Frokat
IEM Cologne has historically been one of the focal points in CS:GO’s esports scene. Although the classic event has lost its Major status, it remains one of the bastions of CS esports, regularly setting new viewership records and delivering top-notch professional gameplay.
Majors are the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive esports events officially sponsored by the game’s developer and publisher, Valve Corporation.
XVII Cologne 2022Germany, Cologne, Lanxess Arena
FaZe Clan
Natus Vincere
Movistar RidersAnd IEM Season XVII – Cologne was no exception: with 24 participant teams and $1 000 000 of prize pool, the event set a new record in viewership. The Grand Final between FaZe Clan and Natus Vincere beat the previous record-holder IEM Katowice’s peak concurrent views.
The event’s Grand Final was a sight to behold: a full five-map battle between the most dominant team of 2022, FaZe Clan, and the team that made history in 2021, Natus Vincere. The final showdown lasted 148 rounds, all filled to the brim with adrenaline – for the players, the audience, and the casters. Even the dignified professionals Spunj and Machine began dropping f-bombs during the very last map of the event.
Ultimately, the champion’s belt went the way of FaZe Clan, as the American organization claimed the 5th gold in S-tier tournaments this year. This was the second time FaZe had to pass through NaVi in the grand final. Previously, the two teams met in the final of PGL Antwerp Major, where FaZe Clan triumphed over Natus Vincere 2:0.
Although the American team received gold in this event, it was Natus Vincere’s star player, Oleksandr “S1mple” Kostyliev who received the Most Valuable Player award for his performance throughout the event. Another title for the already impressive list – the Ukrainian player now sports 21 HLTV MVP Medals.
Still, winning the MVP vote wasn’t the most surprising thing the star AWPer has done. As the award ceremony was ongoing, the Ukrainian player waved to the audience before chucking his medal to a fan as a gift. The online forums erupted into debate, discussing whether it was a bad-mannered sign of frustration or a gesture of friendliness. To be honest, we at tips.gg are leaning towards the latter.
The star player was asked to comment on this decision in his interview for HLTV:
No, I’m just traveling all the time with my bag, and I don’t have place for the big DHL MVP [laughs], and this medal is… too many medals inside this bag you know, I need to save them for home.