IEM Katowice 2022 Group Stage is set

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One of the most prestigious CS:GO events, IEM Katowice 2022, is ready for its group stage. After the play-in matches which were played between 15-16 February, the teams that will take place in the group stage became clear. The group stage of the tournament will start on February 17 and host sixteen teams from around the world.

Play-in Stage

Eight teams -six from Europe and two from North America- were directly invited to the IEM Katowice 2022 Group Stage, thanks to their current success. The rest of the teams have been determined through the play-in stage. Among the sixteen teams, the top eight teams managed to qualify for the group stage after competing in the double-elimination bracket.

CPH Flames, FaZe Clan, OG, Astralis, Fnatic, ENCE, MOUZ, and Ninjas in Pyjamas made it through the group stage of IEM Katowice 2022.

IEM Katowice 2022 Group Stage is set

Group Stage

Following the end of the play-in, groups for IEM Katowice 2022 look like this:

Group A

  • Team Vitality
  • MOUZ
  • OG
  • Heroic
  • Virtus.pro
  • CPH Flames
  • Ninjas in Pyjamas
  • Gambit Esports

Group B

  • Natus Vincere
  • ENCE
  • Astralis
  • FURIA Esports
  • Team Liquid
  • FaZe Clan
  • Fnatic
  • G2 Esports

IEM Katowice 2022 Group Stage is set

Format

The format of the group stage is similar to the play-in. All matches will be played as best-of-three in the double-elimination GSL format. The top three teams of each group will advance to the playoffs. While the winners of each group will proceed to the semifinals, the runners-up will proceed to the quarterfinals as the high seed. Third place teams, on the other hand, will find themselves a spot in the quarterfinals as the low seed.

Matchups

The group stage will start with OG – Heroic and Virtus.pro – CPH Flames on February 17. The winners of the matchups advance to the upper-bracket round 2, while the losers drop down to the lower-bracket round 1. Here’s all the matchups:

Group A

  • Team Vitality – MOUZ
  • OG – Heroic
  • Virtus.pro – CPH Flames
  • Ninjas in Pyjamas – Gambit Esports

Group B

  • Natus Vincere – ENCE
  • Astralis – FURIA Esports
  • Team Liquid – FaZe Clan
  • Fnatic – G2 Esports

Stands out of IEM Katowice 2022

If you’re interested in with CSGO betting, there a few teams that stand out in this tournament. IEM Katowice features a lot of outstanding teams that are contenders for the trophy. First and foremost, the CIS presentative Natus Vincere comes to mind. 2021 was phenomenal for Na’Vi. The team won nine tournaments, including s1mple’s first-ever major title, PGL Major Stockholm 2021. S1mple and his friend are looking forward to carrying their success into the new year.

The last IEM Katowice champion, Gambit Esports, is aiming to protect its throne. Reaching the top in the online era of CS:GO, the CIS organization proved in LAN events that they are more than onliners. The current world number 2 is definitely the challenger for the title.  The France-based organization Vitality is coming into the tournament with high expectations. After acquiring the duo of dupreeh and Magisk alongside the coach zonic, Vitality wants to start off 2022 with a positive result.

If you don’t know how to bet on CSGO games, do not miss our how to bet on esports guide!

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Ten years with IEM Katowice

Besides being one of the most awaited CS:GO tournaments of all time, this year has a special meaning for IEM Katowice. Starting in 2013, the tournament is celebrating its tenth year with IEM Katowice 2022. Here are all the winners of IEM Katowice:

  • 2013 – ESC
  • 2014 – Virtus.pro
  • 2015 – Fnatic
  • 2016 – Fnatic
  • 2017 – Astralis
  • 2018 – Fnatic
  • 2019 – Astralis
  • 2020 – Natus Vincere
  • 2021 – Gambit Esports.

IEM Katowice 2022 starts on February 17 and you can follow the tournament from here.

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