While BIG lost in the first IEM SYDNEY European Closed Qualifier, Betboom and Victory ZigZag dominated. Things didn’t go gloriously for FURIA and Sprout either. BetBoom and Victory Zigzag will battle it out in the eight-team Closed Qualifier for two spots to the IEM Sydney. The qualifier will start on August 23, 2023.
For Johannes “tabsen” Wodarz and Sprout’s team, however, participating in the event was a big disappointment. BIG was not able to beat the other teams, so the dream of the IEM Sydney is far away.
Victory ZigZag dominates, BIG loses
BetBoom faced ECLOT in the round of 16, which they eliminated with a 16-3 win. The next challenge was 500, and BetBoom had a much tougher time, winning a close game on Mirage 16-14. The win moved BetBoom into the semifinals against Into the Breach. Again, it was a close battle with the Russians winning the first map, Overpass, 16-8, before Into the Breach dominated on Ancient, 16-11. However, BetBoom was able to prevail on Mirage, 16-14.
THAT'S HOW @KrimboCS DOES IT! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/KRZy40vlFX
— BIG (@BIGCLANgg) August 10, 2023
Mixed-European team Victory Zigzag was definitely one of the big surprises of the event. The team first defeated 9 Pandas, then they played BIG, but the German team didn’t stand a chance and was defeated by Victory Zigzag. They then played Sprout, and again it was Victory Zigzag who came out on top 2-1. This earned the team a spot in the Closed Qualifier of the IEM Sydney. Not only BIG goes home disappointed, it didn’t go well for FURIA and Team Spirit either. FURIA had to play against Sprout and were mercilessly eliminated.
Another chance for the teams
All the teams that failed to qualify this time have another chance to secure their place in the next stage. The second and final Open Qualifier started today, with two more spots at stake in the Closed Qualifier.
These are the invites for the #IEM Sydney Closed Qualifiers ⚔️
EU:@apeksgg @9INEGG @NIPCS @OGesports
Asia:@MongolzCs
Ex-Rare AtomOceania:@VertexESC @RoosterCS
Still time to register for the open qualifiers! https://t.co/SLg6Chl6ft pic.twitter.com/3tCSknnVdi
— Intel® Extreme Masters (@IEM) August 9, 2023
The following teams will take part in the IEM Sydney Europe Closed Qualifier, which will be held from August 23-25:
OG
Ninjas in Pyjamas
Victory Zigzag
BetBoom
Apeks
9INE
EU Open Qualifier 2
Europe Open Qualifier 2
The Intel Extreme Masters, or IEM for short, will be held in Sydney, Australia this year. At the event, there will be $250,000 up for grabs for the 16 participating teams, with first place receiving $100,000 and automatically qualifying for IEM Katowice 2024. The event will be held at the Aware Super Theatre. The tournament will start on October 16, 2023.