Team Empire Books Ticket to ESL Manila After Besting Natus Vincere

CIS giants Team Empire duked it out against Ukrainian squad Natus Vincere in a five game series at the Grand Finals of the EU Qualifiers for ESL Manila last night. Both teams have been playing exceptional Dota 2 to make it to the finals so this was going to be an instant classic. Na’Vi convincingly dispatched  CIS side Vega Squadron (2-0) in their Semifinal Round while Team Empire similarly swept England based squad London Conspiracy.

From left: Dendi, Salehi “Kuroky” Takhasomi, Clement “Puppey” Ivanov, Funn1k, XBOCT (Image from deadshirt.net)

To make things even more interesting, the match was going to be a bitter reunion for long time teammates Danil “Dendi” Ishutin, Gleb “Funn1k” Lipatnikov and Aleksandr “XBOCT” Dashkevich. The three  had an interesting career together at Na’Vi, arguably one of the most popular teams in the Philippines. One day they are playing exciting and calculated Dota 2 and subsequently delighting fans left and right. Another day however they are playing like uninspired, disorganized pubbers.

Dendi has always been loved by all because of his infectiously fun loving personality and since his appearance in the Dota 2 documentary, Free to Play. XBOCT, on the other hand, has always been a polarizing figure even the most die-hard Na’Vi fans liked to pick on. Funn1k was a little bit of both where you get to love him when he plays to his capability but doesn’t get nearly as much flak as XBOCT when he plays poorly. Times change, Dendi is still with Na’Vi while Team Empire parades their new recruits in XBOCT and Funn1k.

In what was pegged as a close fight, this El Clasico turned into a beatdown with Team Empire dictating tempo from the get-go. Team Empire looked unstoppable as they took command of Game 1 lead by stand-in Lozovoi “fn” Rostislav’s Gyrocopter and Ilya “ALOHADANCE” Korobkin’s Puck.

Na’Vi was not going to go down without a fight as they started Game 2 strong with a strong early game. Team Empire stood their ground and easily evened the odds before long. A huge ALOHADANCE Sven was too much for Dendi and company.

With their backs against the wall, Na’Vi had to win Game 3 or their dream of making it to Manila, well, would remain a dream. All seemed lost for Na’Vi as Team Empire took the early game with an agresssive line-up. Overconfidence became an issue though as Team Empire tried to take an early Roshan but Na’Vi punished them for it and gave them a way back into the game. Team Empire’s charge was not deterred as they still took an early set of barracks. And in true Na’Vi fashion when they were about to tap out Dendi’s Outworld Devourer and  Viktor “GeneRaL” Nigrini’s Faceless Void comes out with big plays to bring them back into the game. Dendi and GeneRaL lead Na’Vi back into the series with an emphatic Game 3 win. Miracles do happen and Na’Vi might just do it.

Game 4 was going to be anyone’s game. Na’Vi’s momentum for the Game 3 win seems to be carrying over as they easily take the early game. Team Empire looked to take another early Roshan knowing full well how doing it last game might have costed them the game. Na’Vi looked to capitalize against the early gambit but things didn’t go as crisply this time around. Things went downhill for Na’Vi from there and the comeback was gone. Team Empire wins the series 3-1 and are crowned winners of the EU Qualifiers and book their ticket to Manila.

To the disappointment of many Filipino fans, Dendi and the rest of Natus Vincere will not be gracing the ESL Manila event later this year. Even if we don’t have the actual Na’Vi name, former players XBOCT and Funn1k will be present. Congratulations Team Empire and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Featured Image from Team Empire’s Facebook Page

• Ilya “ALOHADANCE” Korobkin
• Rostislav “fn” Lozovoi
• Aleksandr “XBOCT” Dashkevich
• Gleb “Funn1k” Lipatnikov
• Alexander “NoFear” Churochkin

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