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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