Hello again to EGamersWorld.
We continue to watch the second stage of The International 2023 group stage. We are waiting for another match for seeding in the play-offs between Team Liquid and Evil Geniuses.
The match, frankly speaking, looks absolutely passable. Still, on paper, and in fact, the teams are of different levels.
And yet, it's The International. There is a chance for a sensation, even if it is minimal.
Let's see if this match will be a miracle and Evil Geniuses will win, or if we will see the expected Liquid's passage to the winner.
Let's go.
Team Liquid's form
Let's start the match analysis with an obvious analysis of Team Liquid's form. In this duel, the European club will play in the status of favourite with odds to win at around 1.2.
At DPC 2023: WEU Division 1 Tour 1 Liquid didn't lose a single match, and then took the top 2 at The Lima Major 2023, while playing with substitutes. More than decent.
The second round of the DPC was as similar to the previous round as possible. Liquid again took the Top 1, but now with only one loss in the table. On the international stage, Liquid shone again, but were still overshadowed by Gaimin Gladiators, who took their second Major a Champions Cup of the season.
In their third season, Liquid were no longer able to cement their supremacy. "Liquid" fell to fourth place, but it was good enough to pass at Bali Major 2023, which in the case of the past at The International 2023 Team Liquid does not play any role.
- Liquid lineup: miCKe, Nisha, zai, Boxi, Insania .
After the disappointing result at DreamLeague Season 20, where Team Liquid fell out of the first group stage, there was a feeling that Bali Major 2023 would be held for Liquid at the International 2023. However, Liquid decided to switch on and play to the fullest.
And they almost succeeded: they took the top 2, losing in the grand final to Gaimin Glaidators! Again. Third time at a Major tournament in a year.
Riyadh Masters 2023 Team Liquid started at the Play-In stage, as they surprisingly didn't collect enough ESL ranking points. They finished the Play-In with a 3-1-1 score and second place in Basket A, and then played the group stage with a 3-3-1 statistic, advancing to the top set of play-offs.
At the end of the biggest tournament of the year, Team Liquid finished in the top 2, which can't be called a bad result. Unlike the top-10 at DreamLeague Season 21, which was after the Riyadh Masters 2023 and before Longsong The International 2023.
Team Liquid made it to the next round of the group stage pretty confidently from Group B. "Liquid" took the top 1, bouncing back with a 3-1-0 series lead.
Team Liquid's most popular heroes
Team Liquid has Crystal Maiden in the top picks with 7 games and 6 wins.
In addition to Crystal Maiden, Doom (4 matches, 100% wins), Sven (4 matches, 75% wins), Skywrath Mage (4 matches, 75% wins) are the picks.
Rubick (4 matches, 25% wins), Void Spirit (3 matches, 100% wins) appear in spades, Underlord, Pangolier, Storm Spirit have 3 matches each and all have 2 wins.
Evil Geniuses Form
Opposing Team Liquid in this match will be Evil Geniuses. The South American club will play as an outsider with odds to win at around 4.3.
In the first round of DPC 2023 SA Division 1 Evil Geniuses took the second place. A win over Beastcoast was not enough. Later visited The Lima Major 2023, where they more than made up for the loss in their home league by finishing top 6 in the Peruvian tournament.
Then play the second round of the DPC in South America and again top 2, and again Beastcoast are ahead. However, the international scene helps again, where EG are already in the top 4 at ESL One Berlin Major 2023, making them the highest scoring team from the region in history.
In the third DPC cycle, Evil Geniuses finally clawed their way back to the top of the regional scene. Evil Geniuses won DPC 2023: SA Division 1. And after such a good streak of high scores, EG fell face down in the mud, finishing in the top 18 at Bali Major 2023.
- Evil Geniuses line-up: Pakazs, Chris Luck, Wisper, Matthew, Pandaboo.
Evil Geniuses made it to the Riyadh Masters 2023 thanks to ESL rankings and the merits of the past. I don't know if Bali Major 2023 was a mental breakdown or if EG really started playing so badly.
After failing at Bali Major 2023, I didn't expect anything good from EG, but EG turned it on. The Evil Geniuses closed out the first game day with a 3-1 win over 9 Pandas and finished with a draw against Team Spirit. However, it was not possible to finish what they started: at the end of Riyadh Masters 2023 Evil Geniuses finished in the Top 12, which was a so-so result.
After participating in Riyadh Masters 2023, Evil Geniuses visited BB Dacha. They failed it, finishing in the top 6 out of 8 places.
The last tournament for EG before The International 2023 was DreamLeague Season 21. EG played an average tournament and finished in the top 10, which is a good result considering the team's performance over the course of the season.
The International 2023 itself is very difficult for EG. The Peruvians barely managed to stay in the race, winning the Group A replay against SMG.
The most popular Evil Geniuses heroes
The top most popular Evil Geniuses heroes were Beastmaster and Death Prophet. Both heroes were taken 8 times each and had 75% wins.
Following DP and Primal Beast was Leshrac, and he was most often played in the third position. He appeared 6 times and had a 66% winrate.
In addition, Marci (5 matches, 60% wins), Templar Assassin (4 matches, 100% wins), Jakiro (4 matches, 100% lunch) were picks.
History of head-to-head meetings
During the season the teams played each other 4 times. Three times Liquid won and only 1 match ended in a draw.
Projected result of EG vs Team Liquid at The International 2023
I can't imagine what would have to happen for Liquid to flood the Evil Geniuses match. Moreover, I don't see how EG can take at least a card, considering the level of performance they showed during The International 2023.
All in all, I expect Liquid to win with class.
Bottom line: 2-0 win for Liquid.