On Sunday, Tundra Esports defeated Team Secret 3-0 in the best-of-five finals to win The International 11 (TI11), the eleventh version of Dota 2’s annual global championship competition (30 October).
They only dropped four games in the Group Stage and one in the Main Event because to The team’s map-splitting tactics, which made them almost unbeatable throughout the tournament.
They completely dominated the finals against Secret, becoming the second team to win the grand finals in a 3-0 whitewash since Team Liquid did so against Newbee in TI7.
Tundra won the first game of the finals in about 40 minutes with to a map-splitting strategy spearheaded by Oliver “skiter” Lepko’s hallmark selection of Naga Siren. In game two, they took a risk by selecting Leon “Nine” Kirilin as a mid Arc Warden, but it paid off as they cruised to another quick victory in under 40 minutes.
Tundra’s Medusa selection for skiter in game three was just as risky as his Arc Warden decision in game two. It was Neta “33” Shapira’s Beastmaster that caused havoc and paved the way for Tundra, despite the fact that his carry got all the attention.
Secret’s Micha “Nisha” Jankowski on Ember Spirit put up a brave fight, but his team ultimately lost 3-0 to Tundra after 44 minutes.
Tundra won the event and the total prize pool of US$18.8 million, which included a first place payout of almost US$8.5 million.
As a result of Tundra’s triumph, head coach Kurtis “Aui 2000” Ling becomes the first person since the famous OG team won TI8 and TI9 to win two titles. In TI5, while playing with Evil Geniuses, Aui 2000 won his first title. Also, he’s the first person to take home the trophy for both playing and coaching at TI.