The MongolZ started their new season with a strong 2-0 victory over the French squad 3DMAX in Stage 2 of IEM Cologne. 3DMAX struggled early on Nuke, managing only two rounds in the first half thanks to The MongolZ’s tight defense. Things got worse when 3DMAX lost a 5v2 pistol round advantage, allowing The MongolZ to close Nuke at 13-2.
On Ancient, The MongolZ seemed to be cruising with a 7-2 lead on the Terrorist side. However, 3DMAX finally found some momentum, closing the gap to just two rounds multiple times. Bryan “Maka” Canda was a bright spot for 3DMAX, clutching key 1v2 rounds twice and keeping his team in the fight.
Despite 3DMAX’s efforts to equalize thrice, The MongolZ’s Ayush “mzinho” Batbold pulled off a great 1v4 clutch that swung the momentum back. Shortly after, Sodbayar “Techno” Munkhbold sealed the deal with his own clutch, ending Ancient and the series.
With this win The MongolZ will face the Falcons next, who themselves passed their opening match comfortably with Maxim “kyousuke” Lukin leading the charge. Meanwhile, 3DMAX will battle GamerLegion to stay alive in the tournament.
Upcoming Matches at IEM Cologne 2025
| Date | Matches | |
|---|---|---|
| 27/07/2025 | Falcons vs The MongolZ | Match |
| 27/07/2025 | GamerLegion vs 3DMAX | Match |
Here are some highlights from the series that really stood out:
Honestly, watching mzinho pull off that 1v4 clutch had me on the edge of my seat. Like, how does someone stay that calm under pressure? It’s moments like these that make esports so unpredictable and fun to watch. Can Falcons handle The MongolZ’s momentum? And will 3DMAX bounce back against GamerLegion or get knocked out early?
