The Kiev Major is almost here, and it’s shaping up to be an interesting tournament. Many of the teams competing for the $3 million prize pool recently faced off at the Dota 2 Asia Championship. This event resulted in some surprising outcomes, with favorites being eliminated early or underperforming. As a result, some of the best teams in the world are heading into the Major with something to prove.
China’s presence in the Dota 2 scene has been growing, and it’s hard to deny their strength heading into the Kiev Major. Three of the top four teams at the Dota 2 Asia Championship were Chinese, including Invictus Gaming, Newbee, and Invictus Gaming Vitality, who will also be competing at the Major. Invictus Gaming, in particular, is favored to win the event after their victory at the Dota 2 Asia Championship. Newbee, on the other hand, has been a strong contender in China for months and will certainly be a threat at the Major.
Team Liquid, a strong European team, had a disappointing performance at the Dota 2 Asia Championship. After winning the previous LAN event, they were unexpectedly eliminated in last place by South East Asian team Faceless. Hopefully, this was just a fluke for Team Liquid, as they have been one of Europe’s strongest teams in 2017. If not, they will have a lot to consider before the International 7.
Mousesports, the former Ad Finem roster, made a stunning run to the grand finals of the Boston Major in December. But since then, they have struggled to live up to their success. At the Kiev Major, we will finally see what they have been up to during their absence. Their recent performances in online qualifiers have been unimpressive, so they will face scrutiny at the Major.
Team Secret, once considered one of the best teams in Dota 2 history, is returning to the Major stage after a six-month absence. They have been more stable in their performances recently, winning all their matches in the European qualifier for the Major. However, they are now seen as underdogs due to the tough competition at the event.
For the first time since 2015, a South American team, SG e-sports from Brazil, will be competing in a Valve Major. They emerged as the victors in the South American qualifiers, defeating Peru’s top teams. Although they are the least experienced team at the Major, their lack of attention may work to their advantage. It remains to be seen if they can make an impact against the more successful teams in Dota 2.
In summary, the Kiev Major is set to be an exciting tournament with unexpected outcomes and strong teams from different regions competing for the coveted prize pool.
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