With $1,000,000 on the line, the IEM Katowice Playoffs sort out the best teams in CS2 as the final six teams go head-to-head in a single-elimination bracket. Read on as we dive into the odds, review the tournament and give our final take on this thrilling spectacle.
<h2 id='iem-katowice-playoffs-outright-match-odds’>IEM Katowice Playoffs – Outright match Odds
As things stand, four teams have been seeded into the Quarterfinals while two patiently wait in the Semifinals. Accordingly, at the time of writing, outright CS2 betting match odds are available for the opening matches as listed:
- 07/02 @ 15:45 CET – The MongolZ (2.16/+116) vs Eternal Fire (1.68/-147)
- 07/02 @ 19:00 CET – Virtus.pro (6.01/+501) vs Team Spirit (1.12/-833)
Odds accessed 05/02/24, liable to change.
We recommend tuning into esports betting sites such as GG.bet throughout the competition to review the changing odds.
Now, let’s take a look at the IEM Katowice Playoffs and make our picks for the rest of the tournament – we’ll remind you that we got 6/6 of the picks for the Group Stage.
Natus Vincere or Team Vitality?
Right now, all eyes are on Team Vitality and Natus Vincere who are primed to take over the tournament as they patiently wait in the Semifinals.
For Team Vitality, their signing of Robin “ropz” Kool in January has definitely blossomed, with the team cruising through Group A to earn the first seed. However, we’ll be the first to point out that their competition in Group A wasn’t too tough, as they took down 3DMAX, FaZe and Virtus.pro.
Considering their last win was back at IEM Cologne 2024, Vitality is on the right track to get back in business according to the CS2 odds.
Yet, Natus Vincere are also favourites and stand in their way. Drawn into Group B, Natus Vincere has had to contend with the likes of FURIA Esports and The MongolZ. Most notably, NaVi won a hard-fought battle against Team Spirit to prove their mettle.
Following a 3-4th finish at BLAST Bounty Spring, Natus Vincere is in great form heading into this bracket – we would favour them in a Grand Final against Vitality if only slightly.
Overall, here’s a head-to-head record to consider should a Grand Final match arise:
Don’t Count Out Spirit
That being said, while Na’Vi and Vitality are favoured, Team Spirit could easily walk away with the win here.
Although yes, they are starting in the Quarterfinals, that’s only at the hands of an overtime loss to Natus Vincere and let’s not forget their winning streak at both the Perfect World Shanghai Major and BLAST Bounty Spring 2025 as one of the best CS2 teams right now.
While they did lose a map to GamerLegion in the Lower Bracket, Spirit is clearly favoured in their Quarterfinal game against Virtus.pro. After that, a potential rematch against Natus Vincere would likely be the best match of the entire tournament.
Should this happen, here’s a look at the head-to-head record between these giants:
If Spirit makes it to the Grand Finals, it’s hard to favour any other team at this point.
IEM Katowice Playoffs – Any Surprises?
While those are your favourites, here are some notes about the other three contenders:
- The MongolZ – carrying an entire region on their shoulders, MongolZ recently finished 5-8th at the Perfect World Shanghai Major and have a winning record over Eternal Fire (3:2).
- Eternal Fire – stunning the community with a 2nd place finish at BLAST Bounty Spring, Eternal Fire has the tenacity to take maps off of Team Spirit while fending off FaZe in the Lower Bracket.
- Virtus.pro – after two new signings in December, Virtus.pro has transformed to shut down G2 Esports and Eternal Fire at this tournament so far, but got destroyed in their match against Vitality in Group A.
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