The IEM Cologne 2024 playoffs kicked off today in Cologne, one of the most anticipated events in the world of eSports, attracting thousands of fans. As always, Lanxess Arena was filled to capacity, ready to welcome the world's best CS players.

It was on this day that a new chapter in the history of the Portuguese team SAW began, as they took to the big stage for the first time in their career and eventually defeated one of the strongest teams - FaZe.

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Historic event for SAW

SAW, led by captain MUTiRiS, took to the Lanxess Arena stage ready to showcase their best Counter-Strike. Their opponent in the quarterfinals was FaZe team, who, being in good shape and with the support of experienced Karrigan, went into the game with confidence. The first confrontation became a real test for SAW, who had to prove their right to a place among the best teams in the world.

Match progress

The quarterfinal series started with the map Inferno, where FaZe started with two won rounds. But after that, SAW won four rounds in a row, and the score by the end of the first half was 8:4 in favor of the Portuguese. The pistol round in the second half was up to SAW, who eventually finished the map with a score of 13:6.

On the second map, Anubis, the situation was more tense. FaZe first led 4:1 and at the end of the first half the score was also 8:4, but in favor of FaZe. However, SAW did not give up and managed to equalize the score 11-11. In the end, FaZe, with their best efforts, won this map, sending the teams to the decisive Nuke.

At Nuke, SAW started on the defensive side, where they managed to take seven rounds. The transition to the T-side started with a loss in the pistol round, but SAW showed their character again. Team captain MUTiRiS gave an outstanding round, winning 1v4 by himself, which gave the team confidence. SAW brought the score to 12:8, but FaZe took the initiative again and took the game into overtime. In overtime SAW still pulled out the victory with the score 16-14.

The best player of the match was ewjerkz from SAW who showed a great game during three maps and it is reflected on his rating 7.3.

Experts' evaluations

The match caused a great resonance in the cybersports community. Famous former pro player Maniac noted in his account on X: “Serious whiffs out of broky and frozen. What's up with FaZe?!”. His comment reflects the surprise and shock of many viewers who did not expect this result.

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Importance of SAW's win

This was a historic win for SAW as they reached the semifinals for the first time in their history at one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world. Now they will face Vitality and the team is determined to continue their incredible journey at IEM Cologne 2024. For FaZe, the tournament was a disappointment as they failed to qualify for the next stage and will be forced to miss the rest of the competition. Now fans are eagerly waiting to see how the confrontation between G2 and MOUZ, who will also fight for a place in the semifinals, will end.

Source: X