Team Spirit Dominates MOUZ to win the IEM Cologne 2025

3 Aug

Thales Costa

Team Spirit have claimed their first IEM Cologne title in spectacular fashion, sweeping MOUZ with a 3-0 victory in the Grand Finals at the LANXESS Arena. The Russian squad delivered a masterclass performance that left no doubt about their superiority, closing out the matches on Mirage (13-7), Ancient (13-11), and Nuke (13-6).

donk Shines as Tournament MVP

The star of the show was once again 17-year-old Danil "donk" Kryshkovets, who earned the tournament MVP award with an exceptional performance throughout the Grand Finals. The young prodigy finished the three-map series with 62 kills and 41 deaths, posting an impressive 99.8 ADR that left his opponents struggling to find answers.

donk's dominance extended beyond just the final, as he consistently delivered clutch performances when his team needed them most. His aggressive entry fragging and mechanical precision proved too much for MOUZ to handle, with the teenager showcasing exactly why he's considered one of the most promising talents in Counter-Strike 2.

A Dominant Display from Start to Finish

The Grand Finals began with MOUZ choosing Mirage as their map pick, but Team Spirit quickly took control of the match. Despite MOUZ's confidence in their choice, Spirit dominated the first half with a 10-2 CT side performance. chopper opened the match with an early ACE, while donk contributed with a clean 4K on a mid-to-A push, setting the tone for what would become a one-sided dispute.

On Ancient, Team Spirit's pick, the match proved to be more competitive with MOUZ showing signs of resistance. The German-based roster managed to secure an 8-4 lead at halftime after a sharp CT side and a crucial 1v2 clutch from Spinx. However, Spirit showed no signs of slowing down and managed a comeback in the second half, with donk once again delivering in the clutch moments, including a vital 1v2 post-plant retake that helped tie the score before Spirit pulled ahead.

The series concluded on Nuke, where Team Spirit left no room for doubt. After establishing a strong 8-4 T-side lead at halftime, Spirit maintained their momentum on the CT side. With zont1x providing crucial support frags and donk leading from the front once more, MOUZ simply couldn't find their footing, allowing Spirit to close out the map 13-6 and seal their championship victory.

A Historic Achievement for Team Spirit

The victory represents Team Spirit's first-ever IEM Cologne championship and adds another prestigious trophy to their already impressive 2025 collection. Along with their previous wins at PGL Astana 2025 and BLAST Bounty Season 1, this triumph solidifies their position as one of the most consistent teams in Counter-Strike 2.

For donk personally, the IEM Cologne title continues his remarkable rise in professional Counter-Strike. At just 17 years old, the Russian sensation has now captured major titles including IEM Katowice 2024, the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024, and now IEM Cologne 2025. His ability to perform on the biggest stages at such a young age continues to draw comparisons to the greatest players in Counter-Strike history.

But 2025 Hasn't Ended Yet. More to come!

Team Spirit's victory earned them the winner's share of $400,000 from the tournament's $1,000,000 total prize pool, while MOUZ received $180,000 for their second-place finish. The championship also provides Team Spirit with valuable ranking points and momentum heading into future tournaments.

Both teams now turn their attention to upcoming competitions, with the BLAST Bounty Fall 2025 on the horizon. Team Spirit will face Passion UA on Wednesday, while MOUZ will take on OG on Thursday as they look to bounce back from this disappointing defeat.

The IEM Cologne 2025 championship serves as another statement from Team Spirit that they remain one of the elite forces in Counter-Strike 2, with donk continuing to establish himself as the future of competitive gaming at just 17 years of age.

For the latest Counter-Strike news and guides, follow Strafe Esports. Also, check out our X account for real-time content and coverage.

Featured Image Credits: ESL