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)

Dota 2’s TI11 Battle Pass Official Release Date

Get your wallets ready because the TI11 Battle Pass is almost here. Valve announced on June 9 that they changed the schedule of the TI11 Battle Pass so that players could grind out their rewards even after The International 2022 ends in October.

Previous TI Battle Passes were always released months before The International, with fans following the rise of the tournament’s prize pool as the tournament’s date came nearer. With the date set, fans will finally find out if this year’s TI Battle Pass will be able to surpass TI10’s massive US$ 40,018,195 collective prize pool. Every TI, Valve always provides a US$1,600,000 base prize pool, and the rest of it comes from the Battle Pass. TI1 and TI2 had the same total prize pool of US$1.6 million, but in the years that followed, each tournament boasted a higher prize pool, year after year, thanks to their respective Battle Passes. Similar to previous TI Battle Passes, fans can probably expect a new Arcana set and possibly a few new Personas from heroes in the recently released Dota: Dragon’s Blood: Book 3 Netflix show.

Team Spirit wins Arlington Major Dota2 Championship

After 4 hard-fought games against PSG.LGD, Team Spirit has claimed the Arlington Major championship and cemented itself as possibly the favorite to win TI11. Team Spirit has won the Arlington Major, claiming the lion’s share of the $500,000 prize pool. The event also marks a rematch of the grand finals of The International 2021. While all players contributed with excellent play, Magomed “Collapse” Khalilov stood out with stellar performances on Beastmaster and Axe. This further solidifies Team Spirit’s direct invite status for The International 2022 in Singapore, but makes a strong case that this squad will join OG as the only two-time The International champions.

 

Game one pitted Illya “Yatoro” Mulyarchuk’s Phantom Lancer against Wang “Ame” Chunyu’s carry Pudge. After a relatively even game, PSG.LGD used Ame’s Aghanim’s Scepter to survive Black Hole and rush the Dire ancient. Game two started at a similar pace, with Ame’s Naga Siren earning 20,000 net worth at 29 minutes. Despite the draft appearing to favor PSG.LGD late game, Team Spirit held out for a 75-minute victory to even the score 1-1. PSG.LGD picked Naga again for game three, but Magomed “Collapse” Khalilov’s Beastmaster quickly set the pace with a 16-minute Helm of the Dominator. Three minutes, two fights, and one Roshan later, Team Spirit began knocking on mid barracks. One disastrous team fight later, and Spirit went up 2-1 in the biggest stomp of the Arlington Major grand final. Now on its last legs, PSG.LGD drafted an early Earth Spirit with Io and Razor. Spirit answered with Axe and carry Bristleback. PSG.LGD quickly took the lead after ransacking Team Spirit’s ancient stack, but the Russian squad stole it back after a clutch Relocate Spell Steal from Miroslaw “Mira” Kolpakov. Despite losing the first Roshan, Team Spirit smoothly won two team fights and rushed down mid lane. Now with just one lane of barracks, PSG.LGD baited Spirit into overextending, cashing in Ame’s buyback to turn the tide. Spirit turned its attention to Roshan, but the ensuing team fight retired PSG.LGD’s Chaos Knight for two minutes. After an avalanche of LGD buybacks, Yatoro’s Bristleback finally started on the enemy ancient, knocking it down and securing Team Spirit the Arlington Major championship.

Team Spirit Arlington Major championship, TI11 roster

Team Spirit sported the following Dota 2 roster for its championship run at the Arlington Major:

    Illya “Yatoro” Mulyarchuk
    Alexander “TORONTOTOKYO” Khertek
    Magomed “Collapse” Khalilov
    Miroslaw “Mira” Kolpakov
    Yaroslav “Miposhka” Naidenov
    Airat “Silent” Gaziev (Coach)

With this victory, the team also establishes itself as the favorite to win The International 2022. If they do so, Team Spirit will become the second team to win consecutive TIs. If previous TIs are any indication, TI11 could break the record for the largest esports prize pool. That record currently belongs to TI10. That said the record may not be broken this year due to Valve’s new approach to The International Battle Pass. Other likely contenders for TI11 include fellow Major champion OG and Arlington runner-up PSG.LGD.