The organization HEROIC has advanced to the playoffs of the IEM Rio 2024 tournament, marking their best result since May when they also reached the playoffs at IEM Dallas. This event is especially significant for the team, as the arena in Rio has twice been a triumphant venue for them, reaching the finals in 2022 and 2023, although they have yet to claim the title.

Interest in the team was heightened as their match for advancing to the playoffs was against Astralis, now featuring former HEROIC players: cadiaN, Martin "⁠stavn⁠" Lund, and Jakob "⁠jabbi⁠" Nygaard. René "⁠TeSeS⁠" Madsen admitted in an interview with HLTV that this match carried additional weight for the team: "I think it was obvious to everyone that this game meant more to us than usual matches."

READ MORE: FaZe advance to the lower bracket final of IEM Rio 2024

Serious Challenges Ahead

The victory over Astralis led HEROIC to the tournament playoffs, where they are set to play for a semi-final spot against Vitality. This encounter holds special significance for TeSeS, as it was Vitality who took the trophy from him in 2023. Now, HEROIC feels confident in their abilities, especially after a convincing win against G2 in the group stage, and the team is ready to prove that the improvements they've achieved in practice can be executed on the server.

Quotes and Expert Assessments

René "⁠TeSeS⁠" Madsen highlighted the importance of success: "No one on the team was satisfied with our results lately, but we feel that the past month has marked a big step forward." He also praised the work of the new coach sAw, who, according to him, has a huge impact on the team: "He always knows what is important for the team at any given moment and doesn't waste time on unnecessary things."

Returning to Rio was also an emotional moment for TeSeS, who twice lost in the finals at this venue. "If we lose in the final for the third time, I might never come back to Rio again," he joked in the interview, adding that he eagerly awaits the opportunity to play in front of Brazilian fans.

READ MORE: Heroic advance to the playoffs at IEM Rio 2024 after defeating Astralis

Importance of Current Success

Advancing to the playoffs of IEM Rio 2024 is an important milestone for HEROIC, confirming their return to the top after a challenging period. The match against Vitality will be a serious test, and a victory over such a strong opponent will reinforce the belief that the team is indeed on the right path to success.

Source: HLTV