Team Zero Qualify For The International; LGD Misses Out
The Chinese qualifiers continue to shock the Dota 2 scene. Instead of one of the three big teams in the qualifiers, Team Zero was the first team to qualify for The International. Meanwhile, LGD Gaming was eliminated from contention in the Lower Bracket.
The first interesting series of the day featured LGD Gaming taking on Team Turtle, which consisted of Somnus, chalice, and Yang. Additionally, Team Turtle’s position four player is planet, a player that was kicked from the LGD Gaming roster.
Against all odds, this “stream team” defeated LGD Gaming in an incredibly convincing 2-0 stomp. After going through financial issues and recently continuing operations, LGD Gaming will not appear at Dota 2’s biggest stage.
In the Upper Bracket, Team Zero faced off against Azure Ray in a Best of 3 series, where the winner would qualify for The International. Team Zero had already taken down G2.iG in an incredible upset yesterday, but Azure Ray was still the heavy favorite to go through.
The two teams traded maps after exchanging stomps, and a third map was required. Azure Ray had firm control over the decisive game, and looked like they were going to punch tickets to TI for the second year in a row. However, Team Zero pulled off an impressive comeback after a great team fight.
As a result, the underdogs took down Azure Ray and miraculously qualified for The International. Now, only one of the three favorites can take the final slot. The three remaining teams are Azure Ray, Team Turtle, and G2.iG.
Team Zero goated.