While most eyes are focused on the EWC and the Riyadh Masters, Leon Masters, a European online Dota 2 tournament, is buzzing with excitement after the conclusion of its first group stage. Due to the withdrawal of MOUZ and SIBE Team, all teams advanced to the second group stage by default. Notably, familiar names for Dota 2 esports followers, such as Yellow Submarine and the former Alliance team Rest Farmers, are in the mix.
The first group stage revealed which teams are dominating the Leon Masters #1. PSG Quest and Nemiga Gaming stood out by advancing to the Playoffs' semifinals as top seeds. Remarkably, both teams have not lost a single series yet and might sweep the entire tournament undefeated. Here's a recap of the action so far.
Leon Masters #1 Predictions For Group Stage 2
With the top two teams awaiting their semifinal match-ups, all eyes are on Group Stage 2, featuring several strong contenders for a late-tournament run.
Leon Masters Group A Preview
Night Pulse, second only to Nemiga Gaming in Group Stage 1, continues to dominate the second stage. They’ve performed well, rallying around their hard carry, Alik “V-Tune” Vorobey. However, an emerging threat in Group Stage 2 is Team Tea. Led by veteran support player and captain, Akbar “SoNNeikO” Butaev, they are known for their strategic drafts and execution.
Although only the top two seeds will advance to the Playoffs, keep an eye on Yellow Submarine as a wild card in this group. The Russian squad has been consistent and has played together for over a year, which could lead to a strong performance. Additionally, they are the successors of the team that eventually became two-time TI winners, Team Spirit. This legacy gives Yellow Submarine a lot to live up to!
Leon Masters Group B Preview
In Group B, no matches have begun yet. However, keep an eye on Twisted Minds (formerly Rest Farmers and Alliance), L1GA TEAM, Dandelions, and DMS. Twisted Minds and L1GA TEAM performed exceptionally well in Group Stage 1, but we have yet to see Dandelions and DMS in action.
Both teams have notable players: Nikita “Daxak” Kuzmin on DMS and Nikita “Palantimos” Grinkevich and Ivan “Kidaro” Bondarev on Dandelions. Additionally, Dandelions have a history of competing closely with L1GA and Nemiga in other tournaments.
PSG Quest and Nemiga Gaming should not underestimate their upcoming opponents in the Playoffs. The Leon Masters #1 showcases some of the best teams left in Europe, as many have headed to Riyadh. We might witness the rise of potential new stars in the region's thriving Dota 2 esports scene. Given that Team Spirit is the only Eastern European team to qualify by the ESL Pro Tour Dota 2 Leaderboard, the competition is fierce. May the best team claim the lion’s share of the $100,000 prize pool.