Astralis got off to a brilliant start at IEM Cologne 2024 with a 2-0 win over Latin American team 9z. This success led them to the semifinals of the top set, where they will face the winner of the match between Natus Vincere and paiN.
This match was an important stage for Astralis at IEM Cologne 2024. The encounter with Team 9z was the first on the Danes' path in this tournament, and the 2-0 dry win showed their serious intentions. Team 9z, who are interesting in their own right as one of the brightest representatives of the Latin American scene, were not ready for the onslaught of European stars.
Match progress
On the first map, Dust2, Astralis didn't start off too confidently, losing the first pistol round, but quickly recovered and took control of the economy. The first half ended with a minimal lead, but after a 10:10 tie, the Danes took the lead and finished the map with a score of 13:10. In the second game on Inferno, Team 9z was only able to take two rounds in the first half, losing to Astralis, who showed almost flawless play for the terrorist side. A final 13:5 victory on the second map secured Astralis the series win and advance to the next round.
Player Comments
After the match, Jakob "jabbi" Nygaard, one of Astralis' key players, shared his impressions: "When you get into a state of flow, everything becomes very easy, you just let them make mistakes. Honestly, you don't have to do anything." This statement perfectly captures the flow of the game, in which the Danes used their opponents' mistakes to their advantage.
Final thoughts
This win is important for Astralis not only as a successful start to the tournament, but also as a demonstration of their potential. The team showed that they are in great shape and ready to fight for the top prize. The next match against the winner of the pairing of Natus Vincere and paiN will be another test on their way to the top of IEM Cologne 2024, while Team 9z will have to fight for survival in the lower grid of the tournament.
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