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G2 defeat Liquid to earn semi

G2 topped Group B at IEM Katowice to advance to the semi-finals, while Liquid will kick off their playoffs run from the quarter-final stage.

Liquid had come out the better side of an all-American derby over Evil Geniuses on Wednesday, while G2 had continued to impress in Poland as they pushed past MOUZ in a 2-1 affair. Entering the series with four of the five highest-rated players at the event thus far, G2 were in strong form to contest the individuals on Liquid as they prevailed on Dust2 and Vertigo to earn a semi-final spot in the Spodek.

Despite a pistol win in the opening round of Dust2, Liquid found themselves quickly put on the back foot as Nemanja "⁠nexa⁠" Isaković's troops fought back with a force-buy to gain the upper hand. G2 then came out ahead of a battle for control, winning six on the ensuing eight rounds to put themselves ahead at 7-3. Multi-kill rounds from Jonathan "⁠EliGE⁠" Jablonowski kept Liquid in the running as they fought back into the half, bringing themselves within one round of the European side at the break.

Nick "⁠nitr0⁠" Cannella and company were able to secure the second pistol round of the series, and this time managed to convert against G2's subsequent force-buy to help push up to a 10-8 scoreline. Once G2 had rifles in their hands however, they quickly assumed control once again, granting Liquid only one round on the road to a 16-11 first map victory.

nexa helped to power his side to a victory with a 1.44 rating

G2 maintained momentum as Liquid's pick of Vertigo got underway, taking three rounds at the start of their defensive effort before the North Americans rallied back with four of their own. nexa's side yet again were swift in their reply, winning the majority of the remaining rounds in the half as Liquid only mustered two of their own, one off the back of a 1vs4 clutch from EliGE.

The second pistol of Vertigo also went G2's way, allowing the team to put their foot on Liquid's throat as they moved up to a 14-7 lead. Liquid briefly sustained as they kept themselves away from the jaws of defeat for three rounds, but in the end it was G2 who prevailed, taking the map 16-10.

IEM Katowice 2020Best of 3

Matchpage 2 0 27th February 2020

Liquid 16Dust2 11 16Vertigo 10

G2	K - D	+/-	ADR	Rating 2.0
Nemanja 'nexa' Isakovićnexa	50 - 30	+20	95.1	1.44
François 'amanek' Delaunayamanek	39 - 24	+15	79.4	1.27
Nemanja 'huNter-' KovačhuNter-	42 - 36	+6	91.5	1.27
Kenny 'kennyS' SchrubkennyS	40 - 29	+11	77.3	1.21
Audric 'JACKZ' JugJACKZ	30 - 34	-4	60.6	0.94

Liquid	K - D	+/-	ADR	Rating 2.0
Jonathan 'EliGE' JablonowskiEliGE	40 - 40	0	80.3	1.15
Jake 'Stewie2K' YipStewie2K	38 - 41	-3	84.4	1.06
Russel 'Twistzz' Van DulkenTwistzz	30 - 41	-11	63.7	0.92
Nick 'nitr0' Cannellanitr0	25 - 40	-15	49.7	0.67
Keith 'NAF' MarkovicNAF	19 - 39	-20	52.2	0.60