The defending The International 10 champions are finding their groove at the ESL One Stockholm Major.
Team Spirit had a rather shaky start through the first day of the group stage, but compiled a winning record on day two to top Group B.
The team played one of the best games of the tournament so far against Thunder Awaken, the South American squad who opened the tournament with one of the biggest upsets against Team Liquid.
In an intense game two, Team Spirit had a strong lead throughout the game. But Thunder Awaken refused to give in, holding on with an immensely farmed Terrorblade on Crhistian Antony “Pakazs” Savina Casanova.
The South American squad played team fights extremely well despite their deficit, often following up on Herrera Martínez “Darkmago” Oswaldo Gonzalo’s Tiny initiations speedily and effectively.
But it was Magomed “Collapse” Khalilov who had the last laugh on one of his signature heroes, Mars. The offlaner was immensely farmed, and was the key to winning several of Spirit’s skirmishes. When Pakazs Blinked in to take down Illya “Yatoro” Mulyarchuk once, Collapse quickly engaged with Arena of Blood to protect his teammates.
But it was Magomed “Collapse” Khalilov who had the last laugh on one of his signature heroes, Mars. The offlaner was immensely farmed, and was the key to winning several of Spirit’s skirmishes. When Pakazs Blinked in to take down Illya “Yatoro” Mulyarchuk once, Collapse quickly engaged with Arena of Blood to protect his teammates.
He then patiently waited for Terrorblade’s Black King Bar to run out, before using Refresher Orb for yet another Arena and Spear to pin the opposing hard carry to the wall.
This gave Yatoro’s Medusa free rein to hit, and hit he did. Despite multiple buybacks from Thunder Awaken, losing Terrorblade and his Metamorphosis skill meant that they were ripe for the taking, and Spirit picked them apart.
Yatoro ended the game with a triple rampage, helping his team to one more victory—now sitting pretty at the top of Group B with 7-3 record, and a good chance at entering the upper brackets of the Stockholm Major.
