fnatic and Gambit will compete for reaching the quarterfinals of IEM Winter 2021

fnatic and Gambit will compete for reaching the quarterfinals of IEM Winter 2021. At the end of the starting matches of the game day, fnatic and Gambit outplayed BIG (2: 1) and FaZe Clan (2: 1), respectively. Now the teams will meet in the final of the lower bracket, playing the last ticket to the playoffs of the championship.

fnatic - BIG

The semi-final series started on the map Inferno, which became fnatic's choice. At the same time, ALEX and the company showed a very good attack, only three rounds behind the opponent. It seemed that BIG would not come up with anything in the attack, as it has been observed over the past weeks. However, the German team prepared for the opponent, smearing him in the second half in order to come out ahead in the series - 16: 7.

Then the teams moved to Mirage, which became the choice of the German side. However, now it was the turn of fnatic's domination, which played an exemplary half in defense, defeating the opponent with a score of 13: 2. It looked like the game was over. But BIG had a completely different opinion on this, having started a kind of comeback. And yet, at the end of the map, fnatic managed to carry out a successful attack with the occupation of a bombsite in order to level the score in the series and reach the striker - 16:13.

Everything was decided on the Nuke map, which took place on an equal footing. And if the first half ended with a minimal advantage for fnatic, then after the changeover, BIG showed a convincing attack, at some point having good chances to close the streak in their favor. However, ALEX and company made a small comeback to bring the fate of the fight to overtime. Here fnatic didn't give up, showing two convincing halves, and at the same time saying goodbye to BIG - 19:17.

FaZe Clan - Gambit

The side-by-side encounter also kicked off on Inferno, which became FaZe Clan's choice. But if the first half ended with a minimal advantage for the Russian team, then after the change of sides, karrigan and the company took the initiative in their own hands to take their own pick and get ahead - 16:13.

Next, the teams got on the Overpass map, which was chosen by Gambit. However, based on the results of the two halves, the teams did not manage to identify the winner, thereby switching to overtime. Here FaZe Clan got several chances to close the map and take this streak. However, a series of mistakes of the European team and several confident rounds in defense changed the alignment. As a result, in a tense struggle, Gambit snatched victory at its own peak, thereby transferring the fate of the fight to the desider - 25:22.

The fate of the series was decided on the Ancient map, which has recently been convenient for both teams. At the end of the first half, FaZe Clan got a minimal advantage, while finishing the side in defense. After the changeover, it was the turn of the Gambit players, who already demonstrated their defense, gradually running forward. However, FaZe Clan did not have enough strength to return, as the team showed an unconvincing attack, thereby leaving the championship - 16:10.

IEM Winter 2021 takes place from December 2 to December 12 in Stockholm. Sixteen teams from around the world are competing for a $ 250,000 prize pool. In addition to the cash reward, teams will be giving away ESL Pro Tour Points that will help qualify for IEM Katowice 2022.

Interim results of IEM Winter 2021

• 1st place: TBD.
• 2nd place: TBD.
• 3-4th place: TBD.
• 5th-6th place: TBD.
• 7th-8th place: TBD.
• 9th-12th place: FaZe Clan - $ 5,000.
• 9th-12th place: BIG - $ 5,000.
• 9th-12th place: OG - $ 5,000.
• 9th-12th place: Astralis - $ 5,000.
• 13-16th place: ENCE - $ 4,000.
• 13th-16th place: Heroic - $ 4,000.
• 13th-16th place: TYLOO - $ 4,000.
• 13-16th place: MOUZ - $ 4,000.