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An almost perfect tournament for a team that has lost so many times in the final. At this year's International Iliti
"TI13" lost only to the Team Spirit team in the push phase of the tournament. They didn't even drop a map on the main stage and in the playoffs. The absolute dominance of the best team in the world and the outstanding performance of Mihajlo Jankovski, who is now certainly the best mid lane player in the world, known to dota 2 fans as "Nisha". This grandmaster of the game played the puck 6 times in a row without defeat despite the well-known bug on the hero that came head-on to his opponent Quinn Kalahad (Quinn) in the second map of the Grand Final. Dangerous dominance in every game regardless of the match-up; knowledge of the game at a level that is only a distant dream for other teams; excellent mechanical execution of young blood in the team. All these are the reasons that brought this team to the pinnacle in the life of Dota 2 players - writing their names on the Aegis of Immortality. They will be recorded and remembered forever as one of the best teams ever! Considering their dominant performance, I believe that they really are the best team of all time. What needs to be done to overcome this level of dominance? Win without losing a game in the group stage? Win without losing a barrack in the game, without losing a hero? These are really unattainable heights, but without a lost map in the playoffs and on the main stage, to the finals through the upper bracket and a clean victory 3 – 0 in less than 2 hours in the Grand Final against the team that dominated the entire year 2023 (Gaimin Gladiators) it's complete dominance. Team Liquid put an end to this year's season. After losing so many finals, they finally showed that they have what it takes to lift the biggest trophy of all.
Their coach William Li, known as Blitz, said in a postgame interview that not only the players are responsible for this result, and even less only the coach, but that the entire family of the Liquid organization contributed to this success. He mentioned that they were in a bad mental state, that they wanted to give up, he mentioned retired players like Ludvig Valhberg known as Zai as well as Lasi Aukusti known as Matumbaman who contributed a lot to the mental state of the team. At the same time, he is grateful to the people who indirectly helped this organization reach its second Aegis of Immortality with a brand new roster like Jesi Vanika aka Jerax and many other friends and fans.
Mikael Vu known as M1cke was completely shocked, left on the podium breathless.
Ardin Sahoki aka Insania finally redeemed himself for a misclick at TI9 when he spiked the gyrocopter as he ran out of time in the peak phase and did so in the best possible way. Nisha finally accepted the title of the best mid player in the world, while Boxi realized that this was not just a dream, but that his name was indeed in a place that only fifty-one had been before his.
Winning the International is like you've finally finished the game. Even though it's a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA), feel that relief as if you've finally proved to yourself and the whole world what you're really worth. That the tens of thousands of hours spent in this game were not in vain. You create history and write your name in the annals of it. Truly, this is a success upon successes when it comes to an esports career.
Neta Šapira, known as 33, lifted the trophy for the second time and wrote his name on it. This tournament was not special for him. He said it felt like he was playing a regular pub game from home. However, when it came time to play Game 3 of the grand final, he realized that history was repeating itself. That he is the only one in history who will write his name on the Aegis of Immortality with 2 completely different teams and 4 completely different players.
The culmination of emotions happened when the family members ran to the stage. Confetti falls all around as tears slide down the cheeks of the players and their loved ones. Truly, an unforgettable experience both for them and for viewers from small screens around the world.
Second place is taken by the Gaimin Gladiators team for the second year in a row. They are somewhat reminiscent of the Chinese titans LGD in their prime. But despite the well-deserved second place, the difference between them and Liquid is incredible.
In third place is the Tundra Esports team, which, despite the visa and stand-in problems, managed to show the skill of the Finnish grandmaster Topias Topson Mika, who had the opportunity to raise his third Aegis in his life. Here are a few words from him personally: "I enjoyed the tournament, I showed that I am still one of the best and most quality players in the world, it is not important to lift the trophy but to enjoy the way to it".
In addition to the good dota, there were many minor side events in the arena, such as the "Cosplay" contest and the short film competition. There was also a lot of interaction with the audience, among whom you could find Montenegrin professional players of this ancient game.
The prize pool is drastically smaller than in the "battle dog" years, but the emotions and feeling of weight are still there. It's not all about money, The International is still the biggest tournament in the world!
