Team Liquid fans are crumbling, their worst nightmare will play them in the Upper Brackets final.
The International 2024 has been a rollercoaster of emotions, but this was not a day for upsets. While every favorite team won their series, one match-up remained unpredictable. When it came down to Gaimin Gladiators and Tundra playing for the TI13 Top 3, the 2-0 stomp took everyone by surprise.
The Gladiators secured a clean win this time, and their rivalry with RAMZES666 appears to be a thing of the past. Now, all they're talking about is their next game against Team Liquid—the same team they beat twice during EWC to claim the highest-earning crown of the year.
This year, the Top 3 placement awards around 230,000 USD; if any of these teams stays in that spot. In comparison with last year, it's a 40,000 USD downgrade. However, the compendium will keep summing money to the prize pool for each sale. Therefore, this number could rise up in the coming days.
Game 1: Chen ruined Tundra's first draft against the Gladiators for TI13 UB Semifinals
The early game was a strong proof of what the first game would be for Tundra. GG started strong with some of their favorite picks: The auras and sustain from tOfu's Chen, and Broodmother for Ace. Plus, they had Quinn's Storm Spirit to steal momentum from Tundra's mid-to-late game strategy.
Despite Pure's Alchemist best attempts to dominate the net worth graphics, the Gladiators had enough money to outplay them everytime. Even when it was a four-versus-one situation, like the one Dyrachyo had to face. Getting pick-offs for Tundra was nearly impossible thanks to Chen's sustain.
It was already GG when Tundra tried to solo-kill the support Mirana with every resource they had; just to see how he survives and allows his team to get a full wipe on their first TI13 game in front of the crowd.
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Game 2: A quick, but painful ending for Tundra
Gaimin Gladiators were already feeling like a TI13 Top 3 team when the draft against Tundra ended. However, Moonmeander had hopes on Quinn's alleged inexperience with Sandking. Something he would soon find out he was wrong about.
The Enigma pick enabled Sandking to play however he wanted. GG split the teamfights with Ace's hero, and Quinn would be the one to stop Tundra's counterplays.
After this early teamfight, Tundra never found a way to stop the Gladiators road to TI13's Top 3. Their last opportunity came with the high ground defense, taking advantage of Pure's buyback. Unfortunately, he used teleportation too aggressively, making it easy for the Alchemist and Underlord to get him.
But don't be sad, Tundra's run is still alive for this edition of The International. They will have to beat Xtreme Gaming next for a chance of a rematch. If you missed any of The International 2024 action, we have you covered!
