Team Liquid has won TI13 after defeating Gaimin Gladiators 3-0 in the final match of The International 2024. Their performance in the upper bracket was perfect; they did not lose a single game in the playoffs, and this is one of the best records in the history of the tournament.
This is Team Liquid’s second TI title, but this victory is particularly important for the current roster as they have finally eliminated the “second-place curse” that has plagued them in recent major tournaments.
Team Liquid’s Triumph at TI3
To Dota 2 enthusiasts, Team Liquid has been one of the most stable teams in the scene, but one of the most unlucky ones as well. Despite being a Western European powerhouse, consistently battling against the best teams, Liquid often fell short when it mattered most: the grand finals.
The so-called “second-place curse” started after Michał “Nisha” Jankowski was added to the team in 2023. Since then, Team Liquid finished as runners-up in seven major tournaments, including:
- Lima Major 2023
- DreamLeague Season 19
- ESL One Berlin Major 2023
- Bali Major 2023
- Riyadh Masters 2023
- BetBoom Dacha Dubai 2024
- Riyadh Masters 2024
Breaking the Second-Place Curse
As the team moved into TI13, there was tension that could be felt around the team. Would they succumb to their curse one more time in the grand finals? Even though the team was able to make it through the playoffs without a single loss, the possibility of failing in the last moments of the game was definitely a burden to the players.
However, this time, Team Liquid was able to respond with a great performance that could not be questioned. In the grand finals, Liquid unleashed their final secret weapon: Michael “miCKe” Vu’s Nature’s Prophet. Not surprisingly, banned in all three matches, miCKe’s Nature’s Prophet changed the pace of each game and led Team Liquid to victory.
miCKe’s Game-Changing Performance
Liquid’s success was greatly attributed to miCKe’s Nature’s Prophet. His mechanical skill enabled Liquid to dictate the map and apply pressure on Gaimin Gladiators’ structures from the start of the game. Every team fight resulted in a gradual destruction of Gaimin’s towers, and as there were no resources or room to regroup, miCKe and Liquid were soon at their doorstep.
Boxi and Insania: The Backbone of Liquid
Though miCKe’s heroics played a crucial role, it’s important to recognize the unsung heroes of Liquid’s victory: Samuel “Boxi” Svahn and Aydin “Insania” Sarkohi. Boxi’s saves with Tusk allowed his teammates to stay alive in the most dangerous of fights, and even turn what looked like a loss into a win. His chances of coming out alive from these dangerous confrontations were almost suicidal.
Likewise, Insania’s perfect use of Shadow Demon was also very important in the series as well. His clutch plays and movement were instrumental to Liquid’s victory as a team, as they were able to make the most of every chance they got.
It is a Victory for the Journey and Not Just the Prize
For Team Liquid, TI13 is about much more than the Aegis or the prize pool (which, to be fair, is not as big as in previous years). This is a true testament to their hard work, collaboration, and development over the years. This victory has not come easy with personal and team struggles along the way to the final victory. For instance, there was the TI9 incident where Insania picked the wrong hero in the draft that was very crucial. However, both Boxi and miCKe have remained faithful to Insania and the team no matter what.
It has not been an easy ride for them but this TI13 triumph has placed Team Liquid in the list of the great Dota 2 teams. The players have finally engraved their names in the history of The International 2024 as the champions who ended the second-place jinx.
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