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Intel® Extreme Masters Katowice is back in full glory as G2 Esports and Oliveira claim their place in the Hall of Heroes as 2023 Champions
Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) Katowice 2023 has come to a spectacular closure, as our new Champions have claimed their eternal spot in the Hall of Heroes – a place where legends are born and history is forged for all generations of esports players and fans worldwide. Across three days, over 65,000 people visited the sold-out Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) and StarCraf® II Championships at the Spodek Arena and the International Congress Center (MCK), the IEM Expo, and two additional esports tournaments.
IEM Katowice 2023 CS:GO Championship
The Hall of Heroes hosted 24 of the world’s best CS:GO teams during ten competition days, with the final three days being played out in front of a live audience. After many intense battles, it was G2 Esports and Heroic that were left with the opportunity to claim the ESL Pro Tour (EPT) CS:GO Championship title, a lion’s share of the $1,000,000 total prize pool, and a spot in the IEM Cologne 2023 tournament. The audience at the packed Spodek Arena, along with the almost 710,000* people simultaneously tuning in from around the world, was kept at the edge of their seats, but eventually, it was G2 Esports that took a 3-1 victory.
While previously only making it as far as the semi-finals at IEM Katowice Championships, G2 Esports has officially entered the Hall of Heroes and will see its name engraved on the iconic trophy for the very first time. The team has now also made its first step to completing the race to the Intel® Grand Slam IV, needing three more wins of EPT Masters or Championship events to secure its $1,000,000 cash prize.
Moreover, Nikola “NiKo” Kovač finally managed to secure the coveted IEM Katowice title after having lost three Grand Finals in the past, making the win a particularly special moment for the G2 Esports rifler. For his teammate, Justin “jks” Savage, this is the second IEM Katowice victory after winning last year’s edition as a stand-in for FaZe Clan. He hereby becomes the first player ever to win IEM Katowice back-to-back while playing for different teams. The Australian also debuted as EPT DHL MVP (Most Valuable Player).
“If you want to know how much winning IEM Katowice meant to the G2 Army, just watch NiKo finally lifting the trophy,” said G2 Esports. “We are honored to cement our place in CS:GO history and join the Hall of Heroes with this amazing team.”
Next up in the ESL Pro Tour for CS:GO is the ESL Pro League Season 17, on February 21-March 26. For more information, check the official website and follow ESL CS on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
IEM Katowice 2023 StarCraft® II Championship
StarCraft® II fans world-wide got to experience a most memorable and emotional tournament as well. After five days of intense battles for the $500,000 total prize pool and the title of World Champion, it was Maru and Oliveira – respectively placed first and 20th in the EPT 22/23 Combined Standings – who were this year’s Grand Finalists.
With the former being the expected winner, the people watching the matches live at the MCK as well as the more than 73,000* fans simultaneously watching the live broadcasts were in for a big surprise as it was Oliveira who claimed the victory. Shedding tears of happiness live on stage after his remarkable performance, Oliveira has shown the world the fairytale-like possibility to reach the absolute top as an underdog.
The win is one of the most memorable ones in the almost 25 years of StarCraft® history, as the Chinese Terran player who commenced his professional career in 2015 has never before won a tournament outside of China. Furthermore, despite being close to not making it out of the Group Stage, he ended up beating some of the big fan-favorites – including Heromarine, Reynor, and herO – along the way.
For more information about EPT SC2, check the official website and follow ESL SC2 on Twitter and Facebook.
ESL Impact Katowice
Marking a spectacular start of an action-packed year for the all-women CS:GO circuit, ESL Impact, eight top teams competed at the $100,000 tournament in Katowice. Motivated by tremendous local support at the IEM Expo at the MCK, the Polish squad from NAVI Javelins made it to the Grand Finals, where they were challenged by Nigma Galaxy.
Eventually, it was the latter that proved to be the stronger team as they beat NAVI Javelins 2-0 after overtime on the last map. Nigma Galaxy thereby continues to dominate the all-women CS:GO scene, now having claimed all four ESL Impact trophies since the circuit’s launch in early 2022.
