interruptions better, ultimately sealing their series win.
SAW vs. GamerLegion
The final match of the day featured SAW facing off against GamerLegion, with the latter taking the series 2-0 (13-11 on Nuke, 13-9 on Inferno). SAW started strong on Nuke, leading at the halfway mark, but GamerLegion displayed superior execution on the attacking side to claim the map. Inferno initially looked like a one-sided affair as SAW built a 9-3 lead, but GamerLegion completely flipped the script, winning ten consecutive rounds to secure the series victory.
With these results, paiN, 3DMAX, MIBR, and GamerLegion now stand on the brink of securing a spot in the tournament’s next stage. Meanwhile, their opponents will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for elimination matches, where every round counts in their battle to stay in the competition.
