Cover-Credits:
It is fair to say that the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) Western Europe (WEU) 2023 Division I has been the most competitive region in recent months, showcasing the highest level of gameplay. Amidst this stiff competition, Quest Esports has been a welcome performer in Tour 3 to end with four wins after seven series, putting itself in a strong position for a Bali Major qualification. After the team's victory over Team Liquid as part of its final group stage series, offlaner Ammar "ATF" Al-Assaf offered his perspective on the region's competition. WEU is characterized by random and surprising results due to the fact that any team can beat every other team, as per ATF.
ATF talks about playing in WEU DPC Division I
ATF came for the post-match winner's interview on the Russian language livestream after Quest beat one of the strongest teams in the region, Team Liquid, 2-0. In reply to a question about whether his team was kryptonite for other top competitors in WEU, ATF highlighted the region's competitiveness.
“It’s like last DPC season. Things are a bit more random. You can win against the best team and lose to the worst team. There’s no more best and worst it feels like in this region. Feels like everyone can beat everyone. Nobody knows what actually could happen.
You can surprise. The team may not care because for example in this region, there are strong teams who went top two in the last two Majors - Team Liquid and Gaimin Gladiators so they are chilling a bit. So, you just surprise them and then they are like - Oh, they are good. We need to get our game on.”
Although Gaimin Gladiators and Team Liquid have shown some signs of relaxation, they still sit second and third on the points table. Tundra Esports, the reigning The International (TI) champion, is unbeaten after six series this season.
Apart from talking about WEU, ATF also revealed the number of offers he has received since TI11 as he had joined Quest just before Tour 3.
“I mean after TI11, I had three offers, and then after that, I had two offers and now I only had this offer - Quest, or I would, I guess, just be AFK. I had only one Division I offer. Division II, of course, you most likely always have, but one Division I offer from this region only this time.”
While Tundra is now assured a place at the Bali Major, Liquid, Gaimin, and Quest appear to be in good shape to take the other three spots. D1 Hustlers is the only team that can force a four-way tiebreaker if it wins its next two series against OG and Gaimin to reach four series victories.
If Quest makes it to the Major, it will be a first for all players except ATF.
