Cover-Credits:
Team Spirit has done the unthinkable by winning The International 10 (TI10). Team Spirit defeated PSG.LGD 3-2 in the grand final after scripting together a mind-boggling underdog story through the lower bracket. It was a three-part series - the first two games saw Team Spirit play some outstanding Dota 2 to build up a 2-0 lead that put them on the verge of victory. Next, PSG.LGD turned the series around by bringing some top-tier draft skills to level it 2-2. Team Spirit prevailed in the final game despite both teams backing their strategies. It is a massive prize money of $18,208,300 USD that Team Spirit will receive as the champions of TI10. The runner-up, PSG.LGD, won $5,202,400 USD.
Team Spirit’s winning Dota 2 roster:
Illya "Yatoro" Mulyarchuk (TI first timer)
Alexander "TORONTOTOKYO" Khertek (TI first timer)
Magomed "Collapse" Khalilov (TI first timer)
Miroslaw "Mira" Kolpakov (TI first timer)
Yaroslav "Miposhka" Naidenov (captain and second TI)
Airat "Silent" Gaziev (coach)
Highlights
Here are some highlights of the series.
Team Spirit take down PSG.LGD to become TI10 champions
After making it through the regional qualifier and going 0-4 in the group stage to host the Aegis of the Champions at TI10, Team Spirit have woven Dota 2 history's greatest storyline. The passion with which they play Dota 2 on top of their impeccable skills is simply incredible to watch. In fact, in the middle of the tournament, Yatoro shaved his head in honor of the Dota 2 gods. All of Team Spirit's players displayed excellent Dota 2 skills and displayed mental toughness as they defeated Fnatic, OG, Virtus.pro, Invictus Gaming, Team Secret, and finally PSG.LGD in the lower bracket of the main event of TI10. Miposhka was so overjoyed with the victory that, during his celebration, he said he did not know whether they would even return to TI next year to defend their title after winning such an incredible amount of money.
On the other hand, following second place at TI8 and third at TI9, placing second at TI10 will be disappointing for the PSG.LGD organization as well as Wang "Ame" Chunyu who has been on this roster both times. It would be difficult for the team as a whole to lose TI10 in the grand final after being considered the dominant favorites for the past months. A second place finish at TI10 is, nonetheless, a commendable accomplishment.
Team Spirit vs PSG.LGD: Match Recap
Recap
In Game 1, Team Spirit outdrafted PSG.LGD. The PSG.LGD draft was difficult to execute as they had a mid Pangolier, a offlaner Lycan, and a carry Ursa compared to Team Spirit's heroes who were excellent throughout the game. As a result, Team Spirit always remained in charge but never rushed or overplayed their hands. Team Spirit won easily by playing objective-based Dota 2 in 38 minutes.
Game 2 featured PSG.LGD's Earthshaker and Morphling combo, while Team Spirit had a safelane Luna and mid Puck. However, it was the offlaners’ impact that proved to be the deciding factor. Initially, the game was very slow, but once teamfights began, Collapse's Mars led the way with some stunning skewer plays. Faith_bian's Nature's Prophet, however, could only split push. Some great decision-making and spellcasting saw Team Spirit take the game in 40 minutes.
In game 3, PSG.LGD picked up the NothingToSay Tinker as the last pick. Additionally, this pick worked perfectly with the team's draft, as it had both a safelane Spectre and an offlane Bloodseeker. During this game, the vision was crucial, and PSG.LGD prioritized it to the hilt. Though Team Spirit put up a great fight and got a few pickoffs, PSG.LGD had their number this time and won in 50 minutes.
Game 4 was a massive stomp. Team Spirit was outdrafted by PSG.LGD, and the team made excellent map maneuvers after coming out on top in the lanes. Team Spirit's map kept shrinking and any engagement they took ended in disaster. In one of the most one-sided games of the Main Event, PSG.LGD won in just 24 minutes with a favorable score of 23-2.
In game 5, PSG.LGD went all-in on the Tiny Lycan combination. Team Spirit played a balanced draft, setting up a very exciting final. As with the first three games, it was very slow-paced early on and both teams were backing up their strategies. When Tiny and Lycan came online, Team Spirit played incredibly to counter it and take the lead. As a result of the strategy of all eggs in Ame's basket not working out, Team Spirit won the game in 36 minutes.
Team Spirit, what a miraculous run! As well as bringing the Aegis of the Champions back to Eastern Europe after a decade, you did it in a particularly remarkable way. Congratulations on making history.
