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Regarded as one of the most spectacular players to watch, Topson’s rise to fame began when OG scouted him ahead of The International 8 (TI8) in 2018.
At the time, Topson had little competitive experience and was not expected to make a significant impact, but he quickly proved doubters wrong by leading OG to victory without losing a single series in the main event.
The following year, Topson and OG made history by winning The International 9 (TI9) in 2019, becoming the first team to win back-to-back TIs without losing a single playoff series.
From standing in at TI12, to getting third place at TI13
Pogson, Godson, Dadson – Topson
After many patches, countless tournaments and some crazy picks we will have to say farewell to Topson as he retires from competitive DotaThank you for everything and all the best.
pic.twitter.com/dE6Va6zj5T
— TUNDRA (@TundraEsports) September 24, 2024
Topson’s career, however, was not without its ups and downs.
After winning TI9, he took a break to focus on his family, returning to the competitive scene in 2022 as a stand-in for T1 and later committing to a full season with Tundra Esports in 2024.
Though his performances continued to meet fan expectations, he was unable to lift another trophy, including at TI13, where his dream of becoming the first three-time TI champion was dashed after Tundra was eliminated in third place by Gaimin Gladiators.
Throughout his eight-year career, Topson became known for his innovative playstyle, regularly choosing off-meta heroes and builds, which often set new trends within the Dota 2 community.
His bold and entertaining approach to the game won him legions of fans and cemented his place in Dota 2 history.
Despite stepping away from competition multiple times, Topson’s retirement this time seems more permanent.
At 26, with two children and nearly USD$6 million in prize money earned, Topson is focusing on family life.
Additionally, Finland’s mandatory military service may be another factor in his decision to retire, a path previously followed by fellow Finnish TI champion, Lasse “MATUMBAMAN” Urpalainen.
As Tundra Esports moves forward, it bids farewell to both Topson and Roman “RAMZES666” Kushnarev, who also announced his departure.
Despite these changes, the team is expected to compete in upcoming tournaments like PGL Wallachia Season 2 and potentially DreamLeague Season 24.
Topson’s retirement marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy as one of Dota 2’s greatest players.
While fans hope for his eventual return, his exit feels like a true farewell to the professional scene.
]]>
This triumph marks Liquid’s second-ever The International championship, making them only the third organisation in Dota history to win the Aegis of Champions twice, joining the ranks of OG and Team Spirit.
The grand final between Team Liquid and Gaimin Gladiators wasn’t just another Dota 2 showdown—it was the culmination of a rivalry that began at the Lima Major 2023, where Gaimin Gladiators first dealt Liquid a painful 3-0 loss.
Since then, Gladiators had become a recurring nightmare for Liquid, besting them in four more major grand finals across DreamLeague Season 19, ESL One Berlin, and the Bali Major in 2023, as well as the Riyadh Masters 2024.
However, when it mattered most, Liquid turned the tables in emphatic fashion, sweeping their longtime rivals in what would become one of the most one-sided grand finals in TI history.
Liquid’s journey to the top in Copenhagen was nothing short of flawless.
After a strong performance in the group stage, the team did not drop a single game in the playoffs, culminating in their 3-0 grand final victory.
Team Liquid dominated Gaimin Gladiators in the Grand Final, 3-0, becoming the third team in history to lift the Aegis of Champions for a second time. #Dota2 #TI13 pic.twitter.com/yGBnvmfb5t
— The International (@dota2ti) September 15, 2024
Their roster, featuring seasoned veterans like Micha? “Nisha” Jankowski, Aydin “Insania” Sarkohi, and Michael “miCKe” Vu, displayed incredible growth and unity.
Offlaner Neta “33” Shapira became the first-ever player to win The International with two different teams, while Nisha, after several close calls in previous years, finally lifted the Aegis, completing his personal journey to TI glory.
Gaimin Gladiators surprised fans in the opening game with a last-pick Rikimaru for Quinn “Quinn” Callahan to counter Nisha’s Puck.
Early skirmishes were evenly matched, but Gladiators pulled ahead with Chen’s aura-based sustain.
However, Liquid adapted by splitting the map and isolating their opponents, and with standout performances from Tusk and Visage, they swiftly took the first game in 30 minutes.
Gladiators attempted to deny Nisha’s Puck by picking it themselves in the second game, but Liquid outdrafted them with a powerful Bristleback and Shadow Demon combo.
