Team Spirit defeats PSG.LGD to claim Dota 2 Arlington Major title
Team Spirit has defeated PSG.LGD to claim the PGL Dota 2 Arlington Major title. Coming out of the lower bracket, Team Spirit recorded a 3-1 victory over PSG in a best of five series.
Earlier, the China-based PSG.LGD defeated Team Spirit 0-2 in the upper bracket final. With the win, Team Spirit claimed their first DPC Major and took home their share of the $500,000 prize pool.
Team Spirit has now established itself as a fan favorite to win The International 2022 (TI11) in Singapore, joining OG as a two-time winner.
Team Spirit vs. PSG.LGD
PSG.LGD dominated Game 1. Illya “Yatoro” Mulyarchuk’s Phantom Lancer faced off against Wang “Ame” Chunyu’s carry Pudge. The Pudge lineup was too fast for the Phantom Lancer to have a significant impact on the game.
PSG used Ame’s Aghanim’s Scepter to survive Black Hole and rush the Dire ancient after a relatively even game. While Spirit did show signs of resistance, PSG was in command throughout the game and finished it in 37 minutes.
Game 2 got off to a similar start. PSG had a 3-0 record against Team Spirit early in the game. After a back-and-forth battle, PSG accumulated a 28.000 net worth lead with a Naga Siren draft.
PSG took two sets of barracks, and as they prepared to take the third, the Eastern European team surprised them with a fight that changed the course of the game and possibly the series. Team Spirit held out for a 75-minute victory to tie the game at 1-1.
PSG returned for the Naga Siren in game 3, a carry that is not particularly strong in the meta. Spirit, on the other hand, was much better prepared this time. They had Tiny in the draft, which they decided to send to the mid-lane, and Sven to deal with Naga’s illusions. The Naga draft struggled against all the AoE damage combined with the Shadow Demon counter. Spirit won the third game 2-1 in less than 27 minutes.
In game 4, Team Spirit had the last pick and chose a non-meta hero in the form of Axe to counter the opposing Chaos Knight. Magomed “Collapse” Khalilov did the pick justice. The most contributing player, however, was Spirit midfielder Alexander “TORONTOTOKYO” Khertek, whose Queen of Pain was involved in 28 kills.
The International 2022
Ahead of the Arlington Major 2022, PSG.LGD, OG, TSM FTX, and Thunder Awaken secured seats in the TI11. The four teams earned enough DPC points in their respective regional leagues, regional finals, and the ESL One Stockholm Major 2022 to qualify for the tournament.
Beastcoast became the first team to qualify for TI11 in the Arlington Major because of how the group stage played out. Team Spirit, Team Aster, and Tundra Esports quickly followed with positive results, ensuring direct invites to TI11.
Because neither Team Spirit nor PSG.LGD will compete in ESL One Malaysia 2022, the Arlington Major was the final tournament in which the teams compete before TI11, which will be held at the Suntec Convention Center and the Singapore Indoor Stadium from October 20 to 30.
