Connect with us

Latest News

IEM Katowice 2024: Team Spirit and BASILISK’s Joona “Serral” Sotala BASILISK’s Joona “Serral” Sotala crowned champions

Published

on

Reading Time: 5 minutes

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.

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Latest News

Swintt games go live in Italy after receiving ADM certification

Published

on

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Rapidly-expanding software provider enters its 13th regulated market following Italian regulator’s approval of Elysium Studios – Driven by Swintt titles

Having previously outlined its intentions to enter more regulated markets throughout 2025, sought-after software provider Swintt has announced that it has now officially been greenlit by Italy’s Agencia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) to offer its slots in the country.

The new certification has initially been granted for Elysium Studios – Driven by Swintt titles, and though further approval is planned for both SwinttPremium and SwinttSelect releases in the not-too-distant future, the provider has already put pen to paper with two of Italy’s leading operators.

Launched in 2024 following Swintt’s acquisition of Elysium Studios, Elysium Studios – Driven by Swintt is a cutting-edge collection of releases that incorporates elements of social, mobile and casino gaming to deliver a more engaging experience that’s custom-made for the modern player.

Featuring inventive themes, innovative features and intuitive, mobile-first game mechanics, some of the biggest hits to come from the collaboration to date include the quirky, folk lore-inspired I Hate Fairytales and the swashbuckling skull and bones epic, Pirate Pledge Hold & Win.

Given both titles boast a cast of characters that includes everything from punk rock princesses to salty sea dogs and a huge selection of rewarding bonus rounds, the two games and many more from the Elysium Studios line-up are certain to prove a popular addition among Italian audiences.

With Swintt’s successful acquisition of ADM certification now paving the way for the provider to enter its 13th regulated market, the decision will significantly expand the company’s European footprint and enable it to form further partnerships with Italian operators in the months to come.

David Mann, Chief Executive Officer at Swintt, said: “At Swintt, our focus has always been on ensuring that our content gets put in front of players in as many regulated markets as possible – and acquiring ADM approval to offer our games in Italy is another significant step on this journey.

“As an established iGaming market with a huge emerging player base, we feel our Elysium Studios – Driven by Swintt line-up can make a big impact in the region and we look forward to being able to roll out our other core line-ups very soon.”

The post Swintt games go live in Italy after receiving ADM certification appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Week 45/2025 slot games releases

Published

on

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming

Relax Gaming is diving to the ocean floor for Treasure Tumble Dream Drop, an 8×8 cluster-pays adventure in the hit Tumble series starring fearless explorer Scarlett Spinz. Momentum is everything as position multipliers build, cluster wins cascade and a suite of blocker-busting power-ups keeps the action flowing, with a maximum win potential of 10,000x.

Get ready for a fresh, fruity adventure with Amusnet’s newest slot – 20 Bulky Fruits Buy Bonus! This colourful game brings classic fruit symbols to life across 20 paylines, offering plenty of ways to hit winning combinations and enjoy nonstop excitement. The Buy Bonus feature lets you jump straight into the action, unlocking bonus rounds whenever you want for instant thrills.

TaDa Gaming, has added to its renowned TriLuck series with a classic Chinese themed slot game, 3 Lucky Baozhu. Offering multiple ways to win, 1000x max and 97% RTP, this gorgeously colourful game sparkles and crackles with fortune and good luck. The five reels, three rows, 50 fixed paylines grid holds traditional symbols including Caishen god of wealth, lucky red envelopes, lanterns and musical instruments.

Spinomenal has released Demi Gods VII Ultra Mode as part of its hugely successful Demi Gods Series. This is a 5×4 reel 50 lines video slot that takes players on an epic journey through the realm of the immortals, where financial fate rests with the gods. A powerful, surging soundtrack amplifies the gameplay and makes for a thunderous reels experience.

Endorphina has released its newest Halloween title, 3 Witch Pots. The slot features 5 reels, 4 rows, and 40 fixed paylines. This Halloween addition to the Endorphina slots portfolio takes players on a mystical journey to help a skillful witch’s lair.

Witness the downfall of John, a man of order, a devoted father, a loyal husband and a pillar of routine. Nolimit City’s latest release, Disorder, unearths the twisted origin story of Mental and Mental II. This highly anticipated slot falls under the extreme themed category of Nolimit City slots such as Serial and Disturbed.

BGaming invites players to saddle up and head to the Wild West in the brand-new Wild Wick online slot. The game is the latest to be developed in collaboration with Strmlytics, a leader in live-streaming data analytics. Wild Wick introduces players to a charismatic bounty hunter inspired by classic Western Heroes from Clint Eastwood’s Man with No Name and Terence Hill’s Lucky Luke to the animated cowboys of the Soviet cartoon Treasure Island.

Stakelogic is closing out spooky season in style with Soul Slayer, a gripping slot experience where every spin becomes a battle for survival. Set in a world consumed by demonic forces, Soul Slayer challenges players to embrace their inner warrior and strike back with precision, fury, and Wild-filled rewards.

Red Rake Gaming presents Get the Coins!, a slot that combines gold coins with Major, Minor, and Grand prizes in a dynamic, fast-paced experience. This release offers rapid gameplay and an exclusive Mini-Game that delivers unique reward opportunities in every session. With its 3×3 reel format, each spin can generate coins and trigger the “Get the Coins!” Mini-Game with collectible coins whenever at least one coin appears on each reel.