By 12 minutes, Bristleback had an Aghanim’s Scepter, allowing Liquid to dominate the map.
Despite Gladiators’ efforts, Liquid’s control was relentless, and they closed out the game in 44 minutes.
The final game saw Quinn on Pangolier and Nisha back on his signature Puck.
Despite Gladiators’ strong early game, a key moment at 17 minutes—a perfectly timed Dream Coil and Terrorise combo—shifted momentum entirely in Liquid’s favour.
From there, Liquid methodically dismantled Gladiators, forcing them to tap out after 34 minutes, securing the 3-0 sweep.
Liquid’s coach, William “Blitz” Lee, delivered one of the most emotional post-TI speeches in recent memory, reflecting on the team’s journey through years of struggle.
“I feel like they took a chance on a guy who’s never coached a winning team before,” he said.
“We had so many losses and went five years without winning anything. And we could’ve disbanded 20 different times like people told us to.
“We didn’t even make a TI, and Liquid still kept us on.
“I didn’t do anything here; I’m just so glad that people like Zai, Nisha, Matu—they took a chance on us and were willing to play with us. And I’m so glad that I didn’t ruin Nisha’s career.”
His speech underscored the resilience and unity that defined Liquid’s journey, emphasising the importance of trusting the process and growing as a team.
Liquid’s victory at TI 2024 wasn’t just about the Aegis; it was the culmination of a five-year journey, overcoming countless setbacks to triumph on the biggest stage.
For Gaimin Gladiators, the result was another heartbreaking grand final loss, their second consecutive defeat after falling to Team Spirit at TI 2023.
Nevertheless, they leave TI 2024 as one of the strongest teams in the world, with the hope that their time will come soon.
Team Liquid’s emphatic victory in Copenhagen solidified their place among Dota 2’s elite, proving once again that perseverance, teamwork, and faith in one another can lead to the greatest of achievements.
WE ARE THE INTERNATIONAL 2024 CHAMPIONS!
HOW THE TIDES HAVE TURNED
#TI13 #TLWIN pic.twitter.com/WLLe4CqjDq
— Team Liquid Dota (@teamliquiddota) September 15, 2024
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The tournament saw its ninth and tenth eliminations as Aurora and BetBoom Team bowed out, leaving Xtreme Gaming as the last non-European Dota 2 team standing.
Aurora faced Xtreme Gaming in a fierce lower bracket showdown.
Game one was a one-sided stomp in favour of XG, but game two was much more competitive.
Aurora’s Anucha “Jabz” Jirawong debuted the first Lycan pick of the tournament, using Alpha Wolves and a Nullifier to counter XG’s Pugna.
On the other side, Wang “Ame” Chunyu’s Faceless Void constantly pressured Aurora’s Artem “lorenof” Melnick on Storm Spirit, neutralising his impact.
Despite Aurora’s valiant efforts to hold out for nearly an hour, XG’s aggression proved too much, ending Aurora’s run with a seventh-eighth place finish and marking the end of South-east Asia’s presence at TI13.
It was the final series for Aurora at The International 2024, as they have been eliminated by Xtreme Gaming. Despite their efforts, Aurora’s journey ends here. #Dota2 #TI13 pic.twitter.com/ELYYL8nHVh
— The International (@dota2ti) September 13, 2024
Meanwhile, BetBoom Team also met their end at the hands of Team Falcons.
The series was tightly contested, with game two being particularly intense.
After a strong early-game performance from Falcons, BetBoom fought back with a high-ground defence led by their safelane Medusa, who bought a Divine Rapier to turn the tide.
However, a critical misplay during a push—where Medusa had her Black King Bar (BKB) in her backpack—led to her being taken down twice.
This swung the game in Falcons’ favour, and they closed out the series, eliminating BetBoom from the tournament.
Falcons’ Andreas “Cr1t-” Nielsen, a veteran of The International, reflected on the win and the experience of playing alongside debutant mid-laner Stanislav “Malr1ne” Potorak, praising his energy and adaptability.
BB Team couldn't keep up with the pace set by Falcons, and it's time for them to exit the tournament. #Dota2 #TI13 pic.twitter.com/dZRHM9cxks
— The International (@dota2ti) September 13, 2024
As the tournament continued, the upper bracket saw dominant performances from some of the top teams.
Team Liquid faced off against Cloud9 in a two-game series.
Game one was all Liquid, as they dominated from start to finish.
Game two; however, saw Cloud9 put up a stronger fight.
