EPTTI3 is, in the longest time, the only tourney to really grab my interest. I haven't felt this excited since the days of CS1.6, when there was the rivalry between SK vs NiP or since the CPL Winter 2005. I, if I dare say so, felt passionate.
Coming into this tourney, Alliance were the clear favourites, while Na'vi, although good, not that convincing. There were many others who were hungry for the Aegis of Champions, but in the end only 2 teams could really fight for it. On the road to it we saw many upsets and surprises, tears of joy and sadness. We have seen Burning announce his retirement, kyxy accidentally denying the aegis and possibly losing the grand finals spot. We've seen big plays from all players, amazing teamfights, amazing baseraces and amazing passion from everyone. We've seen ridiculous records being broken, be it be most farm ever, or the longest game ever in Dota 2 history.
As said before, in the end there were really only 2 teams who really mattered the most - Na'vi and Alliance. Coming into the grand finals, Na'vi were full of question marks. Would they even be able to take a game off of Alliance? The first game certainly didn't do any justice to the hype revolving around Na'vi. They picked bunch of early game heroes and their plan failed - it ended in a quick stomp sub 20 minutes. Alliance were up 1-0.
But as has been said many times throughout this tournament: never count Na'vi out. The next game ended in a quick stomp in Na'vi's favour and Alliances play started to show some cracks. Was the wisp the answer Na'vi needed?
The next game Alliance didn't ban out wisp or alch, but instead they got AdmiralBulldog on his best hero - Lone Druid. Surely Alliance can't lose when they have their bear, which is getting buffed by an ogre? Wrong. In the final minutes of game 3, it all comes down to one last teamfight. Alliance are going all in: Lone Druid buys a rapier. And what happens? A quick teamwipe in favour of Na'vi, with the rapier going to the razor. Na'vi is up 2-1.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to see the next two games live due to the time differences (timezones killing esports, it was 5 am when I just got too tired to keep watching. But that doesn't matter, we have VODs after all.
The last game was a real nail biter, with s4 really stepping his game up by blocking Na'vi's tps with some great coils as Bulldog on prophet and CK/Wisp combo pushed both lanes. That all combined secured Alliance the victory. Finally they get the recognition they deserve. They can proudly say that they are Europe's, and world's, best team. In my opinion, if there was a MVP award, it should've gone towards s4. As his teammates did, he really was the game changer.
Na'vi were great, but in the end it wasn't their tourney to win. Congratulations to Alliance!
TI3 has been a really great tournament. Valve has put on a great show and lots of fans have raised the prize pool. The production has been top notch, but what really made this a great tourney is the storyline: Na'vi's and Alliances rivalry on who is the best European team, Burning's, world's greatest farmer's, last tournament and so on.
This is the greatest feeling I've had in a long time. Feeling passionate over 2 teams competing as they did. I have felt some lesser passion towards some SC2 games, but in the end nothing in the longest time has rivaled the passion which I felt in the CS1.6 days. And honestly, that is a great feeling to have.
Long live gaming!
Long live esports!
Long live Dota 2!
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