IEM Katowice reaches playoffs

We are down to the last six at IEM Katowice following the end of the double-elimination groups.

After four days of intense group action, the tournament will now move to the Spodek Arena, where teams will play behind closed doors following the Polish authorities' decision to revoke ESL's license to host a mass event because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The single-elimination playoffs will begin with a clash between fnatic and 100 Thieves. They are ranked six places apart and last faced each other at the ESL Pro League Season 10 Finals, where the Swedes ran out 2-0 victors in their group's lower bracket final. The winner of that match will go on to face G2, who are still undefeated in 2020 after six best-of-three matches.

The other side of the bracket features world No.1 Astralis in the semi-finals, with the Danes set to face the winner of the mouth-watering series between Liquid and Natus Vincere. The Russian team seek their first series victory against the North Americans since ESL One New York 2016 after losing the last six best-of-three matches, five of which without getting a map. In case Liquid come out on top, they will renew their rivalry with Astralis, who have yet to drop a map in Katowice.

Below you can find the complete schedule for the playoffs:

Friday, February 28:

15:00 fnatic vs. 100 Thieves (BO3)
18:55 Liquid vs. Natus Vincere (BO3)

Saturday, February 29:

15:00 G2 vs. fnatic / 100 Thieves (BO3)
18:55 Astralis vs. Liquid / Natus Vincere (BO3)

Sunday, March 1:

17:00 Grand final (BO5)