At one point, Cloud9 even took down a tier 4 tower, but Liquid’s buybacks and a miraculous play from Micha? “Nisha” Jankowski on Puck turned the tide, securing Liquid’s spot in the upper bracket finals.
Gaimin Gladiators then took on Tundra Esports in another upper bracket semifinal.
The Gladiators showcased their prowess, with Erik “tOfu” Engel on Lone Druid and Quinn on Storm Spirit leading the charge.
Game one was one-sided, but game two was even more of a rout, with GG cruising to a 26-3 victory in just 24 minutes.
With BetBoom and Aurora eliminated, Xtreme Gaming remains the only non-European team in the tournament.
XG will face Tundra Esports in the lower bracket, while Team Falcons take on Cloud9.
At the top, Team Liquid and Gaimin Gladiators are set to clash in the upper bracket finals, ensuring both teams a spot in the top three.
As The International 2024 continues, each remaining team fights to have their names immortalised on the Aegis of Champions, with millions of fans watching their every move.
Gaimin Gladiators put on a dominant display against Tundra, securing their spot in the Upper Bracket Final. They will now face Team Liquid #Dota2 #TI13 pic.twitter.com/lP5zv2vBxc
— The International (@dota2ti) September 13, 2024
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Their opponents, G2xiG, had struggled throughout the year, and their shaky performance against Tundra Esports in the group stage reflected their inconsistency.
The two Dota 2 teams had met twice before in 2024, with each securing a win, but with tournament lives on the line at TI13, the stakes were much higher.
Despite expectations of a close series, Game 1 was a dominant showing from Team Spirit, led by Denis “Larl” Sigitov’s unkillable Invoker.
His early rotations gave Spirit complete map control, leaving G2xiG scrambling.
Unable to recover, G2xiG managed just five kills over 35 minutes, as Spirit cruised to victory, bringing them one step closer to the main event.
Game 2 followed a similar pattern.
Spirit’s rotations and aggressive play left G2xiG behind early, and despite attempts to fight back, the Chinese team couldn’t find their footing.
After just over 30 minutes, they conceded, ending their TI 2024 run with a disappointing exit.
Team Spirit, on the other hand, advanced to face Xtreme Gaming in the next round of the lower bracket.
G2 x iG fell to Team Spirit in the second series of the day and have been eliminated from the competition. The day isn't over for Spirit, as they are set to face Xtreme Gaming in the final series of the day. #Dota2 #TI13 pic.twitter.com/5VVHjuAMqm
— The International (@dota2ti) September 10, 2024
Meanwhile, in the first round of the playoff lower bracket, Heroic and beastcoast clashed in an all-South American showdown.
Heroic, whose roster featured several former beastcoast players, emerged victorious after a hard-fought best-of-three, knocking out their regional rivals.
The rivalry had been intense all year, but Heroic had consistently outperformed beastcoast, winning all six of their prior encounters before TI 2024.
Both teams had disappointing starts at TI, with Heroic finishing fourth in Group A and beastcoast going winless in Group D.
Despite finally securing a win in Game 1, beastcoast couldn’t hold off Heroic, who secured a 2-1 victory.
Beastcoast exited TI in 13th-16th place, taking home over $37,000, while Heroic guaranteed a top-12 finish.
It was a spectacular series between two South American teams, but it's time for beastcoast to exit the tournament after their 1-2 loss to HEROIC. k1.hector and his team will play later today against Aurora. #Dota2 #TI13 pic.twitter.com/qqPntVE7YW
— The International (@dota2ti) September 10, 2024
Heroic then faced Aurora in the next lower bracket round.
Aurora, fresh off an upset victory in the seeding decider against Team Zero, had been quickly dropped to the lower bracket by Cloud9.
In Game 1, Heroic dismantled Aurora with a strong performance from Héctor “K1” Rodríguez’s Bristleback, taking a quick 30-minute win.
Aurora fought back in Game 2, with a clutch play by Worawit “Q” Mekchai at Roshan and Artem “lorenof” Melnick’s dominant Timbersaw leading them to victory.
In the deciding Game 3, Aurora’s Tusk helped them secure a late-game win after a back-and-forth match, sending Heroic home in 9-12th place.
Aurora won an incredible 2-1 series against HEROIC and will advance to The International after a standout performance by Q on Tusk! #Dota2 #TI13 pic.twitter.com/wT2jQDvJz6
— The International (@dota2ti) September 10, 2024
Team Spirit, on the other hand, saw their TI 2024 journey end in the lower bracket after a loss to Xtreme Gaming.
