The clouds around the teams at WePlay AniMajor 2021 continue to thicken, but the goal is already visible on the horizon. There are 8 teams left in the tournament, and the passing meetings are even more behind.
Team Spirit and Vici Gaming will face off in the first match of the 3 game day. The teams will compete for the right to stay in the race and move forward on the grid.
Before the start of the championship, one could safely say that Spirit has no chances against the Chinese team, but now, everything is not so transparent. In the group stage, Spirit showed that they came here not just to take a look, but to play and win for themselves: they proved this in the first round of the lower bracket.
However, Vici Gaming did even more at WePlay AniMajor: they passed Wild Card and the group, and the first round of the playoffs. Such an opponent is very dangerous.
Team Spirit uniform
Perhaps, this time we will start the analysis with the nominal outsider of the match. It is foolish to deny that Team Spirit is playing them in this fight.
But even though Spirit and the outsider, they are already the opening of the championship. Agree, a representative of objectively one of the weakest regions is already in the TOP-8.
Moreover, these are not stage veterans and seasoned LAN visitors - these are young players who play at the first tournament of this level in their life (with the exception of Miposhka and the Silent coach).
And they play great. Tournament statistics are proof of this
Spirit Recent Results
- Draw against Beastcoast 1-1
- Lose to Liquid 0-2
- Draw with TNC 1-1
- Defeat Liquid 1-0
- Defeat Alliance 2-1
Spirit continues to focus on the difficult lane and with the Collapse impact create a comfortable play for Yatoro. The preferred picks are still the same Mars, Tidehunter, Dark Willow, WK.
Vici Gaming Form
Vici Gaming will be on the other side of the battlefield. One of the most formidable teams in the losers' grid, and possibly the entire tournament, will play with the opening of the championship.
In fact, this victory for Vici is not so important anymore. The Chinese team has already secured a spot at The International.
Also, do not forget that Vici Gaming have already played 28 (!) Cards in the tournament. No matter how strong, enduring and experienced the players are, fatigue will take its toll one way or another.
But when will it happen? On the second map against VP there were prerequisites that it was now, but as it turned out it was not so.
Vici Gaming Latest Results
- Draw against EG 1-1
- Beat Beastcoast 2-0
- Lose to Nigma 0-2
- Draw with PSG.LGD 1-1
- Victory over VP 2-1
Vici still show a high level of performance, but in some places the team seems to be "kinky". However, this was also noticed for Spirit (2 maps against Alliance), and therefore the teams are quite even in this regard.
Heroes: Apparation, Mars, Dark Willow, TA, Faceless Void, Puck, Specter. The latter is a particularly terrible weapon in the hands of the Chinese.
Personal meeting history
The clubs have already played with each other several times, and the last match took place within WePlay AniMajor 2021. It ended in a draw, and back in 2019 Vici celebrated the victory with a score of 2-1.
Match outcome
Digging a little deeper, you notice a certain similarity between the two teams. Collapse, Old Eleven do a lot of work and are the defining link of teams.
Both teams do well in macro Dota and often experience lane drawdowns. I would say that they are very comfortable opponents for each other.
However, there must be one winner. I would like to believe in Spirit, but I think 1 card for them in this match is the limit, and therefore I advise you to put a +1.5 handicap on Spirit.
Exodus: handicap +1.5 Spirit.
OG.LATAM
EdgeWatch match
