ESL announce complete team list for IEM Katowice Play-In stage

Entropiq, fnatic, Extra Salt, and Copenhagen Flames are among the final set of teams to secure spots at the event.

The complete team list for IEM Katowice 2022 has been announced following the conclusion of the last Big Event of the year, with the last adjustments to the ESL World Ranking on Monday determining the final set of eight teams that will attend the Play-In stage.

Among those that secured the final invites to the initial 16-team phase of the tournament are fnatic, who have been steadily climbing the rankings and showcasing strong form ever since the addition of Owen "⁠smooya⁠" Butterfield.

Copenhagen Flames, who impressed with a dark horse run at PGL Major Stockholm but have struggled to maintain momentum since returning to online play, are also through to the Play-In stage, where they'll hope to demonstrate that their Major results weren't a one-off.

Entropiq are the sole CIS team in the Play-In stage

Also among the teams invited from Europe are ENCE, BIG, and OG, with the latter two teams being linked to roster changes heading into the new year, with OG in particular suffering a heavy blow should the reported move of Aleksi "⁠Aleksib⁠" Virolainen to G2 come to fruition.

Entropiq, meanwhile, picked up the sole CIS invite as the highest-ranked team in the region outside of Natus Vincere, Virtus.pro, and Gambit, who are all qualified directly to the main event.

The final spot in the Play-In stage was earned by Extra Salt, who are the only other North American team alongside Liquid set to attend the event. The core of the team were recently linked with a possible move to Complexity in 2022, leaving the question of whether the players would carry over the slot to the organization with a roster majority if the transfer is realized.

Read more
Sources: Complexity in talks to sign Extra Salt trio; add Grim, junior

IEM Katowice's Play-In stage will kick off on February 15, from which eight teams will advance to the main event to meet another eight invited sides. The complete list of teams that will attend the tournament looks as follows:

