Qualified Western European Teams - TI 12 Region Analysis

A thorough analysis of the Western European teams that have qualified as representatives for the WEU region for the Internationals 2023

From the inception of the Dota 2 competitive landscape, Western Europe (WEU) has consistently emerged as a region of powerhouses. The legacy began with iconic teams such as Alliance, OG, and Team Liquid, not to mention Tundra Esports, who clinched the title at the previous The International Championship (TI). Their victories weren't just wins; they were statements that WEU was a force to be reckoned with.

Contents

1 Region Analysis – Western Europe
2 Qualified Western European Teams for TI 12
3 Battling For The International 2023 Title

Region Analysis – Western Europe

Fast forward to today, and the story remains largely unchanged. WEU's dominion over the Dota 2 world is still palpable, with modern-day titans like Team Liquid leading the charge. Adding to this potent mix is the Gaimin Gladiators, a team that's fast becoming synonymous with excellence and mastery.

OG Esports (OG), an iconic team from the WEU, set the stage for regional dominance by winning back to back TI8 and TI9. Their historic achievement is a record on it’s own, which is still held by OG to this day. But now Tundra Esports has a chance to win it back to back as they are the defending champions.

As The International 12 approaches, all eyes are on Western Europe's (WEU) teams, known for their dedication, adaptability, and pursuit of excellence. Their historic successes and commitment set them apart in the Dota 2 arena. As the global fanbase eagerly anticipates TI 12, WEU isn't just a region but a storied legacy. The world waits to see if they'll once again rise to the top.

Qualified Western European Teams for TI 12

Let's take a concise look at the Western European Dota 2 teams participating in The International 2023 (TI 12). We'll delve into their strategies, achievements, and aspirations as they vie for victory on the world stage. The Western European lineup for TI 12 includes Team Liquid, Gaming Gladiators, Tundra Esports, Quest Esports and Entity Esports.

Team Liquid:

Team Liquid has clinched a spot at The International 2023 (TI12) following dominant performances in DPC 2023 WEU's Tours 1 and 2. Their runner-up positions at both The Lima and Berlin Majors contributed significantly to their qualification. By defeating 9Pandas in the Berlin Major's lower bracket final, they amassed the required DPC points. With a cohesive roster, they're prominent contenders for TI12.

Gaming Gladiators:

Gaimin Gladiators, a standout in the Dota 2 Pro Circuit, triumphed in three Majors this season. However, their unbeaten run was disrupted at the Riyadh Masters 2023, where they finished fourth after a surprising defeat to Talon Esports. Dyrachyo, their star player, cites fatigue and visa issues as key reasons for their underperformance.

Despite feeling drained from the grueling matches, Dyrachyo is now rejuvenated and ready for the upcoming challenges. The team took a well-deserved break in August and is preparing for a packed September before TI12.

Aiming to win every tournament, they're currently practicing for BetBoom Dacha, viewed as a stepping stone to regain their form. After DreamLeague Season 21, a Serbian boot camp awaits them before they compete in The International 12 in Seattle. Dyrachyo is confident they'll be in peak shape, especially after securing their spot in the DPC WEU 2023 Tour 3: Division I.

Current Roster:

Anton “dyrachyo” Shkredov
Quinn “Quinn” Callahan
Marcus “Ace” Christensen
Erik “tOfu” Engel
Melchior “Seleri” Hillenkamp
Aske “Cy-“ Larsen (Coach)

Player to Watch:

Anton “dyrachyo” Shkredov

Tundra Esports:

Tundra Esports of London entered Dota 2 with mudgolems in 2021 and ultimately won The International 2022 by sweeping Team Secret 3-0 in the Grand Final. Now they have a chance to make it a back to back TI win, which record is held by OG at the moment of this writing. With all the players gelling together perfectly, they would hope to sweep through this year’s edition of The International (TI12).

This season, the team has struggled to replicate its previous success. They placed ninth through twelfth at the Lima Major, fifth and sixth at the Berlin Major, and third at the Bali Major. In the Riyadh Masters 2023, they placed ninth through twelfth.

Following Saksa's health-induced exit, Tundra Esports recruited two-time TI champion, Topson. His aggressive tactics and unique strategies have reinvigorated Tundra's gameplay. With his past victories at TI with OG, Topson brings invaluable expertise, positioning Tundra as a top contender for The International 12. Fans eagerly watch to see if Tundra, with Topson's guidance, can clinch consecutive titles, marking his potential third Aegis win.

Current Roster:

Oliver “skiter” Lepko
Leon “Nine” Kirilin
Neta “33” Shapira
Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen
Wu “Sneyking” Jingjun
Kurtis “Aui_2000” Ling (Coach)

Player to Watch:

Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen

Quest Esports:

Quest Esports, a rising team, clinched the Western European berth for The International 2023, showcasing an impressive ascent from division two to TI12. After missing the Berlin Major, they revamped their roster, adding offlaner Tobias “Tobi” Buchner. Though skeptics questioned this new lineup's synergy ahead of the qualifiers, Tobi became their game-changer.

Facing top-tier teams like OG and Secret, Quest showed their mettle. A setback against Luna Galaxy pushed them to the lower bracket, but they displayed resilience, defeating strong competitors in high-stakes matches. Ultimately, they avenged their previous loss to Luna Galaxy in the finals, booking their place at TI12. Quest's journey underscores their grit and promise, setting the stage for their TI 2023 debut.

Current Roster:

Aybek “TA2000” Tokayev
Tony “No!ob” Assaf
Tobias “Tobi” Buchner
Omar “OmaR” Moughrabi
Oleh “kaori” Medvedok
Nikita “Daxak” Kuzmin (Coach)

Player to Watch:

Tobias “Tobi” Buchner

Entity Esports:

In the race to TI12, Entity faced stiff competition, notably from giants Nigma Galaxy and Team Secret. Starting as the third seed, Entity's first challenge was Nigma Galaxy. Defying expectations, they triumphed 2-1 and then squared off against Team Secret, fresh from their win over OG. The upper bracket finals saw them up against the unexpected Luna Galaxy (LG).

Despite a grueling match against LG, Entity secured their place in The International 12. A standout player in this journey is Alimzhan “watson” Islambekov. Celebrated throughout the 2023 DPC season and lauded by streamer Janne “Gorgc” Stefanovski, Watson's prowess is unparalleled. As the first Kazakhstani to compete at TI, his inclusion makes Entity's TI12 journey all the more riveting.

Current Roster:

Alimzhan “watson” Islambekov
Daniel “Stormstormer” Schoetzau
Kim “Gabbi” Santos
Vladislav “Kataomi`” Semenov
Dzmitry “Fishman” Palishchuk
Nikita “Daxak” Kuzmin (Coach)

Player to Watch:

Alimzhan “watson” Islambekov

Battling For The International 2023 Title

The hopes of their region rest heavily on the shoulders of the Western European teams as they prepare to compete in TI12. The legacy of Western Europe in Dota 2, combined with the skill and determination of these teams, makes them formidable title contenders.

Fans eagerly anticipate unforgettable moments and the epic saga that only The International can deliver. As the tournament progresses, the Dota 2 community will be closely observing in the hopes that Western Europe will once again raise the Aegis of Champions and bring glory to their region.