Defying expectations, a Dota 2 roster that seemed to be in complete disarray only three months ago now sits comfortably in the grand finals of The International 8.
Team OG beat Chinese favorites PSG.LGD in the tournament’s upper bracket finals. The three-game series was balanced on a knife’s edge, with each game being extremely even and full of comebacks and incredible individual plays.
It even appeared as if PSG.LGD were about to walk away as victors in the the deciding third game. Following an attempt by the Chinese team to destroy OG’s ancient, however, the European underdogs were just barely able to defend against PSG.LGD, who had expended all of their buybacks in the attack. With more than two minutes left until either of the PSG.LGD’s carries were back on the field, OG barreled down the midlane, securing their spot in The International 8 grand finals in the most outrageous of fashions.
Despite having struggled for the majority of the Dota 2 Pro Circuit, OG are now experiencing their most successful International event in the organization’s history.
PSG.LGD, the sole remaining Chinese team at The International 8, will now have to challenge Evil Geniuses in the lower bracket finals. The two teams were placed in the same group at the start of the event, and Evil Geniuses came out ahead in both of their group stage confrontations. Additionally, Evil Geniuses’ performance on Friday saw the North American side decimate reigning The International champions Team Liquid in two straight games.
Three teams remain in The International 8, but only two will compete for the lion’s share of the tournament’s $25 million prize pool.
