Team Spirit advances to The Riyadh Masters 2023 Grandfinals

The action is heating up at The Riyadh Masters, a prestige tournament with a prize pool rivalling The Internationals. As only four teams remain at the tournament, an Eastern European team, Team Spirit, has taken their well-deserved seat at the grand finals of The Riyadh Master 2023. Being from a region that only recently stepped up to challenge the Western European teams, Team Spirit were one of the dark horses at The Riyadh Masters 2023.

However, unlike other dark horses at the tournament, Team Spirit preserve when it matters the most. They knocked down the crowd-favourites, Team Liquid, to the lower bracket finals as they await for their challenger.

The Game

Once a shell of their former glory, Team Spirit has improved tremendously throughout the season. Although the midlane of the team has received multiple criticisms for being the black sheep of the team, it has not stopped him, nor the team, from trying to restore Spirit to what it once was. Their consistent improvements reflect in their series against Team Liquid, where they dominated Liquid despite being the underdogs.

In game 1, Team Liquid dominated TS with their safelane Medusa draft. Spirit tried their best to hold off Liquid’s assault, but it was too late as TL took game 1. Knowing Team Liquid’s game plan, Spirit adapted their playstyle in game 2. Despite losing the laning style and much of the mid-game skirmishes, they held onto the game. Fortunately, as their safelane, Slark hits his item timing, a drawn-out team fight at 26 minutes puts Spirit in the driver’s seat.

Although Team Liquid made some fantastic plays to come back into the game, Spirit was always a step ahead as they closed out game 2. They dominated Team Liquid in game 3. Despite their draft having farming-oriented heroes, TS outpaced TL. Knowing they had been out-drafted, Liquid tried to split up the map and cauterise their wounds. Having no success with their game plan, Team Liquid tapped out at  31 minutes.

A Possible Rematch?

Losing the match puts Team Liquid in the lower bracket finals. However, they still have a chance to advance to the grand finals of The Riyadh Masters. They need to eliminate their lower bracket finals opponent to earn their rematch. However, one thing is for assured, unlike any other grand finals this season, The Riyadh Masters 2023 grand finals will not be Team Liquid against Gaimin Gladiators. Only one of those teams will advance to the grand finals, and there is even a slight possibility that both teams could get eliminated.

Featured Image Source: Youtube/@spirit