Chinese Dota 2 team Xtreme Gaming has secured their third championship of the year, taking home the Clavision Snow Ruyi Invitational title after a decisive 3-1 victory over reigning The International (TI) champions, Team Spirit.
The grand finals, held in Zhangjiakou, China, saw Xtreme Gaming dominate on their home turf, adding another trophy to their cabinet alongside a grand prize of $152,500 from the tournament’s $500,000 prize pool.
Road to the Grand Finals
Xtreme Gaming’s journey to the championship was not without its challenges. The team finished third in Group B during the Group Stage, with a 3-1 record identical to the top two teams but were seeded lower due to a head-to-head tiebreaker loss to Nigma Galaxy. Despite this setback, Xtreme Gaming advanced to the Playoffs starting from the upper bracket quarterfinals.
In contrast, Team Spirit topped Group A as the only team with a 3-1 record, earning them a direct bye to the upper bracket semifinals.
- Xtreme’s Playoff Run: Xtreme defeated both Natus Vincere and G2.iG in three-game series to advance to the upper bracket finals.
- Spirit’s Playoff Run: Team Spirit swept LGD Gaming in the upper bracket semifinals but fell to Xtreme in a surprising 2-0 sweep in the upper bracket finals.
Grand Finals Showdown: Xtreme vs. Spirit
In the grand finals, Xtreme Gaming showcased their dominance from the start, taking the first two games to establish a 2-0 series lead.
- Game 1: Xtreme secured a hard-fought 48-minute victory with Wang “Ame” Chunyu leading on Terrorblade, finishing with 7 kills, 6 assists, and 3 deaths.
- Game 2: Xtreme overwhelmed Spirit with a 34-12 kill score. Guo “Xm” Hongcheng on Storm Spirit recorded 12 kills and 10 assists, while Ame on Lina contributed with 10 kills and 13 assists.
- Game 3: Team Spirit bounced back with a dominating 34-5 win, led by Denis “Larl” Sigitov on Storm Spirit with 11 kills and 12 assists. Despite Spirit’s best efforts, Xtreme maintained composure going into Game 4.
- Game 4: Xtreme closed out the series in style, defeating Spirit with a 35-8 kill score. Xm on Ember Spirit led with 10 kills and 19 assists, supported by Ame on Morphling and Zhao “XinQ” Zixing on Mirana.
Key Performances
- Wang “Ame” Chunyu: A consistent performer across the series, Ame’s plays on Terrorblade, Lina, and Morphling were pivotal to Xtreme’s success.
- Guo “Xm” Hongcheng: Xm’s standout games on Storm Spirit and Ember Spirit helped secure crucial victories for Xtreme.
- Zhao “XinQ” Zixing: XinQ’s support role was instrumental, especially in Game 4 where his Mirana provided crucial kills and assists.
What’s Next for Xtreme Gaming?
This victory adds to Xtreme Gaming’s successful 2024, with previous wins at Games of the Future 2024 and Elite League Season 1. Their continued success positions them as a formidable contender for upcoming tournaments, including The International 2024.
As for Team Spirit, despite falling short in the grand finals, their performance remains strong, and they are expected to bounce back as they prepare for the next challenges in the Dota 2 competitive scene.
Clavision Snow Ruyi Invitational Top 4 Prize Money
- 1st place: Xtreme Gaming – $152,500
- 2nd place: Team Spirit – $100,000
- 3rd place: Nigma Galaxy – $75,000
- 4th place: LGD Gaming – $50,000
Final Toughts
Xtreme Gaming’s victory in the Clavision Snow Ruyi Invitational not only defends their home turf but also solidifies their status as one of the top teams to watch in the 2024 Dota 2 season.
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