Gambit Esports and OG Are Early Favorites in StarLadder ImbaTV Dota 2 Minor
After a month filled with major events, the Dota Pro Circuit is now gearing up for the upcoming StarLadder ImbaTV Dota 2 Minor. Eight teams will compete for a prize pool of $300,000, 15,000 Dota Pro Circuit Points, and the final spot in the DreamLeague Season 11 Stockholm Major, which starts on March 14.
OG Makes a Comeback
OG, the winners of The International 2018, took some time off before returning in 2019. Initially, they struggled to find their footing, but they showed promising signs of their former dominance at ESL One Katowice, where they finished third after losing to Gambit in the lower bracket finals.
Gambit Esports Shines in 2019
Gambit Esports emerged as the runner-up at ESL One Katowice, narrowly losing to Team Secret in the grand finals. This strong performance came after a period of reinvention for the team, who underperformed at The Kuala Lumpur Major in November 2018. In 2019, Gambit won both WePlay! Dota 2 Winter and Valentine Madness, as well as placing second in The Bucharest Minor.
A New Challenge for Gambit
Unfortunately, Gambit will be without one of their players, Andrey “Afoninje” Afonin, for the duration of the tournament. Afoninje had previously committed to participating in the World Electronic Sports Games 2018 competition. In his absence, Rostislav “fn” Lozovoi, formerly of Team Empire and a stand-in for VP, will fill the roster spot for Gambit.
Other teams in the tournament, such as Vici Gaming, Old But Gold, Flying Penguins, BOOM ID, and Royal Never Give Up, also bring their own strengths to the competition.
The StarLadder ImbaTV Dota 2 Minor will take place from March 7 to 10 as a precursor to the Stockholm Major starting on March 14.
Keywords: Dota Pro Circuit, StarLadder ImbaTV Dota 2 Minor, OG, Gambit Esports, ESL One Katowice, Team Secret, Andrey “Afoninje” Afonin, Rostislav “fn” Lozovoi, Vici Gaming, Old But Gold, Flying Penguins, BOOM ID, Royal Never Give Up.
