The first women's CSGO LAN of the year is here! ESL Impact sees a return to Katowice, the historic home of ESL's women's Counter Strike. To start the year right, I'll be going through all of the teams and the storylines that you need to know heading into ESL Impact Katowice.
THE COMPETITION
Like in 2022 there are 3 ESL Impact LANs, with the standalone event now taking place in Katowice, live at the IEM Expo alongside IEM Katowice. As with previous events, there will be 8 teams battling it out from across the globe, with 4 invited and 4 qualified, and it looks to be the most stacked event yet!
THE TEAMS
Nigma Galaxy
ANa 
vilga twenty3 tory 
Kat Coach 
JTR
Who are they? Simply, the best women's team in the world. Nigma Galaxy won every single LAN event they attended in 2022, and received the HLTV award for best women's team - as well as AWPer ANa being crowned best women's player, and IGL vilga coming in at 3rd place. They come in as the clear event favourite, with every team looking to topple them from the throne.
What makes them special? They are an inspiration to many young women and girls, as their dominant run and global recognition have proved. They have won every trophy in their reach, and have not dropped a single Best of 3 series in the women's circuit. 2022 started the Nigma Galaxy era, and it's one that they now look to extend.
Who should you watch out for? Not only do they sport 2 of the top 3 players in the world, by my estimations all 5 would sit within the top 10 - and any individual can step up at any moment, making them terrifying to face. But really, we all know it's ANa you want to be watching, because you're guaranteed multiple highlight moments a map!
Seriously, is there anyone that can stop them?!
HSG
Hazel 
GFi 
Xiaowu Argent hffo Coach fluckz
Who are they? The team that surprised everyone and stole our hearts - HSG are invited back to LAN after a top 4 finish at the ESL Impact Season 2 finals. The Asian wildcard qualifier from that event, they caused the biggest upset of the event by eliminating CLG Red on their way to semis. Featuring a core of that has been together since 2019, they bring plenty of experience to the server.
What makes them special? They are an incredibly exciting team to watch, bringing a unique style of Counter Strike that allowed them to catch their opponents off guard in Season 2. And by unique, I mean that we witnessed more than one Negev multi-kill! Team captain GFi also stole everyone's hearts in her interviews, which I strongly recommend checking out.
Who should you watch out for? The aforementioned IGL GFi is definitely the most exciting player for the squad, with an explosive and unpredictable style of play. There's a reason she has a Twitch emote named after her!
Top 4 in Season 2 was impressive, but now teams are ready for their playstyle, can they repeat the trick?
CLG Red
GooseBreeder 
uhKelsie madss 
Kaoday 
BiBiAhn Coach 
flashie
Who are they? The titans of North America (and Australia) (and France), this international super team was put together after disappointing results in early 2022. CLG Red made it clear they are heads and shoulders above the rest of NA, but were blindsided by HSG at the Season 2 finals, finishing 5/6th. Now, with more time together in the server - and not separated by continents - they have to show they deserve the clout their name brings.
What makes them special? CLG Red have all the passion of an NA team with the raw talent of handpicked players from across the world. Led by the iconic GooseBreeder, they are a squad synonymous with women's counter strike.
Who should you watch out for? BiBiAhn. I noted her name in the Season 2 finals Quick Peek, and I'll do it here again, because despite CLG Red's placing, she remained the highest rated player at the entire event, as well as across all regions in the online stages. The Aussie rifler is in the running for best in the world, but she'll need her entire team behind her this time.
There are no more excuses for CLG Red. This is their moment to prove they have what it takes to lift trophies.
FURIA
kaah GaBi izaa Olga bokor Coach segalla
Who are they? The number 2 team in the world, having finished runner up to Nigma Galaxy at every event. After three attempts at the title, the Brazilian behemoths has made their first roster move in a year, replacing the supportive element of Mari with bokor, formally of w7m esports. The big question is will this be what they need to break their second place curse?
