The IEM Katowice event has reignited the CS:GO competitive scene after a two-month break following the conclusion of the IEM Rio Major in November 2022. A total of 24 of the best teams, including the top 10, have come together to battle for a $1,000,000 prize pool and the opportunity to qualify for the IEM Cologne tournament in 2024.
Furthermore, the Polish competition also marks the restart of the Intel Grand Slam, adding an extra layer of excitement for the participating teams as they vie for the additional $1 million prize pool. Among all the competitors, FaZe stands the closest to securing both the gold and the lucrative reward.
In this article, we will break down the odds of FaZe and other top teams, and provide a comprehensive understanding of what makes the IGS so prestigious. Without further ado, let’s begin!
Brief Intro About Grand Slam
Organized by ESL, IGL is a contest that offers a great opportunity to win a $1,000,000 cash prize for top CS:GO teams. The goal is straightforward: win four of the biggest ESL’s events, including IEM Katowice, IEM Cologne, or a Major, within a span of 10 consecutive events. And the first team to do so will receive the million-dollar prize, which is directly distributed to the players.
With the 4th season currently underway, it’s worth mentioning the previous champions, who were Astralis (2018), Team Liquid (2019), and Natus Vincere (2021). These teams managed to emerge victorious and claim their respective rewards. As of now, the competition is heating up, and the squad leading the pack is none other than FaZe Clan.
FaZe’s Odds to Secure the IGS Title
The squad under the direction of Finn “karrigan” Andersen has achieved three of the four victories necessary to clinch the Grand Slam trophy. They have reached this by lifting the championship titles at IEM Katowice 2022, EPL Season 15, and IEM Cologne 2022.
However, their journey to an IGS victory was briefly delayed by two unsuccessful campaigns at EPL Season 16 and the IEM Rio Major in the second half of the 2022 year. The American organization now has only four more tournaments to close out the Grand Slam race.
Despite not winning any trophies in the last few months, FaZe remains one of the most dominant CS:GO teams in the world. Their dynamic lineup – consisting of the seasoned IGL karrigan, the talented AWPer broky, and the deadly trio of riflers Twistzz, ropz, and rain – makes them a formidable opponent in any competition.
FaZe’s Chance at IEM Katowice
Presently, FaZe is favored by bookmakers with odds of +400, reflecting their impressive performance in the Spring Groups. You can easily keep track of their statistics and recent results by visiting cover.gg.
If they continue to play at their current level, the roster around Finn “karrigan” Andersen has the opportunity to complete their Grand Slam run and earn the additional $1 million prize pool at IEM Katowice.
If successful, the victory would also make history as Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken would become the first player to win the IGS twice. As previously noted, he had accomplished this feat with Team Liquid in 2019.
Three Other Contenders for the Reward
The pursuit of the Intel Grand Slam is a tight race with four teams in contention. In addition to FaZe, Cloud9 has 1 win at IEM Dallas 2022 and 6 more chances to claim the title, while Team Vitality holds 1 win from EPL Season 16 and has 8 opportunities remaining. Virtus.Pro, too, is a contender with 1 win at IEM Rio Major 2022 and 9 chances left to grab the prize.
Should FaZe Clan falter at IEM Katowice, these four teams, including FaZe themselves, will continue the race for the Intel Grand Slam title in the coming events. The upcoming races that contribute to the said race are as follows:
- EPL Season 17 from Feb. 22 to Mar. 26
- IEM Brazil 2024 from Apr. 17 to 23
- IEM Dallas 2024 from May 29 to June 4
- IEM Cologne 2024 from July 25 to Aug. 6
- EPL Season 18 from Aug. 15 to Sep. 24
- IEM Fall 2024 from Oct. 16 to 22
