The International 4 is now gathering steam, with more than a handful of teams battling out for a spot in the finals last night. Many of the favourites struggled against smaller teams, while wildcard winners Team Liquid were one of the teams to beat on the night. But who has their head on the chopping block for today’s matches?
Surprisingly, Alliance are definitely one of them. The champions from last year got their title defence off to the worst start possible, losing four games and putting them dangerously close to the bottom of the pecking order. Fan favourites Na’Vi seemed to be going down the same path early on, but a victory in their second game lifted morale. They ended the night with three wins out of four, matching their American based team.
The real winners of the night were definitely Team Liquid, the wild card winners of this year. They impressed everyone with three wins out of four games, proving that they really are here to reach the Main Event. Cloud 9 were nearly unstoppable throughout the night. They won four out of their five game, with one shock loss against the struggling Mouz (mousesports). Arrow Gaming find themselves virtually eliminated already, while DK and Fnatic have to do well in today’s matches to keep their heads above water.
Here’s how everything went down last night:
- 1. Cloud 9 (4-1)
- 2. iG (3-1)
- 2. ViCi (3-1)
- 2. Na’Vi (3-1)
- 2. Na’Vi.US (3-1)
- 2. Liquid (3-1)
- 7. Newbee (3-2)
- 7. Evil Geniuses (3-2)
- 7. Fnatic (3-2)
- 10. Titan (2-2)
- 11. Team DK (2-3)
- 12. Empire (1-3)
- 12. Mousesports (1-3)
- 14. Alliance (1-4)
- 14. LGD (1-4)
- 16. Arrow (0-5)
Thirty games took place on the first day of Phase Two, which will seed teams for the Main Event next week. The top two teams at the end of Phase Two will automatically qualify for the Main Event’s upper bracket, while the next eight teams will be forced to play in Phase Three this weekend. The bottom six teams at the end of Phase Two will be packing their bags, just like Holland.
In case that sounds confusing, you can check out this colour coded table here that is a little clearer. You can also watch all of last nights replays on the official International website, as well as check out the schedule for tonight’s games.
Last Updated: July 10, 2014
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
July 10, 2014 at 13:03
clue number one was when came to my lane
clue number two was the item you wore
and that’s when i knew, it was a pretty good sign
that I was about to get stuffed up by Cloud No 9
Rince&pop
July 10, 2014 at 13:14
Why is Geoff in the header?
Hammersteyn
July 10, 2014 at 13:17
that acne though
Sir Rants A Lot Llew
July 10, 2014 at 13:21
This is a pic from before Geoff unlocked his special powers
Hammersteyn
July 10, 2014 at 13:22
Growing a proper beard?
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
July 10, 2014 at 13:23
I have /just/ shaved it off, actually. It’ll be back next week :/
Sir Rants A Lot Llew
July 10, 2014 at 13:24
I was talking about his typing skills actually…. cc @Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim:disqus
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 10, 2014 at 13:23
So it’s not his final form before undergoing a mega-evolution?
Rince&pop
July 10, 2014 at 13:27
One can only hope…
Rince&pop
July 10, 2014 at 13:28
It’s “I’ve told you once” bruises…
Hammersteyn
July 10, 2014 at 13:36
lol
Rince&pop
July 10, 2014 at 13:14
I see Martha has pushed this onto Sandy so that we don’t see what’s REALLY going on here. We are on to you! We are!
Hammersteyn
July 10, 2014 at 13:19
http://www.workingtheland.com/images/boy%20with%20cabbageWEB.jpg
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
July 10, 2014 at 13:23
Their native homeland.
Hammersteyn
July 10, 2014 at 13:23
😉
Rince&pop
July 10, 2014 at 13:28
Damn him and his cabbage farming!
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 10, 2014 at 13:31
Look at that proud father with his well-behaved kids, all keeping to their lanes too.
Hammersteyn
July 10, 2014 at 13:35
Bwahahahaha
hairyknees
July 10, 2014 at 14:44
THATS MY CABBAGE!
hairyknees
July 10, 2014 at 14:44
Hahahahaha xD
Hammersteyn
July 10, 2014 at 13:22
I would have liked to see SA be at this event. Kinda like the SWC at the moment, you have to pick some one else to support.
Danie Nell
July 10, 2014 at 13:33
Its not really countries competing against each other.
But besides that, these teams are a level above what we have locally.
Hammersteyn
July 10, 2014 at 13:35
True much like the SWC
Danie Nell
July 10, 2014 at 14:00
I would say The International is more like the UEFA Champions League.
Its all the best clubs and not the best countries.
Matthew Holliday
July 10, 2014 at 13:24
Liquid are so confusing.
looked good in the wildcard, played their own game and qrushed.
but their first game against NAR/naviUS looked like they forgot how to play dota.
then suddenly theyr 3-1?
dont understand.
Alliance, dissapointed sofar, navi had a first day last year, but pulled it back on day 2, but definitely not a good position to be in.
Eric
July 10, 2014 at 13:45
Alliance still has 12 games to play though. I don’t think they’re out yet. They haven’t played their best combos from the last 2-3 tournies.
Danie Nell
July 10, 2014 at 13:35
Chuan looks hungry…
Hammersteyn
July 10, 2014 at 13:45
FOR VICTORY!
William Francis
July 10, 2014 at 14:35
Sorry to burst the bubble here but Liquid did not beat Cloud9, they didn’t even play Cloud9. It was Mousesports who beat Cloud9, which is even worse considering they aren’t even as good as Liquid. Check it out : http://www.dota2.com/international/watch/July9/
Danie Nell
July 10, 2014 at 14:44
Ah no, you have really burst the bubble now!
Why did you have to go and do that?
William Francis
July 10, 2014 at 14:46
lol, not sure if sarcasm, or cereal. Just wanted to inform the internetz tho
Alessandro Barbosa
July 10, 2014 at 15:12
Completely correct, I got them mixed up for some odd reason. That does actually make it far worse, but Cloud 9 looking pretty much sorted for the next round already.
Although Team Liquid is doing extremely well 😀 I’ve updated the article, thanks for catching that though 🙂
William Francis
July 10, 2014 at 16:07
Always a pleasure man :-). Na’Vi will come back in a fantastic style too, last nights games where a mirror of last year’s International for Na’Vi. Lost there first game against Fnatic, then continued on without losing a match.
MichaelMatusowsky
July 10, 2014 at 16:57
Mr Barbosa, it’s day 2. Fall apart top k0k bro. Learn 2 dota. You’ll see the teams come back today ez mode.