IEM Katowice Qualifiers Recap

IEM Katowice qualifiers are now completed and after a 4 global qualifying events we have our finalists heading to Poland.

http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/IEM_Season_XI_-_World_Championship/Server_Qualifiers/Europe

Neeb was the first player to qualify, battling his way past SortOf, Stephano and Bunny to advance.

ShoWTimE was the next player to make it through as he was even more impressive in taking down Serral, Classic and then Nerchio, all without dropping a map.

Serral had a rough start to his qualifying run after getting beaten in the opening match by ShoWTimE, but he battled his way back and took the last spot. On his way through, he beat Harstem, Stephano, Snute, Nerchio and Elazer to advance as the final player from the European qualifiers.

http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/IEM_Season_XI_-_World_Championship/Server_Qualifiers/America

TY was the first player to advance, defeating three Korean players—most of the best showed up— in the American qualifier to advance. He started off with a 2-0 over Dear and then moved onto a tough battle with ex-teammate Zest. He beat him 2-1 to set up a final vs Losira, another former KT team mate. Taking an even closer series 3-2, TY booked his ticket to Katowice.

herO was the second player through. He defeated PuCK 2-1, followed by the same scoreline against INnoVation. The last game saw him pitted against Nerchio, whom herO swept 3-0 to qualify for IEM.

The final spot went to TRUE who completed the mammoth task of battling his way through the lower bracket from the first round stage. He was knocked down by Zest, but went on a tremendous run, beating Dear, Stats, Scarlett and Losira. Finally, TRUE had to face Zest again—this time winning 3-1 to secure his place in Katowice.

http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/IEM_Season_XI_-_World_Championship/Server_Qualifiers/Korea_1

Solar was the first player to make it through the first Korean Qualifier. His impressive run took him through herO, ByuN, and ByuL.

Dark took the next spot after taking down Impact, Patience and INnoVation.

aLive was the surprise package in the first Korean Qualifier. After losing 0-2 to Patience in the first round, he went on a tear through the Losers' Bracket, knocking out Impact, ByuN, Zest, INnoVation and Maru.

http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/IEM_Season_XI_-_World_Championship/Server_Qualifiers/Korea_2

INnoVation finally managed to qualify through the second Korean Qualifier. He took down Protoss pair Dear and Patience without dropping a game, setting up a TvT showdown with GuMiho, whom he beat 3-1 to qualify.

After falling painfully short in all qualifiers before, Zest also took his final chance to qualify for Katowice. He started off against his new rival Keen and then went on to face Losira. In a rematch of 2015's grand finals, Zest fittingly defeated Trap to secure his place.

ByuN took the final place on offer. Having lost in the opening round of the day to Maru he managed to drag himself through the dreaded lower bracket to qualify. He faced and defeated soO, ByuL, Losira and GuMiho before facing Stats in the deciding series. ByuN emphatically dispatched of the Protoss 3-0, securing the very last spot at Katowice.

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Qualified Player List

herO Neeb ShoWTimE Zest
aLive INnoVation TY ByuN
Dark Solar Serral TRUE


http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/IEM_Season_XI_-_World_Championship

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Written by: Pandemona, Olli.