Group Stage actions are now over, it’s time for Playoffs
IEM Katowice 2023 organised by ESL concluded its Group Stage actions yesterday. A total of 6 teams headed for the Playoffs after qualifying from their respective groups. Teams that are headed for the Playoffs are G2 Esports, Natus Vincere and Team Liquid who all made it from Group A. Heroic, Team Vitality and Outsiders made it from Group B. The Playoffs will commence on the 10th of February. The tournament is under the IEM and Intel Grand Slam series, and the Playoffs will be played at Spodek Arena in Katowice. Till the 12th of February, the tournament will go on. In this article, we will provide you with a complete overview of the tournament and the Group Stage actions.
What happened yesterday in the Group Stage fixtures?
Both Group A and Group B concluded their respective remaining fixtures which were the Upper Bracket and Lower Bracket Finals. Fans witnessed some entertaining fixtures among the teams, a total of 4 matches were played on the Final Day and it first began with Group A and later Group B played out. The match streams are available on ESL Counter-Strike’s official YouTube channel.
Let’s have a look at the detailed round-wise match recaps from the actions that were played yesterday.
Group A Upper Bracket Final
Natus Vincere (NAVI) vs G2 Esports
(Best of 3 score: 0-2)
- Map 1: Inferno was the map where these teams began their games, G2 Esports was extremely dominating and began with a rampage as they made it 3-12 in the first half. The second-half score remained 5-4, and this made G2 Esports claim the game with a score of 8-16.
- Map 2: The game began on the Nuke map, G2 Esports and NAVI had a tough fight and made it 7-8 in the first half. But later a flawless 0-8 win in the second half led G2 Esports to clinch the win with a final score of 7-16.
Group A Lower Bracket Final
FaZe Clan vs Team Liquid
(Best of 3 score: 1-2)
- Map 1: The game began on Inferno Map, FaZe Clan made it 10-5 in the first half, the second half score remained 6-9 and later they won the game with a score of 16-14.
- Map 2: It was played on the Overpass map; Team Liquid made it 6-9 with a dominating performance and later a 5-7 second-half performance led them to a victory by an 11-16 score.
- Map 3: The decider map was Mirage where both of these teams met once again. The first-half score remained 5-10. FaZe Clan tried to make a comeback with a second-half score of 8-6 but that was not enough. Team Liquid made it a win as they won the game with a score of 13-16.
Group B Upper Bracket Final
Heroic vs Team Vitality
(Best of 3 score: 2-0)
- Map 1: The game began on the Inferno map. The first-half score remained at 9-6 and later a 7-1 second-half finish led them to a victory by 16-7.
- Map 2: The game was played on the Overpass map; Heroic made it 12-3 in the first half. A 4-1 second-half finish led them to a victory by 16-4.
Group B Lower Bracket Final
Complexity Gaming vs Outsiders
(Best of 3 score: 1-2)
- Map 1: The game began on the Anubis map, both teams made it a draw and later in overtime Outsiders won the game with a 15-19 score.
- Map 2: Both teams began on the Overpass map First half remained 7-8, but a 9-5 second half led them to a victory by 16-13.
- Map 3: The decider map was Inferno, first half score remained 9-6 and later Outsiders made it 4-10 and won the game with a score of 13-16.
After these games got over, 6 teams made it to the Playoffs. Team Vitality, Team Liquid, Natus Vincere and Outsiders will play in the Quarterfinals, and G2 Esports and Heroic are in the Semifinals.