Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /var/www/vhosts/sevenone-esports.staging.dept42.de/httpdocs/web/app/plugins/better-wp-security/core/modules/security-check-pro/class-itsec-security-check-pro.php on line 52 Reflecting on IEM Katowice 2021 - Fresh faces and an abundance of upsets - | esports.com
March 2, 2021
CS:GO
Reflecting on IEM Katowice 2021 – Fresh faces and an abundance of upsets
With a Grand Final between two CIS teams, a lot of upsets and new talent showing up, let’s reflect on IEM Katowice 2021.
IEM Katowice 2021 might just be one of the most exciting IEMs that has happened in a while. It started in the middle of February, on the 18th. With that, a whole lot of insane things happened from the get go. This IEM could be renamed IEM Underdog for the teams that flourished and eventually made it all the way to the Grand Finals.
Things we expected
A few things to get out of the way for starters. Nobody really imagined that teams like OG or FaZe, even NIP were going to cut it far. They played according to expectations and never got out of the group stages. The highlights in those group stages of the teams that never really broke out were mainly G2 and FURIA. They both got themselves comfy spots all the way up to the Lower Bracket finals, to be shot out by the eventual contenders for the quarter-finals.
The quarter-finals came around with a few unexpected participants. Namely, Spirit and Gambit. Thanks to their shattering performances in the group stages they had quarter-final places secured, and deservedly so. Spirit even managed to stay in the Upper Bracket of its Group, beating out Astralis in an exciting 2-1, with a reverse sweep. Astralis took Inferno, but Spirit came back hard. A fierce battle on Train getting them a 16-13 result. Dust2 was the deciding cherry on top; they demolished Astralis with a whopping 16-1. You read that correctly. Astralis managed to get just one round in.
After this blowout, a nerve-wracking quarter-final awaited Astralis. They had to face off against Virtus.pro which was just a taste of what would come to pass in the semi-finals. Virtus.pro showed that it was on point and ready to decimate in this tournament. A key factor in their success is YEKINDAR, a player that without a shred of doubt knows how to destroy everyone that dares tread in his path. If it had not been for him Virtus.pro might have been beaten out by Astralis.
The CIS region seems too hard to beat this tournament and unfortunately, we’re out of #iemkatowice2021
On the other side of the quarter-finals Gambit overthrew Natus Vincere with ease. Two swift maps played out by Gambit, the young and still continuously impressive roster showing just why they are one of the teams to keep an eye on for 2021. It was a rather one sided affair where the first map, Overpass, was relatively challenging, but Train really sealed the deal with a 16-6 result.
Liquid inconsistency, Spirit outmatched
Another rapid affair on the second to last day of the tournament. Two quickly played BO3s where Gambit started off by taking out Spirit on Overpass and Inferno. Spirit were simply outmatched, but put up an impressive fight, even until the very end. Sadly for them it just was not enough, and Gambit already prepared viewers for their performance to come as they secured the Grand Final spot.
On the other side we saw Virtus.pro taking on Liquid, the last remaining non-CIS region holdout. Recently finding their footing in the EU scene, breaking away from the considerably less impressive NA scene at this time. Alas, they were not able to stand up against the other CIS titans, Virtus.pro. An even more decisive BO3 than Gambit played, Virtus.pro sent Liquid home with a 16-9 and 16-12 on Dust2 and Mirage, respectively. Another clear-cut CIS victory, leading us into a Grand Final nobody saw coming.
A Grand Final between the CIS kings
So it was decided, Gambit and Virtus.pro were duking it out. Nobody has expected things to run the way they did though. It started off tense on Vertigo, with an eventual 16-14 for Virtus.pro. The first map led everybody to believe that this was going to be one hell of a battle. Things completely flipped. Gambit found their inner power and rebounded hard. A 16-6 on Dust2 followed. Equal footing. Next came Train, and with that a 16-4 result.
Hobbit was one of the key factors in this grand finale. Without him, Gambit would have not performed this well. In the end things were finished off on Overpass; Virtus.pro bounced back a tad, but did not get any further than 12 rounds. 16-12 was the result of the final map, and so Gambit achieved the 3-1 needed to claim the victory. The team of youngsters had risen to the ultimate challenge, winning what is easily one of the biggest tournaments in CS: IEM Katowice. They are now up there with legends such as Natus Vincere and Astralis.
What did you think of this edition of IEM Katowice? Join the discussion on social media or our Discord!
You can also help improve our website by submitting direct feedback!
