{"id":32550,"date":"2023-10-03T19:12:39","date_gmt":"2023-10-03T23:12:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/esportbet.com\/?p=32550"},"modified":"2023-10-03T19:12:39","modified_gmt":"2023-10-03T23:12:39","slug":"esl-announce-iem-sydney-2023-groups-and-format","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/esportbet.com\/esl-announce-iem-sydney-2023-groups-and-format\/","title":{"rendered":"ESL announce IEM Sydney 2023 groups and format"},"content":{"rendered":"

ESL has officially unveiled the groups and initial matchups for IEM Sydney (IEM Fall)<\/a>, along with confirming that the opening round will feature best-of-one MR12 matches. <\/p>\n

As the inaugural premier tournament of Counter-Strike 2 approaches, the spotlight is on IEM Sydney, starting on October 16.<\/p>\n

However, the reaction to this format choice has been predominantly negative, with prominent figures like Robin “\u2060ropz\u2060” Kool expressing their displeasure on Twitter.<\/p>\n

ropz re-tweeted the groups announcement with a quote saying, “BO1 MR12” followed by three crying emojis.<\/p>\n

The group stage format for this $250,000 tournament will consist of opening round best-of-one series, followed by best-of-three matches, with the group winners progressing to the semi-finals, while the second and third-place teams in each group earn a spot in the quarter-finals. <\/p>\n

In the playoffs, a single-elimination, best-of-three bracket will determine the champion.<\/p>\n

It includes Team Vitality, the winners of the last CS:GO Major (BLAST Paris)<\/a> in front of their home crowd, MOUZ, the recent champions of ESL Pro League Season 18<\/a>, NAVI, who are seeking a resurgence with a revamped roster, the perennial contender FaZe Clan, and the formidable Apeks.<\/p>\n

One of the most intriguing opening matchups will see Vladislav “\u2060nafany\u2060” Gorshkov’s new BetBoom squad facing off against the world number one, Team Vitality. <\/p>\n

This comes at a time when Vitality is facing further challenges with the impending departure of coach Danny “\u2060zonic\u2060” S\u00f8rensen in November.<\/p>\n

However, after the announcement, Vitality have firmed with most esports betting sites<\/a> into an outright $3.75 favourite to take out the IEM Sydney title.<\/p>\n

Group B also features an exciting clash between Fnatic and Cloud9. <\/p>\n

The Russian superteam, Cloud9, is still in the process of finding their form after making significant roster changes during the offseason. <\/p>\n

Looking at the groups, Group A stands out as the “group of death.”<\/p>\n

On the other side of the bracket, Group B appears to be less competitive but not to be underestimated. <\/p>\n

ENCE, recent finalists in a grand event and IEM Dallas champions, are part of this group, along with G2, a talented yet inconsistent team. <\/p>\n

Cloud9, aiming for top-tier status in 2023 following a complete Russian roster rebuild, is still finding their footing. <\/p>\n

Complexity is North America’s best hope, although they are still developing as a team and managed to reach the semi-finals of Pro League.<\/p>\n

There is a growing sentiment among the community that it’s time to move away from best-of-one MR12 matches now that this format has been introduced. <\/p>\n

It appears contradictory to address concerns about match duration and then opt for best-of-ones instead of the more competitive best-of-threes. <\/p>\n

Regardless, fans are looking forward to the start of the CS2 era, hoping that any minor issues will be resolved before the tournament kicks off.<\/p>\n

\n

THE #IEM<\/a> SYDNEY GROUP STAGE!\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa\ud83e\udd98<\/p>\n

THE FIRST CS2 LAN GAMES UNVEILED \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n

GROUP A@TeamVitality<\/a>@BetBoomTeam<\/a>@GamerLegion<\/a>@FaZeClan<\/a>@natusvincere<\/a>@apeksgg<\/a>@VertexESC<\/a>@mousesports<\/a><\/p>\n

GROUP B@ENCE<\/a>@Lynnvision_<\/a>@FNATIC<\/a>@C9CSGO<\/a>@Monte_Esports<\/a>@Complexity<\/a> @grayhoundgaming<\/a>@G2CSGO<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/trWWmJoE1p<\/a><\/p>\n

— Intel\u00ae Extreme Masters (@IEM) October 3, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n