9INE close out BLAST Showdown quarters with upset win over fnatic

9INE close out BLAST Showdown quarters with upset win over fnatic

The BLAST Premier Spring Showdown Europe quarter-finals stage has now concluded with 9INE securing an upset victory over fnatic and eliminating the team ranked 11th in the world from contention for the Spring Finals spot.

To secure the upset win the Poles picked up the two maps they had found the most success on in their busy year 2023 so far, Vertigo and Nuke, in convincing fashion. fnatic were left stumped as they could only compete on Overpass and their lackluster Terrorist sides cost them the other two maps.

Europe
Poland

9INE had been hailed as one of the most innovative teams by some of the players who competed at last month’s ESL Pro League, according to commentator Alex “⁠Mauisnake⁠” Ellenberg.

Their opening months of 2023 following the addition of hades to the roster could not have gone much better. 9INE skyrocketed to their peak ranking in 23rd place after they qualified for IEM Rio and the BLAST.tv Paris Major Europe RMR, and won several smaller tournaments, the OMEN WGR Challenge, GAM3RS_X Polish Clash, and the RES Western European Masters tournament that ensured their spot at the Showdown.

9INE have enjoyed great success following the addition of hades

In recent months 9INE have not been able to replicate that success to the same degree amidst a strenuous schedule that saw them play over 110 maps since the start of the year. However, with the fnatic upset, the Polish side has secured their biggest scalp yet and now look to continue their run in the Showdown as they are set on a collision course with BIG in the semi-finals.

On the other side of the single-elimination bracket, which has a single spot at the BLAST Premier Spring Finals on offer, tournament favorites Cloud9 will face Ninjas in Pyjamas.

Time Stamp:

More from HLTV