Intel Extreme Masters World Championship in League of Legends kicked off yesterday, February 22nd, with the first group stage matches. Eight teams began their battle for the ability to play in the legendary Spodek arena and the coveted IEM trophy. Here's how our first matches went down.
Group A
The day began with group A matches where the favorites, H2k, took victory although not as decisive as could have been expected, over Hong Kong Esports. We also saw a rematch from 2016 Worlds as ROX Tigers (although with a different roster) took on M19 (ex Albus Nox Luna) and won in a dominating fashion. Ending group A matches for the day was the winners match between ROX Tigers and H2k with the winner heading straight into the playoffs. After a hard fought battle that went to all three games, it was ROX Tigers who secured a slot in the Spodek arena, leaving H2k with one more chance to move forward in the decider match.
- ROX Tigers vs. M19 1-0
- Hong Kong Esports vs. H2k 0-1
- ROX Tigers vs. H2k 2-1
Group B
Group B began with EU LCS taking on LCK as the IEM Oakland champions, Unicorns of Love, took on IEM Gyeonggi runner-ups, Kongdoo Monster. This time, it was the European team's time to be favorites and they lived up to the expectations, taking the victory over the Koreans. Next up was another top European team, G2 Esports taking on top LMS team, Flash Wolves. Again, the EU team was seen as favorites to take the win however, mistakes were made on their side which Flash Wolves happily punished and took down G2's Nexus. Today, February 23rd, group B will continue with its winner's and elimination matches.
- Unicorns of Love vs. Kongdoo Monster 1-0
- G2 Esports vs. Flash Wolves 0-1
Selected highlights
In just 28 minutes the @LOL_Tigers take down @m19official in a convincing victory securing the first win of the day! pic.twitter.com/X5fNpDv4gd
— IntelExtremeMasters (@IEM) February 22, 2017
.@FebivenLoL keeps on getting kills on Zed! #IEM pic.twitter.com/NhuLLwf5Tp
— Intel®ExtremeMasters (@IEM) February 22, 2017
When your team gets First Blood...@H2KGG @Jankoslol #IEM pic.twitter.com/jx8wJ1BS5n
— Intel®ExtremeMasters (@IEM) February 22, 2017
Don't miss today's matches!
Today, February 23rd, the group matches will continue in the ESL studios in Katowice, Poland to see which team from group B will join H2k in the playoffs and which first two teams will be eliminated. Be sure to join us starting from 12:00 CET and follow the action on our stream as well as Twitter and Facebook.
