The International 2023 has already been a rollercoaster of emotions. Tundra, the victors of TI11, surprisingly descended to the Lower Bracket. Fans have also been surprised by the formidable rise of the North American regional team, nouns. While four teams said their goodbyes, the rest marched on to the Upper and Lower Brackets.
Up next in the Upper Bracket Quarterfinals is a face-off between China’s top-tier team, LGD Gaming, and the CIS sensation, 9Pandas. Here’s everything you need to know.
LGD Gaming’s Journey to TI12 Quarterfinals
Despite roster tweaks, LGD Gaming has continued its legacy as a formidable force in the Chinese esports scene. Their dominance in Group C culminated in a stellar 7-1 score. The group earned them their spot in the Upper Bracket, overpowering teams like Keyd Stars in the process.
Their aggressive gameplay has led them to defeat teams like nouns, Gaimin Gladiators, and Beastcoast. Their only hiccup came in the form of Virtus.pro, but they managed to level the playing field by winning the subsequent game.
9Pandas: From HellRaisers to The International 2023
Making their mark in the Dota 2 esports scene in April 2023 after adopting the former HellRaisers roster, 9Pandas has had a commendable journey. Their initial stumble against Team Spirit didn’t deter them, as they secured their position by outclassing teams like Entity, Evil Geniuses, and Team SMG. Their victory over BetBoom cemented their spot in the TI12 Upper Bracket Quarterfinals.
A Battle of Strategies: What to Expect
Both teams boast a large hero pool, allowing endless possibilities. When it comes to strategy, both LGD and 9Pandas are no strangers to versatility. While LGD, under the leadership of NothingToSay, has shown dominance, 9Pandas has a trump card in Ramzes’ late-game prowess.
In their past encounters, 9Pandas has had the upper hand. The team dominated in Berlin Major 2023, thanks to Ramzes’ heroes. But during the Riyadh Masters 2023, the scales tipped in favor of LGD and they lost the match. Not one to back down, 9Pandas ended up winning one in the series.
Meet The Teams: TI12 Active Rosters
LGD Gaming:
- shiro
- NothingToSay
- niu
- planet
- y’
9Pandas:
- Ramzes666
- kiyotaka
- MieRo`
- Antares
- Solo
Don’t Miss the Action!
The upcoming battle between LGD Gaming and 9Pandas promises to be a feast for Dota 2 enthusiasts. With both teams bringing their A-game, only time will tell who will emerge victorious.
For fans eager to catch this electrifying matchup, the Bo3 series will be broadcasted on the official Dota 2 YouTube and Twitch channels. Mark your calendars for October 20, 2023, starting at 4 pm PT/ 7 pm ET/ and 11 pm GMT.