Despite winning the first game, XG’s tempo drafts and strong laning took control of the series, securing their victory and eliminating Spirit in 9-12th place.
The defeat marked another challenging TI for Spirit, who struggled after their 2021 championship win, only to reclaim the Aegis in 2023.
Xtreme Gaming defeated Team Spirit 2-1 after an incredible Game 3, securing their spot at The International 2024, while the TI 12 champions are eliminated! #Dota2 #TI13 pic.twitter.com/BHnu4cTFkf
— The International (@dota2ti) September 10, 2024
]]>
Despite showing glimpses of hope, especially in game two where Rafli “Mikoto” Fathur Rahman’s Monkey King channeled a heroic performance, Talon couldn’t overcome BetBoom’s superior draft and gameplay.
Game three saw Talon’s late-game strategy fall apart, ending their run in 13th-16th place and earning them an estimated $40,000, 1.5% of the TI prize pool.
Despite an amazing comeback in Game 2, Talon is the first team to be eliminated from The International 2024. BB Team will battle against nouns later today for a place in the arena. #Dota2 #TI13 pic.twitter.com/az4NBKAelo
— The International (@dota2ti) September 9, 2024
Talon’s elimination marks a blow for the Southeast Asian (SEA) region, traditionally a powerhouse in Dota 2, though the region still has hope in Aurora, who faces their own elimination match soon.
SEA’s challenges were echoed in the exit of Team Zero, China’s second seed.
Falling to Eastern Europe’s 1win Team in a decisive 2-0 defeat, Team Zero ended their TI13 journey also in 13th-16th place.
Team Zero exits The International 2024 after a 0-2 loss to 1w. 1w will face Falcons in the last series of the day. #Dota2 #TI13 pic.twitter.com/uVFqcuPFDn
— The International (@dota2ti) September 9, 2024
The series saw standout performances from Aleksandr “Cloud” Zakharov on Beastmaster and Nikita “Munkushi~” Chepurnykh’s Windranger.
Despite the loss, Singaporean player Remus “ponlo” Goh Zhi Xian, known for his selfless play and charismatic personality, captured fans’ hearts throughout the tournament.
Ponlo’s attempt at channelling the “bald buff” (shaving his head for good luck) failed to save his team, but he remains a fan favourite.
It's the end of the road for nouns at The International 2024 after a 0-2 loss to BB Team. BB Team will now play in front of a live audience at the Royal Arena. #Dota2 #TI13 pic.twitter.com/Q9jokXJPPr
— The International (@dota2ti) September 9, 2024
Day 2 of TI 2024 continued with eliminations as BetBoom Team also sent North American representatives nouns packing, making them the third team to exit.
After a dominant showing from BetBoom in both games, with strong drafts and clinical execution, nouns were unable to mount a comeback and finished in 13th-16th place.
The day wrapped up with 1win falling to Team Falcons, despite their earlier victory over Team Zero.
Falcons dominated the series, with standout performances from Oliver “Skiter” Lepko’s Weaver and Stanislav “Malr1ne” Potorak’s Sniper, leading to a swift 2-0 win and the elimination of 1win.
As TI13 progresses, more teams will face elimination, bringing the tournament closer to crowning a new champion.
1w's Road to The International 2024 was ended by Falcons in the last series of the day. Falcons become the 6th team to secure a spot in The International 2024 #Dota2 #TI13 pic.twitter.com/uqm6Rq4PQs
— The International (@dota2ti) September 9, 2024
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G2.IG vs TALON ESPORTS DOTA 2 BETTING & MATCH DETAILS |
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|---|---|
| Best Odds: | G2.iG $2.09 at GG Bet | Draw $2.09 at GG Bet | Talon $6.16 at GG Bet |
| When: | September 4, 2024 | 16:00 CEST |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/dota2ti) |
G2.iG placed top six at Clavision: Snow Ruyi at the start of August, but they have since not looked as good, with a last-place finish at FISSURE Universe: Episode 3. Nevertheless, this is a team of strong individuals who have yet to show their peak performance.
Talon Esports replaced their entire roster after a 9th-12th finish at The International 2023, and they have not looked as good since. Especially in international events, such as ESL One Birmingham 2024, Talon have shown they do not have what it takes to push for high placements.
