Team Liquid knock out Team Spirit with IEM Katowice 2023

In a grueling battle, Team Liquid defeated Team Spirit with a score of 2:1, thanks to which they made it to the final of the lower bracket of group A at IEM Katowice 2023. In turn, the "dragons" suffer a second defeat in the group stage and leave the tournament, taking 9-12 place.

The final meeting of the penultimate gaming day of the group stage started on the Nuke map, which became the choice of the Russian team. At the same time, "liquid" quickly seized the initiative on the server, having managed to show a confident start in defense. Despite attempts to return in the performance of Team Spirit, the North Americans successfully closed the half and gained a twofold advantage - 10:5. After the side switch, the Dragons tried to get back into the game, but made enough mistakes to allow Team Liquid to take the lead in the series - 16:12.

Then the teams moved to the Overpass map, which turned out to be the choice of Team Liquid. However, here the "dragons" began to correct their situation, demonstrating a good start. However, closer to the change of sides, the North Americans returned to the game, having managed to secure a minimal advantage for themselves - 8:7. In the second half, the fight only escalated, with the only difference being that Team Spirit managed to cope with nerves and put the squeeze on the opponent, equalizing the score in the series — 16:13.

Everything was decided on the Anubis card, the first half of which was in favor of the "dragons". However, at the end of the half, the North Americans managed to get closer to the opponent and significantly reduce the gap - 9:6. Well, after the side switch, the intrigue quickly disappeared from the server, as Team Liquid showed an amazing attack and swept the opponent off the map, securing the final victory — 16:11.

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: IHC Esports and Team Spirit — $16,000
• 13th-16th place: BIG, Ninjas in Pajamas, MOUZ and Cloud9 — $10,000
• 17th-20th place: MIBR, ENCE, Sprout and FURIA - $4,500
• 21st-24th place: paiN Gaming, Evil Geniuses, Permitta Esports and Grayhound Gaming — $2,500