SyndereN Explains the Consequences of Nigma Galaxy and Alliance’s Potential Relegation

We stand at an interesting juncture in the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) Western Europe (WEU) 2021-22 Tour 1: Division 1 as it has now reached the halfway mark. Nigma Galaxy and Alliance, two teams typically expected to be in the top spots, are considerably behind. These two teams have won one series out of four, and it is difficult to fathom that they are fighting for survival in Division 1. With both of these organizations being highly reputed, Dota 2 commentator and analyst, Troels Lyngholt "syndereN" Nielsen recently compared the consequences of these two teams potentially dropping to Division 2. SyndereN believes Nigma Galaxy's relegation from Division 1 would be bigger from a fan perspective, but regardless either team getting relegated is going to be big deal for the WEU region.

SyndereN discusses whose relegation to Division 2 is more significant

As it stands right now in the DPC WEU Tour 1 Division 1, it is likely that COOLGUYS will be the first team relegated because it has lost all four series it has played. As for the second team being demoted to Division 2, it currently appears that Alliance or Nigma Galaxy may be facing that fate as both have so far not fared well, looking considerably weak in comparison to their opponents.

On episode 132 of the We Say Things podcast, syndereN noted that Nigma Galaxy's relegation would have a greater influence on the region than Alliance's. In syndereN's opinion, Nigma Galaxy is one of the only teams with a very large fan base in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and as such, its demotion is likely going to affect viewership.

“I think strictly from a fan perspective and fan interest, the worst team to lose in the Division is Nigma because they represent the MENA region. They are the only team with players from the Middle East so that would be bigger. Alliance obviously has a strong fan culture and a strong brand name and a lot of fans but those fans also… the region that those players are from, there’s plenty of other teams that you can cheer for instead, right. So, I think that would be the biggest shame overall in terms of viewership numbers or whatever would be losing Nigma.”

[relevation section begins at 33:20]

Alliance boasts a renowned name in competitive Dota 2, which means regardless of who is relegated, it is going to be a big story, sydnereN added.

“At the same time, no matter which of these teams get relegated, it’s kind of a big story so that’s gonna generate a lot of hype in a way especially when they get close to relegation, those series are going to be hype as all hell if they have backs against the wall.”

Alliance and Nigma Galaxy each have one win in four series, with Alliance winning against COOLGUYS and Nigma Galaxy winning against Team Secret. For both teams, there are three series remaining. Winning most or all of them will not only save them from relegation, but they will also achieve a major slot. But due to the fact that Nigma Galaxy and Alliance still have to face each other, the losing team in this matchup is only going to have a tougher time. A lot is at stake in the second half of the DPC 2021-22 in the WEU region.

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