3DMAX Secure Victory Over MIBR and Advance to the IEM Katowice 2025 Group Stage

On January 30, 2025, 3DMAX faced off against MIBR in Upper Bracket Round 2. This match was not only crucial because the winner would advance to the next stage of Intel Extreme Masters Katowice 2025, but also intriguing since the two teams had previously played against each other only once. Here’s a quick recap of the most exciting moments of this showdown.

3DMAX vs. MIBR

3DMAX had the first map pick and, based on their recent performances, chose Inferno. The match kicked off with an impressive 1v3 clutch by Graviti, setting the tone for the early rounds in favor of 3DMAX. However, MIBR quickly adapted and gained momentum, making the game an intense back-and-forth battle. The first half ended with a 7-5 lead for 3DMAX.

The second half was an absolute thriller, potentially the best of the day. At 10-12, MIBR managed to tie the score, forcing the game into overtime. Despite the intense battle, Ex3rcice and Maka delivered outstanding performances, securing a 19-16 victory for 3DMAX on Inferno.

For the second map, MIBR opted for Nuke, but their performance fell short compared to the previous game. Although they started strong, they seemed to lose focus. They ended the first half trailing 5-7, and in the second half, they failed to win a single round. 3DMAX dominated with a 13-5 win, closing the series 2-0 and securing their spot in the IEM Katowice 2025 Group Stage. As for MIBR, they now drop to Lower Bracket Round 2, where they will face Virtus.pro for a chance to stay in the tournament.