NAVI and fnatic secured their first wins at the IEM Katowice 2022 group stage

The teams NaVi and fnatic got their first wins in the group stage of IEM Katowice 2022, beating ENCE (2:1) and G2 (2:1), respectively. Now the teams will go to the semi-finals of the upper bracket, where they will play with FURIA and FaZe Clan, respectively. At the same time, ENCE and G2 fell into the lower bracket of the group, where they will get another chance to reach the championship playoffs.

NAVI-ENCE

The first meeting for NAVI as part of IEM Katowice 2022 started on the Mirage map, which became the choice of ENCE. However, the European team regretted their decision too quickly, as the "Born to Win" showed an exemplary defense game, finishing the first half with a score of 12:3. After the pistol round won by NAVI, it seemed that the team would have no chance to close someone else's pick and go to rest. And yet, ENCE had the courage to impose a fight and take several rounds, which still did not save the team from defeat by their own choice - 16:9.

Next, the teams moved to the Nuke map, which became the choice of NAVI. At the same time, ENCE decided to avenge the unfortunate defeat at their own pick, closing the half on defense with a score of 12:3. NAVI players were clearly not prepared for this, who, having lost the pistol round in the second half, finally hung up the white flag - 16:4.

Everything was decided on the Overpass map, where ENCE continued to choke the favorite, finishing the first half with a score of 10:5. However, after the switchover, NAVI managed to return to the game and pull the series in their favor by making a strong-willed comeback — 16:14.

G2-fnatic

The parallel series kicked off on fnatic's pick Nuke. At the same time, the Swedish-British team played terribly for the attack, managing to win only two rounds in the first half. At the same time, G2, having perfectly closed the half in defense, did not reinvent the wheel and quickly closed all questions, having managed to take the lead after the defeat on the starting map — 16:2.

Then the teams moved to the Mirage map, where the situation changed radically. Now fnatic players had an overwhelming advantage on the server, finishing the first half with a double lead. After the side switch, G2 did not even have time to wake up, because fnatic, having won the pistol round, quickly took over the economy, and then confidently took revenge on the opponent at his peak — 16:7.

Everything was decided on the Inferno map, where fnatic continued to dictate its terms, showing a confident attack. As a result, ALEX and the company managed to spin their attack, taking ten rounds at once. After switching sides, G2 started to wake up. However, one lost round against pistols put an end to all the team's attempts to recoup, allowing fnatic to get a sensational victory - 16:11.

IEM Katowice 2022 runs from 15 to 27 February. 24 teams from all over the world compete for a $1,000,000 prize pool.

Interim results of IEM Katowice 2022

• 1st place: TBD.
• 2nd place: TBD.
• 3rd-4th place: TBD.
• 5th-6th place: TBD.
• 7th-8th place: TBD.
• 9th-12th place: TBD.
• 13th-16th place: TBD.
• 17th-20th place: Entropiq - $4,500.
• 17th-20th place: Movistar Riders - $4,500.
• 17th-20th place: BIG — $4,500.
• 17th-20th place: GODSENT — $4,500.
• 21st-24th place: Renegades - $2,500.
• 21st-24th place: Wisła Kraków — $2,500.
• 21st-24th place: Sprout - $2,500.
• 21st-24th place: MIBR — $2,500.