Spinmatic announced the launch of Elemental Fusion, a revolutionary title that fuses the mechanics of Video Slots with the engaging features of Plinko games. This innovative product release highlights Spinmatic’s commitment to developing unique and compelling gaming experiences for the igaming market.

Amusnet has released 20 Golden Coins: Reel Fishing, a next-generation video slot that combines the charm of the game classics with the thrill of modernity. This 5-reel, 20-payline release brings the joy of fishing to life with vibrant visuals, engaging features and a soundtrack that fully immerses players in a sunny day by the water.

Evoplay has launched Sky Sentinels, a new slot that lets players decide their fate under the Egyptian sky. Every spin offers a choice between the Sun and the Moon. The radiant Sun guides wins from right to left, while the mysterious Moon moves them from left to right, each creating a unique way to play and win.

Million Games has announced the launch of Gatsby Gold, a 5×3, 243-ways video slot that combines the elegance of 1920s art deco with dynamic modern gameplay. The game offers 243 ways to win, a 96.3% RTP, and a maximum payout of 8,100x the bet, making it as rewarding as it is stylish.

 

SlotMatrix has launched Tiki Baka Boom Boom, a tropical explosion of fun and fiery rewards where the Tiki gods rule the reels. Set on a volcanic island paradise, Tiki Baka Boom Boom delivers a blazing blend of visuals, high-energy mechanics, and big win potential, offering prizes up to 10,000x a player’s bet.

Evoplay has launched Young Deer Song, a festive high-volatility slot that takes players deep into a mystical forest where nature’s creatures lead the way to great rewards. As the moon rises over the treetops, the reels come alive in this Christmas themed title with the fox, owl, raccoon, and wolf, each carrying their own charm and fortune.

Take to the skies and soar like an eagle, then swoop in and grab big wins by spinning the reels of Thunder Eagle Hold and Win Extreme from Booming Games. This action-packed, feature-filled slot is a wild adventure with a chance to win up to 10,000x. Thunder Eagle Hold and Win Extreme is a 5×3, 25-fixed payline slot.

Squid Gold X2 by 18Peaches invites players to dive deep into a world of mystery, magic and forgotten riches. Set within a sacred castle filled with ancient relics and hidden chambers, every spin feels like a step deeper into the unknown. The legendary golden squid is said to guard untold fortunes, and only the bravest adventurers will uncover its secrets.

With Swintt having already opened the way to a world of wonder in the original Lucky Fortune Door, this month the award-winning software provider is back in action again with Lucky Fortune Door Wild – an exciting reboot that gives players even more ways to win! Like its SwinttPremium predecessor, Lucky Fortune Door Wild is a five-reel slot that can be played with either five or ten paylines.

 

The post Week 45/2025 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Quantum continues expansion streak with two director-level new hires

Published

on

Reading Time: 2 minutes

One of betting and gaming’s best-known customer acquisition and comparison businesses, Quantum, has announced the next steps in its ambitious growth plan by welcoming two new director-level appointees.

Joining the business are Dimitris Papamichael as commercial director and Luke Watkin as marketing director – both in newly created roles. They come in alongside a full C-suite and a full team of new tech hires that continues a recruitment drive which began in 2023 – and reflects Quantum’s rapid and consistent growth throughout the last five years.

Papamichael will be responsible for all revenue-generating activities across the business in a pivotal leadership role. He’ll shape Quantum’s commercial strategy as the company diversifies into new verticals while maintaining its strong position in the iGaming sector. He’ll also lead an expanding team of commercial and sales managers.

Watkin will lead the development and execution of the marketing strategy across all business verticals. As marketing director, he’ll be instrumental in shaping Quantum’s marketing vision, building scalable systems, and delivering commercial impact as it expands into new markets. Watkin will build and mentor a high-performing marketing team and is also tasked with driving further recruitment.

Speaking of the appointments and new strategic direction, CMO James McCarthy said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome Dimitris and Luke to Quantum during what is undoubtedly a really fascinating time in our growth. From cementing our relationship with some of iGaming’s biggest names to helping us expand into exciting new sectors, both of our new Directors will be integral to the continued success of the business.”

Papamichael said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Quantum at such an exciting stage of its incredible growth journey. The company has already achieved so much, and there’s huge potential ahead as we expand into new markets and sectors. I can’t wait to work with the exceptionally talented team here to seize the many opportunities ahead and drive the next phase of growth.”

Watkin said: “I am delighted to join a business with such a proven track record of excellence in its core markets, as well as highly ambitious plans for strategic expansion into new markets and territories. I am looking forward to contributing towards building on the exceptional progress the team has made to date, and accelerating that growth in the years ahead.”

This people news comes hot on the heels of the company’s exciting rebrand news of last week, moving toward the “quantum” in QiH Group” as well as redefining the business’ purpose and strategic direction.

The post Quantum continues expansion streak with two director-level new hires appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Trending

EEGaming.org is part of HIPTHER, parent brand of various prominent news outlets and international conferences. These platforms and events span a wide range of industries, including Entertainment, Technology, Gaming and Gambling, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Quantum Technology, Legal Cannabis, Health and Lifestyle, VR/AR, eSports, and several others. This indicates that EEGaming.org is part of a larger network that focuses on a diverse array of sectors, particularly those related to cutting-edge technology and modern lifestyle trends.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2025 HIPTHER. All Rights Reserved. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania

We are constantly showing banners about important news regarding events and product launches. Please turn AdBlock off in order to see these areas.