Neither of these teams have the tools to compete for the trophy. Still, G2.iG potentially have a higher ceiling, as they’ve yet to be properly tested, which is a good enough reason to take their side at plus money.
G2.iG to win
XTREME GAMING vs GAIMIN GLADIATORS DOTA 2 BETTING & MATCH DETAILS |
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|---|---|
| Best Odds: | XG $4.31 at GG Bet | Draw $1.97 at GG Bet | GG $2.72 at GG Bet |
| When: | September 4, 2024 | 16:00 CEST |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/dota2ti) |
This is a very important match for both Xtreme Gaming and Gaimin Gladiators, as it will likely decide which of the two squads will place first in Group A. Yet, according to the top Dota 2 betting sites, a draw is the most likely outcome.
In past years, there have been a good number of stalemates in the group stage, especially in fixtures between two elite teams. However, it is difficult to doubt Gaimin Gladiators on form, not to mention that the new, fast-paced meta favours their style.
Xtreme Gaming won Clavision: Snow Ruyi a month ago, so form is not a problem; however, even at this number, Gaimin Gladiators look like a better pick.
Gaimin Gladiators to win
TEAM SPIRIT vs AURORA GAMING DOTA 2 BETTING & MATCH DETAILS |
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|---|---|
| Best Odds: | Spirit $1.68 at GG Bet | Draw $2.48 at GG Bet | Aurora $8.72 at GG Bet |
| When: | September 4, 2024 | 18:00 CEST |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/dota2ti) |
Aurora Gaming performed relatively well at Riyadh Masters 2024 and would have likely made it further than 9th-12th had they not faced Xtreme Gaming in the first round of the playoffs. However, they are still without a tournament title this season and are not one of the contenders to win The International 2024.
Defending champions Team Spirit are joint tournament favourites with Gaimin Gladiators, so it is no surprise that esports bookies have them at short odds to win this match. On the other hand, Aurora have the players to do well; the only question is whether all the pieces will fall into place for Nuengnara “23” Teeramahanon and co.
Spirit are the better team, but they have struggled somewhat in the new meta. While they’ve had enough time to improve, there is a chance the reigning champs could start slower than expected.
Draw
]]>
Dota 2 will be the highlight esports title across the next two weeks, with the 13th edition of The International kicking off on September 4.
The 20th season of the Counter-Strike 2 ESL Pro League will also commence this week, with action from Group A starting on September 3.
Meanwhile, the Korean (LCK) and North American (LCS) League of Legends summer splits will conclude this weekend.
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Dota 2: The International
The International is the most prestigious Dota 2 event on the calendar, with 16 of the world’s best teams taking their place in the two-week event.
Although the prize pool for The International is no longer as big as the US$40 million we have seen in the past, it is expected that the 2024 edition of the tournament will boast over US$3,000,000.
Esports betting sites have marked Gaimin Gladiators and Team Spirit as $4.00 equal favourites to claim the title, with Team Falcons ($4.33) sitting on the second line of betting.
Check out our extensive Dota 2 The International betting guide to get the latest odds and tournament information.
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CS2 ESL Pro League Season 20
ESL Pro League Season 20 will run from September 3-22 in Saint Julian’s, Malta, with 32 CS2 teams participating in the US$750,000 event.
The group stage will run for the first two weeks before the playoffs begin on September 17, culminating with the best-of-five grand final on September 22.
GG Bet has Team Vitality marked as the $4.00 favourite to take home the ESL Pro League title, but they are closely followed by Natus Vincere ($4.33) and Team Spirit ($4.50).
Check out our extensive ESL Pro League betting guide betting guide to get the latest odds and tournament information.
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LCS Summer Playoffs
The League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) will conclude this week, with the lower bracket final between FlyQuest and 100 Thieves set to be played on Friday, September 6.
The winner of the lower final will clash with Team Liquid in the grand final on the following day, with the winner taking home the LCS Summer 2024 title.
Check out our extensive LCS betting guide to get the latest odds and tournament information.
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LCK Summer Playoffs
Hanwha Life Esports and T1 will clash in the lower bracket final on Saturday, September 7, with the winner earning the right to face the league-leading Gen.G in the grand final.
Gen.G has only lost four maps throughout the LCK Summer split, and they are considered by many as the overwhelming favourites to take out their fifth consecutive LCK title.
Check out our extensive LCK betting guide to get the latest odds and tournament information.
