IEM XI Oakland - Group stage recap

Groups A and B have concluded at IEM Oakland, with Astralis and FaZe Clan topping the boards.

The group stage of Intel Extreme Masters XI - Oakland has concluded, with Astralis and FaZe Clan immediately proceeding to the semi-finals of the tournament, whilst Immortals, G2 Esports, SK Gaming and Ninjas in Pyjamas are set to face each other in the round of six to determine the two teams to face the top contenders in a bid to further their current standings.

Below you will find a concise recap of both groups:

Group A

Astralis - Semi-finalist

W:L - 4:1

Winnings: $4,000

Astralis had a fantastic run throughout their time in the group stage of Oakland, where the team only their first match of the tournament against G2 Esports with a 12:16 score on de_Nuke. Following this loss the Danes went flawless against their future matchups, where they demolished Team Liquid 16:1 on de_Train, outperformed Na'Vi with a 16:9 score on one of the CIS mix's best maps - de_Train. Their next match saw an overtime on de_Dust2, where the Danes' experience shone through, allowing the team to secure the match at 19:15. Their final matchup was against TyLoo, where the team successfully defeated the sole Chinese representative at the tournament with a 16:9 score on de_Mirage. The team awaits challengers in the semi-finals of IEM XI Oakland.

Immortals - Round of six

W:L - 4:1

Winnings: $4,000

Second to Astralis purely due to round difference Immortals had a great run. Their first matchup was against TyLoo, where both teams locked into a persistence game, pushing the match on de_Mirage into overtime. The Brazilians persevere, taking it away at 19:17. Next up was a match against G2 Esports, where the Immortals felt little resistance. De_Cobblestone was a breeze for them, securing a 16:4 finish against the Frenchmen. Team Liquid were to face the Brazilians next in one of the closest matches of the group stage. Both teams were determined to take the win on de_Cache; however only the Immortals passed the test of stoicism and pushed through with a 16:14 score. Next was their match against Astralis, the only loss the team sustained. The Danes outperformed them on de_Dust2 with a 15:19 score. Finally the Brazilians faced Na'Vi on de_Mirage. Both teams were determined to win; however despite the sheer experience on the roster of Na'Vi they were not able to succeed in defeating the Brazilians, as the team surpasses them with a 19:15 score line. Immortals proceed to the round of six at IEM Oakland, given an opportunity to pursue a top finish.

G2 Esports - Round of six

W:L - 3:2

Winnings: $3,000

G2 Esports were the team to interrupt Astralis' flawless run, where the team managed to defeat the Danes on de_Nuke with a 16:12 score. Next was their matchup against Immortals on de_Cobblestone, where the team seemed incoherent to say the least. A disappointing performance from the French team culminated in a 4:16 loss. The Frenchmen rebound against TyLoo on de_Overpass, where they almost recreate the score they lost to Immortals - a 16:3 finish against the Chinese. After a superb performance the French face Natus Vincere, where unfortunately they were unable to perform up to par, losing 10:16 on de_Overpass. The final match for G2 was against Team Liquid, one that would decide the fate of both teams going into the playoffs. A nail-biting match it was indeed, one that saw an action packed overtime and a spectacular 19:17 finish for the team, propelling them to the round of six.

Team Liquid - Eliminated

W:L - 2:3

Winnings: $2,000

Won against: Natus Vincere (16:6); TyLoo (16:6)

Lost to: Astralis (1:16); Immortals (14:16); G2 Esports (17:19)

Natus Vincere - Eliminated

W:L - 2:3

Winnings: $2,000

Won against: TyLoo (16:14); G2 Esports (16:10)

Lost to: Team Liquid (6:16); Astralis (9:16); Immortals (15:19)

TyLoo - Eliminated

W:L - 0:5

Winnings: $0

Lost to: Immortals (17:19); Natus Vincere (14:16); G2 Esports (3:16); Team Liquid (6:16); Astralis (9:16)



Group B

FaZe Clan - Semi-finalist

W:L - 5:0

Winnings: $5,000

FaZe Clan demonstrate a flawless performance in the group stage, where the team secured five subsequent victories. First up was a match against Cloud9, where the Americans were able to push the match into overtime, only to be shut down 19:17 on de_Mirage. Following this match was a rather uneventful de_Train, where the European roster breezed past Heroic 16:3 on de_Train. Ninjas in Pyjamas were to contest the flawless run next - to no avail. FaZe secure a 16:5 finish on de_Overpass to continue their dominance. On paper the next match was to be the most challenging for the team, as they faced seasoned veterans and multiple major title holders, SK Gaming. In spite of the aforementioned the team wasn't fazed a bit, instead proceeding with business as usual. FaZe surpass the Brazilians with a 16:11 score on de_Nuke. To finalise their impeccable run FaZe knocked out mousesports on de_Train at a 16:7 score line.

SK Gaming - Round of six

W:L - 3:2

Winnings: $3,000

SK Gaming had a decent run, perhaps not the exact outcome the team had expected. They were participants of the first match of the day, that saw them face the Danes of Heroic. To SK's disappointment the team was unable to secure a victory on de_Cobblestone against the opponent, as they fell short 13:16. The team regained focus in their next match against mousesports, where the teams faced off on de_Dust2. The Brazilians showed up, landing the team a 16:10 finish against the European mix. The team's next matchup was against Cloud9 on de_Dust2, where SK pulled out with a comfortable 16:10 win. The final match for the team was against the top contender of the group, FaZe Clan. The European mix went on to secure their fifth consecutive win, at the expense of SK Gaming, who lost 11:16 on de_Nuke.

Ninjas in Pyjamas - Round of six

W:L - 3:2

Winnings: $3,000

Ninjas in Pyjamas set off on a positive note in their matchup against mousesports. The team has a great showing where they manage to subdue the European mix with a 16:8 score on de_Overpass. Next up against the Ninjas were Cloud9, a match that was quite apparently closer than the previous. It all came down to the 30th round that was clutched by NiP, securing a 16:14 win against Cloud9 on de_Train. It was now the Swedes' turn to face the incredibly dominant FaZe Clan. The European mix was unstoppable, leading to a 5:16 loss on de_Overpass for the Ninjas in Pyjamas. Having recovered from a saddening loss, the Swedes were back on track, this time against Heroic. The Danes were unable to come up with solutions against the Ninjas, leading to a 16:8 win for the Swedes on de_Nuke, a map they were once worshipped for. The final matchup saw NiP vs. SK Gaming

Cloud9 - Eliminated

W:L - 2:3

Winnings: $2,000

Won against: mousesports (16:10); Heroic (16:12)

Lost to: FaZe Clan (17:19); Ninjas in Pyjamas (14:16); SK Gaming (10:16)

Heroic - Eliminated

W:L - 2:3

Winnings: $2,000

Won against: SK Gaming (16:13); mousesports (16:11)

Lost to: FaZe Clan (3:16); Ninjas in Pyjamas (8:16); Cloud9 (12:16)

mousesports - Eliminated

W:L - 0:5

Winnings: $0

Lost to: Ninjas in Pyjamas (8:16); SK Gaming (10:16); Heroic (11:16); Cloud9 (10:16); FaZe Clan (7:16)

