Blast Slam 1: Dota 2 Match Prediction and Analysis

Group Stage Recap

The first stage of Blast Slam 1 was the group stage where teams played a series of best-of-one matches against four teams in their groups. The expectations were high, and the outcome showed the fight of the underdogs and the strength of the giants.

Team OG had a poor performance; they were on a losing streak, and the fans were not shocked at all. Competing against such strong opponents as Team Liquid, Gaimin Gladiators, and Tundra Esports was too much for OG, which has been criticized for their poor performance in recent tournaments.

Likewise, HEROIC could not pick up steam and probably suffered from the team’s internal strife. The recent sacking of their star player, David “Parker” Nicho Flores, following an internal conflict, seems to have affected the team.

Group Stage Standouts

On the positive side, the powerhouse teams including BetBoom Team, Team Liquid, Tundra Esports, and Xtreme Gaming performed as expected and were seen to be at their best.

The victory against Team Spirit and OG showed that Team Liquid has returned to form after the massive roster change they made after TI13. The coordination of the team and the gameplay make them a force to be reckoned with during the playoffs.

But not all titans had a smooth sail. The recently formed Team Falcons, which boasts of having won DreamLeague S24 and BetBoom Dacha Belgrade 2024, failed to perform well in this tournament. However, the victory over PARIVISION showed that Falcons can perform when pressured, despite the fluctuating scores in their games.

Playoffs Predictions

The playoff stage is a clean slate for every team, including OG and HEROIC, which struggled in the group stage. However, the transition to the second round from the first round means that only the most serious and prepared teams will proceed.

The favorites of the tournament include the leaders of the ranking – BetBoom Team, Tundra Esports, Xtreme Gaming, and Team Liquid. Of these, Tundra Esports seems to be the most likely to win the title.

The addition of 2-time TI champion Neta “33” Shapira has been a boost to Tundra’s team. His offlane play and drafting have been superb, which has brought new life into the team. Shapira’s skills in opening spaces and delivering perfect strategies put Tundra in a perfect place to clinch the title.

If there is a team that could pose a threat to Tundra’s chances of winning, then it is Team Falcons. Nevertheless, they are still a talented team that can come back from the brink. If Falcons get to the semifinals where Tundra is, then fans are in for a treat—a match that could be described as the playoffs decider.