Team Spirit Crowned Champions at Dota 2 Riyadh Masters, Defeating Team Liquid 3-1

Team Spirit, reigning champions of The International (TI) 2021, secured their victory as champions of the Dota 2 Riyadh Masters 2023 by defeating Team Liquid, a formidable force from Western Europe, with a score of 3-1 in the best-of-five Grand Finals held on Sunday, July 30th. The triumph earned Team Spirit a substantial portion of the impressive $5 million prize from the tournament's total $15 million pool. This victory marks Team Spirit's first tournament win since their success at the PGL Arlington Major last August when they triumphed over their Chinese rivals, PSG.LGD, with a score of 3-1 in the Grand Finals. Having already claimed victory at TI 2021, Team Spirit now adds the Riyadh Masters to their list of achievements, having previously lost in the 2022 edition to PSG.LGD. Team Liquid, on the other hand, concluded their run in Riyadh with a commendable second-place finish, earning them $2.5 million for their efforts. This marks their fifth runner-up placement in tournaments this season, with second-place finishes in the Lima, Berlin, and Bali Majors, as well as DreamLeague Season 19, where they were bested by their rivals, Gaimin Gladiators. Team Spirit, the champions of The International (TI) 2021, showcased their dominance once again at the Dota 2 Riyadh Masters 2023 by defeating the formidable Team Liquid from Western Europe with a score of 3-1 in the best-of-five Grand Finals held on Sunday, July 30th. With this resounding victory, Team Spirit claimed the lion's share of a massive US$5 million from the tournament's impressive US$15 million prize pool. This triumph marks Team Spirit's first tournament win since their victory at the PGL Arlington Major last August, where they secured a 3-1 win against their Chinese rivals, PSG.LGD, in the Grand Finals. After their triumph at TI 2021, Team Spirit has now added the Riyadh Masters to their list of achievements, redeeming themselves after their loss in the 2022 edition to PSG.LGD.

Meanwhile, Team Liquid displayed an impressive performance in Riyadh, concluding their run with a commendable second-place finish, earning them US$2.5 million for their efforts. This marks their fifth runner-up placement in tournaments this season, having secured second place in the Lima, Berlin, and Bali Majors, as well as DreamLeague Season 19, where they were outdone by their rivals, Gaimin Gladiators. During the Riyadh Masters Group Stage, both finalists demonstrated their strength, finishing second in their respective groups. Team Spirit achieved an 8-6 record in Group A, while Team Liquid secured a 9-6 standing in Group A, propelling them to the upper bracket in the Playoffs. In the initial round of the upper bracket, both teams continued their impressive performances, with Team Liquid scoring a rare victory against Gaimin Gladiators, while Team Spirit swept China's Team Aster. In the upper bracket semifinals, Team Liquid achieved victory over Southeast Asian powerhouse Talon Esports, while Team Spirit overcame their regional rivals, BetBoom Team, setting up the first encounter between Liquid and Spirit in the upper bracket finals. In an intense battle, Spirit managed a remarkable 2-1 reverse sweep over Liquid, securing their place as the first team in the Grand Finals. However, Liquid earned a chance for redemption, securing a rematch with Spirit in the championship round after soundly sweeping Talon in the lower bracket finals. Liquid showcased their strength in the Grand Finals, dominating Spirit in a 33-minute game one, with a 34-12 kill lead. Ludwig "zai" Wåhlberg led the charge with an offlane Naga Siren that he skillfully transitioned into a carry build, finishing the game with 15 kills and six assists, and just one death. Despite Spirit's initial setback, they quickly regained momentum, outlasting Liquid in a grueling 50-minute marathon in game two, powered by Illya "Yatoro" Mulyarchuk's Faceless Void. Yatoro's impressive performance, with 16 kills and 11 assists against four deaths, along with Magomed "Collapse" Khalilov's Timbersaw's contribution of 10 kills and 10 assists on six deaths, fueled Spirit's 36-29 kill lead. The third game of the series proved to be pivotal, as Spirit secured a commanding 2-1 series lead with a 46-minute comeback win, utilizing an unconventional Troll Warlord pick for Yatoro. Despite the narrow 26-25 kill lead for the TI 2021 champions, Yatoro managed nine kills and 16 assists against four deaths, while Denis "Larl" Sigitov's Windranger added eight kills and 15 assists on six deaths. In the face of Liquid's fierce efforts to mount a comeback in game four, Spirit refused to be denied, and Yatoro's outstanding performance on Terrorblade led them to a 46-minute victory, completing the 3-1 series triumph and securing the grand prize of US$5 million at the Riyadh Masters. The Riyadh Masters took place from July 19 to July 30, featuring a Play-In Stage, Group Stage, and Playoffs. Employing a double-elimination format, all matches, except for the best-of-five Grand Finals, were best-of-three series. As the largest Dota 2 event outside of the 2023 Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) season, the Riyadh Masters boasted a massive US$15 million prize pool, with Team Spirit claiming the prestigious title and the impressive US$5 million grand prize.

Team Spirit Dota 2 roster:	Team Liquid Dota 2 roster:
Illya "Yatoro" Mulyarchuk	Michael "miCKe" Vu
Denis "Larl" Sigitov	Michał "Nisha" Jankowski
Magomed "Collapse" Khalilov	Ludwig "zai" Wåhlberg
Miroslaw "Mira" Kolpakov	Samuel "Boxi" Svahn
Yaroslav "Miposhka" Naidenov	Aydin "Insania" Sarkohi
Airat "Silent" Gaziev (coach)	William "Blitz" Lee (coach)