N0tail & Gorgc Reveal Their Top Teams at TI12

The International 2023 (TI) has already proven to be a rollercoaster of emotions for fans worldwide, all thanks to the high-stakes matches and surprising upsets. Fans, pros, and analysts have their own take on who will be lifting the Aegis of the Immortal this time around. Likewise, two renowned Dota 2 personalities, Johan "N0tail" Sundstein, and Janne "Gorgc" Stefanovski, recently shared their insights on the top teams for this year's TI12 and talked about who has the best chance of winning it all. One opinion they both seemed to agree on was about the strength of the European teams at The International 2023.

N0tail & Gorgc Predict European Dominance at TI12

During one of the co-streams for TI12, N0tail and Gorgc discussed their top three teams at the marquee Dota 2 tournament. Former support player and two-time TI champion with OG, N0tail, opined that Tundra Esports, Team Spirit, Team Liquid, and also Gaimin Gladiators will perform well in the tournament. 

Talking about his picks for top contenders at TI12, he said, “Tundra, Spirit, and then we’re going to go Liquid, Gaimin Gladiators. All Europe, bro. Of course! This is easy.”

When another member of the co-stream asked N0tail about LGD Gaming, he said that the Chinese team came only after the European teams, further proving his belief that a European team will lift the Aegis of the Immortal this year.

Meanwhile, Gorgc said, “I have a more controversial one. I have 9Pandas and BetBoom Team.” As soon as Gorgc mentioned these two teams, N0tail pointed out how they are also in the European region since they are in Western Europe (WEU).

Both N0tail and Gorgc concurred that the European region is currently the strongest in the Dota 2 competitive landscape. Their selections emphasized the region's dominance, with three of N0tail's top picks hailing from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region, often regarded as part of the European Dota 2 scene.

Where have N0tail & Gorgc’s Picks Placed in TI12 Currently?

N0tail’s top pick Tundra Esports was a dominant force in the group stage, finishing with a remarkable 7-1 record. Meanwhile, Team Spirit, the CIS powerhouse secured an immaculate 8-0 record during the group stage. Team Liquid, another strong European contender, finished the group stage with a 7-1 record while Gaimin Gladiators displayed a decent performance, ending the group stage with a 5-3 record.

As a result, here’s where N0tail’s picks have placed in the TI12 playoff stage:

• Tundra Esports: Lower bracket

• Team Spirit: Upper bracket

• Team Liquid: Upper bracket

• Gaimin Gladiators: Lower bracket

Gorgc’s selections for top teams at TI12 included 9Pandas, which ended the group stage with a modest 4-4 performance And Betboom Team that impressed with a 6-2 record in the group stage.

Funny enough, it was the two teams that Gorgc picked that faced off in the seeding match. 9Pandas defeated Betboom Team and relegated the latter to the lower bracket while securing itself an upper bracket run at TI12 playoffs.

The European and CIS dominance in the brackets is evident, with the majority of the favored teams from this region. As the stakes continue to rise in TI 2023, Dota 2 fans worldwide eagerly await the thrilling matchups and potential upsets that this prestigious tournament is known for. With Notail and Gorgc's insights emphasizing the European scene's prowess, the competition is sure to be fierce, and the battle for the Aegis of Immortal intensifies.