The rise of Europe and impeccable China - how do we remember the WePlay AniMajor group stage?
Yuriy SheremetThe unrestrained race of 4 days long, which began on June 2, is over, which means that we can a little summarize what we saw. In the material, we will superficially go over each team that played in the group stage, take a look at the stage holistically and try to predict what awaits us in the next 5 playoff days.
Before starting, it is worth noting that your opinion may radically differ from the author's, and if so, you are welcome in the comments. Now - point by point.
PSG.LGD - winner of WePlay AniMajor 2021?
The statement is quite loud, but after what you see in the group stage, you start to believe it. The Chinese team took on an incredible shape in 2021: after the disband of the “golden” roster and the creation of a “new generation” led by Ame and Xiao8 as a coach, PSG.LGD approached the form of 2018.
Perhaps now PSG.LGD is the most stable team in the world. This confirms the fact of their performance at ONE Esports Singapore Major 2021 and so far "clean" play in the group stage.
Such stability in the chaotic 2021 season is a direct path to victory at WePlay AniMajor 2021. Last time PSG.LGD lacked stamina, but this time they passed Wild Card, which saved them, if not the lion's share, then a very significant share of their strength.
Risen Nigma or How KuroKy Wants a Direct Ticket to TI10
With the arrival of iLTW in the Nigma camp, the team soared, which we have not seen, perhaps, since the year 2019. Now Nigma has a really candy-bouquet period: they play relaxed, "wander" in a good sense of the word, and after the games they are sincerely happy and receive buzz from what is happening.
On WePlay AniMajor, Nigma looks like a TOP-1 team again, which is great. As MC said, now they are at the level of the form of 2019, but I would like to return the conditions of the champion 2017.
With such a game they have all the prerequisites, but will the Nigma “organism”, which has not yet fully matured, be strong enough? All the same, the team passed the Wild Card and call it an easy walk - they can't turn their heads.
Vici Gaming and the inevitable crash?
I didn't think I would say that, but for me the main disappointment of the group stage was Vici Gaming. Despite the fact that the team took the 3rd place in the group, the last games of Vici are a clear bell.
Their game stopped working, they lose lines and then they cannot return. I don’t know if the Tigers will be able to rebuild in a day, but it seems that Wild Card has taken too much from Vici this year and there will not be enough “fuse” for the playoffs.
Evil Geniuses and Attempt Number Two
The revelation of ONE Esports Singapore Major 2021 represented by Evil Geniuses finished the group stage on the 4th line. One could scold Fly and the company, but it is not worth doing this, if only because the "evil geniuses" are already at The International 10.
Of course, this fact does not change EG's desire to finally win the tournament held under the auspices of Valve, which was evident last season. Considering the indisputable fact that EG is equal to the TOP-3, it can be assumed that this time they will also take high places.
However, the bottom grid is a nasty business. Start the playoffs at the top, I would be sure that EG will get into the TOP-3, but now this confidence does not arise.
TNC Predator and the Path of Redemption
Having missed the Singapore Major, TNC risked putting themselves in a very disadvantageous position before the start of the qualifiers for TI 10. Now the team of Filipino veterans will try to isolate themselves from the participation in the qualifiers, but the situation looks almost disastrous.
Team Spirit and jump over your head
For me, Team Spirit, along with Nigma, is the main opening of WePlay AniMajor 2021. The inexperienced team, almost entirely consisting of young players, not only managed to take on the map from the giants PSG.LGD and Vici, but coped with the pressure during replay and sent the masters Liquid home.
Getting into the playoffs is already an excellent result. In the main stage, Spirit will be pleasant to watch, although their path will end, as for me, rather quickly.
Team Liquid failed
Liquid failed to repeat the trick of the Singapore championship: this time the CIS turned out to be stronger at the replay, and Liquid, with SumaiL, who had not seen the big stage for a long time, went home. Many had high hopes about the "liquid", but they did not come true.
Now Team Liquid will play in the qualifiers for The International from Europe, where many surprises can await them. However, if Boxi returns to the team, I think we will see them again at the main tournament of the year.
El Chacha was not scary
At the last ONE Esports Singapore Major 2021, the absence of Beastcoast, along with an amazing performance by Tunder, created a good image for the region. They said that the Peruvians had arrived and would have shown everyone who was the boss.
Well, they came this time, but they could not really show anything. Beastcoast is not bad, but neither is it expressive.
Are you ready for the playoffs?
Tomorrow we will see another, elite echelon of clubs in action. I hope they will compete with the battle-hardened PSG.LGD, Nigma and the rest of the teams that have passed from the group.
The big Dota is just beginning, which means there are a lot of interesting things ahead of us, and possibly disappointments. See you tomorrow at the broadcasts of WePlay AniMajor 2021.
Matches history: WePlay AniMajor 2021
Stylish photos:WePlay Esports.
Yuriy Sheremet – Expert in mobile gaming and esports among shooters and MOBA games.
At EGamersWorld, Yuriy, as in 2020 when he joined the portal, works with content, albeit with adjustments to his area of responsibility.