Intel Extreme Masters Dallas 2023: Highlights & Winner Revealed

The Intel Extreme Masters Dallas 2023 has recently concluded, unveiling the winner who earned a coveted spot at the Intel Extreme Masters Cologne 2023 and a prize of $100,000. This article will explore the exciting playoff stage and its highlights.

Quarterfinals of the Intel Extreme Masters Dallas 2023

Let’s start our review by looking at the quarterfinals of the Intel Extreme Masters Dallas 2023. The matchups featured four teams: Astralis vs MOUZ and G2 Esports vs FaZe Clan. These teams battled it out for a place in the semifinals, with the understanding that the losing teams would be eliminated from the tournament. Nevertheless, even in defeat, they received $10,000 each and 225 BLAST Premier points.

Astralis vs MOUZ

On June 2, the first game of the quarterfinals took place, featuring an exciting match between Astralis and MOUZ.

Here’s the list of map selections and bans:

• MOUZ removed Overpass
• Astralis removed Mirage
• MOUZ picked Inferno
• Astralis picked Ancient
• MOUZ removed Vertigo
• Astralis removed Anubis
• Nuke was left over

The teams played on Inferno, picked by MOUZ. It was a highly intense match, with both teams taking turns dominating. In the end, they played 30 rounds and finished the two halves of the map with a 15:15 score, leading them into overtime. Two sets of overtime were needed to determine the winner, and MOUZ secured the victory with a 22:20 score.

On Ancient, the situation was somewhat simpler. In the first half of the map, MOUZ dominated with a 10:5 score and continued their dominance after switching sides. The second map concluded with a 16:9 score in favor of MOUZ.

Now let’s look at the semifinals.

G2 Esports vs FaZe Clan

The second match in the quarterfinals featured a clash between G2 and FaZe, which took place on June 3.

List of map selections and bans:

• FaZe removed Vertigo
• G2 removed Overpass
• FaZe picked Ancient
• G2 picked Inferno
• FaZe removed Nuke
• G2 removed Anubis
• Mirage was left over

Despite FaZe picking Inferno, they couldn’t secure a victory. G2 put up a solid performance in the first half playing on the CT side, and continued their dominance after switching sides, ultimately winning the first map.

The second map was a disappointment for G2. FaZe established dominance and secured the map with a convincing 16:6 score.

The decisive map was Mirage, where experts favored FaZe. As expected, FaZe emerged victorious with a 16:10 score, although it required some effort.

Semifinals of the Intel Extreme Masters Dallas 2023

The semifinals determined which two teams moved on to the Grand Final and competed for the tournament’s ultimate prize. The defeated teams at this stage received $20,000 and 750 BLAST Premier points.

Heroic vs MOUZ

The semifinal kicked off with an exciting match between Heroic and MOUZ.

Here’s the list of map selections and bans:

• MOUZ removed Anubis
• Heroic removed Inferno
• MOUZ picked Vertigo
• Heroic picked Overpass
• MOUZ removed Mirage
• Heroic removed Nuke
• Ancient was left over

Three maps were played, starting with Vertigo, which is undoubtedly one of MOUZ’s signature maps. They showcased an impressive performance as terrorists in the first half, finishing it with a 10:5 score. After switching sides, they pushed their opponents and secured an easy victory with a 16:8 score.

The next map of the series was Overpass. Heroic had a strong first half with a 10:5 score. Switching sides and playing as counter-terrorists, Heroic maintained their positions and won the map with a final 16:9 score.

The decider map posed challenges for both teams, as they played cautiously, avoiding unnecessary risks. Despite MOUZ taking a commanding lead of 15:10, they nearly let the game slip away. They lost four rounds in a row, and the score became 14:15. However, thanks to Dorian “xertioN” Berman’s crucial kills, MOUZ emerged victorious, securing their spot as the first finalists.

ENCE vs FaZe Clan

The second semifinal match was incredibly intense, with some crazy moments. What exactly happened? Let’s find out below.

Here’s the list of map selections and bans:

• FaZe removed Vertigo
• ENCE removed Inferno
• FaZe picked Mirage
• ENCE picked Anubis
• FaZe removed Nuke
• ENCE removed Overpass
• Ancient was left over

At first, nothing out of the ordinary happened. FaZe picked Mirage and easily won with a 16:8 score. The next map was ENCЕ’s pick, and they convincingly defeated FaZe. As expected, both teams won on their signature maps. However, the third map was something remarkable.

The decider map was Ancient, where both teams had extensive experience. It led to an intense battle, resulting in a tied 15:15 score. Then, a staggering five sets of overtime were required to determine the victor on this map. Eventually, ENCE emerged triumphant with a 31:28 score. It was an extraordinary and unforgettable outcome, leaving everyone astonished.

Now let’s look at the Grand Final.

Grand Final of the Intel Extreme Masters Dallas 2023

Finally, we have reached the Grand Finals of the Intel Extreme Masters Dallas 2023. As usual, before the start of the main match, the organizers put on an impressive show match, where players played CS2.

MOUZ vs ENCE

The match we have been eagerly awaiting was between MOUZ and ENCE.

Here’s the list of map selections and bans:

• MOUZ removed Anubis
• ENCE removed Inferno
• MOUZ picked Mirage
• ENCE picked Nuke
• MOUZ removed Overpass
• ENCE removed Vertigo
• Ancient was left over

The first half of the first map, picked by MOUZ, ended with unexpected results. MOUZ faced strong opposition from ENCE, who performed exceptionally well and took an 11:4 lead. However, even after switching sides, MOUZ couldn’t establish dominance and lost the map with a 16:9 score.

Nuke was the next map of the series. MOUZ started strong with four consecutive round wins. However, ENCE had the loss bonus and turned the game in their favor, finishing the first half with a 9:6 lead.

The second half of Nuke began with a remarkable comeback from MOUZ, almost equalizing the score at 9:10. However, ENCE halted MOUZ’s efforts and secured six consecutive rounds, ultimately clinching the victory at the Intel Extreme Masters Dallas 2023.

Let’s take a look at the highlights.

Highlights

Here are some highlights of the Playoff Stage.

To Wrap Up!

The Intel Extreme Masters Dallas 2023 has concluded, and we congratulate the tournament winner. ENCE has earned the top prize of $100,000, secured its place in IEM Cologne 2023, and had 2400 BLAST Premier points. This impressive victory has propelled them from the sixteenth to the sixth position on the BLAST Premier World Leaderboard 2023. We have the upcoming BLAST Premier Spring Finals 2023 and ESL Challenger Katowice 2023.

So, stay tuned to be a part of all the thrilling eSports events and read our blog !