Sprout upsets EG: IEM Katowice 2023 Day 2 Recap

Day 2 of IEM Katowice had the 8 teams from the lower bracket go head-to-head for a shot at survival in the tournament.

Lower Bracket Round 1:

Game 1: paiN Gaming vs IHC Esports

paiN and IHC were both quite evenly matched in both the maps, trading rounds with each other. But IHC had a better CT side overall, allowing them to take the upper hand. Map 1 was Inferno, where IHC won 16-12. Annihilation topped the table with 24 kills and a 1.43 rating.

Map 2 was Nuke, which was picked by IHC. They had a better first half at 10-5, and even though paiN tried to make a comeback, it was IHC who took the win 16-11. This time it was sk0r at the top of the table with 26 kills and a 1.38 rating.

Game 2: Grayhound vs MIBR

Map 1 was Inferno, where MIBR had a better CT side at 9-6 in the first half. Although Grayhound did manage to equalize at 10-10, it was MIBR who won 16-13.INS sat at the top of the table with a whopping 31 kills.

Map 2 was Anubis, where Grayhound showed their prowess, just losing out the first half 7-8. However, they had a dominating run at the end of their T side, winning 7 rounds in a row to win the map 16-14

Vertigo was the decider, where Grayhound could not perform like the last map. They had an appalling performance, while MIBR coasted through at 16-2. Insani had 25 kills and an incredible 2.04 rating.

Game 3: Permitta vs Complexity

Complexity were the better team in this match up, as they took a 2-0 victory over Permitta.

Map 1 was Nuke where complexity had a really dominant CT side winning the half 12-3. Permitta did manage to bring back a few more rounds, but lost the map 16-8.

Map 2 was Overpass, where it was a similar story. Complexity ended the first half at 11-4, and won the game 16-7. Fang had a staggering 43 kills overall, with a 1.46 rating.

Game 4: EG vs Sprout

Sprout came out as the better team in this matchup, as they took the series 2-0.

Map 1 was Ancient, where EG looked quite strong in the first half, ending at 9-6. However, Sprout had a great comeback in their CT side, winning the map 16-14.

Map 2 was Mirage, where EG had a dominant first half, ending at 10-5. But Sprout did not take this sitting down, having a dominant run of their own, winning 8 T-side rounds in a row, and eventually winning the map 16-13.

Lower Bracket Round 2:

Complexity, Sprout, MIBR and IHC all move into the next round, where they will go against ENCE, Team Spirit, Fnatic and Furia respectively.  Check the schedule here.

Image Source: ESL