Team Spirit captured the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Cologne 2025 championship this weekend, sweeping MOUZ 3-0 in a Grand Final that highlighted both tactical depth and individual brilliance. The Russian squad claimed the $400,000 prize in front of a packed LANXESS Arena, solidifying their status as one of Counter-Strike’s elite teams.
Spirit entered the event as a clear contender but faced an uphill battle against Team Vitality’s seven-tournament winning streak, which included the BLAST.tv Austin Major. However, Spirit topped Group B decisively, earning a direct berth to the semifinals. The upset of the tournament came as MOUZ swept Vitality, clearing Spirit’s path to the championship match.
In the Grand Final, Spirit displayed near-flawless play, never letting MOUZ find a foothold. The series began with a dominant 13-2 win on Mirage, followed by a tense Ancient comeback from an 11-5 deficit that finished 13-11—highlighted by a signature 1v2 clutch from emerging star Danil “Donk” Kryshkovets. Spirit closed out the sweep with a 13-6 win on Nuke.
Donk, just 18, was named tournament MVP after maintaining a 1.50 rating throughout the final, further cementing his reputation as a world-class talent.
This IEM Cologne victory completes a rare trophy trifecta for Team Spirit, who previously won both IEM Katowice and a Major within the past year. The Cologne leg, played at the iconic LANXESS Arena—often called Counter-Strike’s “Cathedral”—marks a milestone for the young roster, whose newest addition, Boris “magixx” Vorobiev, also made a strong debut.
For Spirit’s coaches and players, the win was as much about momentum as it was about legacy. After the final, the team took to social media to thank fans and celebrate their achievement.
With this result, Team Spirit vaults into the conversation among the greatest teams in recent Counter-Strike history, capping a year of consistent victories on the big stage. The global esports community is now watching closely to see if there’s any more ceiling left for this squad.