Next up is the ESL Impact League Season 3 on March 8-April 16, with the Global League Finals taking place live at DreamHack Dallas on June 2-4. For more information, check the official website and follow ESL Impact on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
ESL R1 2023 Spring Season Round 1 & 2
Apart from the ESL Impact tournament, the returning IEM Expo hosted another heated competition as the brand-new ESL R1 made its debut. On February 11-12, 48 racers gave a whole new meaning to virtual racing during the first two rounds of the 2023 Spring Season. With more than 75,000 hours watched during the live broadcasts of the first two rounds, EFG’s newest esports circuit already proves to be a stunning success.
Encouraged by the fans gathering around the live stage, Maximilian Benecke from MOUZ became the fastest RENNSPORT driver during Round 1, while Joshua Rogers from Porsche Coanda Esports Racing Team was the first to cross the finish line in Round 2.
The ESL R1 2023 Spring Season continues with rounds 3 to 8 on March 13-May 8 and concludes with the 2023 Spring Major, live at the RENNSPORT Summit on May 27-28. For more information about ESL R1 check the official website and follow ESL R1 on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
The IEM Expo
Last but certainly not least, the event provided its attendees with countless new memories through activities at the IEM Expo. Games, cosplayers, influencers, competitions, hardware presentations, and much more were offered by some of the biggest brands on the market. The big crowd attending is a testament to the ability of shared interests, hobbies and passion for bringing people together to celebrate and socialize.
As the lights slowly turn off in the Spodek Arena and silence settles in the MCK, a new chapter of esports history is officially written and new legends are immortalized at the Hall of Heroes. The spectacular beginning of the year is a promising start for what is yet to come for the world beyond gameplay.
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S8UL Esports Unveils Power-Packed Call of Duty: Mobile Roster, sets its sights on national and international CODM glory
This strategic move underscores S8UL’s unwavering commitment to expanding its presence across diverse video gaming titles
S8UL Esports, a global name in esports and gaming content, is thrilled to make its mark in the Call of Duty: Mobile (CODM) competitive scene with a formidable lineup of battle-hardened veterans. This new roster is primed to take on the best in the world and solidify S8UL’s position as a powerhouse in CODM esports.
The new S8UL CODM roster features:
- Zeel Patel (Neutrino)
- Samruddha Ghadge (SAMs)
- Samartha Ghadge (JOKOs)
- Rishi Dubey (Trunks)
- Glenn Varshan (Ghost)
- Chiranthan Shetty (BurnZ) – Team Coach
The roster boasts an enviable mix of experience, firepower, and tactical prowess. Neutrino and Trunks, in particular, have already made history by being part of their earlier lineup that secured a runner-up finish at the Call of Duty: Mobile World Championship 2023. Their journey to the grand final included a defining 3-2 victory over North American giants Luminosity Gaming, highlighted by a spectacular 7-0 sweep on Meltdown in the decisive Search and Destroy match, one of the most memorable moments in Indian CODM esports history.
Commenting on the team’s latest foray into CODM, Animesh Agarwal, Co-Founder of S8UL, said: “At S8UL, our vision has always been clear—whenever we enter a title, we aim to set the stage on fire, not just nationally but globally. CODM is no different. We’ve built a team we have immense confidence in, and I look forward to supporting them in reaching their full potential. This is an exciting new chapter for us, and we can’t wait to make our mark.”
With a squad filled with veterans who have competed at the highest levels of CODM, S8UL is ready to shake up the competitive landscape. The team will be making its debut in upcoming high-stakes tournaments, setting its sights on national and international championships and bringing laurels for the country.