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TEAM SPIRIT vs TEAM LIQUID |
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|---|---|
| Best Odds: | Spirit $1.53 at GG Bet | TL $2.37 at GG Bet |
| When: | October 28, 2023 | 16:00 PDT |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/dota2ti) |
Team Spirit are undefeated across their last 22 outings (19-3-0) and enter this match on a 12-game winning streak, which includes six victories at The International 2023 against 9Pandas, Team SMG, Entity, Evil Geniuses, Shopify Rebellion, and Virtus.pro. team Spirit’s next opponents, Team Liquid, are like Team Spirit, in great form.
Team Liquid won Group B with a 3-1-0 record and one draw against Azure Ray and have since added a clean 2-0 sweep of Evil Geniuses and Talon Esports. Form-wise, the teams are in a great spot, and they both have the talent to go all the way, but there’s a reason why Team Spirit are priced as favourites.
The 2022 TI champions have beaten Team Liquid twice since July (2-1 and 3-1), and they’ve since looked progressively better. But as they’ve proven in Seattle, Team Liquid are no slouches, and they can make Spirit work hard for the win. Expect a close series.
Over 2.5 maps
LGD GAMING vs AZURE RAY |
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|---|---|
| Best Odds: | LGD $1.53 at GG Bet | AR $2.37 at GG Bet |
| When: | October 28, 2023 |19:00 PDT |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/dota2ti) |
LGD Gaming went from one of the Dota 2 underdogs to win The International 2023 to one of the main favourites to go all the way. The Chinese powerhouse won Group C with relative ease and have since added two commanding sweeps of Keyd Stars and 9Pandas.
Their regional rivals have also held on well. After placing third in Group B (1-2-1), Azure Ray swept Entity and nouns to reach the upper bracket finals, which is a big accomplishment. However, AR have only beaten Thunder Awaken, Entity, and nouns, which is nothing to write home about.
LGD Gaming have met with Azure Ray twice since July and are 1-1-0 with a 1-1 draw and a 2-1 win during Bali Major 2023. Those results would suggest that Azure Ray stand a chance to force a close game, but since TI12 started, LGD Gaming have looked like an entirely different beast. We really like LGD Gaming with the top esports betting sites.
LGD Gaming -1.5 maps
NOUNS vs GAIMIN GLADIATORS Dota 2 BETTING & MATCH DETAILS |
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|---|---|
| Best Odds: | nouns $5.50 at GG Bet | Gaimin $1.12 at GG Bet |
| When: | October 27, 2023 | 10:00 PDT |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/dota2ti) |
Nouns have made it very far in this tournament despite entering The International 2023 as one of the outsiders on the outright betting markets. They placed third in Group C with three draws and defeated TSM 2-0 in the second round of the lower bracket.
Unfortunately, nouns’ road to the Aegis of Champions will likely be cut short on Friday, when they face off against the most successful Dota 2 esports team of the 2023 season. Gaimin Gladiators have been phenomenal this year, claiming six Big Event titles; however, ahead of TI12, they lost traction and crashed out of DreamLeague Season 21.
Even early into The International, Gaimin Gladiators haven’t looked great. They placed second in Group C with a 2-1-1 record, although in the knockout stage they have found momentum with convincing wins against Evil Geniuses and 9Pandas.
As the latest Dota 2 esports betting odds suggest, Gaimin Gladiators should win, but at the offered price, backing the outsiders to steal one map is a more appealing choice. Nouns already won a map against GG during the group stage, and they’ve looked decent in the games leading up to this series.
nouns +1.5 maps
BETBOOM TEAM vs VIRTUS.PRO Dota 2 BETTING & MATCH DETAILS |
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| Best Odds: | BB $1.44 at GG Bet | VP $2.62 at GG Bet |
| When: | October 27, 2023 | 13:00 PDT |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/dota2ti) |
BetBoom Team finished the TI12 group stage in second place with a 3-0-1 record, with their only loss coming against one of the tournament favourites, Team Liquid. Virtus.pro barely made it through Group C with a 0-3-1 record, but they forced a draw against LGD Gaming, which is nothing to sneeze at.
Since then, VP have looked like an entirely different team. They swept TSM in the deciders, took a map from Team Spirit (1-2) in the upper-bracket quarterfinals, and crushed Entity (2-0). BetBoom Team, on the other side, lost against 9Pandas (1-2) in the deciders, defeated Keyd Stars (2-0), and edged past Talon Esports (2-1).
