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IEM Katowice 2024: Team Spirit and BASILISK’s Joona “Serral” Sotala BASILISK’s Joona “Serral” Sotala crowned champions
The Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) Katowice 2024 Grand Finals have concluded, with BASILISK’s Joona “Serral” Sotala named the new StarCraft® II Champion and Team Spirit being crowned the Counter-Strike 2 Champions. While BASILISK’s Joona “Serral” Sotala returns for a second time, Team Spirit joins the legendary Hall of Heroes for the first time in history.
Team Spirit’s dominance in the Counter-Strike 2 Grand Finals saw an epic display of the young team of prodigies as they took down the veterans and one of the favorites to win the competition, FaZe Clan. Ranked #19 in the ESL World Ranking, Team Spirit beat the #1 ranked FaZe Clan in a decisive 3-0 victory. Making his tier 1 competition debut, teen superstar Danil “donk” Kryshkovets took fans’ breath away in what many are calling the best individual performance in history.
The fastest-selling IEM Katowice tournament in history, the event saw a peak viewership of over 972,000* for Counter-Strike 2 and more than 77,000* for StarCraft® II. The sold-out Spodek Arena and MCK Auditorium welcomed over 65,000 fans across four days of live StarCraft® II competition, and three days of Counter-Strike action, complemented by IEM Expo.
The return of the IEM Expo gave esports and gaming enthusiasts from Poland and beyond the opportunity to test the latest Intel® powered gaming hardware, get involved in partner activations, try out the newest games, marvel at cosplay costumes, and much more.
Counter-Strike 2
Play-In Stage & Group Stage
The tournament commenced on January 31 with the Play-In Stage, during which 16 teams battled it out for eight of the 16 spots available in the Group Stage. Local heroes ENCE proceeded to the second stage of the tournament, amongst others.
The Group Stage ran from February 3 – 6 and saw teams divided into two groups of eight, where the top two teams from the upper bracket and the top team from the lower bracket advanced to the Playoffs. Group A saw Team Spirit dominate the upper bracket, with FaZe Clan coming in second and Team Falcons emerging victorious in the lower bracket.
In Group B, G2 Esports beat out HEROIC in the lower bracket final to claim their spot in the Playoffs. In the upper bracket, MOUZ and ENCE secured the final two spots, meaning that IEM Katowice 2024 marks the first time in eight years that a majority Polish team has reached the Playoffs.
Playoffs
The final stage of the competition kicked off on Friday, February 9, with a quarterfinal clash between IEM Katowice 2023 Champions, G2 Esports, and IEM Katowice 2022 Champions, FaZe Clan. After many close rounds, the determination and teamwork of FaZe Clan proved to be stronger, leading to a 2-0 win and a spot in the semifinals.
The second quarterfinal was also an emotional rollercoaster for the Polish fans as ENCE faced off against Team Falcons. Despite having the full backing of the arena, it was ultimately Team Falcons who claimed the victory with a narrow win on map 3 and a final score of 2-1.
Saturday, February 10, saw the semifinals take place, with the top two teams from the Group Stage up against the quarterfinal winners. FaZe Clan proved themselves against MOUZ as they secured their spot in the Grand Final with a flawless 2-0 score, and Team Spirit dominated Team Falcons 2-0 to secure the other spot.
Grand Final
Following impressive performances in the Playoffs where neither team dropped a map, FaZe Clan and Team Spirit geared up on Sunday and took the stage for the Grand Final.
The first game of the day saw an even 6-6 score at half-time before Team Spirit managed to pull ahead and secure a 13-9 victory over FaZe Clan, in large part thanks to Danil “donk” Kryshkovets’ incredible performance.
The second game was closer, with FaZe Clan narrowly missing out on a win and the game ending in a 13-11 victory for Team Spirit.
The third and final game, however, saw Team Spirit dominate, winning round after round and concluding the match with a 13-3 score. Team Spirit were an unstoppable force, claiming the title of Champion with an impressive 3-0 final score in the best-of-5 Grand Final.
“I’m very happy. ” said Dmitriy “sh1ro” Sokolov of Team Spirit. “We beat FaZe Clan 3-0. For me, it’s a really, really big achievement.”
With their win, Team Spirit will take home $400,000 of the $1,000,000 total prize pool, while also securing their spot in the IEM Cologne 2024 Group Stage and entering the race to secure the Intel Grand Slam V.
One of the best professional Counter-Strike debuts of all time, Danil “donk” Kryshkovets received a lot of praise from his teammates as well as from the wider esports community. Furthermore, for his achievements, the young Rifler has been awarded the ESL Pro Tour DHL MVP.
The ESL Pro Tour (EPT) for Counter-Strike continues with ESL Challenger League Season 47 commencing online on February 13 and IEM Chengdu 2024 taking place on April 8-14, with the final three days being played out live in Chengdu, China.
For more information and the latest updates about ESL’s Counter-Strike esports ecosystem, head to the official ESL Pro Tour website, and follow ESL CS on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
StarCraft® II
Group Stage
The Group Stage ran from February 8 – 10 and saw 24 players split into four groups of six to compete in a Round-Robin format live in front of their fans at the MCK Auditorium.
