After a gripping first week at the Esports World Cup 2025, the Dota 2 battlefield has been scorched down to its fiercest eight. Each team carries not just hopes of a title but the weight of seasons past, redemption arcs, broken dreams, and unstoppable ambition. With five of these squads entering the playoffs with just a single loss, what we are witnessing is arguably one of the most evenly matched and electrifying Dota 2 seasons of all time.

All eyes are on Riyadh’s Amazon Esports Arena, where every lane is a warzone and every series could rewrite the rankings. The format, fierce. The competition, razor-thin. And the storylines? Nothing short of legendary.

Team Spirit returns with the hunger of champions past. Their squad, though reshuffled, still bears the mark of a dynasty. With Illya "Yatoro" Mulyarchuk anchoring the charge and new firepower from Aleksandr "rue" Filin and Denis "Larl" Sigitov, the team feels poised for a monumental comeback. But their LAN curse continues to loom over them, as they seek to break their offline drought and reclaim their place at the top.

Then there are the Gaimin Gladiators. Their dominance may have slipped since 2023, but the bite is still there. With brutal efficiency, they bulldozed past Team Yandex and Shopify Rebellion, determined to hold onto their crown. They know the weight of defending a title. And they are playing like it.

PVISION enters this war with a point to prove. Their 2025 record speaks for itself   nine appearances, six top-three finishes. Their map control occasionally slips, but their team fight mechanics are on another level. When the pressure is highest, they shine brightest. If this tournament turns into a brawl, PVISION might just outplay everyone.

Aurora Gaming has become the surprise of the season. A patchwork of castoffs from BB Team and Team Spirit, this Serbian squad has transformed into a threat that few expected. Gleb "kiyotaka" Zyryanov and Myroslav "Mira" Kolpakov are proving why letting them go was a mistake. Their underdog story now reads more like a rising champion’s script.

Tundra Esports has quietly built a winning formula. Despite being overshadowed by louder names, their foundation is rock solid. Blending experience with fresh talent, their consistent performance has placed them among the favorites without ever needing to be flashy. They may not get the hype, but they are earning the respect.

BB Team, fresh off a commanding win at PGL Wallachia Season 5, carries momentum and a roster that knows how to navigate tough brackets. While this year’s EWC is overcrowded with powerhouse teams, BB’s recent wins against top-tier opponents give them more than just confidence   they bring fear to every matchup.

And then there’s Team Liquid. The TI13 champs have had a quiet year but not an unproductive one. After winning Wallachia Seasons 3 and 4, they’ve spent their time sharpening, refining, and preparing. Now, with the world watching, they seem ready to reveal the version of Liquid that terrified the world last year.

Finally, Team Falcons enters with the burden of unfinished business. Dominant in 2024, they failed to lift two of the most important trophies that season. Their run this year is about more than victory   it is about closure. The bracket ahead is brutal, starting with a rematch against Liquid and potentially escalating into battles against PVISION and Team Spirit. But if there is a team built to thrive through fire, it is Falcons.

As Week 2 begins, the Amazon Esports Arena is not just a venue   it is a crucible. Champions will be crowned, giants will fall, and new legends will be forged. The grand final on July 19 will be the climax of one of Dota’s most competitive chapters. With fans tuning in from every corner of the globe and the energy in Riyadh reaching fever pitch, this is the kind of tournament that defines a generation of players.

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