Cover-Credits:
The group stage of The International 2023 (TI12) has drawn to a close, leaving 16 teams to battle for glory in the playoffs. Of these, eight have ascended to the upper bracket, while the rest have been seeded into the perilous lower bracket. One of the most notable developments in TI12 is the domination of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region. Three of the four CIS teams have secured tickets to the Upper Bracket of the TI12 Playoffs.
In the Group Stage Phase 2 of TI12, fans witnessed some surprising wins from teams that were considered “underdogs” of the tournament. On Day 3 of TI12, SEA team Talon Esports pulled off an upset against tournament favorite Gaimin Gladiators, by knocking it into the lower bracket. Day 4 continued in a similar vein as North American (NA) underdogs Nouns Esports delivered a stunning blow by defeating defending TI champion Tundra Esports, relegating it to the lower bracket of the playoffs.
In another twist, Chinese teams LGD Gaming and Azure Ray emerged victorious in their matchups, each securing 2-0 victories against Vivo Keyd Stars and Entity Gaming, respectively.
Competition Heats up at TI12
On Day 4, TI12’s Group Stage Phase 2 finally came to a close with the teams either making it into the Upper Bracket or the Lower Bracket of the playoffs stage.
Here are some of the exciting storylines as we close the Group Stage chapter of Dota 2’s premier tournament, The International 2023.
CIS Region Dominates Group Stage Phase 2
With 16 teams now vying for the ultimate prize, the CIS region stands out with an impressive contingent of four teams. This unmistakable presence highlights the region's superior skill levels in comparison to others. After the conclusion of phase 2 of the group stage, three CIS teams — Team Spirit, Virtus.pro, 9pandas — have locked their slots in the upper bracket of TI12 playoffs. BetBoom Team, the fourth CIS representative, is the sole contender of this region in the lower bracket.
Team Spirit, in particular, exhibited an impressive record in the tournament with no losses under its name and is already emerging as one of the favorites to clinch the championship this year. Virtus.pro, meanwhile, found a ticket to the upper bracket of the TI12 playoffs with a commanding 2-0 victory over TSM on Day 3. In a CIS showdown, 9pandas bested Betboom Team during the seeding phase, securing an upper bracket spot and relegating its comrades to the lower bracket in pursuit of the Aegis of the Immortal.
Nouns Shocks the Dota 2 Community
Day 4 of The International 2023 will be remembered for the seismic shockwaves Nouns Esports sent through the Dota 2 community. In an electrifying showdown during the seeding phase, Nouns overpowered the defending TI champion, Tundra Esports, to make it to the upper bracket.
Game 1 showcased Héctor "K1" Rodríguez's Naga Siren, with which he outfarmed Tundra and became an unstoppable force. David "Moo" Hull's Witch Doctor also displayed impeccable positioning during team fights, securing an ultra-kill and ultimately causing the Tundra to waive the white flag.
Game 2 witnessed Tundra struggling to counter Chaos Knight's illusions and Brewmaster's Brewlings. Nouns pressed its numbers advantage, leaving Tundra unable to cope with the onslaught. Tundra's Oliver "skiter" Lepko had a forgettable game, committing multiple Chronosphere errors and making a minimal impact.
TI12 Playoffs Upper Bracket has Chinese Teams LGD Gaming and Azure Ray
Chinese teams LGD Gaming and Azure Ray furthered the nation's reputation by securing places in the upper bracket with convincing 2-0 victories over Vivo Keyd Stars and Entity Gaming. LGD Gaming particularly excelled in the group stage, amassing an impressive record of 7 wins and 1 loss, while Azure Ray had a more even run with 4 wins and 4 losses. LGD Gaming is a perennial contender, consistently finishing in the top 5 of previous TIs. On the other hand, Azure Ray is a fresh team that was formed this year in the hopes of making history at the pinnacle of Dota 2 esports.
With the group stage now concluded, the spotlight is firmly on the CIS teams that have asserted their dominance. The looming question is whether one of these teams will claim the coveted Aeiges of the Immortal or will one of the underdogs steal the Aeiges from under the nose of the favorites of the tournament.
To find out, fans can tune in to the official Dota 2 TI Twitch Stream and witness the unfolding drama of The International 2023.
