Complexity Gaming beat ENCE on their way to the IEM Katowice 2023 group stage

The Complexity Gaming team sensationally outplayed ENCE with a score of 2:1, thanks to which they advanced to the group stage of IEM Katowice 2023. In turn, sAw's team leaves the championship after two defeats at the Play-In stage.

The penultimate meeting of the Play-In stage started on the Anubis map, which, as expected, became the choice of the North American team. At the same time, Complexity Gaming players were able to quickly seize the initiative on the server. Despite the return rounds performed by ENCE, the North Americans managed to close the first half in their favor — 8:7. After the side switching, sAw men began to correct their position, having managed to come forward. However, in the end, Complexity Gaming managed to break the opponent and then take the lead in the series — 16:13.

Then the teams moved to the Vertigo map, which turned out to be the choice of ENCE. Here the North Americans continued to bend their line to create a small reserve. However, at the equator of the first half, sAw men managed to find their game in order to catch up with the opponent and take the lead — 9:6. After switching sides, Complexity Gaming managed to win the pistol series, but the game ended there. In turn, ENCE was able to adapt to the opponent's game in order to put the squeeze on defense and even the score in the series — 16:11.

Everything was decided on the Inferno map, where the North Americans, starting on the defensive side, immediately took possession of the banana and ribs, effectively cutting off the opponent's oxygen. In turn, ENCE couldn't come up with anything in attack, putting themselves in a difficult position - 11:4. After the switchover, sAw's team failed to return to the game, while Complexity Gaming put the squeeze on the opponent and sensationally made it to the group stage of IEM Katowice 2023 — 16:8.

IEM Katowice 2023 takes place from 1 to 12 February in Katowice at the Spodek Arena. As part of the championship, 24 teams from the CIS, Europe, North and Latin America, Asia and Oceania are fighting for a total prize pool of $1,000,000, as well as a ticket to IEM Cologne 2023 for the winner.

Interim results of IEM Katowice 2023

• 1st place: $400,000 + ticket to IEM Cologne 2023
• 2nd place: $180,000
• 3rd-4th place: $80,000
• 5th-6th place: $40,000
• 7th-8th place: $24,000
• 9th-12th place: $16,000
• 13th-16th place: $10,000
• 17th-20th place: MIBR, ENCE and FURIA — $4,500
• 21st-24th place: paiN Gaming, Evil Geniuses, Permitta Esports and Grayhound Gaming — $2,500