After several days of intense Dota 2 action, we are even closer to knowing which eight teams will be competing for the trophy in Frankfurt’s Commerzbank Arena. In some regions it was the favorites who managed to move forward, while in others we saw massive upsets. Let’s take a look at what happened.
Massive upsets in the Chinese qualifier
On paper, the Chinese qualifier was probably the toughest of the regional qualifiers, with Chinese elite teams such as Vici Gaming, DK, Newbee and Invictus Gaming competing for a single spot. Yet after two sets of matches, we’ve already seen two of the Chinese TI4 invitees eliminated as LGD.cn eliminate NewB 2-0 and Dreamtime take down big favorite DK 2-1 with incredible performances on Brewmaster by DT.Air.
Be sure to check out the replays if you missed the matches Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3
Tomorrow it will be iG and VG who go up against the HGT and CIS respectively, two teams who have been playing extremely well recently. Will they manage to make it to the semifinals or will the Chinese qualifiers be a bracket of heavy upsets?
- Invictus Gaming vs. HyperGloryTeam - Wednesday, May 7th at 07:00 CEST
- Vici Gaming vs. CIS-Game - Wednesday, May 7th at 10:00 CEST
The favorites prevail in America
While the Chinese qualifiers saw the underdogs eliminating the top favorites, it was an expected final in the American qualifier as Evil Geniuses went up against Team Liquid, who both looked convincing as they made their way through the group stage.
The finals were intense and riveting as Team Liquid came out strong in both of the first two matches, not managing to close it out in game one but equalizing the series in a convincing fashion in game two. In the end, however, it would be Evil Geniuses who displayed the stronger nerves as they secured the last two games. They are thus the fifth confirmed team at ESL One Frankfurt, along with NaVi, Alliance, Fnatic and Team Dog.
Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4
European qualifiers moving into the finals
The European qualifiers are still exciting as the semifinals come closer. On one side of the bracket it will be rox.KIS who face Empire, following convincing victories over Power Rangers, while Cloud 9 while face off against the winner of MYM and Relax Gaming, which takes place this Wednesday.
Asian Qualifier: Korean contenders enter the stage
In the Asian qualifier, another two teams have been determined as the Korean Poker Face squad join Malaysian team Invasion, who are currently on an impressive winning streak in local competitions. In the finals they will be up against tough competition, however, as Dota 2 powerhouses Titan and Scythe as well as the second and third place teams from the Chinese qualifiers await them.
More details on the finals will be announced later this May as the Chinese qualifiers progress.
Be sure to follow the action by tuning in at the official ESL One Website.
You can also support the prize pool by purchasing the ESL One Compendium from the Dota 2 store, which has already raised the prize money to a staggering $183,000.