Virtus.pro have looked much cleaner recently; however, sitting 0-4 in the head-to-head stakes, they are not getting much respect with the top Dota 2 betting sites. Still, VP enter the third round of the lower bracket in much better shape and look to be a good bet at outsider odds.
Virtus.pro to win
SHOPIFY REBELLION vs TSM |
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|---|---|
| Best Odds: | Shopify $1.53 at GG Bet | TSM $2.37 at GG Bet | When: | October 21, 2023 |10:00 PDT |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/dota2ti) |
Shopify Rebellion finished Group B in fourth place, with two draws against Thunder Awaken and Azure Ray and two defeats against Team Liquid and BetBoom Team. In the second phase, Tal “Fly” Aizik and co. added another loss against Team Spirit.
Going 0-2-3 doesn’t look good, but we have to consider that Shopify Rebellion had to play tough opponents. This is a strong team that should be regarded as favourites to defeat TSM, even though TSM are 1-2-2 so far in this Dota 2 tournament.
TSM’s sole victory of The International 2023 came against PSG Talon, and their only other two positive results were stalemates against Keyd Stars and PSG Quest. Those are not the most inspiring results, which, combined with the fact that Shopify Rebellion are far more experienced competing on the big stage, makes ex-Evil Geniuses core an obvious pick.
Shopify Rebellion -1.5 map
EVIL GENIUSES vs GAIMIN GLADIATORS |
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|---|---|
| Best Odds: | EG $3.50 at GG Bet | GG $1.28 at GG Bet | When: | October 21, 2023 |13:00 PDT |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/dota2ti) |
Evil Geniuses have not accomplished much this season in international events, and they weren’t expected to make it far at The International 2023 as $34.00 outsiders. Unfortunately, EG failed to prove the doubters wrong, with a 0-2-2 group stage run and a rough 0-2 loss against Team Liquid in the second phase.
Gaimin Gladiators were priced as the second favourites ($5.00 ) on TI12 outright betting markets, but they failed to meet the expectations. The no.2 DPC seed finished the group stage with a 2-1-1 record and lost their ticket for the upper bracket with a 1-2 loss against PSG Talon.
A couple of poor showings don’t mean much, but it doesn’t make sense for a team that has won six Dota 2 Tier 1 events to struggle so much. While still an incredibly stacked team, Gaimin Gladiators have shown to be volatile, which makes betting on over 2.5 maps at plus money a solid choice.
Over 2.5 maps
KEYD STARS vs BETBOOM TEAM |
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| Best Odds: | Keyd $5.50 at GG Bet | BetBoom $1.12 at GG Bet | When: | October 21, 2023 |14:00 PDT |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/dota2ti) |
Keyd Stars entered The International 2023 as $201.00 outsiders with GGBet to go all the way, and even though their chances to win the Aegis of Champions remain extremely low, the South American squad did enough to qualify for the knockouts. Matheus “KJ” Diniz and his crew finished Group D without a single win, but they forced three draws against PSG Quest, Tundra Esports, and TSM, which is impressive for their standards.
However, even though Keyd Stars did relatively well, they should have no business beating BetBoom Team. The Russians are not one of the main favourites to win The International, but this is still a powerful team – as they’ve shown in the group stage with wins against Thunder Awaken, Shopify Rebellion, and Azure Ray.
BetBoom Team have yet to be properly tested this tournament, so it’s tough to say how far they can go. But even though BB Team have much to prove, they shouldn’t be losing games like this.
BetBoom Team -1.5 maps
TUNDRA ESPORTS vs ENTITY |
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| Best Odds: | Tundra $1.44 at GG Bet | Entity $2.62 at GG Bet | When: | October 21, 2023 |19:00 PDT |
| Watch Live: | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/dota2ti) |
Tundra Esports looked very solid during the group stage, which they finished with a 3-1-0 record, but then, the defending TI champions lost against nouns (0-2) in Seeding Decider, proving again how volatile they can be.
Entity finished Group A in second place (1-2-1), with one win against Evil Geniuses, two draws against 9Pandas and Team SMG, and one loss defeat Team Spirit, to which they added a concerning defeat against Azure Ray (0-2) in the deciders. This explains why Entity are underdogs for this match, but even at $2.62, they seem a bit overrated.
Tundra Esports are one of the elite teams, and while they can be a bit inconsistent, Tundra Esports have not lost a map against Entity since the final round of DPC WEU 2023 Tour 1: Division I.