Main Event

Play-In

United Kingdom Owen 'smooya' Butterfield
Owen 'smooya' Butterfield
Age:
22
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.18
Maps played:
779
KPR:
0.79
DPR:
0.62
Finland Aleksi 'Aleksib' Virolainen
Aleksi 'Aleksib' Virolainen
Age:
24
Team:
Rating 1.0:
0.97
Maps played:
954
KPR:
0.65
DPR:
0.66
#1
Faceit level 10  | 
 | 
Kosovo Mykolkaa
My team not there?! Wtf?!
2021-12-23 01:05
0
12 replies
#8
 | 
Egypt BomberMan_
+1
2021-12-23 01:07
0
2 replies
+1
2021-12-23 02:29
0
1 reply
#86
s1mple | 
India AJN_
umm
2021-12-23 08:06
0
what is the difference of ESL World Ranking and ESL Road-to-Katowice ranking??
2021-12-23 02:39
0
6 replies
ESL Road to Kato/Cologne (also called ESL Pro Tour rankings) only takes into account the major ESL events in the 6 months before the event (for a 100% points) and for the other 6 months before that for 50% and only grants invites for Kato/Cologne. The ESL World Ranking tries (usually fails pretty bad, but still) to be an objective World Ranking and tries to compete with HLTV rankings. It takes into accounts all T1-2 and a lot of T3 events, grants invites into most ESL events and is used for seeding in all of them
2021-12-23 03:22
0
5 replies
#114
 | 
Cyprus shmoe
rare to see someone as helpful as you on this website. well done mens))
2021-12-23 12:33
0
1 reply
#118
 | 
Italy Esxcanor
+1
2021-12-23 13:30
0
+1
2021-12-23 13:31
0
#134
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
f0rest | 
Latvia Matematikis
nice thx for info :)
2021-12-23 19:00
0
1 reply
You're welcome mens
2021-12-23 19:37
0
#64
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Canada Lachance
who?
2021-12-23 04:56
0
#83
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Sunde | 
Denmark MEN))))
Your team?
2021-12-23 07:42
0
#2
 | 
Palestine llihxelF
So quick!
2021-12-23 01:05
0
ez 4 tyloo
2021-12-23 01:05
0
5 replies
+1
2021-12-23 01:35
0
+1
2021-12-23 02:55
0
Are they still in EU rn?
2021-12-23 06:03
0
1 reply
#94
 | 
Pakistan LoOuU2
no they already lost a semi final to Vici few days ago
2021-12-23 09:06
0
+111
2021-12-23 08:23
0
#5
Faceit level 7  | 
sjokz | 
New Zealand SkirmishX
1 more OCE slot pls
2021-12-23 01:06
0
9 replies
#27
 | 
Europe Putin69
Bruh
2021-12-23 01:44
0
1 is already too much
2021-12-23 01:52
0
ok, i will fix it bro (my father is steve job)
2021-12-23 02:06
0
for who bro lookingfororg? order?
2021-12-23 06:05
0
3 replies
#84
 | 
Slovakia Daev0n
-Renegades +LFO Justice for my boys
2021-12-23 08:01
0
2 replies
lookingfororg havent exactly shown themselves in tier 1 before though so we shall see
2021-12-23 08:17
0
1 reply
#139
Faceit level 7  | 
sjokz | 
New Zealand SkirmishX
because there is usually only 1 invite for OCE and it always goes to Renegades or if there is a qualifier, Renegades wins it - which is why there should be 2 qualifier spots as I believe there is potential for the other OCE teams especially LFO & ORDER to do some damage against international opponents but never can.
2021-12-23 21:56
0
-oceania slot -asia slot ESL pls
2021-12-23 07:31
0
1 reply
oceania scene used to be a lot better before pandemic
2021-12-23 08:17
0
Ez4godsent
2021-12-23 01:06
0
1 reply
#143
 | 
Brazil obr_kevin
I hope lol
2021-12-25 00:23
0
ez4fnc
2021-12-23 01:06
0
Extra Salt pog
2021-12-23 01:07
0
8 replies
#73
 | 
United States cybonics
I pray
2021-12-23 06:07
0
ikr hopefully complexity soon though fingers crossed, fuck cphf
2021-12-23 06:07
0
6 replies
Ok but lets assume: oSee ---> Liquid. which means junior ---> Extra Salt Then FaNg, floppy, JT ---> Complexity That means Sonic, MarKE, and junior on ES... Since the core of ES goes to CoL, what happens to ES' spot? Do they keep their spot in Katowice despite having the core of their roster gone? Or does Complexity replace their spot?
2021-12-23 06:27
0
5 replies
it will be the core from the original extra salt that gets the invite of course (so coL will get the spot), thats usually how it works, and complexity will probably sign junior from extra salt as well bro at least i hope so, the hypothetical team with pit beast grim sounds pog
2021-12-23 06:46
0
4 replies
Same. floppy / FaNg + Grim could be a nutty ass duo (or even trio)
2021-12-23 06:46
