The IEM Dallas tournament has become a landmark event for 9z Team and the broader Argentine and Latin American Counter-Strike scene. The team has made history by securing a spot in the semifinals of the Intel Extreme Masters after an exhilarating 2-0 victory over Team Vitality.
This milestone follows their earlier playoff qualification with a win against Team Liquid, marking their first-ever appearance in the semifinals of a major event.
9z Shines in IEM Dallas
9z Team has delivered one of the most surprising performances in recent Counter-Strike history, especially in CS2. They faced a daunting bracket, debuting against MOUZ, the reigning ESL Pro League champion, and subsequently competing against formidable teams like Liquid, Complexity, Vitality, and G2 Esports.
Not only did they triumph in the servers, but they also stood out for their exceptional teamwork and individual skill.
In their IEM Dallas debut, 9z Team defeated MOUZ with a 9-13 score on Nuke. They then faced Team Liquid on the same map, where they showed remarkable resilience to take a 1-0 lead after an overtime win that ended 16-13.
Liquid responded on Anubis with a 9-13 victory, but Antonio “MartinezSA” Martínez became the hero on Dust II, clinching the series 2-1 with a 13-11 win.
Historic Victory Against Vitality
Heading into their match against Vitality, 9z Team was already in the playoffs but aimed for even more. Franco “dgt” García provided the individual brilliance that complemented the team’s cohesive play, leading to a 9-13 victory on Dust II and a thrilling 16-14 overtime win on Anubis. This sealed their historic semifinal spot.
This IEM Dallas event has not been favorable for Álvaro “SunPayus” García, who exited in the third round after a narrow 2-1 loss to Liquid. He initially fell to G2 Esports in a close 13-10 match, then defeated Monte with a comfortable 2-0 before bowing out of the tournament.
North American Teams Struggle
Team Liquid, despite their efforts, couldn’t save North American pride as they failed to secure a spot in the playoffs. G2 Esports eliminated Liquid after a comeback from a 0-1 deficit, winning 11-13 on Dust II, and then taking Inferno and Nuke with 13-8 and 13-11 scores, respectively.
Dallas will have to settle for the presence of Jacky “Stewie2K” Yip in the playoffs, who has been a temporary replacement for the Samurais. Natus Vincere also missed out on the elimination stage after losing to a strong HEROIC, which claimed the last spot in Group B, competing fiercely with Team Spirit and FaZe Clan.
Playoff Schedule
Quarterfinals
- FaZe Clan vs G2 Esports: May 31 at 20:00
- Team Vitality vs HEROIC: May 31 at 23:15
Semifinals
- 9z vs Winner of FaZe-G2: June 1 at 20:00
- Team Spirit vs Winner of Vitality-HEROIC: June 1 at 23:15
Final
- Winners of the Semifinals: June 2 at 20:00
Surprise at IEM Dallas: 9Z Team Defeats MOUZ to Secure Playoff Spot
Conclusion
9z Team’s stunning performance in the IEM Dallas highlights the unpredictable and thrilling nature of esports. Their journey through the tournament, marked by significant victories against top-tier teams, is a testament to their skill and determination.
As they prepare for the semifinals, all eyes will be on them to see if they can continue their historic run and potentially secure the championship. For fans and aspiring esports players, 9z’s success story serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that with teamwork, strategy, and perseverance, even the most challenging obstacles can be overcome.