IEM Cologne Group Stage Day 2 Recap: Heroic are through!

Day 2 of the Group Stages of IEM Cologne saw 2 teams journeys being cut short. While others still soldier on to make it into the Playoffs.

Group A Upper Bracket:

The Upper Bracket Finalists of Group A have been finalized as we saw two 2-0 sweeps on both sides.

Heroic vs Monte:

In an intense and competitive match, Heroic secured a commanding 2-0 victory against Monte.

Starting on Mirage, Heroic held a solid position during their CT-side, leading 9-6 at halftime. However, Monte made a comeback and took the lead at 14-11. Heroic rallied with an impressive 5-round win streak, ultimately winning 16-14.

Moving to Overpass, Monte had a strong start with a 10-5 lead on their CT-side. But Heroic outshined them, executing a near-flawless CT-side and securing a 16-11 win, sealing their triumph in the match.

Heroic advanced to the Upper Bracket Finals, and qualified to the Playoffs of IEM Cologne.

Fnatic vs ENCE:

ENCE emerged victorious with a 2-0 series win against Fnatic after a fierce battle.

On Overpass, ENCE began strongly, but Fnatic made a comeback and led 8-7 at halftime. ENCE's decent CT-side limited Fnatic to only 5 rounds, securing a 16-13 map victory.

Moving to Nuke, ENCE dominated the first half with an 11-4 lead on their T-side. They quickly reached Map Point at 15-5, but Fnatic fought back, winning 6 consecutive rounds. Despite the resurgence, ENCE closed out the map 16-11, securing the series triumph in an exhilarating contest.

ENCE moved on to the Upper Bracket Finals where they will face Heroic, and also qualify to the Playoffs of IEM Cologne 2023. While Fnatic will fight on in the lower bracket.

Image Source: ESL

Group A Lower Bracket:

The Mongolz vs GamerLegion:

GamerLegion managed to stave off elimination, as The Mongolz were sent home after a 2-1 series.

The Mongolz dominated the initial rounds on Mirage, securing a 12-3 advantage over GamerLegion on their T-side. The momentum continued in the second half, swiftly reaching Map Point at 15-3, ultimately closing the map at 16-8.

GamerLegion retaliated on Inferno, exhibiting a strong T-side performance and gaining a 12-3 lead at halftime. Though The Mongolz attempted a comeback with 5 more rounds, GL secured the map 16-8.

The decisive Overpass saw GamerLegion take an 11-4 lead on their T-side, but The Mongolz staged an incredible rally, reaching Map Point first. However, GL's determined effort pushed the map to Overtime, where they triumphed 19-15.

Cloud9 vs 9INE:

The newly crafted Cloud9 manage to survive for one more day, as they win the 9 derby 2-1, sending the Polish side home.

On Vertigo, 9INE started well, securing a 9-6 lead at halftime against Cloud9. However, Cloud9 made a comeback with a 5-round win streak, ultimately winning 16-10.

Moving on to Ancient, Cloud9 dominated with a 10-round win streak after losing three rounds, ending the first half 11-4. They continued their momentum, taking the map 16-4 with a 5-round victory in the second half.

Moving to Anubis, Cloud9 had a strong T-side with a 10-5 lead at halftime, but 9INE retaliated with a 10-5 T-side of their own, leading to Overtime. After a close battle, Cloud9 emerged victorious at 19-17.

Image Source: ESL

Group B Upper Bracket:

Team Vitality vs OG:

Vitality have a relatively easy win over OG at 2-0 in their series. Starting off on Mirage, Vitality had an explosive start on their CT-side. OG could only manage to win 3 rounds before they conceded the first half 12-3.

Moving on to Anubis, OG put up quite a fight. Although Vitality had a strong CT-side, OG managed to pull it back and end the first half 8-7 in favor of Vitality. However, they could not replicate this on the CT-side. Vitality managed to break their defense, and end the map 16-13.

Ninjas in Pyjamas vs Faze Clan:

Faze Clan secured a relatively easy 2-1 victory over NIP in their series.

On Mirage, NIP started strong, winning four consecutive rounds, but Faze Clan dominated the first half, leading 10-5. NIP mounted a comeback, taking eight rounds at the beginning of the second half, and eventually won the map 16-14.

On Overpass, Faze Clan dominated with an 11-4 T-side in the first half, and despite NIP winning the pistol round in the second half, Faze Clan claimed five consecutive rounds and secured a 16-5 victory.

Nuke followed a similar pattern, with Faze Clan ending the first half 11-4 and finishing the map 16-7.