B8 secured an unexpected victory over Eternal Fire, earning a spot in the playoffs of the ESL Challenger Katowice with a 2-0 result. They showed confident play on Mirage (13-9) and achieved a tense victory on Anubis (19-17).

B8's victory and advancement to the playoffs are particularly intriguing as the team managed to overcome a much higher-rated opponent, proving their readiness to compete at the top level.

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Playoff Bracket: Monte joins B8

In addition to B8, Monte also secured a playoff spot by defeating Legacy with a score of 2-1. The Poles won on Anubis (16-13) and Ancient (13-1), despite losing on Mirage (6-13). Now B8 is set to face the tournament favorites, paiN, while Monte will meet with SAW.

Eternal Fire lose momentum after ESL Pro League success

Eternal Fire gained form after their successful performance at the ESL Pro League but failed to maintain it at IEM Rio, where they were eliminated early. The Turkish team couldn’t make it to the playoffs at ESL Challenger Katowice, losing to B8 and ending the tournament in a disappointing position.

Throughout the series against B8, Engin "⁠MAJ3R⁠" Küpeli’s squad looked uncertain, especially on Mirage, where their overly passive T-side strategies were regularly punished by the opponent. On Anubis, B8 also managed to capitalize on Eternal Fire's sluggishness, catching them off guard once more.

The challenges and successes of Monte

In the series against Legacy, Monte had to face a strong opponent in the Brazilian Eduardo "⁠dumau⁠" Wolkmer, who showcased impressive play with a rating of 8.5 on the first two maps. The Poles won on Anubis in overtime but suffered a crushing defeat on Mirage. On the decisive map Ancient, Monte confidently took control on the defensive side and concluded the match with a secure victory, guaranteeing their place in the playoffs.

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Tournament outcome and significance of B8's victory

B8's performance at ESL Challenger Katowice demonstrates how determination and confident tactics can lead to unexpected victories over favorites. The next matches that will determine the finalists are scheduled for today.