IHC Eliminate Furia in a Surprise Upset - IEM Katowice 2023 Day 3 Recap
On the final day of the Play-In stage at Katowice, we saw the final 4 teams qualify to the Group Stage.
Lower Bracket Round 2:
Game 1: Fnatic vs MIBR
Fnatic had a clean 2-0 sweep against the Brazilian powerhouse, with amazing performances from Krimz, nicodoz and roeJ. Map 1 was Vertigo. Even though MIBR had the better first half, Fnatic had a better T-side. They won the map 16-11, with nicodoz at the top of the table with23 kills and 9 AWP kills. Map 2 was Overpass, where Fnatic again had a stelar T-side. MIBR could not muster the required rounds, and Fnatic won the map 16-9.
Game 2: Furia vs IHC Esports
In what can only be described as a surprise upset, IHC Esports beat MIBR after a grueling 3 map feud. Map 1 was Nuke, which was won by IHC 16-14. They had a poor first half, but made a comeback on their CT-side. Skor topped the table with 23 kills, and a 1.26 rating. Map 2 was Mirage, where both teams were evenly matched. Even though IHC managed to get to Map Point first, Furia forced a comeback, and won the map 19-16. KSCERATO had most kills at 31, but it was arT who topped the table with a 1.39 rating. The deciding map was Anubis, where, IHC made another comeback from a 9-6 deficit. They had an amazing T-side, allowing Furia only one round win in the half. Although KSCERATO was highest rated at 1.59, it was not enough to pull his team through.
Game 3: ENCE vs Complexity
Complexity were the more dominant side on Map 1 (Anubis), ending the first half 8-7, and winning the map 16-13. Hallzerk had a spectacular showing with 28 kills, and 15 AWP kills. Map 2 was Vertigo, where ENCE had a more commanding presence, winning the first half 9-6, and winning the map 16-11 after a better CT-side as well. Sunpayus was the start this time with 27 kills, with 15 coming from the AWP. Inferno was the decider, where Complexity were the dominant side, ending the first half 11-4 on their CT-side. They won the map 16-8, with Grim this time at the top with 28 kills.
Game 4: Team Spirit vs Sprout
Team Spirit had a dominant Map 1 (Overpass), where they had a stellar CT-side, ending the half at 11-4. In the second half, they took 5 rounds back-to-back to win the map 16-4. Vertigo was vice versa, as it was Sprout who had the dominant run on their CT-side, ending the half 12-3. Although Team Spirit managed to claw back 3 more rounds in the second half, Sprout won the map 16-6. Refrezh had the highest kills at 22, but it was lauNX at the top of the table with a 1.51 rating. Anubis was the decider, where Team Spirit were the better side. They ended the first half 10-5. They got to Map Point first in the second half, and even though Sprout managed to bring themselves to double digits, Team Spirit won the map 16-10. Patsi topped the table with 27 kills, while it was XELLOW with most AWP kills at 11.
Group Stage: Upper Bracket Quarterfinals
Complexity, Team Spirit, Fnatic and IHC Esports are the final 4 teams to qualify to the group stages.
Image source: ESL