The Swiss stage at The International 14 is in full swing, producing some of the best Dota 2 action fans have seen this entire year. The first team has already secured its place in the Playoffs, as Xtreme Gaming went 4-0 on the opening week, punching its ticket to the Top 8 of the event. The squad is leading what’s starting to look like a Chinese resurgence on the game’s grand stage.
Chinese Dota is Back – Xtreme Go Flawless to Secure Playoffs Spot
Xtreme Gaming is the first team to book a playoff berth at The International after completing a superb 4-0 run through the Swiss stage. This wasn’t just any ordinary run – it had to go through some of the tournament favorites, Team Spirit and Team Falcons, two teams that were considered the number one and two teams in the world coming into the event.
The final hurdle was a clash against regional rivals Team Tidebound in the 3-0 pool, where Xtreme was able to take the win after one of the most thrilling games of the competition so far. Guo “Xm” Hongcheng played a pivotal role in helping the team cross the finish line with a 10/2/17 performance on Puck to seal the series 2-0.
Image Credit: The International
Despite entering the event as one of the “weaker” teams across the lineup, XG has looked like the most consistent squad at the event. With a squad filled with experienced players, the Chinese representatives look to go all the way.
Team Tidebound Prove They’re the Real Deal Too
Even in defeat, Team Tidebound demonstrated why it might be the second-strongest team at the event right now. To set up a Chinese derby against XG, it had to enter the 3-0 pool off the back of wins against heavyweight teams, namely Team Liquid and PARIVISION – Tidebound took both matches in 2-0 fashion.
The team’s ability to push XG in the second game highlights just how far it’s come this season. With both Chinese teams sitting at the top of the standings, Chinese Dota suddenly looks revitalized. For a region that hasn’t produced a TI winner since 2016, Asian fans have high hopes that Hamburg might finally be the stage where the tide turns.
Polar Opposites for Asia’s Teams
While China celebrated, it wasn’t a total victory for the Asian region. In the 0-3 elimination match, BOOM Esports and Team Nemesis fought to stay alive. Only one SEA squad could survive, and BOOM prevailed.
Nemesis was sent home as the first eliminated team of TI14, going 0-4 and playing only two days’ worth of Dota. The result perfectly captured the split fortunes of Asia’s representatives — with China’s teams looking like frontrunners, while Southeast Asia has already lost one of its own.