Astralis and OG advanced to the group stage of IEM Katowice 2022

The teams Astralis and OG outplayed BIG (2:1) and ENCE (2:0), thanks to which they advanced to the group stage of IEM Katowice 2022. At the same time, the Sprout team left the IEM Katowice 2022 Play-In, losing in the lower bracket to the Brazilians from GODSENT (0:2). We are getting acquainted with the results of the final matches of the first game day of the championship.

Astralis-BIG

The meeting between Astralis and BIG started on the Ancient map, which became the choice of the Danish team. At the same time, the “hosts” quickly developed an advantage, finishing the first half with a double advantage. After the side switch, Astralis easily solved all the issues, thus taking the lead in the series — 16:9.

The teams then moved on to the Dust 2 map, which turned out to be BIG's pick. At the same time, the German team, in their usual style, smeared the opponent, resolving all issues even before the change of sides. Well, in the second half, BIG quickly dotted the "i" to go to the desider — 16:5.

Everything was decided on the Overpass map, where the Danes immediately seized the initiative. It is interesting that after the change of sides, BIG already managed to take a series of rounds. However, Astralis had enough advantage earned at the start of the map to qualify for the group stage of IEM Katowice 2022 - 16:13.

ENCE-OG

The next game started on the Mirage map, which became the choice of ENCE. However, the "hosts" failed to run ahead, finishing the first half with a minimal advantage. After the switchover, OG managed to seize the initiative in order to reveal their potential in attack, and at the same time to take the lead in the series — 16:10.

Next, the teams moved to the Ancient map, which was chosen by OG. At the same time, the first half again ended with a minimal advantage in favor of ENCE, which did not inspire confidence in the outsider. As a result, OG confidently went over to the defense, not only quickly crushing the server, but also quickly securing the necessary lead — 16:9.

GODSENT-Sprout

The final meeting of the game day started on the Vertigo map, which was chosen by the Sprout team. At the same time, the Danish-German team got off to a good start, gaining a twofold advantage before switching sides. However, in the second half the Brazilians showed a phenomenal attack, actually sweeping away the hosts from the server — 16:12.

Next, the teams moved to the Inferno map, which turned out to be GODSENT's choice. Now the Brazilians had the initiative at the start of the map, having managed to achieve a twofold advantage before switching sides. However, in the second half, Sprout failed to get close to the opponent, allowing the Brazilians to get their first victory in the new season — 16:9.

IEM Katowice 2022 runs from 15 to 27 February. 24 teams are fighting for a prize pool of $1,000,000.