IEM Oakland CS:GO Groups Finalized
The much-anticipated groups for the upcoming Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Oakland Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) tournament have been announced. The tournament, scheduled to take place from November 16-19, will feature some of the best teams from around the world battling it out for a share of the $300,000 prize pool.
Group A consists of SK Gaming, Astralis, Cloud9, and the recently qualified The Mongolz. Group B includes FaZe Clan, Team Liquid, Immortals, and G2 Esports. Each group will follow a double elimination format, with the top two teams advancing to the playoffs.
SK Gaming, current world champions of CS:GO, are the clear favorites in Group A. Astralis, the Danish powerhouse, will be looking to give them a tough fight. Cloud9, the only North American representative in Group A, will need to bring their A-game to compete with the heavy hitters. The Mongolz, although the underdogs, have proven themselves capable of causing upsets in the past and should not be underestimated.
In Group B, FaZe Clan, led by the charismatic in-game leader Finn “karrigan” Andersen, are the team to beat. Team Liquid will be hoping for a strong performance after their recent roster changes. Immortals, known for their explosive playstyle, could potentially surprise everyone. G2 Esports, despite their struggles in recent tournaments, cannot be discounted as they possess immense talent and experience.
Fans can expect thrilling matches and intense rivalries as these top teams face off against each other. The tournament will also serve as a battleground for the growing North American and European rivalry in CS:GO.
The playoffs will follow a single elimination format, with the top two teams from each group battling it out for a spot in the grand finals. The grand finals will be a best-of-five match, determining the champion of IEM Oakland CS:GO 2017.
Make sure to mark your calendars and tune in to the official ESL CS:GO Twitch stream to catch all the exciting action. This is one CS:GO tournament you won’t want to miss!