0
3 replies
still kinda doubtful of JT at tier 1 but we shall see what comes about
2021-12-23 06:47
0
2 replies
I think JT has proved himelf as a competent IGL, he might not be able to compete as well against t1 but he's proved himself against t2 I feel like. He has also stepped up on the fragging department, he is underrated imo but yeah, the more he plays against t1 the more experience he will get to become better
2021-12-23 06:48
0
1 reply
of course and yeah, he definitely has the frags too, kinda reminds me of dexter lets go african cs
2021-12-23 06:52
0
G2 vs Na' Vi Finals again mark my words
2021-12-23 01:09
0
1 reply
Ok r4erjwageuchavdidixuchsbsucucuajsjchvinonpjsbeuf1234
2021-12-23 09:07
0
#11
 | 
Poland KeelOO
Should be ez for Wisla btw. wrong nip twitter account tagged by ESL xd
2021-12-23 01:11
0
2 replies
true
2021-12-23 01:12
0
#17
Jame | 
Russia yewert
NIPGamingJP sounds like some hentai game developer
2021-12-23 01:34
0
Exited to see how fnatic are gonna show off vs tier 1 teams, cant wait to cheer on them
2021-12-23 01:12
0
3 replies
#96
 | 
Pakistan LoOuU2
they almost 2-0ed Gambit if it wasnt for loosing soo many goddamn crucial clutches to Shiro on first map which was Inferno! got fucked on the 3rd map though
2021-12-23 09:07
0
2 replies
#117
 | 
India Devil100
Even Liquid got fucked on overpass almost by same score, even though liquid were kings of overpass. Seems Only Navi can beat Gambit on Overpass rn
2021-12-23 13:03
0
1 reply
#130
 | 
Pakistan LoOuU2
yea seems to be that way
2021-12-23 16:45
0
go falmes
2021-12-23 01:16
0
6 replies
+1
2021-12-23 01:36
0
5 replies
#28
 | 
Romania Horia_Sima
lol
2021-12-23 01:45
0
kek
2021-12-23 05:41
0
#109
 | 
Germany blochaa
xDD n1
2021-12-23 11:39
0
hahahahah
2021-12-23 12:15
0
believe there was meddling
2021-12-23 19:35
0
EZ for fanatic
2021-12-23 01:18
0
EZ4FURIA LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
2021-12-23 01:31
0
#19
 | 
United States Boones96
Anyone know is this is going to be Lan or not?
2021-12-23 01:35
0
4 replies
Its lan
2021-12-23 01:36
0
3 replies
#24
gla1ve | 
Denmark JKTP
For now
2021-12-23 01:38
0
#26
 | 
United States Boones96
Okay, ty you German sir
2021-12-23 01:43
0
1 reply
Why german
2021-12-23 01:59
0
#22
 | 
Asia Normalism
EZ 4 ES
2021-12-23 01:37
0
#23
gla1ve | 
Denmark JKTP
Still shambles that Furia and Liquid was offered a direct invite and not NIP
2021-12-23 01:38
0
11 replies
Furia just better than NIP.
2021-12-23 01:51
0
2 replies
#42
gla1ve | 
Denmark JKTP
Yeah, especially when they didn't qualify for any big event for like 2 months
2021-12-23 02:21
0
1 reply
they didnt play since major, they dont want. They are looking for 5o player
2021-12-23 03:32
0
I think it was by regions, 3 slots for EU and CIS, 2 for NA. From EU u have g2/vitality/heroic - all these teams did better than nip, idk if they gave invites by some ranking or it was their personal decision.
2021-12-23 01:58
0
3 replies
#43
gla1ve | 
Denmark JKTP
It's probably based off the ESL ranking and you are probably right.
2021-12-23 02:22
0
2 replies
I checked that - It's not about esl ranking cuz NIP is above heroic.
2021-12-23 02:39
0
Pro tour rankings determined the invites
2021-12-23 10:44
0
Is NiP really that much better then Liquid or Furia? Like significantly better? Cause as far as I can tell NiP for a team that is built to win now is about the most disappointing team in europe.
2021-12-23 05:04
0
2 replies
#97
 | 
Sweden FnuffLy
Yes, they bought out Dev1ce but that left them with no cash for support player. They used Ztr/Lnz for a long time. When they finally get a better player, in e3tag, Device goes AFK. I think the org has bigger dreams but being two steps after Navi and one step after G2/Gambit/Vitality is reasonable. Last tournament looked a step up (with Phzy on awp) with close losses against G2/Astralis. So, as answer to your question, no they are currently not better than Liquid but they have potential to lift with some stability.
2021-12-23 09:39
0
Being the most dissapointing team in europe is still better than Furia who can't even win in NA.
2021-12-23 12:14
0
#125
 | 
Sweden Niccon88
