Team Liquid’s Successful Run at The International 11
Team Liquid has had a rollercoaster journey in this unpredictable TI tournament. It’s the last hurrah for their carry player, Lasse Urpalainen (Matumbaman), as he enters retirement. Despite a few setbacks, Team Liquid managed to qualify for the group stages through the Last Chance Qualifiers.
Once in the group stages, they performed exceptionally well, defeating strong teams like OG and Evil Geniuses. This impressive success secured them a spot in the upper bracket for tomorrow’s matches. However, Team Liquid’s position three player, Ludwig “Zai” Wåhlberg, isn’t satisfied yet. He expressed the team’s hunger for a major victory in this stage. Close is not enough for Team Liquid.
Twitter Embed:
WE MADE IT! STARTED FROM REGIONALS ALL THE WAY TO UPPER BRACKET #LETSGOLIQUID pic.twitter.com/QkMAnXnd7y
— Team Liquid (@TeamLiquid) October 18, 2022
Zai has been in exceptional form throughout the tournament, particularly in their series against fan-favorite teams. In an interview with Jaxon, Zai discussed Team Liquid’s recent success and their earlier shortcomings. The team used their disappointment from a previous event as motivation to excel at The International 11.
According to Zai, the time spent in the Last Chance Qualifiers only strengthened the bonds between teammates, contributing to their renewed determination. Their impressive LCQ run, culminating in a 2-0 victory over Evil Geniuses, further solidified their confidence. Team Liquid emerged as a formidable opponent for other teams.
Despite their victory over Evil Geniuses, Zai holds a great deal of respect for the team and expects them to continue performing well in the tournament. However, Team Liquid faced difficulties in their series against PSG.LGD due to the opposition’s exceptional ability to turn games around, even when behind. This led to a loss against PSG.LGD.
Zai also mentioned the two-hour pause in their match against OG during the group stages. Surprisingly, he considered this pause beneficial as it allowed the team to regroup, strategize, and ultimately mount a comeback. The pause propelled their momentum, leading to a win in game two and securing their spot in the upper bracket.
So, what’s next for Team Liquid? Judging by their recent performance, Matumbaman’s retirement run seems to be in good hands.