How was the group stage for Liquid?
It wasn’t easy for the North American team to reach the play-off of IEM Katowice 2023. Team Liquid started the Group A performance with a win over IHC Esports, but in the next round lost against Natus Vincere. Nick nitr0 Cannellas team fell into the lower bracket of the group, where they faced some tough opponents.
Firstly, Liquid defeated Team Spirit, and then FaZe Clan. A considerable contribution to these victories came from Mareks YEKINDAR Gaļinskis. The Latvian esportsman carried the most crucial rounds for his team. In the match against FaZe, he became the best player of the match with a score of 6.5.
Vitality’s performance at the group stage
Team Vitality advanced to the play-off after just two matches in Group B. In the first two rounds, the Dan apEX Madesclaires team left no chance for Ninjas in Pyjamas and defeated Fnatic. Vitality was defeated by Heroic in the match for first place in the group and a slot in the semi-finals of the championship.
The level of CS demonstrated by the French club's esports athletes was not as good as we expected. Only Mathieu ZywOo Herbaut was a standout with his stable play. The sniper has an average rating of 7 after the group stage of IEM Katowice 2023. The rest of the team had no stability, the level of their performance changed from good to bad and backwards.
KvaN’s prediction
Despite Team Vitality's uncertain performance, KvaN believes that the French club will be winner in their match against Team Liquid. Zakharov noted that at the Spodek arena we will see a completely different level of CS.
I think Vitality will still make it to the semi-finals of IEM Katowice 2023. Despite their defeat from Heroic in their last match [of the group stage], we will see a completely different level of CS and motivation on the stadium.
Liquid has good chances to win their pick, Overpass or Anubis, but Vitality can respond with a good Inferno and win on the third [map]. So in this game I believe in Vitality.Fedir KvaN Zakharov
The quarter-final match between Team Liquid and Team Vitality is scheduled for February 10th, 9:00 PM MSK. You can check out the detailed pre-match statistics here.
IEM Katowice 2023 takes place from February 1st to 12th in Poland. Teams are competing for a prize pool of one million dollars. Follow the schedule and results of the championship through the link.
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