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FaZe Wins IEM Katowice 2022 After Overtime Frenzy!

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After nearly two weeks of action, Intel Extreme Masters XVI (IEM) Katowice 2022 is finally over. G2 Esports and Faze had multiple close rallies on every map, providing fans with insane gameplay and nail-biting moments.

The highlight of this showdown was definitely its four overtimes for only three games played. Fans for more than what they expected, seeing FaZe win a massive share of the $1 million prize pool, champion’s trophy, and the grand title.

IEM Katowice 2022

Faze secured IEM Katowice 2022 with a 3-0 sweep against G2, displaying a shocking yet deserved victory. They take both the trophy and $400 thousand home too. Although G2 fought their hardest and held their own against Faze, their continuous mistakes caused them crucial rounds. Faze’s relentlessness and resilience proved them to be the better team amongst the two.

Grand Finals

Both groups chose their respective maps, with Faze going first in taking Inferno, followed by G2’s Mirage pick. While Ancient and Nuke were picked as third and fourth maps, this showdown ended on Dust 2.

Faze had a slow start in the first game, with G2 securing a decent lead until the twenty-third round. However, to make it up, Faze scored twelve consecutive rounds while G2 continued to stumble, even during vital full-buy rounds. Both teams would head into overtime, with Faze securing the first map 19-15.

The penultimate game was tense. Faze and G2 were neck-and-neck most of the time. Due to both sides’ unparalleled skill, three overtimes were needed to decide on a winner. Once again, G2 Esports fell to the exact same minuscule mistakes and split-decision errors from game one. G2 was unable to secure match two on their map choice, allowing Faze to take the high ground with a match score of 31-27.

Faze ahead by two points was make-it or break-it for G2. The teams hit it off on the third map, Dust 2, and rallied in winning rounds against each other. By half-time, Faze and G2 were near-even in the score. Eventually, both landed on a deciding score of 14-14. However, G2 lost their full-buy round right after that, and Faze ended up taking on the advantage. Without a second thought, Faze went on to take both games (16-14) and later became the grand champions of IEM Katowice 2022.

A Historic Moment

During IEM Katowice 2022, various players made esports history. Some achieved more significant feats than others. Everyone did their part at proving to the world how much they trained, struggled, and deserved to be on the main stage and in the competition. But throughout history, there’s only one real moment that defines an entire year, let alone a player’s career.

The world witnessed an act of valor, strength, and bravery that didn’t primarily focus on the competition but more about awareness and support for a much larger cause. Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev, one of the best CS:GO players worldwide, took to the stage to express his sentiments for his home country and the conflicts within.

There’s not much to add or say about s1mple’s speech. It was extremely moving. It was a message of courage and hope for Ukraine, the world, and a statement that uplifted fans during devastating times. It speaks for itself and will be a defining moment in history for years to come.

Now that IEM Katowice 2022 is over, teams will have to start their climb to the top again as the next grand championship returns the following year. Fans will have to keep up with the ever-changing professional scene as the next major competition, PGL Antwerp kicks off in May 2022.

Written by Jay Hunter

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