Intel Extreme Masters Sydney, the first event of IEM Season 13, is now over. And what an event it was. We saw huge upsets, world-class plays, an amazing crowd going mental in the arena, and the broadcast crew not holding back on the banter. IEM Sydney 2018 is definitely one for the history books.
A total of 16 teams from around the world competed in the tournament but only one could snatch the lion’s share of the US$250,000 prize pool, the coveted trophy, and a win counting towards the Intel Grand Slam. And that team ended up being no other than FaZe Clan. Here’s how the tournament unfolded.
Group stage
Group A
Group B
The IEM Sydney group stage was nothing short of exciting, and even shocking. Group A saw TyLoo and Renegades advancing to the playoffs from the upper bracket, sending SK Gaming and FaZe Clan respectively to fight in the lower bracket. This wasn’t the end of upsets for SK Gaming however, as they lost to the local Greyhound Gaming and were eliminated from the tournament after only having played two series. Greyhound got eliminated by FaZe Clan in their next match, but that didn’t take away from the great impression they left on everyone watching.
Playoffs
Five matches were played in the playoffs, and five times a map had to go into overtime, delivering tons of nail-biting action. The grand final alone went to two overtimes, with the third map ending in 16:14, and all in favor of our new champions, FaZe Clan.
Tournament highlights
OMG @RNGjks YOU ARE INSANE!#IEM pic.twitter.com/DeDJWKhoee
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) May 1, 2018
When you make it to the #IEM Sydney playoffs @Renegades pic.twitter.com/uYPIyfg668
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) May 1, 2018
THEY HAVE DONE IT!@grayhoundgaming SEND @SKGaming OUT OF THE TOURNAMENT!
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!#IEM pic.twitter.com/m2nBO1IpIi
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) May 1, 2018
.@RUSH ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!
THIS GAME IS ABSOLUTELY NUTS
https://t.co/JCaCtOvQYi#IEM pic.twitter.com/XJpIfrq3TS
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) May 2, 2018
CAN THIS MAN BE STOPPED?
.@RUSH WITH THE 1V3
https://t.co/JCaCtOvQYi#IEM pic.twitter.com/IhD2gompIZ
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) May 2, 2018
.@CeRqcs IS A BEAST!!!#IEM pic.twitter.com/pBcggyhr1G
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) May 2, 2018
.@GratisfactionNZ with the wallbang!
https://t.co/JCaCtOvQYi#IEM pic.twitter.com/mCxsJVLc7y
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) May 2, 2018
.@BnTeTCSGO ACE
https://t.co/JCaCtOvQYi#IEM pic.twitter.com/EGfnPmFh6S
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) May 3, 2018
Sad reacts only. @karriganCSGO#IEM pic.twitter.com/SHjrsECgMO
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) May 4, 2018
WHAT WAS THAT@RNGNifty#IEM pic.twitter.com/YY9E6Y07Wh
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) May 4, 2018
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! @karriganCSGO KEEPING @FaZeClan IN THE GAME!#IEM pic.twitter.com/PHW97SF2lX
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) May 5, 2018
OMG @fazeniko#IEM pic.twitter.com/QaUmBxytMp
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) May 5, 2018
Nothing short of Brilliant. @guardiancsgo #IEM pic.twitter.com/YHLNiT6Kix
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) May 6, 2018
Perfection. @karriganCSGO#IEM pic.twitter.com/QM0V4tLtL5
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) May 6, 2018
.@fazeniko YOU ARE A CLUTCH GOD!#IEM pic.twitter.com/BfXkiggRNT
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) May 6, 2018
THE CLUTCH! YOU'RE INSANE @OfficialXizt#IEM pic.twitter.com/0dufnS8SDI
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) May 6, 2018
Thank you, Sydney
To all the teams, players, hard working crew, the outstanding crowd in the arena, and everyone who watched online - THANK YOU for creating another unforgettable event!
Next stops for amazing CS:GO at ESL are: ESL Pro League Season 7 Finals in Dallas, ESL One Belo Horizonte powered by Intel, ESL One Cologne powered by Intel, and ESL One New York powered by Intel - be sure to join us if you can!
Until then, follow ESL CS on Twitter and Facebook for all the latest updates.
And stay creamy.
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) May 6, 2018