OG became the first team to lift the Aegis of Champions shield twice, entering Dota 2 and The International history.
TI9 turned into one of the greatest TIs in history. Obviously, we hear the same sentences every year. But this year, with the magic moves, the comeback against the mega creeps, the new meta, the new stories, this saying couldn’t be more accurate. Even the group stage was filled with surprises, historic records and intense and eye-catching fights.
TI9 losing bracket final: Team Liquid 2-1 PSG.LGD
Team Liquid kicked off the final day of competition against PSG.LGD to qualify for the grand finals. Although LGD won the first game, Team Liquid neutralized the Chinese team in game 2 with individual handling, build, and right decisions. The highground defense left LGD open and Liquid turned the game around after 37 minutes. LGD was pressured by their opponent’s victory.
Seemingly unable to recover from that shock, LGD fell in game 3 with early game mistakes, giving Liquid a big advantage. Liquid then finished the match after just 36 minutes and advanced to the finals to meet OG.
With this win, we will have a team that won TI twice for the first time. The TI8 champion will try to defend his shield against the TI7 champion, and one of them will go down in the Dota history books.
TI9 closed the curtain with OG’s overwhelming showdown, and the boys became the first team to win TI twice and even more impressively when they did so two years in a row.
TI9 Grand Finals: OG 3-1 Team Liquid
Game 1
In game 1, Liquid used pick ‘w33po’ to win. They did everything according to plan, pushing in groups and using Mepoo to push the game up, while making sure OG didn’t have enough time to drag into the late game.
OG also slowed things down a bit and the team successfully wiped Liquid, bringing Specter to the air. At this point, OG looks like they are about to turn the tables and take control. The TI8 champion hit the highground and took down all but the last set of barracks – game 1 was almost over for Liquid.
But no, the TI7 champion didn’t give up and kept going: Templar Assassin and Meepo pushed straight into the throne to break the Ancient and claim the first game.
Game 2
OG crushed Team Liquid when Topson held the Monkey King to ‘play’ the whole game. Contrary to the fast-paced pace of game 1, game 2 is a fierce 5v5 encounter between two teams, taking place from the beginning to the middle of the game.
OG is constantly sweeping Team Liquid, fighting and killing non-stop. They advance to the highground, ignoring the remaining Tier 1 turrets. After applying great pressure, OG showed no mercy at all, taking 40 lives. It seemed that OG’s play would go on forever, but after Topson’s rampage, OG finally got bored and quickly ended the game at 32 minutes, leveling the series.
Game 3
If things in game 2 went badly for Liquid, game 3 was even worse. OG attack stronger this time. OG’s Pugna annoyed Liquid as the TI7 champion couldn’t find a solution to the ‘decrepify’ move while Topson continued to dominate. At the 11th minute, Topson got an Ultra kill.
Constantly under attack, Liquid gradually collapsed. OG’s impeccable coordination, team play and drafts help the team ‘snowball’ the opponent and not give Liquid any room to breathe.
This time, it only took 23 minutes for the game to end and OG took the lead.
Game 4
Liquid was cornered. The team must find a way to overcome OG’s confidence, smart play, and skill if they are to push into game 5.
OG started with the first IO pick, the team’s signature ‘new’ strategy. Liquid isn’t afraid of IO tactics and uses draft heals, with the ability to hit teamfight/early game.
Liquid decided to give OG the first taste of IO failure. But OG refused that and pushed straight into the opponent’s base, mocking the opponent right in the grand final.
OG won convincingly, successfully defended the title and showed themselves on a completely different level compared to other teams.
Bonuses and Team Rankings at The International 2019
| Class | Team | Bonus (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| first | OG | $15,573,391 |
| 2 | Team Liquid | $4,449,540 |
| 3 | PSG.LGD | $3,080,451 |
| 4 | Team Secret | $2,053,634 |
| 5-6 | Evil Geniuses | $1,197,953 |
| 5-6 | ViCi Gaming | $1,197,953 |
| 7-8 | Royal Never Give Up | $855,681 |
| 7-8 | Infamous | $855,681 |
| 9-12 | Virtus.Pro | $684,545 |
| 9-12 | TNC Predator | $684,545 |
| 9-12 | Newbee | $684,545 |
| 9-12 | Mineski | $684,545 |
| 13-16 | Alliance | $513,408 |
| 13-16 | Fnatic | $513,408 |
| 13-16 | Keen Gaming | $513,408 |
| 13-16 | Natus Vincere | $513,408 |
| 17-18 | Ninjas in Pajamas | $85,568 |
| 17-18 | Chaos Esports Club | $85,568 |
With this victory, the 2018-2019 season of Dota 2 has ended. We will be looking forward to the Dota Pro Circuit 2019-2020, starting from November 16-24 with the location yet to be announced.
Before that happens, surely the transfer period will take place and most teams will change blood towards The International 2020.
Source link: TI9: OG makes Dota history by becoming TI champion twice in a row
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