“Joining S8UL is a massive opportunity for all of us. With the organization’s backing and vision, we have everything we need to push our limits, refine our strategies, and take on the toughest competition. We have the experience, the hunger, and the skill to compete with the best in the world, and we can’t wait to prove it on the battlefield and make the country proud on the global CODM stage,” said Zeel Patel aka Neutrino, IGL
Recently, S8UL made headlines by announcing its expansion into VALORANT with a star-studded roster, reinforcing its ambitions in the FPS competitive scene. S8UL Esports, renowned for its dominance in both competitive gaming and content creation, has already made waves in titles like Pokémon UNITE. With multiple Esports Awards and MOBIES wins to its name, the organization continues to expand its presence in the global gaming scene. The addition of a high-caliber CODM roster marks another significant step in its esports journey, reinforcing its commitment to elevating Indian esports on the world stage.
As S8UL Esports embarks on this exciting new chapter, the organization remains steadfast in its mission to set new benchmarks and create unforgettable moments in the world of esports. Stay tuned as S8UL Esports prepares to unleash its Call of Duty: Mobile roster onto the competitive circuit, with one mission in mind—victory.
The post S8UL Esports Unveils Power-Packed Call of Duty: Mobile Roster, sets its sights on national and international CODM glory appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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ITL Spain welcomes new Customer Support Advisor
Innovative Technology Ltd. (ITL) are pleased to welcome Àlex Ventura Vilalta Customer Support Advisor, to their operations in Barcelona, Spain.
Àlex’s role is to provide first line customer support and advice to ITL’s customers in the region. The company has two main divisions; cash validation equipment and age & identity verification technology.
Commenting on ITL’s latest appointment, Bohke Otten, Senior Support Engineer for ITL said, “I am delighted to welcome Àlex to the team. He brings extensive help desk experience from previous roles so is accustomed to providing excellent customer service and solving technical problems. Àlex is already proving to be a key part of the support team and he has a fantastic rapport with our customers. His appointment further strengthens our ability to provide customers with a local, dedicated contact for technical assistance and advice.”
Commenting on his new role with ITL Àlex said, “In September 2024, I had the privilege of joining Innovative Technology as Customer Support Advisor for the Spanish market. I was attracted to ITL by its rich history, innovative cash validation products and forward-looking vision. I am working with various products such as the NV22S, Spectral Payout and SMART Coin System offering support to both retail and gaming customers ensuring that each interaction is positive and productive. I attended my first ITL exhibition, ICE Gaming in Barcelona, at the beginning of the year which was a great experience and enabled me to meet some of our customers face-to-face. I have always been fascinated by technology and how it can transform the way we do things and enjoy helping customers overcome technical challenges, so I am very excited to be part of this great team.”
Concluding Bohke said. “With an educational background in systems, networks and application development, Àlex has the technical expertise and knowledge to maintain the high level of customer support that our customers are familiar with. He values the importance of precision and efficiency in customer service and is a real asset to the team. I look forward to working with him to further develop our business, continuing to provide our customers with first-rate technical support.”
The post ITL Spain welcomes new Customer Support Advisor appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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kwiff sponsors Millwall FC for FA Cup Clash with Crystal Palace
kwiff, the super-charged sports betting service, is proud to sponsor Millwall FC in their FA Cup tie against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park tomorrow.
The game will be broadcast live on BBC One, presenting a prime opportunity to showcase the kwiff brand to a nationwide audience. This sponsorship aligns with kwiff’s ongoing mission to raise brand awareness across the UK and Ireland, bringing its Supercharged betting experience to more punters than ever before.
Tomorrow’s clash will be the eighth time the two sides have met in the FA Cup, with the Lions edging the head-to-head by four games to three.
Director of Acquisition at kwiff, Garry McGibbon, said: “We at kwiff are very pleased to partner with Millwall FC before their upcoming FA Cup clash at the weekend. We’ll have our fingers crossed The Lions can Supercharge their way into the next Round!”
“We’re delighted to have kwiff on board for this weekend’s FA Cup Fifth Round tie against Crystal Palace,” added James Voisey, The Lions’ Head of Commercial. “The guys have been brilliant in throwing their support behind us, so here’s hoping they bring us luck and they’re on the winning side!”
The post kwiff sponsors Millwall FC for FA Cup Clash with Crystal Palace appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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