Our Counter-Strike main team has qualified for IEM Cologne 2023 by beating Apeks 2-1 in the Play-in stage.
The advancement match began on our map pick, Overpass, where we came out swinging by winning the first seven rounds in a row.
Apeks then responded with seven of their own, but ultimately our athletes took the half-time lead 8-7. It seemed more comfortable on the CT-side, where we closed the game 16-10. Especially Nicolai "dev1ce" Reedtz and Christian "Buzz" Andersen were different makers on the first map.
The Danes initially had the upper hand on Anubis since they were in front 9-6 at half-time, but Apeks T-side was too strong. The international squad won the map 10-16.
The third map was a true thriller as rounds bounced back and forth after a heroic effort from dev1ce in round 10.
Apeks got up 6-11 and were on a great course to close the map, but some great calling and an outstanding clutch from Benjamin "blameF" Bremer kept Astralis in the series.
Eventually, Apeks got up to match point at 11-15, but the Danish roster showed mental strength and made a comeback to secure overtime. The overtime went the way of the Danish squad, winning the map 19-16 and ultimately the series 2-1.
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