Five days of relentless determination have paid off for Gaimin Gladiators as they secure a decisive victory over Somnus and Azure Ray in The International 2023’s lower bracket. With their fourth consecutive sweep in the playoffs, Gaimin Gladiators are proving to be a force to be reckoned with.
In their latest match, Gaimin faced a formidable challenge from regional rivals Team Liquid, eliminating them from the event with a hard-fought 2-1 victory. Expectations were high for a closely contested battle against a lineup of experienced Chinese players. However, Gaimin surprised fans with a swift and dominant 2-0 victory that lasted less than 46 minutes combined.
The first game started off modestly, but Quinn’s exceptional performance on Pangolier allowed Gaimin to dictate the pace and secure an early advantage against Azure Ray’s ambitious draft, leading to a 1-0 series lead.
The second game was practically over before it began, as Gaimin swiftly overwhelmed Azure Ray with a complete team wipe in just over a minute. Ace’s Lone Druid secured three kills even before the pre-match interview with LaNm had concluded. Additionally, dyrachyo’s undefeated Weaver wreaked havoc on Azure Ray’s territory, nearly achieving a Rampage. Overwhelmed, the Chinese team quickly succumbed to Gaimin’s dominance.
Post-game, Seleri cheekily remarked, “Many people complain that it’s too difficult to break high ground in the late game. I don’t think it’s hard.”
According to datdota statistician Noxville, this series is the fifth fastest non-best-of-one series in TI history, lasting only 45 minutes and 50 seconds. The fastest sweep in TI history remains Evil Geniuses’ victory over Fnatic in the TI7 group stage, which concluded in just 39 minutes and 42 seconds.
With this win, Gaimin moves one step closer to breaking two long-standing TI records. No team has ever won a Major and TI in the same season since the inception of the Dota Pro Circuit. PSG.LGD came close twice, winning the MDL Changsha Major and finishing second at TI8, followed by a similar outcome at the WePlay AniMajor and TI10. Additionally, no team has ever claimed the Aegis from the lower bracket. Gaimin now has the opportunity to achieve both feats and become the first team to complete a “Dota Grand Slam” by winning all four titles in a single year.
Although Gaimin’s lower bracket run has been relatively smooth, Seleri emphasizes the importance of their challenging group stage and defeat against Talon Esports. These experiences have taught them valuable lessons and transformed them into a stronger team.
Now, Gaimin only needs to defeat LGD Gaming for a chance to face Team Spirit in the grand finals. Seleri exudes confidence in their abilities, stating, “Getting there will be the hardest part. But if we make it to the grand finals, we will definitely not lose.”
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Source: DOTESPORTS
