Esports World Cup: Riyadh Masters Group Stage is Wild

No one could have predicted the turn of events at the Riyadh Masters group stage. Heroic defeating the Gaimin Gladiators 2-0? Is OG taking a game off Team Spirit? Team Falcons ending the day with a 0-4 record? It’s been an unpredictable and thrilling start to the tournament.

Riyadh Masters Group Stage Day 1

The first day of the Riyadh Masters group stage has been nothing short of remarkable, especially in Group 1, which was dubbed the group of death. The initial power rankings may not be as reliable as anticipated.

Dota 2 has seen a trend in recent years when one team dominates a season before another takes over. Last year, the Gaimin Gladiators were unstoppable. This year, Team Falcons have been the top team, winning the BetBoom Dacha, two DreamLeague titles, and the ESL One Birmingham Major. However, Day 1 of the group stage tells a different story.

Fall of the Falcons?

Team Falcons had a rough start, and things only got worse. Despite facing their two toughest opponents on the first day, they ended up at the bottom of the group. Their series against Team Spirit began with doubts about Yatoro (Raddan) in his signature Morphling. The Falcons were diving tier-three towers just 12 minutes into the game. Yet, the defending champions, Team Spirit, turned the game around spectacularly.

Team Spirit are known for their performance when the stakes are high. Gaimin Gladiators, however, have struggled this year, making their 2-0 victory over the Falcons even more surprising. The old Gaimin Gladiators seemed to shine through, reminding fans of their past dominance.

All’s Quiet on the Group B Front

While Group A has been chaotic, Group B has been more predictable. BetBoom Team, Entity, Tundra, and Liquid are leading the group, maintaining the status quo in Dota 2. The EU domination continues, leaving it to teams like beastcoast and WBG.XG to fight for their region’s standing in the tournament.

The Riyadh Masters group stage has kicked off with a bang. With more games to come until July 14th, fans can expect more twists and turns in this exciting Dota 2 tournament. Stay tuned!