Nouns sweep NA to head to The International: Dendi stopped one series short of TI return

Michael Hassall

Michael Hassall

Nouns has defeated all challengers to come out on top in the TI12 NA Qualifiers. Along the way, they crushed hopes of Dendi’s TI return.

Nouns has defeated B8 3-0 to secure victory in The International 2023 North America Qualifier, locking in the final spot for NA at TI12. Nouns took the win on the evening of August 22, having had an undefeated run through the bracket.

Along the way they took down major challengers, including fellow Div I squad Sand King Gómez, Tommy "Taiga" Le’s squad Wildcard Gaming, perennial NA challengers Team DogChamp, and finally, Dota legend Danil "Dendi" Ishutin’s B8.

Nouns crushes hopes of Dendi at TI12

Dendi has once again missed out on TI after Nouns' victory (Image via B8)
Dendi has once again missed out on TI after Nouns' victory (Image via B8)

With the win Nouns halted Dendi’s return to The International, in what would have been his first appearance since 2016. B8 had experienced somewhat of a miracle run in the North America Qualifier.

Initially stumbling against Wildcard Gaming, B8 fought back from the Lower Bracket to 2-0 their next two opponents, Sand King Gómez and felt. In the rematch against Wildcard Gaming yesterday (August 21), B8 pull off what many would consider an upset, taking down a stacked roster that included Taiga, and NA stalwarts Samuel "Sammyboy" Anderson and Jacob "Husky" Fifik.

B8 advanced to faceTeam DogChamp, who struggled against their motivated opponents. Ultimately B8 would advance to face Nouns in the Grand Finale. Unfortunately, that’s where the run would end for Dendi and company, who were given a cold dose of reality by a nouns team that many had favored as victors of this qualifier from the start.

Nouns advance to TI12

(Image via Climate Pledge Arena)
(Image via Climate Pledge Arena)

Nouns has a stacked roster, featuring stars of two regions. Captained by Rodrigo "Lelis" Santos, and bringing the all-star talent of Luke "Yamsun" Wang, David "Moo" Hull, Nicolas "Gunnar" Lopez, and Héctor "K1" Rodríguez to bear, Nouns are no pushovers.

They join fellow NA teams Shopify Rebellion and Team SoloMid as the region’s representatives in the first TI on home soil since 2017. They’ll make the (comparatively) short trip to Seattle, Washington in October.


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