The MegaFon Winter Clash event organized by Epic Esports Events is officially over. The big tournament that was contested in Moscow since the end of last November brought together the world’s top six teams. Team Liquid was the best to beat Natus Vincere, Team Secret, PSG.LGD, Virtus.pro, and Forward Gaming.
Although not a Pro Circuit event, the MegaFon Winter Clash tournament is followed by the world’s best DOTA 2 teams. With a total prize of $300,000, this tournament is a distraction for the pro team awaiting the Pro Circuit series that just started again in January 2019.
The two-day tournament (December 7-9), finally made sure Team Liquid to taste their first championship trophy for the season, by topping the MegaFon Winter Clash.
The champion of The International 7 have been on hiatus for quite a long time in the 2018-2019 season due to fatigue following last year’s Pro Circuit. As a result, Liquid and friends missed their first major and minor this season. Apparently, a short break proved to be the right decision because Liquid appeared very dominant since the group stages until the final.
Even though walking through the difficult path of Closed Qualifier, Na’Vi appeared very solid and could challenge Team Liquid in the final yesterday. Despite having to lose 3-0 to Liquid in the final round, Na’Vi still had time to fight with the top of group A defeating Virtus.pro and Team Secret. Before they could challenge Team Liquid again, Na’Vi also had beat The International 2018 finalist, PSG.LGD with a landslide score 2-0 at Loser’s Final.
Liquid became the only unbeaten team in the group, playoff and final round. In the final matches, they were challenged by Natus Vincere, who surprisingly could overtake a superior team such as PSG.LGD and host representative, Virtus.pro. While Liquid has overthrown barriers from Forward Gaming and also PSG.LGD in the group stage. This victory rewarded Liquid with $125,000 in cash.
The signal is a threat to other teams, although it is still too early towards the target of The International 2019 champion, because Liquid is motivated to return to the history of being the first team to win two Aegis of Champion. Especially Matumbaman, the carry who was “forced” became a midlaner at the order of Kuroky the captain. He expressed his envy for JerAx, who was invited by the President of Finland after winning TI 2018. Even though Matu was also an TI champion, in 2017 there was no such prestigious invitation.
With a full of motivation, Matu and Liquid seemed ready to dominating DOTA 2 tournament this time. Even ODPixel likens the power map of DOTA 2 after the MegaFon Winter Clash making Liquid a tier 1 team, while the other teams are a few levels below it. Was Liquid’s appearance convincing to become the first team who will get second TI champion?
