The International 2023 (TI 2023) had its fair share of surprises, especially for North American teams. While three representatives from North America entered the tournament, the last one standing is not who most would have predicted. nouns ended up outlasting TSM, who faced elimination in the playoffs.
nouns Emerge as the Dark Horse at TI 2023
nouns, the unlikeliest underdog of TI 2023, proved themselves by surviving in the playoffs. On the other hand, the two other North American teams fell short.
Game 1: Gunnar’s Masterclass Performance
The first game was a slow burn, with both teams vying for control. However, nouns seized a significant advantage during a crucial team fight at the 28-minute mark, which they held onto to secure a lead. The standout performer of the match was Gunnar, whose Earth Spirit went 13-2-16. Gunnar dealt an impressive 67,000+ damage in the process.
Game 2: A Chaotic Battle
The second game was a chaotic and unpredictable affair, with the lead changing hands 12 times. TSM enjoyed several substantial leads, but it was Moo’s Dazzle and Lelis’s Clockwerk that played pivotal roles for nouns during a 30-minute span. Surprisingly, Hector adopted a rather passive approach with Phantom Lancer until the final 10 minutes.
As Ceb commented on a re-stream of the event, “this Phantom Lancer has been trying to lose so hard.” But nouns managed to clinch victory with a critical team fight win in the midst of a tumultuous game.
just had to double-check what year it is https://t.co/I6FjUsv1ET pic.twitter.com/R7Go1LlzsT
— Nouns Esports ⌐◨-◨ (@nounsesports) October 16, 2023
nouns Secures Top-Eight Placement
With this win, nouns secured a coveted top-eight placement at TI 2023. The team earned a spot in the main event scheduled for October 27. Their journey to the tournament was through the regional qualifiers, making their success even more impressive.
The International Eight. #TI12 #Dota2 pic.twitter.com/0NTQYL4OyW
— Wykrhm Reddy (@wykrhm) October 23, 2023
TSM’s Unfulfilled Expectations
TSM entered the match against Nouns after sweeping Shopify Rebellion and sending Arteezy’s team home in a tie for 12th place. Many fans had high hopes for TSM to continue their winning streak.
However, TSM’s journey came to an end with a ninth-place finish, a significant improvement from their last-place finish in the previous season.
Roster Speculations
Now, the focus shifts to the future as fans speculate about potential roster changes for TSM and Shopify. Both teams leave Seattle without claiming the coveted Aegis of Champions. nouns’ fans will rally behind the unexpected underdog as they advance further into the main event.
TI 2023 has once again proven that in the world of Dota 2, underdogs can shine. nouns’ remarkable journey continues, while TSM and Shopify will regroup and prepare for the challenges of the upcoming Dota 2 season.