The excitement at IEM Cologne 2024 continues to build as teams battle it out for a spot in the playoffs. Among the standout performances, NAVI and SAW have successfully secured their places, marking significant milestones for both teams.
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NAVI’s Victory Over Astralis: A Path to the Playoffs
NAVI faced off against Astralis in a crucial match that not only granted them a spot in the playoffs but also allowed them to settle the score from their previous encounters. The LANXESS Arena, known for hosting some of the most iconic esports moments, will now witness NAVI’s progress in the tournament.
The first map, Ancient, was Astralis’s pick. Despite having a less favorable record on this map, NAVI dominated the first half with eight rounds. They continued their momentum in the second half, completely shutting out Astralis and finishing with a score of 13-4.
Moving on to Mirage, a map where NAVI has an impressive 91% win rate, the team once again showed their superiority. The first half ended with NAVI leading 8-4, and despite Astralis’s efforts to stage a comeback, NAVI clinched the map 13-7. This victory extended their winning streak on Mirage to 11 consecutive matches, highlighting their dominance on this map.
SAW’s Historic Achievement: A Portuguese First
On the other side of the bracket, SAW achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Portuguese team to make it to the playoffs of a major tournament. Their match against The MongolZ was not only a test of skill but also a chance to make history.
The first map, Ancient, was The MongolZ’s pick, and they started strong, leading 8-4 at the half. However, SAW mirrored this performance in the second half, pushing the game into extra rounds. Despite the close contest, The MongolZ emerged victorious with a 16-13 score.
Nuke, the second map and SAW’s choice, saw a different story unfold. SAW led 7-5 at the half and dominated the second half with a 13-7 victory, setting the stage for a final showdown on Anubis.
Anubis proved to be a challenging map for both teams. SAW led the first half 9-3, but The MongolZ fought back in the second half, bringing the score to 10-11. However, SAW held their ground and secured the map 13-10, sealing their place in the playoffs.
Key Players and Performances
In both matches, individual performances stood out. Mihai “iM” Ivan from NAVI earned the title of the best player of the match, with a remarkable rating of 8.2, reflecting his consistent performance throughout the tournament. For SAW, Michel “ewjerkz” Magalhães shone with a rating of 7.3 and an impressive K/D statistic of 61-52.
What’s Next?
With their victories, both NAVI and SAW have secured spots in the playoffs. NAVI will face SAW. On the other hand, Astralis and The MongolZ find themselves in the lower bracket, where they must win two matches to advance to the arena.
These results set the stage for an exciting continuation of IEM Cologne 2024, with more thrilling matches and historic moments on the horizon.
Stay tuned to follow NAVI and SAW’s journey as they advance in the playoffs. Stay tuned to our blog for the latest updates on Hellcase and other gaming news.
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