Dota 2 The International 2023 Upper Bracket Quarterfinals Team Liquid vs Talon Esports Review, Recap, Analysis And Impression

The Dota 2 community held its breath as the Upper Bracket Quarterfinals of The International 2023 unfolded, pitting two formidable teams against each other: Team Liquid and Talon Esports. With high stakes and a place in the Upper Bracket Semifinals on the line, both teams brought their A-game to the battleground. In this Team Liquid vs Talon Esports review, recap, analysis, and impression, we delve into the thrilling series that transpired between these Dota giants.

Team Liquid vs Talon Esports: Setting the Stage

After the group stage, four teams were eliminated, setting the stage for this crucial match. When the dust settled, the remaining teams found themselves split between the Upper and Lower Brackets, with their futures in this tournament potentially at risk. 

In the inaugural Upper Bracket Quarterfinal, Team Spirit overcame Virtus.pro to eliminate their opponent and move on to the Lower Bracket Round 2. With Talon Esports taking on Team Liquid in the second Upper Bracket Quarterfinals match, the stage was now set.

Game 1: Team Liquid’s Dominance

Game 1 of the series featured a clash of strategies and hero drafts. Team Liquid came into this encounter with a well-balanced lineup that showcased both aggressive and late-game potential. On the other side of the battlefield, Talon Esports drafted heroes that, unfortunately, lacked the necessary damage output to match their European counterparts.

Team Liquid’s composition on the Dire side included:

• Spectre – Micke
• Primal Beast – Nisha
• Dark Seer – Zai
• Dark Willow – Boxi
• Enchantress – Insania

Talon Esports, playing from the Radiant side, countered with:

• Morphling – 23savage
• Kunkka – Mikoto
• Tidehunter – Jabz
• Nature’s Prophet – Q
• Treant Protector – Oli

The early flaws revealed a potential weakness in Talon Esports’ draft, particularly in their support picks. Nature’s Prophet conceded the first blood to Team Liquid at the top river rune, but he later assisted Kunkka in securing a critical kill on Primal Beast in the mid-lane.

As the match unfolded, both teams engaged in a series of back-and-forth team fights, with their carries accumulating precious gold and experience. A pivotal moment arrived at the 20-minute mark when a team fight erupted near the bottom river rune. 

Despite Tidehunter’s well-timed Ravage, it had minimal impact as Team Liquid decisively eliminated the Treant Protector, Morphling, and Tidehunter. The credit for this victory was attributed to Zai’s Vacuum and Wall, which turned the tide in Team Liquid’s favor.

With their newfound momentum, Team Liquid seized control of the Roshan Pit, securing the Aegis for Primal Beast. This marked the beginning of their relentless push, which systematically dismantled Talon Esports. Morphling found himself struggling to amass the essential items, ultimately falling behind Micke’s Spectre, who relentlessly hunted down Talon’s heroes. 

Items like Diffusal Blade, Manta Style, and Hand of Midas gave Spectre the edge, and after a series of victorious team fights, Spectre claimed the second Aegis. Team Liquid’s dominance continued as they pushed down the bottom lane, resulting in Talon Esports conceding defeat, with “ggs” being typed out in the chat. This marked the conclusion of Game 1.

Game 2: Liquid’s Unrelenting Force

Game 2 of the series maintained the same tone as the first, with Team Liquid demonstrating an unshakable dominance over Talon Esports. Despite Talon Esports boasting a formidable lineup, they found themselves outplayed by the synergy and hero choices of the European powerhouse.

Team Liquid, this time on the Radiant side, assembled the following roster:

• Luna – Micke
• Storm Spirit – Nisha
• Dawnbreaker – Zai
• Tusk – Boxi
• Ancient Apparition – Insania

Talon Esports, playing from the Dire side, fielded a squad featuring:

• Terrorblade – 23savage
• Zeus – Mikoto
• Bristleback – Jabz
• Earthshaker – Q
• Phoenix – Oli

Bristleback’s early game presence forced Dawnbreaker to join the early team fights, which initially seemed to put Team Liquid at a disadvantage. They lost a couple of skirmishes in the early game due to this choice. However, as the match progressed, the burst damage potential from Team Liquid’s heroes proved more than sufficient to control Bristleback effectively.

Luna, over time, scaled up and eventually matched the power of Terrorblade. Talon Esports attempted to sneak a Roshan kill but were foiled by Ancient Apparition’s well-aimed Ice Blast. This, coupled with Dawnbreaker and Storm Spirit’s pickoff of Zeus near the Fountain Pool, disrupted Talon Esports’ strategy to secure the Aegis.

Fortunately for Talon Esports, Terrorblade managed to secure the Aegis and prepared for the upcoming team fight. With the Aegis in hand, Talon initiated a push on the Radiant side’s top racks, successfully securing the Tier 3 tower. In an intense engagement, Terrorblade capitalized on his BKB and the Eye of Skadi’s damage to eliminate Luna.

However, Team Liquid wasn’t ready to concede. The rest of their squad, led by Dawnbreaker and Tusk, mounted a ferocious counterattack that wiped out Talon Esports and secured the second elimination of Terrorblade. Team Liquid surged toward the Dire’s base, securing mega creeps and claiming a dominant victory, ultimately ending Game 2 and sealing their overall triumph in the series.

Team Liquid vs Talon Esports: Impression and Analysis

The Upper Bracket Quarterfinals series between Team Liquid and Talon Esports left a lasting impression on Dota 2 fans worldwide. Team Liquid’s performance in this series showcased their adaptability, drafting prowess, and solid teamwork. Their ability to adapt as a team was demonstrated by how well they used their early-game aggression to move into the late game.

Talon Esports, on the other hand, struggled to find their footing against the experienced Team Liquid. Their drafts, though innovative, lacked the necessary damage and control to compete effectively. The inability to secure crucial objectives and capitalize on key moments in the game ultimately led to their downfall.

In this Bracket Quarterfinals clash, Team Liquid displayed their exceptional teamwork, resilience, and adaptability, securing a 2-0 victory over Talon Esports. This resounding triumph propels them to the Upper Bracket Semifinals and positions them as strong contenders for The International 2023 championship.

Talon Esports, on the other hand, while displaying moments of brilliance, will need to regroup and make a valiant Lower Bracket run if they aim to stay in the competition.

The International 2023 continues to deliver breathtaking Dota 2 action, and fans can hardly wait to witness more intense battles as the tournament unfolds. Stay tuned as the world’s best teams vie for glory and a chance to etch their names into Dota 2 history.