G2 handled FaZe despite m0NESY's one of the worst performances ever - IEM Katowice 2023

Yesterday, G2 defeated FaZe in the semifinals of Group A at IEM Katowice 2023 with a score of 2-0, and the second map resulted in a 16-7. How did G2 achieve such excellence?

The decisive moment of the first map

The match scenario could be completely different, but the actions of G2 in the final of the first map changed everything. After the end of the first half in favor of G2 with a score of 9-6, FaZe began to make a comeback. From 9-6, the score turned 14-13 in favor of Finn Karrigan Andersen's team. The victory was already in FaZe's hands, but G2 brilliantly played an eco-round.

The only device in the hands of Justin jks Savage remained at point A, and Nemanja HuNter Kovac with CZ-75 controlled Secret, blocking the passage to B from the street. It worked almost perfectly. Ilya m0NESY Osipov received information about the enemy's route across the street, after which huNter, fully ready to attack, killed two FaZe players and stopped the exit.

Thus, the team stopped the early aggression, which they feared most, and received information about the location of FaZe players. Jks's M4A1-S went into action, eliminating the pull-up from the street and making two more frags. In a 1 vs. 3 situation, Robin ropz Kool had no chance.

After this round, G2 had to win only two full-buy rounds, which the team successfully did, ending the map 16-14.

Related: IEM Katowice 2023 Day 2 Recap: No Luck for BiG, FaZe, Complexity, and Outsiders

The individual performance of four out of five players was perfect on the second map

G2 dominated the second map. Practically every idea of Rasmus HooXi Nielsen's team worked. Only m0NESY screwed, but he wasn't required on this map.

Four out of five players finished the match with a rating of 7 or higher, which is extremely rare. Even HooXi scored a 7. This is how the G2 captain finished the second map:

And this wasn't the only multi-kill from HooXi. The captain swept m0NESY without any losses for the team, while jks and NiKo performed amazingly.

With this match, G2 again showed that they are the main favorites of IEM Katowice.

When will G2 play?

After defeating FaZe, G2 advanced to the finals of Group A of IEM Katowice, where the team will face Natus Vincere. The match will be held on February 7 at 6:00 PM Moscow time. All information about the event is available here.