BIG Clan kept their hopes alive at IEM Katowice after convincingly defeating Imperial fe in a do-or-die match yesterday. The German squad bounced back in style following their disappointing opening loss to Wildcard, setting up a crucial match for survival against HEROIC later today.
The German squad, led by a well-calling Johannes "tabseN" Wodarz, made light work of Imperial fe. The best female team in the world was forced to play without their in-game leader Victoria "tory" Kazieva, and struggled to find footing with coach Kamen "bubble" Kostadinov standing in.
Tactical Veto and Dominance on Inferno
BIG made a bold choice in the veto, opting to leave their usual Inferno ban on the table, ensuring Mirage - Imperial fe’s strongest map - was out of contention. The gamble paid off massively, as Imperial fe’s attempt to punish-pick Inferno backfired spectacularly.
Despite winning the pistol and converting the follow-up, Imperial fe quickly fell apart as BIG’s defensive setup proved unbreakable. A ten-round streak flipped the game entirely, leaving Imperial fe scrambling for answers. Alexandra "twenty3" Timonina was the only player on her team putting up significant numbers, finishing with more kills than the rest of her squad combined.
GET HYPED!!!! pic.twitter.com/EQ6FEY4Qaq
— BIG (@BIGCLANgg) January 30, 2025
BIG's young AWPer Marcel "hyped" Köhn delivered one of the defining moments early on, clutching a 1v3 with an SSG in round three - an instant momentum-shifter that sent BIG surging ahead. They barely faltered from that point forward, only dropping two more rounds, before closing out Inferno in dominant fashion, 13-4.
Ancient Seals the Deal
Moving onto Ancient, picked by BIG, the Germans showed no mercy. Imperial fe’s defensive holds crumbled as BIG relentlessly exploited bubble, who was visibly struggling in a pivotal mid-control role. With fast-paced attacks and well-timed utility, BIG stormed to another 10-2 half, leaving Imperial fe with little room for a comeback.
We handled the pressure! It was a pleasure sharing the server with @imperialesports Fe! Keep up the good work, and see you soon! pic.twitter.com/nwpBhf6VC1
— BIG (@BIGCLANgg) January 30, 2025
A brief resistance at the start of the second half wasn’t enough to turn the tide, as BIG swiftly closed out the map 13-5, securing their spot in today’s high-stakes match against HEROIC.
Another Elimination Game Coming Up
BIG now have a massive challenge ahead - taking on HEROIC at 16:00 CET today - to continue their journey in Katowice. The European squad, who took down Liquid but fell to Eternal Fire, will be a formidable opponent. Whether the revamped Berlin-based roster can rise to the occasion remains to be seen.
The first ever women's Counter-Strike team to play at #IEM Katowice & an #ESLProTour Championship event.History made.@ZainabTurkie@ANa_CSGO @twenty3cs @Kat_csgo @bubbleCS22 @torycs2 pic.twitter.com/zL7zW8lDow
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) January 30, 2025
For Imperial fe, despite a winless showing, this event was a historic milestone. As the first-ever female team to compete in an S-Tier CS2 LAN event, their presence alone marked progress for inclusivity in the competitive scene. While they struggled against elite opposition, their world ranking should hopefully earn them future invitations to events of this caliber, giving them further opportunities to develop and compete on the big stage.
Now, all eyes turn to BIG’s upcoming clash with HEROIC - can they pull off another win and move forward in Katowice?