IEM Cologne 2022 - I was there!

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  • BoZzxLiKeD's Avatar
    Level 5
    Hello everybody!

    With this post I would like to give you an insight into my trip to the IEM in Cologne 2022:

    The Intel Extreme Masters took place in the Lanxess Arena from 15.07.22 - 17.07.22 in Cologne and a total of 24 teams participated in the CS:GO Championship. As prize money there was a total of no less than $1,000,000!

    Since I do not come directly from Cologne, but from the beautiful Black Forest, so my journey took place by train. I booked a hotel nearby from Friday to Monday - two train stops away from the Lanxess Arena. With me was my girlfriend, who was rightly completely out of her mind, because she could not imagine the event to be so great and exciting - especially the finale!

    On day 1, Friday / 15.07.2022, the Lanxess Arena opened its doors. Numerous sponsor stands were set up on site, which made it possible to play laser tag (Müllermilch) as well as distribute goodies. It was also possible to play other games on the Intel tent outside the arena. At about 3:20 pm the opening ceremony started . Afterwards the two quarterfinal matches took place. Around 9 pm the first day was already finished.

    On Saturday the two semi-finals took place. The atmosphere was unbelievable - so many nations were united and it was great fun to exchange with players from all over the world. I made positive contacts throughout, even while waiting in line for signatures from professional e-sports players, such cool conversations came up. In the meantime I also got an airbrush tattoo of "ESL" with logo on my left arm. Due to the premium ticket it was also possible for me to get free drinks - so I had several liters of Kölsch pumped through my body that weekend.

    On Sunday the big final took place at 4:00 pm - NATUS VINCERE vs. FAZE CLAN. An unbelievably exciting duel, which lasted for almost 7 hours over 5 matches! It was absolutely nerve-wracking for everyone present. The atmosphere was awesome throughout - I felt right in the middle of the action and absolutely overwhelmed by the emotions of all the people around me. It was more exciting than a horror movie! Between the matches there were also some mini-games with randomly selected spectators, who could win cool things like a PC or a new I9 processor. I mention at this point e.g. the egg run, sack race or also the guessing of known CSGO scenes!

    Finally the final game no. 5 led to the last round:
    NAVI 14 - 15 FAZE
    Everyone was very tense - can FAZE win this round or NAVI take the match to overtime?
    People were standing on their chairs, many were already gathering around the cup to dust off the best look of the winning team.
    And then suddenly: FAZE eliminates the full team....
    Cheering and shouting from all corners comes out. The hall literally started to shake and the winner of the IEM Cologne 2022 was thus determined!
    There were celebrations, applause in combination with drum rolls from the audience and afterwards the great trophy ceremony followed.

    After about another hour, the Lanxess Arena emptied completely and we took the train back to the hotel. The following day, I then took the train home during the day. In my thoughts several times the realization spread: The IEM Cologne 2022 was by far the most awesome experience for me this year!

    I hope that you could get a deeper insight into the IEM Cologne 2022 through my point of view.

    Attached are some self-made pictures and videos of the event:
    My Story Highlights

    What else funny happened there:
    LIVE Case Opening at IEM
    Jesus at IEM

    I am also available for any questions - feel free to ask me. 😎

    Kind regards
    BoZzxLiKeD
    I am currently playing:
    Rocket League / CSGO / Forza Horizon 5 / Fall Guys
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  • OursGarou's Avatar
    Community Manager
    @BoZzxLiKeD

    Hi there ! I am so so so so glad you enjoyed the event ! 😀

    Did you enjoy the city ?


    Tout savoir sur les nouveaux Legion 7 Un gros GG a GoLLuM13 pour ce guide !

    L'ours le plus joueur de tous les temps !
  • LilySensei's Avatar
    Level 52
    Great to see you had a good time, thanks for sharing the pics! I wish I could have gone 😎

    Did you have that feeling while watching the matchesof "well, I should train and maybe join a esport team?" I get it sometimes, but then is like, naah
    → ¿Aún no te has registrado?>Hazlo aquí 🤗
  • Wersus's Avatar
    Level 52
    @BoZzxLiKeD Thank you for sharing your adventure with us! I see there's an insane amount of people but it's all well organised.

    Were you still able to follow the gameplay as well as if you were watching a streaming from home?

    Amazing event!
  • BoZzxLiKeD's Avatar
    Level 5
    @OursGarou
    Hello! Yes the IEM was definetly a cool adventure!

    Cologne is a very beautiful and diverse city. We unfortunately did not have much time to explore all the corners but the Cologne Cathedral and the Hohenzollern Bridge were definitely worth a side trip!

    @LilySensei (Paty)
    It would have been cool to meet you on site! Maybe another time then. 😁

    I have a very differentiated view on Esports, but yes, the basic idea did come to my mind: Of course I would be interested in professional gaming and competing against the best teams in the world. On the other hand, it also involves a lot of work and stamina. So I would rather like to play the games when I feel like it.😉

    @Wersus
    The organization on site was definitely excellent and also between the matches there was enough variety, so you didn't get bored.

    I was able to watch the matches completely except for a few pee breaks or food orders. Thanks to the premium ticket, you were seated centrally, which gave you the best view of the big screen. We have of course also moved in between, but it was noticeable that relatively far back with a bad angle the matches were hardly recognizable. Then we also immediately scurried back to the middle! 😆

    At home it is of course relaxed to sit on the couch and casually follow the stream - but the atmosphere is missing.
    With all the adrenaline what has shot through my body the days I can definitely say: The games could be followed in any case better in the Lanxess Arena! 😍
    I am currently playing:
    Rocket League / CSGO / Forza Horizon 5 / Fall Guys