MOUZ and Fnatic qualify for IEM Cologne 2023 Group Stage

One of the most important CS:GO tournaments in the competitive calendar, the IEM Cologne 2023, is already underway, and after several very interesting and intense matches in the Play-In Phase, we have MOUZ and Fnatic qualified for the Group Stage.

The reality is that we observed really interesting matches, considering that many of the teams presented new lineups. MOUZ was led by Ádám “torzsi” Torzsás, who showed an exceptional level of play in the matches played by the team. At the same time, Fnatic had William “mezii” Merriman at his best level of play.

However, these are not the only teams that won on this first day of matches. Apeks started extremely well by beating BIG by 16-10, while, Astralis, their opponent in Round 2 of the Upper Bracket, also beat Team Liquid by 16-10.

Finally, the last two matches of this first day left us with the victory of Monte Esports against the new Imperial lineup. Meanwhile, FURIA Esports began its journey in the best possible way by getting a 16-11 victory over Grayhound Gaming.

Fnatic beat 9INE to qualify for the Group Stage of IEM Cologne 2023

Before reaching the Upper Bracket Round 2 match, Fnatic faced a tough Complexity Gaming. However, after the 30 rounds played and then six more in Overtime, the black&Orange squad managed to take the victory by 19-17.

NOTHING BETTER THAN STARTING ON A #FNCWIN

See you all later for another BO3 to secure our spot at #IEM Cologne pic.twitter.com/nSCPIbvA42

— FNATIC (@FNATIC) July 26, 2023

They then faced 9INE in Round 2 to contest BO3, ultimately qualifying them to the Group Stage of IEM Cologne 2023.

Ancient Fnatic started extremely well in the first map of the series with an excellent partial victory in the first half by 10-5. Then, at the change of sides, 9INE tried to wake up, and they even managed to level the score 11-11. However, Fnatic put up an excellent defense in the last stages of the map to take the victory by 16-12.

Then, in the second map, Vertigo, things were a bit different, as we had a very balanced score in the first half, which ended 8-7 in favor of Fnatic. However, at the change of sides, Fnatic’s offense surprised the Poles and took a comfortable 16-10 victory.

THE SECOND TEAM TO ADVANCE TO THE #IEM COLOGNE 2023 GROUP STAGE!!

Congrats @FNATIC 💪 pic.twitter.com/PDgaCPcEvn

— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) July 26, 2023

MOUZ get a clean sweep over NiP to qualify for Group Stage.

There is no doubt that we all expected to see MOUZ’s level of play in this tournament, as they came with a completely new lineup, and, no doubt, they did not disappoint.

In the first game they played, they looked a little cold against TheMongolz, but after an intense map, Nuke, they managed to take the victory in Overtime by 22-19.

The first game of #IEM Cologne 2023 went to DOUBLE OVERTIME! 🙌@mousesports are the ones that come out on top, taking down @MongolzCs 22-19 on Nuke pic.twitter.com/yqEHAK0qiG

— Intel® Extreme Masters (@IEM) July 26, 2023

Then, in the Group Stage qualifier, the new MOUZ lineup applied an excellent clean sweep against NiP to seal their ticket to the main event.

It all started in Nuke, NiP’s map pick, where MOUZ once again demonstrated an exceptional level of play. This time, David “frozen” Čerňanský donned the hero’s cape to lead his team to an excellent victory. In the first half, we have MOUZ taking a 9-6 partial victory on their CT side. Then, at the change of sides, NiP tried to wake up and stop several of MOUZ’s offenses, but it wasn’t enough, and they fell by 12-16.

Then, at Inferno, MOUZ’s map pick, things changed completely, as MOUZ deployed a spectacular offense to take the partial victory in the first half on their T-side by 11-4. Finally, at the change of sides, it was only a matter of time before this new MOUZ lineup won the remaining five rounds to claim the 16-7 victory that put them in the Group Stage of IEM Cologne 2023.

.@mousesports ARE IN THE #IEM COLOGNE GROUP STAGE! 🐁

One step closer to the Cathedral. pic.twitter.com/kNcyYKBKBkLB

— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) July 26, 2023

Header: ESL