Sprout knocks out Evil Geniuses with IEM Katowice 2023
/The Evil Geniuses team lost to Sprout with a score of 2:0, after which they completed their performances at IEM Katowice 2023. In the Play-In stage, the North Americans suffered two defeats, failing to impose a fight on their opponents. In turn, the Sprout team advanced to the second round of the lower bracket, where they will meet with Team Spirit for a place in the group stage of the championship.
The final meeting of the second day of the competition started on the Ancient map, which became the choice of the Danish-Romanian team. But if the start was left for the Sprout players, then closer to the change of sides, the North Americans were able to wake up and got a comfortable advantage before a short break - 9:6. After switching sides, Evil Geniuses even managed to increase the advantage and even disarm the opponent. However, Sprout managed to return to the game to make a mini-comeback, and then take the lead in the series - 16:14.
Next, the teams moved to the Mirage map, which became the choice of Evil Geniuses. Here, the wards of BERRY again started right off the bat, winning the starting series of rounds. But suddenly the North Americans joined the game, they gave an excellent streak in the attack and closed the half with a two-fold advantage - 10:5. After switching sides, the "Evil Geniuses" managed to consolidate their position, but the ideas quickly ran out, while the opponent caught the courage. As a result, Sprout managed to crush Evil Geniuses and knock out the North Americans from the tournament — 16:13.
Matches history: IEM Katowice 2023 Play-In
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: $4,500
- 21st-24th place: paiN Gaming, Evil Geniuses, Permitta Esports and Grayhound Gaming — $2,500