Yea, can somebody explain this? I think region should have zero influence. The best teams should qualify. NIP nr 5 in the world. Makes no sense. Many Therese a logical reason for it, how they count points. But i don't get it!
2021-12-23 15:13
0
It's cool. Esea advanced teams can beat some of these invites but it's cool.
2021-12-23 01:40
0
astralis gonna bottle the play in you heard it here first
2021-12-23 01:46
0
NiP Japanese roster confirmed??
2021-12-23 01:55
0
#38
 | 
United States jaank
extra salt winning this one for sure #FEELTHEHEARTATTACK #SALT
2021-12-23 02:06
0
#39
 | 
Indonesia draizze
Let the shuffle begin
2021-12-23 02:07
0
#40
 | 
Poland paputekk
ez4wisla lets goo
2021-12-23 02:13
0
it's triggering to see fnatic in a British flag
2021-12-23 02:20
0
no spirit anymore thanks god :D
2021-12-23 02:23
0
3 replies
Why? They lost only to gambit, who won the tournament later
2021-12-23 05:51
0
2 replies
they dont even have a proper roster now
2021-12-23 08:03
0
1 reply
That's right, I just thought he didn't like something about their previous performance at this tournament
2021-12-23 10:14
0
go go Entropiq ♥️🙂
2021-12-23 02:37
0
#50
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Brazil arcblason
-mibr +any other brazilian team.
2021-12-23 03:00
0
4 replies
00nation
2021-12-23 03:12
0
Sharks deserve more, even pain gaming.
2021-12-23 03:32
0
1 reply
saffe will not be on pain at this point, so sharks will have more chances
2021-12-23 22:31
0
-mibr +literally any tier3 team from any region would be an upgrade, even 00nation ffs
2021-12-23 10:58
0
#53
 | 
United States Teztyment
Nice list of teams. Let's go Na'Vi
2021-12-23 03:21
0
Faze up baby
2021-12-23 03:31
0
Mibr kkkkkkkkkkkk
2021-12-23 03:44
0
First title for the CSGO king m0nesy
2021-12-23 03:45
0
#59
 | 
Poland Ryunar
can't wait to see my boy geroman
2021-12-23 04:11
0
Ez for NIP Japan
2021-12-23 04:17
0
#61
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Brazil hugoooo
MIBR farming spots/invites just by staying on SA
2021-12-23 04:30
0
let's go my boi <3
2021-12-23 05:00
0
Ez for falmes 🙂
2021-12-23 06:25
0
Wisla and tylul XD
2021-12-23 08:21
0
Ez for fashr
2021-12-23 08:25
0
no sprout? wtf lost all respect
2021-12-23 09:43
0
wooooow no female team????
2021-12-23 09:53
0
Polish qualy instead of open qualy. What a SHAME.
2021-12-23 10:35
0
3 replies
#119
Faceit level 10  | 
jcobbb | 
Poland Berbe123
Polish tournament so polish quali ez It is the same as esl cologne (German team qualified from German quali)
2021-12-23 13:30
0
2 replies
yes, both are a disgrace to have national qualifiers, they should have open qualy instead
2021-12-23 15:54
0
1 reply
#133
Faceit level 10  | 
jcobbb | 
Poland Berbe123
Still i would keep the national quali, but add mby 2 more slots for open quali
2021-12-23 18:14
0
#105
 | 
Sweden flippig
ez for fnatic
2021-12-23 10:52
0
what about movistar???
2021-12-23 11:08
0
#108
Faceit level 10  | 
 | 
Poland SebL
I really hope for a good draw for Wisła, I desperately want a Polish team in Tier-1 event, especially in IEM Katowice, and Wisła with mynio has shown some potential, their firepower looks decent and all of that, they just need to get more chemistry and I really believe they can qualify here.
2021-12-23 11:39
0
MIBR wasted spot
2021-12-23 12:03
0
no BLINK?
2021-12-23 12:27
0
lol, BIG .... :/ hope to see you soon win again *fingers crossed*
2021-12-23 12:53
0
#116
 | 
New Zealand SWARN151
Hope this happens in a fully packed arena, or at least in a full-fledged studio LAN like BLAST. It'd be a travesty to go back to online era, though that seems like a good possibility.
2021-12-23 12:55
0
OMG wheres is The Best team in The Word with The Best IGL 00Nation
2021-12-23 13:41
0
FaZe and NIP on play in? While Liquid on main event bruh
2021-12-23 13:48
0
How MIBR got place in this camp?
2021-12-23 13:56
0
#128
 | 
Indonesia rerhea
can't wait frfr
2021-12-23 16:28
0
No Eternal Fire sadggeeee
2021-12-23 16:29
0
1 reply
Such a shame
2021-12-23 19:34
0
Haha ez for astralis!
2021-12-23 17:55
0
Naf and Elige 2v5 all the way to win the event. Don’t underestimate them.
2021-12-23 19:38
0
nice
2021-12-23 22:16
0
just read my nick
2021-12-24 12:00
0
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