After two and a half days of fierce battles, HeRoMaRinE (Group A), SHIN (Group B), Serral (Group C), and Dark (Group D) topped their respective groups and secured themselves a direct spot in the quarterfinals.
Surprisingly, reigning World Champion Oliveira and Gamers8 Champion Reynor fell short in the Group Stage and it was Solar, GuMiho (both Group A), Cure, Clem (both Group B), ByuN, SKillous (both Group C), Dark and herO (both Group D) who advanced to the Playoffs, following some close battles that kept the community on the edge of their seat.
Playoffs
With the Group Stage concluded, the second- and third-placed teams of each group continued their fight for victory in the Round of 12, with Clem, Dark, ByuN, and Cure coming out on top.
In the quarterfinals, Serral continued his reign without dropping a single map by beating Clem 3-0, while Dark and Maru beat their countrymen SHIN and Byun 3-1 and 3-2 respectively. In the fourth quarterfinal, Cure proved to be dominant over HeRoMaRinE, who, until then, had not yet lost a map in the competition
The first semifinal was a clash between Zergs as Serral and Dark entered the final part of the competition with Serral taking out Dark 3-1. During the second semifinal it was Maru and Cure’s turn to show who was the strongest Terran, with Maru eventually claiming a 3-0 victory.
The long-longed-for Grand Final between Maru and Serral promised some spectacular action, yet already early on Maru’s dedication and diligence showed to be no match for Serral’s unparalleled level of gameplay, leading to a 4-0 win on Serral’s behalf.
“It feels amazing to play in front of the Polish crowd,” said Joona “Serral” Sotala of BASILISK. “I think I gave this one my everything, and I didn’t really leave anything in myself. This was my full performance, I don’t think I can do much better.”
With his victory, Serral takes home $150,000 of the $500,000 total prize pool, on top of an additional $2,500 awarded to him for map wins in the Group Stage. For their top placementsMaru, Dark, and Cure received a direct invite to the Esports World Cup – the 2023/2024 ESL Pro Tour season’s Championship event – later this year, joining Serral and Clem who secured his spot by winning ESL SC2 Masters 2023 Summer and Winter respectively.
Next up in the ESL Pro Tour for StarCraft® II is the ESL SC2 Masters: Spring season concluding with live Finals at DreamHack Dallas in Dallas, Texas, USA, on May 31-June 2.
Latest News
WEC25 in Kuala Lumpur Marks the Most Diverse MLBB Competition to Date
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World Esports Championship (WEC25), which took place from 3–7 December in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, brings together the most diverse Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) competition in the event’s history. This year’s edition stands as a major milestone for both IESF and MOONTON Games, strengthening MLBB’s position as a global esports phenomenon and a flagship title of the World Esports Championship.
The MLBB Open Tournament delivered an exceptional showcase of high-level competition, strategy, and international talent. Teams from around the world battled through a demanding series of matches, leading to a dominant 3–0 victory by Malaysia over Cambodia in the Grand Final. With this triumph, Malaysia secured its status as back-to-back WEC champions, reaffirming its position as one of the strongest MLBB nations in the world.
This year also marked a historic moment for the region, as Türkiye claimed third place, becoming the first European nation to win a medal in MLBB at the World Esports Championship.
The Grand Final was officially opened by distinguished guests: YAB Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia; YB Tuan Adam Adli bin Abd Halim, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports; Mr. Vlad Marinescu, President of the International Esports Federation; and Mr. Muhammad Naim Al Amin, President of the Malaysia Esports Federation. Their presence underscored the national and international significance of this year’s competition. Their presence underscored the national and international significance of this year’s competition.
MLBB Tournament Medalists: Gold: Malaysia Silver: Cambodia Bronze: Turkiye
Indonesia Dominates MLBB Women’s Tournament with Back-to-Back Victory
The MLBB Women’s Tournament at WEC25 delivered another thrilling showcase of elite competition. Indonesia reaffirmed its dominance by claiming the championship for the second consecutive year, remaining undefeated throughout the tournament and demonstrating unmatched skill and teamwork.
The grand final pitted Indonesia against Cambodia, a remarkable team that had battled its way up from the lower bracket, seizing every opportunity to reach the final. Despite Cambodia’s impressive run and relentless efforts, Indonesia maintained its winning streak, solidifying their reputation as the powerhouse of women’s MLBB esports.
MLBB Women’s Tournament Medalists: Gold: Indonesia Silver: Cambodia Bronze: Egypt
The continued success of MLBB at the World Esports Championship reflects the strong partnership between IESF and MOONTON Games.
“WEC25 has set a new milestone for MLBB and for esports as a whole. Seeing teams from around the world compete at the highest level and witnessing Indonesia’s incredible back-to-back Women’s championship reminds us why we are committed to growing this community. Together with MOONTON Games, we are proud to bring fans and athletes an unforgettable experience and to continue expanding MLBB’s global presence,” said Igor Nedeski, IESF Esports Manager.
