Team Secret Wins ESL One Katowice 2019
Team Secret dominated the 2018-19 Dota 2 pro scene and continued their success by winning ESL One Katowice, completing an impressive run in the tournament. They finished the group stage with a 9-1 record, only losing one game to OG. This secured them the top seed heading into the playoffs.
In the playoffs, Secret faced and defeated Ninjas in Pyjamas and Gambit Esports in 2-0 sweeps. After dropping down to the lower bracket, Gambit lost to OG in the lower bracket finals.
This set the stage for the third matchup between Secret and Gambit in the tournament. Secret had previously defeated Gambit 2-0 in their group stage and in the upper bracket finals. With a perfect 4-0 record against Gambit, Secret entered the grand finals with confidence.
Although Gambit put up a fight, Secret’s strategies and adaptability proved too strong. Secret won the best-of-five series with a 3-0 sweep, improving their tournament record to an impressive 17-1.
Ludwig “zai” Wåhlberg was named the Mercedes-Benz MVP of the event and received a trophy and the keys to a new car.
With this victory, Team Secret climbs the global Dota 2 power rankings as second-ranked Virtus Pro and third-ranked Evil Geniuses both lost at MDL Macau 2019.
Next, Secret and other teams from ESL One Katowice will compete in the DreamLeague Season 11 Stockholm Major from March 14 to 24, where 16 teams will battle for a prize pool of $1 million and Dota Pro Circuit points.
Team Secret, ESL One Katowice, Dota 2, pro scene, tournament, playoffs, Gambit Esports, grand finals, Mercedes-Benz MVP, power rankings, DreamLeague Season 11 Stockholm Major, prize pool, Dota Pro Circuit points