The last weekend saw the grand final of the Riyadh Masters 2024 where Team Liquid and Gladiators faced off once again. Gladiators had previously sent Team Liquid to the lower bracket in the playoffs.
The showdown ended with a solid 3-0 victory in favor of Gladiators, bringing back memories for Dota 2 fans. In 2023, these teams clashed four times, with all matches ending in Gladiators’ favor.
The Riyadh Masters Grand Final Highlights
The final match of the Riyadh Masters 2024 was already a surprise. While many expected Team Liquid to be there, it was hard to imagine Nisha and company beating Falcons in the lower bracket final, but they did. On the other hand, Gladiators’ presence was unexpected. Until May 2024, their best performance was a Top 5 in DreamLeague S22. Despite this, Gladiators reached the finals by improving significantly in recent tournaments, securing two runner-up finishes.
Throughout the Riyadh Masters, Gladiators lost only one series (a BO2 in the group stage against Heroic). From then on, they gathered 4 draws and 5 wins throughout the tournament. In the playoffs, they lost only one map.
Given these precedents, it’s no surprise that Gladiators comfortably defeated a Team Liquid that had good moments throughout the competition. Nisha performed exceptionally well, but the team consistently faltered in finals. This is not an opinion; it’s a fact.
Team Liquid’s Finals Jinx
Since 2023, Team Liquid has been one of the top teams of the year. Despite ups and downs, mostly ups, Liquid has played a total of seven finals between last year and this year – more than any other team – and lost all of them. They lost four finals to Gladiators (Lima Major, Berlin Major, Bali Major, and Riyadh Masters 2024), one to Team Spirit (Riyadh Masters 2023), and one to Falcons (BetBoom Dacha Dubai 2024).
Source: Liquipedia
Clearly, Gladiators are the bane of Team Liquid, consistently dominating their European counterparts in finals and other encounters. Team Liquid is always in contention for titles, but their inability to win them is becoming a concern.
Team Liquid has the talent to secure victories, but they falter in finals, overshadowed by their opponents. This could be a psychological issue when facing finals, though the organization has a comprehensive support team, including psychological evaluation, to keep players motivated.
Alternatively, it could be a sign that the team needs urgent changes to start winning tournaments, but that’s a decision only Team Liquid’s roster can make.
The Ultimate Test: The International
Team Liquid will head to Lima for the Elite League Season 2. Many see them as favorites, alongside Tundra Esports, but the recent result has shaken the confidence of their fans.
The Elite League is just a stop on a longer journey culminating in The International 2024 in Denmark this August. Last year, Team Liquid finished in the Top 6, eliminated by none other than Gladiators in the lower bracket. Many believed Team Liquid could reach the finals, but once they faced Gladiators, their hopes vanished.
In 2024, while Team Liquid is a contender, they are not the favorites as they were last year, which might suit them better. They were not favorites in Riyadh, yet outperformed Xtreme Gaming, Team Spirit, and Falcons, the top favorites.
Final Toughts
Team Liquid has the potential to surprise, but if they reach a possible final in Denmark, can their mindset overcome the poor track record of the past year and a half? Only Team Liquid has the answer, and we will find out in Denmark.