What makes them special? FURIA have perfected the South American "+w" style of CS and it's why we love them. But they aren't a one trick pony, and their adaptability to international CS has allowed them to compete at the top consistently.
Who should you watch out for? They rock the strongest rifle core in the scene, but the panther prowling at the head of the pack is naturally Olga, the number 2 player in the world. A lot of eyes will also be on bokor in her LAN debut with the team.
Thrice they have fallen in the finals, is this change the recipe for success, or is it too soon to tell?
NAVI Javelins
Vicu Angelka Hanka Liina Danuu Coach AlcesT
Who are they? The NAVI Javelins have made a convincing argument to be considered the second strongest team in Europe, having rivalled the performance of Nigma Galaxy during online stages of 2022. They've only had one showing at an ESL Impact LAN, where at Valencia they stood out and finished top 4.
What makes them special? They are the home team! Sporting an entirely Polish roster, they come into Katowice with a fire burning within. They dominated the open qualifier, and you can bet they have been grinding every day for this moment. A team brimming with passion and skill, it's difficult not to be a fan.
Who should you watch out for? The Javelins are spearheaded by one Europe's best AWPers in vicu, but it's also worth highlighting Angelka, who is both star rifler and hypewoman for the team. When you see her fired up, you know their opponent is in for a bad time.
Will the home crowd be the buff NAVI need to have their fairytale run?
9 Pandas Fearless
Elizabeth Ksu victoria f6tal t4tty Coach R3x
Who are they? The name may not be familiar but the players should be, as the second European qualifying team is 4/5 of the NOFEAR5 roster that placed top 4 in ESL Impact Season 2. They've brought in veteran t4tty to replace stormy, and have proven time and time again that they can't be discounted.
What makes them special? 9 Pandas Fearless are the team you just can't put away. A huge amount of resilience, and well structured teamplay always guarantees they will find a way to make a comeback work, and rarely choke a lead. You'll never see fear in their eyes!
Who should you watch out for? In their last LAN appearance, it was the one-two punch of ksu and f6tal that stepped up and pushed them into the semis. They've been a consistent duo, but it's AWPer Victoria that will need to rise the occasion if they want to find success in Katowice.
They impressed in their last outing, but with the toughest competition yet, can they do it again?
B4 Esports
yungher goddess julih nani poppins Coach darkpsy
Who are they? Another regular, B4 Esports return for their third ESL Impact LAN. Our second South American team have often playing second fiddle to FURIA - though a win domestically over them in late December has given the team a confidence boost coming into this year. Despite regular LAN appearances, B4 have yet to break the top 4.
What makes them special? They may be called the B4 Demons, but it's difficult to dislike this team! Not afraid to put their personality on show, B4 bring a lot of excitement and flashy plays to the server. A team of playmakers, you can guarantee you will be entertained!
Who should you watch out for? Once again I have to highlight poppins! At just 16 she all has the makings of a star player, and with the nerves and jitters of her first LAN performance last year out of the way, at Katowice she will be primed to stand up and deliver for the team.
B4's third opportunity on LAN, they absolutely want to finally make the semis, but will the pressure be too much again?
Saints
JKranny buhnny paula 
olya 
KiKi
Who are they? The North American qualifying team, who upset favourites EG Gold in the open qualifier, taking them down in the 30th round of the decider map to lock in their spot at Katowice. The team may be new to LAN, but they have been a mainstay of the NA ESL Impact circuit. Unfortunately for the team, visa issues for one of their players means they are playing with a stand-in, but you couldn't have asked for a better one, with Gucci Gaming Academy player Kiki filling in for them.
What makes them special? Honestly, there's something special just in being an orgless team that qualifies in the most unlikely of fashions. While expectations are low, we've learned not to underestimate teams after HSG's Season 2 run!
Who should you watch out for? Olya and paula are the two big hitters for the NA hopefuls, and any success they find at Katowice will be driven by them. You may even have seen paula in action before!
An unassuming team that could make the dream run, or maybe they'll just be happy to be there. Saints salvation is solely in their hands.
