Cover-Credits:
The Berlin Major 2023 features the top 18 teams from each DPC region competing for a prize pool of $500,000 USD and 2700 DPC points that can help teams build up the required points to qualify for the international. The tournament is also the first valve event to feature the 7.33 patch. The group stages took place between 26-30th April where the Top 4 of each group move into the upper bracket of the playoffs, 5-6th move into the lower bracket of the playoffs, and the bottom 3 teams (7-9th places) are eliminated from each group. Unfortunately, with the conclusion of the group stages, six teams have been eliminated from the tournament.
Group A - TSM, Execration, and Evil Geniuses Out
Group A featured some very strong teams, including Gaimin Gladiators, Team Liquid, PSG.LGD, 9Pandas among others. At the end of the group stages, TSM, Execration, and Evil Geniuses are out of the tournament.
TSM, who placed first in the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) North America (NA) 2023 Tour 2: Division I standings, had a dismal performance in the Berlin Major. The team failed to win a single series, losing all of their series and having draws at best.
Execration, one of the three Southeast Asian (SEA) teams in the tournament, also had a disappointing run, winning only one series against BetBoom and losing all its other matches. The lackluster performance has led to their elimination from the Berlin Major.
BetBoom Team was almost through to the next round of the playoffs, but a shocking loss to Execration proved to cost them dearly as they were pushed into the Tiebreakers. After a loss to Team Aster, BetBoom played one of the most compelling series of the group stages in the deciding game of the tiebreakers. However, Evil Geniuses managed to edge out a win after a scintillating performance from Crhistian "Pakazs" Savina carried the South American team to a win.
Group B - Invictus Gaming, Team SMG, and Beastcoast Eliminated
In Group B, Invictus Gaming, Team SMG, and Beastcoast were eliminated from the tournament after the group stage matches.
Invictus Gaming had a tough run in the tournament, finishing last in the group with zero series wins and several series losses. Despite being one of four Chinese teams in the tournament, Invictus Gaming struggled to secure any victories and only managed to achieve draws at best.
Team SMG, the second team from the Southeast Asian region to be eliminated from the Major, failed to qualify for the playoffs after a lackluster performance in the group stage matches. The team had some close matches but ultimately fell short, leaving only Talon Esports to represent the SEA region in the playoffs.
Beastcoast, one of the two South American teams in the tournament, was eliminated from the Major after Xtreme Gaming managed to secure a 1-1 draw with Shopify Rebellion, denying Beastcoast any chance of playing tiebreakers for the playoff spot. With their elimination from the tournament, only one South American team remains in the Berlin Major 2023.
The group stages of the Berlin Major 2023 have been nothing short of thrilling, with six teams being eliminated from the tournament. While it's always a disappointment to see teams fall short of expectations, it's a testament to the competitive nature of the tournament and the high level of skill among the teams.
The remaining teams in the playoffs are sure to put up an exciting fight as they battle it out for the top prize pool of $500,000 USD and the coveted DPC points. The playoffs are set to begin on the 1st of May, although the exact time for the matches is yet to be announced. Fans all around the world are eagerly waiting for the playoffs to begin, and it will be interesting to see which teams will emerge victorious and claim the title of the Berlin Major 2023 champions.
