G2 continue dominant form leading to finals - IEM Katowice 2023 Semifinals Recap

The excitement was at an all time high at the Spodek Arena, as the 4 best teams of IEM Katowice gathered to duke it out for a spot at the Grand finals. We had Liquid take on the tournament favorites G2, white Heroic went head-to-head with the titans of NaVi.

Game 1: Heroic vs NaVi

NaVi picked Inferno for the first map, but it was Heroic who started off with a bang, as cadiaN got a quick 3k with the USP in the pistol round. NaVi tried to fight back, as S1mple and Perfecto put in some work, but Heroic was the better team. They ended the first half 9-6. NaVi’s CT-side left a lot to be desired, as they could manage only 2 rounds, while Heroic took another 7 to win the map 16-8.

Heroic picked Mirage for map 2,and vice versa, it was b1t for NaVi, who started off with a bang in the pistol round. But Heroic again had quite a dominating first half. NaVi’s CT-side was again found lacking as they only managed to win 4 rounds. The first half ended 11-4 in favor of Heroic. The second half did not fare any better for NaVi, as they could manage another 4 rounds. Heroic ended the map 16-8, with TeSeS sitting at the top of the table with 25 kills, and a 1.68 rating.

Heroic overcame one of their strongest rivals in NaVi to move on to the Grand Finals.

Game 2: G2 vs Liquid

Liquid picked Anubis as map 1. Even though G2 had a better start in the first half, Liquid managed to claw their way back, and take the lead at 8-7. EliGE also managed to get an Ace in the process. However, Liquid had a disastrous T-side, as G2 managed to not only equalize, but also take the lead early, with a 5-round win streak. Liquid only managed to put together 2 rounds  in the half, as they saw G2 take the victory 16-10. Even though it was Elige at the top of the table with 26 kills and a 1.40 rating.

G2 found a massive head start on their pick of Inferno. With huNter getting an Ace early in the first half, G2 had quite a dominant run. While Liquid managed to pull back only a handful of rounds, the first half ended 11-4 in favor of G2. Liquid manage to pull back quite a few rounds in their T-side, but it was to no avail as G2 took the win 16-11. huNter sat quite comfortably at the top of the table with 26 kills and a 1.46 rating.

G2 continued their dominant form as they cruised to the Grand Finals without dropping a single map in the entire tournament.