In a stunning display of skill and teamwork, BIG has completely dismantled HEROIC in their IEM Katowice advancement game, securing their spot in Stage 2.
The Berlin-based org showcased their dominance on both maps, dropping a total of only six rounds in the contest.
Outstanding Performance by hyped
Marcel "hyped" Köhn led the charge for BIG, delivering an outstanding performance with an impressive 24 kills on the first map alone, 45 in total. His exceptional gameplay was complemented by solid contributions from his teammates, who collectively executed a well-coordinated strategy that left HEROIC struggling to respond.
HYPED FROM HEAVEN@hyped_cs #IEM pic.twitter.com/Z2zKszkgcr
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) January 31, 2025
BIG only lost two rounds on Nuke, cruising to a 13-2 victory, on HEROIC's pick.
BIG's captain Johannes "tabseN" Wodarz after the game even stated, that he expected HEROIC to pick Mirage and not Nuke, making this dominant win even sweeter for the Germans.
Ancient: BIG's Dominance Continues
Transitioning to their own pick, Ancient, BIG continued their onslaught, starting off with a staggering 12-0 lead before closing the map at 13-4. Karim "Krimbo" Moussa and Jon "JDC" de Castro both made significant impacts, living up to their bold claims that BIG was the best team in the world on Ancient. Their synergy and skill shone through, further solidifying BIG's reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the tournament.
.@hyped_cs starts Ancient where he left off on Nuke with a 4k #IEM pic.twitter.com/N30ynUhIGc
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) January 31, 2025
As BIG awaits the announcement of their opponent for the opening game of Stage 2, fans are eager to see if they can maintain their momentum. The schedule is expected to be released after the conclusion of the remaining matches on today's last Stage 1 day, adding to the anticipation surrounding this explosive team. With their impressive performance, BIG has now firmly positioned themselves as a top contender in the ongoing IEM Katowice tournament.
The 5th team advancing to #IEM Katowice Stage 2 is @BIGCLANgg @tabseNcs @hyped_cs @KyuubiiCS @KrimboCS @JDC_CS @kakafuCS pic.twitter.com/uLhI4pE6xS
— Intel Extreme Masters (@IEM) January 31, 2025
In this form, no top team will want to face the Germans, as they continue their quest, of finally becoming a top team again.