The Intel Challenge Katowice 2017 saw a lot of thrilling and close matches during group stage as well as top notch performances by the favorites for the title. With only two teams each making it out of the groups, there was a lot of potential for upsetting results. Let’s take a look at how the matches of the first day went down:

Group A: Team Secret underlining their role as favorites

Starting of the matches, it was tournament favorite and last year's champions of Team Secret with a 16-1 win over EYESports, showing a strong performance in their run to defend the title. In the meanwhile it was Vexed, overcoming Team Dignitas by 16-12 to clash with the favorite in the Winner’s Match. Here, Team Secret once more played a strong game, securing their spot in the semifinals by 16-7. Overcoming EYESports in the Elimination Match, Team Dignitas went up against Vexed for the second spot in the semi finals. Here the newly acquired team of Dignitas showed a great performance, securing their spot in the semis with a clear 16-4.

• Team Secret 16-1 EYESports
• Team Dignitas 12-16 Vexed Gaming
• Team Secret 16-7 Vexed Gaming
• EYESports 8-16 Team Dignitas
• Vexed Gaming 4-16 Team Dignitas

Group B: CLG Red showing up in good form

Last years runner up CLG Red and LDLC were able to win their opening matches by 16-6, meeting in the Winners Match for the first spot in the semi finals. CLG Red were able to win that game as well, 16-8 this time, making it clear they will take the stage at IEM Expo. Team expert won the elimination match over silhouette, going up against LDLC in the decider match. Here, the German team once again showed up strong, sending the French packing and advancing to the semis.

• CLG Red 16-6 Team expert
• LDLC 16-6 silhouette
• CLG Red 16-8 LDLC
• Team expert 16-4 silhouette
• LDLC 11-16 Team expert

Going into the playoffs

Today, from 11:30 CET onwards, the semifinals as well as the grand final will bring you the cream of the crop clashing once more for the title as well as the lion’s share of the US$30,000 prize pool.

• 12:00 CET: CLG Red vs. Team Dignitas
• ~15:00 CET: Team Secret vs. Team expert
• ~18:00 CET: Intel Challenge Katowice 2017 grand final

Make sure to tune in on the official livehub and follow ESL Counter-Strike on Twitter and Facebook for constant updates and highlights throughout the day.