Cloud9 head coach shares his thoughts on the atmosphere at IEM Dallas 2022

groove, head coach of Team Cloud9, shared his thoughts on the atmosphere at IEM Dallas 2022. According to the 39-year-old, the support of the fans greatly helps the team to show their best game. At the end, groove told what he expects from the upcoming match with ENCE.

To be honest, we have the most wonderful fans. We have an inexperienced squad if we're talking about the stadium and playing in front of a crowd. We are very happy - that is why this tournament is very important for us. This is our new home, which is why we call it our home arena. The crowd makes us happier and happier because everyone can hear the noise. We are really impressed with the support we feel in Dallas.

Frankly, it was difficult for us, because we had to spend 25 hours on the road to arrive in the USA. The first flight was 6 hours, after which another 16 hours flew. It is clear that we were tired and had to spend time acclimatizing. I am glad that step by step Cloud9 feels more and more confident in arenas with spectators. Against BIG, we only played our fifth match on stage. Yes, we performed together for two years, but it was mostly online during the coronavirus pandemic. Now my team is still under pressure from the stage, but in general the situation looks great.

It will be a BO5 match, which is difficult to prepare for. You need to be ready to play on all five maps. Together with F_1N, my assistant, we will do everything necessary. ENCE is the second team in the world and even with a stand-in shows excellent results. They beat FaZe and advanced to the final. They don't seem to care about having a standin at all. Snax is very good and plays like he didn't have a long break.

IEM Dallas 2022 runs from May 30 to June 5 in Dallas at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. Sixteen teams from Europe, Oceania, North and South America are fighting for a prize pool of $250,000, as well as ranking points in the EPT and BLAST Premier tables.

Interim results of IEM Dallas 2022

• 1st place: $100,000 + 1,000 EPT points + 2,400 BLAST Premier points
• 2nd Place: $42,000 + 750 EPT Points + 1,200 BLAST Premier Points
• 3rd-4th place: FURIA and BIG — $20,000 + 525 EPT points + 750 BLAST Premier points.
• 5th-6th place: G2 Esports and FaZe Clan — $10,000 + 350 EPT points + 225 BLAST Premier points.
• 7th-8th place: Vitality, Team Liquid - $6,000 + 200 EPT points + 225 BLAST Premier points.
• 9th-12th place: Astralis, MOUZ, MIBR and Ninjas in Pajamas — $5,000 + 100 EPT points.
• 13th-16th place: Movistar Riders, Encore Esports Club, Imperial Esports and Complexity Gaming — $4,000.