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The playoff picture for IEM Katowice 2024 has taken shape, with Falcons and G2 securing their spots through impressive victories in their respective matches.
In a captivating showdown, Falcons soared to victory over Natus Vincere, claiming a decisive 2-0 (13-11, 13-4) triumph.
.@FalconsEsport are going to the #IEM Katowice 2024 Playoffs!!
They take down @natusvincere 2-0 in the lower bracket final of Group A 💥
13-11 Ancient
13-4 Mirage pic.twitter.com/kHAQaQ2uXu— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) February 6, 2024
Despite a strong start from Na’Vi, Falcons capitalized on key moments, particularly on Ancient, where they exploited a pivotal half-buy to turn the tide in their favour.
Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen highlighted the mental collapse of his team as a significant factor in their defeat, emphasizing the importance of confidence in gameplay.
Notably, Álvaro “SunPayus” García and Mohammad “BOROS” Malhas showcased standout performances, underscoring the team’s growth throughout the Counter-Strike tournament.
Falcons’ evolution was evident, progressing from earlier shaky matches to a dominant display against Na’Vi, setting the stage for an intriguing playoff journey.
Meanwhile, G2 secured their playoff berth with a commanding 2-0 (13-9, 13-8) victory over Heroic.
Despite facing challenges, including losing all four pistol rounds, G2’s resilience and firepower shone through, particularly with Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov delivering impactful performances.
Nikola “NiKo” Kovač’s resurgence bolstered G2’s efforts, notably on Nuke, where his exceptional play propelled his team to victory.
The lower bracket run has been complete.@G2CSGO take down @heroicgg 2-0 in the lower bracket final to make it to the #IEM Katowice 2024 playoffs!
13-9 Vertigo
13-8 Nuke pic.twitter.com/5NjufRQHOS— Intel® Extreme Masters (@IEM) February 6, 2024
However, concerns lingered regarding G2’s pistol struggles and individual inconsistencies, highlighting areas for improvement as they gear up for a quarter-final clash against FaZe Clan.
The matchup promises excitement, especially with the involvement of legendary coaches Wiktor “TaZ” Wojtas and Filip “NEO” Kubski rallying their respective teams and the Polish crowd.
Friday’s quarter-final matches
- FaZe Clan (-175.44) vs G2 Esports (+125) @ 4:30pm CET
- ENCE (+110) vs Falcons (-151.52) @ 7:30pm CET
