Virtus.pro, FORZE secure playoff spots at ESL Challenger Katowice

Both qualified squads will skip Saturday's games after winning their groups.

Virtus.pro became the first playoff team at ESL Challenger Katowice 2023 after flawlessly traversing Group A. The Russian squad beat Party Astronauts in a surprisingly close 16-13 victory before getting the better of ENCE in overtime to secure a top-four placing at the $100,000 event.

FORZE will join Virtus.pro in the playoffs after they progressed through Group B with victories against ECSTATIC and 9z. Both group winners will be put on opposite sides of the bracket as the playoffs' top seeds, while two more spots are still up for grabs.

n0rb3r7's VP became the first playoff team in Katowice

There are now just two more matches to be played in Group A, with the winner between Bravado and Party Astronauts meeting ENCE for a playoff spot. In Group B it is 9z who have one more chance to make the playoffs when they go up against the winner of ECSTATIC vs. paiN on Saturday.

Date	Matches
ESL Challenger Katowice 2023
09/06/2023	ECSTATIC 19:20 paiN	Match
10/06/2023	Bravado 12:30 Party Astronauts	Match
10/06/2023	9z 15:40 ECSTATIC	Match
10/06/2023	ENCE 19:25 Party Astronauts	Match