Gaimin Gladiators Defeat Team Liquid at The International, Sending European Rivals Home
Gaimin Gladiators have once again come out victorious against Team Liquid in a game of Dota 2, but this time with much higher stakes as they eliminate their Western European rivals from The International. This marks the 24th time this season that the Gaimin Gladiators have overcome Team Liquid, solidifying their dominance in the esports scene.
A Rivalry Since the Beginning
From the start of the Dota Pro Circuit to the opening days of TI12, Gaimin and Liquid have been two of the strongest teams in the world, meeting 34 times over the course of the 2023 season. Gaimin emerged as the dominant team, winning 22 out of these meetings, securing a 64.7 percent win rate according to datdota.
DPC Majors and Grand Finals
The rivalry between Gaimin and Liquid escalated with their encounters in the grand finals of the three DPC Majors. Gaimin made history by becoming the first team to win all three Majors in the same season. The stage was set for an ultimate clash of the Western European teams at TI12, and the series between Gaimin and Liquid certainly lived up to the hype.
The Battle at TI12
Both Gaimin and Liquid entered TI12 as top contenders for the championship. Liquid had a strong start and made it to the upper bracket semifinals, while Gaimin fought for their tournament lives from the start of the playoffs. Gaimin showed their resilience, winning three straight series without dropping a game and securing their spot in the grand finals. The series went to a full three games, with intense trades and only one decisive victory for Gaimin. In the end, Gaimin emerged as the victors, knocking Liquid out of the competition.
This victory for Gaimin Gladiators sets the stage for their upcoming series against Chinese squad Azure Ray, as they battle for a spot in the top three at TI12. Meanwhile, this marks a disappointing end for Team Liquid, finishing in fifth place after a strong third-place finish last year. The future for Liquid’s players, such as zai, remains uncertain as they contemplate their professional careers.
Gaimin Gladiators, Team Liquid, Dota 2, esports, The International, DPC Majors, TI12, European rivals, Western European teams, competitive gaming