OG Flexing with Stand-ins at the Berlin Major Playoffs

Dota 2

2 May

Ryan Antony Bernard

The Berlin Major has seen some upsets in the past few days. Like everyone's predictions, nothing has gone as planned. Gaimin Gladiators and Team Liquid have been equally competitive with each other this DPC season. The performance of both teams questioned whether any other team would even be tough enough to face them. And for the most part, the answer was "no" with their run at the Lima Major & DreamLeague. GG always managed to come out on top and still is.

But we cannot say the same for Team Liquid. They struggled during the initial stages of the Berlin Major groups but managed to win two series in the end and move to the upper bracket. Although it looked like a comeback for Team Liquid, that was not the case. Team Liquid had to face OG in the playoffs. OG surprisingly put a stop to Team Liquid, and that too while using two stand-ins, dropping Liquid to the lower bracket.

Quarterfinals

Gaimin Gladiators Vs. Team Spirit

The Gladiators look unfazed for a long time. They are having the best DPC run this season. With only 3 losses during the Berlin Major, GG claimed another victim, Team Spirit. This series ended with a 2-0 victory for GG. They drafted a Medusa lineup in both games. Even though Game 1 ended in 30 minutes, Team Spirit was confident to let the Medusa go through a second time. And for a while, they could shut down the Medusa, with Axe dunking her to death from full HP to zero. But as the game went on, GG stalled the game long enough to make a comeback. With constant buffs and heals coming from Ogre Magi and KOTL, Medusa became an impenetrable turret.

9Pandas Vs. Shopify Rebellion

This was another 2-0 victory series. But not for Shopify Rebellion like the fans hoped. 9Pandas is another team using a stand-in and competing at the top level equally. With Abed on his famous Storm Spirit and Shopify drafting the meta-favored Medusa, everyone expected them to win. But 9Pandas were confident in their Faceless Void draft. With a Disperser pickup on Void and Nyx combo, the Medusa was heavily countered. They focused her in fights and were able to burn through her shield with ease. Game 1 ended at 50 minutes.

Game 2 was a short game with a surprising carry Slardar pick. Kiyotaka's Puck was able to burst through SR, while RAMZES666 was just the bait. SR was not able to handle the damage coming from 9Pandas and called 'gg' at 35 minutes.

Tundra Esports Vs. PSG.LGD

Both of these teams have not had the best DPC run this year. With Tundra falling short on the main stage and Chinese Dota taking a big hit, these teams are slowly making a comeback. This series was a 2-1 victory favoring Tundra. As Tundra is adapting to the meta they may come back to their TI form.

Eliminations

Day 2 of the playoffs is at 12:00 pm CET today starting with Team Spirit vs. Team Aster.