Danish squad comes out on top at IEM Katowice 2019, but ENCE is the real surprise

Astralis have picked up their third Major title after winning IEM Katowice 2019 with a great 2-0 win over ENCE

If there were any remaining doubts about Astralis’ credentials, about their position as the most dominant side in the modern Counter-Strike, they surely were dismissed this Sunday. The match was always likely to be David versus Goliath; ENCE, a first-timer at Majors, going up against Astralis, a team looking for their third crown. The Finnish squad had already proved that dreams do come true, beating Liquid and Natus Vincerewith some miraculous comebacks, but the Danes proved to be a tall order for Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen’s troops.

A convincing victory on Train – a map on which ENCE had not lost since EPICENTER 2018 -, set the tone for what would be a one-sided series. Inferno was Astralis’ playground as the Danes made light work of their Nordic opponents, increasing their current record on this map to 15-0 – yet another scary sign that this team continues to raise the bar, after already having by far the best Nuke in the game, which was promptly banned by ENCE.

ENCE finally got on the board 11 rounds into the game, but that was as far as they would go as Astralis kept playing at a high pace and closed out the half with a commanding 14-1 lead.

After switching to the Terrorist side, ENCE got the pistol round and followed it up with two more, but their efforts were in vain as Astralis responded once they had money in the bank and seal yet another convincing victory – one that puts them tied with fnatic in terms of organisations with the most Major trophies.

IEM Katowice 2019 final standings:

1. Astralis – $500,000 + Legends status
2.  ENCE – $150,000 + Legends status
3-4.  Natus Vincere – $70,000 + Legends status
3-4.  MIBR – $70,000 + Legends status
5-8.  FaZe – $35,000 + Legends status
5-8.  Liquid – $35,000 + Legends status
5-8.  Renegades – $35,000 + Legends status
5-8.  NiP – $35,000 + Legends status
9-11. Cloud9 – $8,750 + Challengers status
9-11.  AVANGAR – $8,750 + Challengers status
9-11.  Vitality – $8,750 + Challengers status
12-14.  compLexity – $8,750 + Challengers status
12-14.  HellRaisers – $8,750 + Challengers status
12-14.  G2 – $8,750 + Challengers status
15-16.  NRG – $8,750
15-16.  BIG – $8,750