Throwback 2023: Reaching the semi-final of IEM Cologne

During the summer of 2023, the main team reached the semi-final of IEM Cologne 2023.

Coming in hot from the BLAST Premier Fall Groups a week before and with two new roster additions in Victor 'Staehr' Staehr and Johannes 'b0RUP' Borup, the Danes began their journey in Germany at the Play-in Stage, a qualifier for the main tournament, Intel Extreme Masters Cologne 2023.

The Astralis Roster at IEM Cologne 2023:

• Nicolai "dev1ce" Reedtz
• Benjamin "blameF" Bremer
• Christian "Buzz" Andersen
• Victor "Staehr" Staehr
• Johannes "b0RUP" Borup

Coming in hot from the BLAST Premier Fall Groups a week before and with two new roster additions in Victor 'Staehr' Staehr and Johannes 'b0RUP' Borup, the Danes began their journey in Germany at the Play-in Stage, a qualifier for the main tournament, Intel Extreme Masters Cologne 2023. The Play-in Stage

After beating Team Liquid 2-0 to qualify for the BLAST Fall Finals, they were to meet again as the American organization was the Danes' initial opponent in Cologne.

Once again, the odds were in Christian "Buzz" Andersen and Co.'s favor in a match where the former topped the scoreboard in a 16-10 victory.‍

Next was the qualification match for the main tournament against Apeks, resulting in a thriller. Both teams grabbed their map pick, and everything had to be decided on Ancient.

Apeks took the lead 2-7 and eventually 8-13, but in round 22, the captain Benjamin "blameF" Bremer pulled off an incredible 1v2 to keep the team in the series. A solid mental game helped the Danes secure a 19-16 victory and a ticket to IEM Cologne 2023.

HELLO, IEM COLOGNE 2023

We beat @apeksgg 2-1 in a nerve-wracking match to qualify for the Group Stage at the main tournament.

IEM Cologne starts on Saturday, July 29th. pic.twitter.com/Qcyk6vY4I6

- Astralis Counter-Strike (@AstralisCS) July 27, 2023

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The Official Tournament begins.

IEM Cologne 2023 is one of the most stacked tournaments of the year and could be seen during all matches. The first game was against G2 Esports, and despite winning their map pick, the Danish quintet couldn't close the game and were defeated 1-2, sending them into the Lower Bracket of Group B.

Heads were still high when facing Ninjas in Pyjamas, and it became a quick 2-0 series for the Danes. Next in line was MOUZ, who initially beat NAVI in their opening match but was defeated by Vitality later on. dev1ce was in top form as he reached a fantastic 1.48 rating across two maps in a 2-0 win.

As if one overtime on Ancient wasn't enough in the match against Apeks, it was even more intense against NAVI. The first map was decided in triple overtime and was a nailbiter of a game, which in the end was won 25-23 by blameF and his troops.

STYLISH @dev1cepic.twitter.com/NS4V1K24RE

- Astralis Counter-Strike (@AstralisCS) August 1, 2023

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The international squad grabbed Nuke, and the series had to be decided on Overpass. It was a close affair where Buzz had an incredible game, reaching 31 frags and a 2.02 rating and eventually sending Astralis into the playoffs, scoring 16-13 on the final map.

Into the Playoffs

Buzz kept up his performance in the quarter-final as he helped qualify for the semi-finals by beating Heroic 2-0 and achieving a 1.59 rating.‍

G2 awaited as the next obstacle for the Danish roster in the semi-final. The international squad initially pushed the latter into the Lower Bracket but would now meet again. Despite a tight game on Ancient, G2 claimed the series 0-2 and booked a spot in the Grand Final, eventually winning the tournament.