The review of StarLadder ImbaTV Dota 2 Minor
Anton PashencevThe first spring Dota 2 Minor is over, which took place at Kiev Cybersport Arena onMarch 7-10. Eight participants were dividing the prize pool in the sum of $300,000, 500 Dota Pro Circuit points and a slot in DreamLeague Season 11 and the guys from Vici Gaming became the winners who had defeated Gambit Esports in the grandfinal. We will briefly sum up the competition and notice interesting moments fromthe championship in Kiev.
The teams, which have disappointed
Royal Never Give UP, OG
The guys from Royal Never Give Up were performing pretty well during the first half of the rating season and even entered the top three at DreamLeague Season 10. After that, changes had happened in the team and the team hasn’t been able to find its play since then. Even the joining of the experienced LaNm as a captain hasn’t helped the guys. The roster was not able to pass the group stage at the competition where lost to Flying Penguins and OG.
However, OG can be considered as the biggest disappointment of the tournament because the team has come to the competition as the favorite but hasn’t fulfilled all expectations again. iLTW and the company lost to Old but Gold and Flying Penguins, after which left the competition with the 5th-6th place “in their pocket”, this is not the result, which is expected from the winners of The International 2018.
The teams, which have surprised
Flying Penguins, Old but Gold
The guys from Flying Penguins didn’t win tournaments and looked more like a mix than a team at qualifications. Despite all difficulties, EternalEnvy managed to prepare his team to the past Minor where the guys showed a pretty decent play and entered the top four.
Old but Gold can be called the second team, which has surprised, for a reason because the team had been created before the qualifiers to DreamLeague Season 11, however, the team placed fourth there. After that, Illidan and the company earned a slot in the Minor but failed an online championship a few days later, which reflects their non-stability. The team passed the group stage at StarLadder ImbaTV Dota 2 Minor and lost to the winners of the tournament Vici Gaming at the playoffs.
The teams, which have performed on their level
BOOM ID, Demolition Boys, Vici Gaming, Gambit Esports
The guys from BOOM ID and Demolition Boys were predictably eliminated after the group stage, having placed 8th and 6th, respectively. The teams came to the tournament as the main underdogs and they were unable to make a sensation.
The same can be said about Vici Gaming and Gambit Esports. The teams had been the favorites of the competition, according to bookmakers, and we saw them in the grand final. As a result, Vici Gaming was stronger but it’s not worth to forget that the team from CIS was playing with a stand-in.