NA in Lower Brackets: IEM Katowice 2023 Day 5 - Group B Recap
Katowice day 5 brought the remainder of the matches from Group B, with Outsiders taking on Fnatic, and Heroic taking on Complexity.
Outsiders and Fnatic went through a grueling 3 map ordeal to avoid going into the lower bracket. Vertigo was picked by Fnatic, where they made the most of their pick. They ended the first half 12-3, including a 1v3 clutch from FASHR in round 13. However, Outsiders did not take this kindly, as they fought back, winning 9 rounds of their own on their T-side. But Fnatic managed to close out the map at 16-12.
Outsiders accomplished a lot on Mirage, where they had a commanding run, winning the first half 8-7, and then ending the map at 16-8 on the back of a 5 round win streak. Jame absolutely destroyed the competition, sitting at the top of the table with 25 kills.
Overpass was the deciding map. Fnatic had a good CT-half at 9-6, but Outsiders managed to get to Map Point first with another 5 round win streak. However, a calm and composed KRIMZ pulled out a 1v2 clutch to push the game into Overtime, and won the map 19-16. Jame and mezii were both at 30 kills, but it was mezii leading the table with a 1.43 rating.
Game 2: Heroic vs Complexity
Heroic took on Complexity for the last match of Group B Round 1. Map 1 was Inferno, picked by Complexity. They had a good first half, ending it at 9-6. However, Heroic stepped up their game on their T-side in the second half. With a clutch coming in from cadiaN, Heroic were up to Map Point. And another 1v2 from sjuush ensured the win for Heroic after a 6 round win streak.
Heroic picked Vertigo, but a strong start from Complexity ensured them a lead of 11-3 in the first half, and getting to Map Point first at 15-6. But Heroic refused to go down without a fight, as they managed to win 7 rounds in a row to bring the score up to 15-13, but Complexity ended this run and won the map 16-13. Fang put a monstrous 30 kills and led the table with a 1.42 rating.
Map 3 was Overpass, where Heroic started off with a commanding 11-4 first half on their CT-side. Two of the 4 Complexity rounds were thanks to hallzerk, as he pulled out two clutches in round 10 and round 15. However, Heroic were better on their T-side. They won the map 16-8, with sjuush at the top of the table with 24 kills and a 1.51 rating.
Heroic and Fnatic move on to the Upper Bracket Semi Finals, while Complexity and Outsiders will have to fight for survival in the Lower Bracket.