The 17-year-old player, Ivan “zweih” Gogin, is set to step onto the stage for his debut at the famed LANXESS Arena during the IEM Cologne 2025. He expressed his excitement, stating,

“It’s not my first big tournament, but it’s my first time in the arena, and I’m so excited.”

Gogin aims to keep his focus on the game to avoid distractions during his major stage debut.

Spirit’s Journey

Spirit advanced through Stage 2 of IEM Cologne with a clean slate, defeating teams such as HEROIC, Aurora, and MOUZ, and now sit waiting for their semi-final opponent, which will be determined between Natus Vincere and The MongolZ.

Transitioning Roles

Gogin discussed adjusting to the team’s dynamic and taking over roles formerly held by Boris “magixx” Vorobiev.

“I’m trying to think less about my aim and more about what I need to do in this new team,” he explained.

Despite his transition, he remains confident in his abilities. As he prepares for this unique experience, he emphasizes the importance of gaining more gameplay experience within the team to improve his performance considerably.

“I just need to play more games to think faster and I believe I will perform even better than I have so far.”

With the anticipated pressure of the IEM Cologne arena, Gogin aims to impress and make a memorable entry into the world of esports.