Ray Ng, Head of Ecosystem at MOONTON Games, added: “WEC25 represents something we have been building toward for years; the moment MLBB becomes a sport where representing your country matters as much as winning. This is what a mature, premier esports ecosystem looks like: diverse talent from across the globe, united by a shared stage where every match carries the weight of national pride. That is the future we are building at MOONTON Games, one where esports creates heroes who inspire nations.”
Together, we remain committed to providing more opportunities for athletes, expanding the reach of MLBB globally, and creating unforgettable moments for fans and players alike. WEC25 sets a new benchmark for excellence and inclusivity, and the partnership between IESF and MOONTON Games will continue to drive the growth of MLBB on the international stage.
The post WEC25 in Kuala Lumpur Marks the Most Diverse MLBB Competition to Date appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Amusnet Releases “100 Golden Coins: Reels Fishing”
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Amusnet has released 100 Golden Coins: Reels Fishing, an exciting evolution of its beloved fishing-themed releases. This fresh addition expands the adventure with 100 paylines, immersive visuals and enhanced features that reel players into a vibrant world bursting with colour, energy and aquatic charm.
The experience blends classic appeal with next-generation design, bringing the serenity of open waters into a dynamic, feature-packed game environment. From shimmering underwater elements to smooth animations and an atmosphere filled with tranquillity and anticipation, 100 Golden Coins: Reels Fishing elevates every moment of gameplay.
At the heart of the excitement is the Bonus Golden Fish Feature. Each Golden Fish symbol carries a multiplier ranging from x0.5 to x25, applied to the total bet. When the Collect Symbol appears on the fifth reel, every displayed Golden Fish value is instantly gathered—turning the catch of the day into something truly unforgettable.
The thrill continues with the Mystery Nudge Feature, an unpredictable mechanic that brings the fifth reel sliding downward to reveal newly appearing symbols. This sudden shift can transform the round and amplify the sense of surprise, ensuring that every spin offers something fresh and unexpected.
With its expanded paylines, upgraded visuals and refined mechanics, 100 Golden Coins: Reels Fishing is a shining example of Amusnet’s dedication to pushing boundaries and reimagining player-favourite themes. From its glistening symbols to its breezy, fishing-inspired ambience, the game delivers a fully immersive experience tailored to both long-time fans and newcomers.
Cast the line and experience the deeper, richer adventure of 100 Golden Coins: Reels Fishing – where every spin feels like a brand-new catch.
Bonus Symbol
Appears on the first four reels, each showing a monetary value. If the Collect Symbol lands on the fifth reel, all Bonus values on the screen are collected and added to the current win.
Mystery Nudge Feature
Triggered on the fifth reel when Bonus symbols appear, there’s no Collect Symbol, and no wins are on the screen. The reel nudges down, revealing new symbols that could change the round.
Gamble
Play the game and multiply the winnings through the Gambling feature.
Jackpot Cards
The Jackpot Cards bonus game is triggered at random during the gameplay to allow players to win impressive jackpots.
The post Amusnet Releases “100 Golden Coins: Reels Fishing” appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Betsson Becomes Naming Partner and Major Sponsor of Peristeri Betsson BC
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Betsson has entered a new two-year partnership with Peristeri BC, a well-established Athens club with more than 50 years of history, competing in the top tier of Greek basketball and in European competitions. As part of the agreement, the team will now compete under its official name, Peristeri Betsson BC.
This collaboration reflects Betsson’s continued investment in Greek sport. With more than six decades of heritage and operations across 24 countries, Betsson’s strategy in Greece is centred around supporting historic clubs, strengthening local communities and contributing to the broader development of sport in the country. Following Mykonos Betsson and Aris Betsson, Peristeri Betsson BC represents the next step in building a network of sponsorships that carry meaningful cultural and community impact.
For Peristeri, the partnership provides strong strategic backing for the club’s competitive ambitions and its long-term mission to remain a reference point within Greek basketball. Both organisations share a commitment to professionalism, consistency and delivering high-quality experiences to fans. The collaboration will also include a suite of social impact initiatives focused on youth, education, equality and access to sport in Peristeri.
Andreas Nikolopoulos, Commercial Director at Betsson, said: “It is a great pleasure for all of us at Betsson to stand alongside a club with such a strong history and identity as Peristeri, a club that has been a reference point in Greek basketball for decades and continues to grow thanks to the steady and methodical work of its management. We do not view this merely as a sponsorship but as a strategic alliance. We share the same values with Peristeri, professionalism, consistency and a constant commitment to offering high-quality experiences to fans. We are committed to supporting them throughout this journey and we wish the team a season full of health, energy and success.”
Manos Kotsis, General Manager of Peristeri Betsson BC, said: “We are now officially Peristeri Betsson and will be for the next two years. Our approach is based on two pillars: reconnecting with our local community and bringing people back to the arena, and restoring Peristeri’s identity as a club that develops talent, whether local or international. We believe we have made meaningful progress over the past two years, but both goals require strong organisation, planning and method. We are delighted that Betsson is by our side supporting this effort and enabling us to move forward with greater confidence.”
The post Betsson Becomes Naming Partner and Major Sponsor of Peristeri Betsson BC appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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