After a nail biting completion to the 2023 season, and with a narrow defeat to the hands of Azure Ray; one of China’s early juggernauts this new Dota 2 season, the Gladiators formed hand in hand taking to 2024’s first tier 1 event in the United Arab of Emirates and a clash at the evolving BetBoom Dacha series. Noted as one of the favorites after an immaculate 2023 year; the Gladiators hoped to keep their pace as a steadfast powerhouse in the world of professional Dota 2 esports. 

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After some time away from the competitive scene, BetBoom Dacha Dubai provided teams the opportunity to continue their early seasons progression and with an astounding $1,000,000 behind it, pushed teams to the brink of becoming early favorites in the long and strenuous journey the Dota ecosystem has come to know. Being one of seven teams invited, and with the colosseum of fans behind them, Gaimin Gladiators took to Group A ready to clash against the best, in hopes of continuing their winning ways.

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Group Play

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Matched up in Group A alongside staple Chinese powerhouse LGD Gaming, newly formed Team Falcons from MENA, the always dependable Eastern European Virtus Pro, South East Asia's Aurora, alongside rival Western European Team Liquid; the Gladiators looking to continue their winning ways, hoped to capture excellence of previous seasons past. In the early seasons beginnings, the gladiators took to the servers ready to wager against the worlds best, in this new 2024 year.

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Gaimin Gladiators vs Team Liquid

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“The Classic”  Gaimin Gladiators and Team Liquid once again took to the stage ready to compete again as the Dota esports scene has seen exponentially throughout 2023, continuing their rivalry in the years early beginnings. Often getting the better of the two, Gaimin Gladiators once again got the upperhand, defeating the likes of their Western European adversaries in swift 2-0 fashion. In 28, and 32 minutes respectively, the Gladiators came out hot, capitalizing with great team cohesion, and aggression the team has been often cited for. With an early 2-0, and 1-0 series lead the Gladiators came out the gates ready for war, keeping up expectations of winning ways.

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Gaimin Gladiators vs Aurora 

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 After an early dominant performance, the Gladiators drew their weapons ready to take on the newly implemented South East Asian organization Aurora. After an early 1-1 tie, Aurora looked promising with staple SEA talent forming, hopeful to provide the region better results after years of falter. Unfortunately for them the Gladiators legion came out in a fashion they couldn’t combat. Winning early and often; in 25 and 34 minutes alike, the Gladiators form looked in tip top shape, much alike to their beginning series, swiftly defeating Aurora, and taking a stranglehold on the group with 4-0 game record, and 2-0 series overall.

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Gaimin Gladiators vs Team Falcons

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With the massive introduction to the MENA region and the immaculate forming of Team Falcons; the Gladiators looked to continue Group A in a form they showcased in the opening two-series’ of the week. Team Falcons formed with talent such as TI winners Skiter, Sneyking, coach Aui2000 alongside Major winners of Cr1t- and ATF looked like a team built for success, and as the matchup turned to the servers, Falcons came out stronger than what the Gladiators expected. The MENA collective came out formidable and concise, taking the often aggressive Gladiators by storm, defeating them 2-0 with promising team cohesion. Turning the tables on the juggernauts of the group; Gaimin Gladiators took their first game and series loss, giving others a chance in the rat race of Group A. Looking to regroup, Gaimin Gladiators turned their attention to LGD Gaming, a staple in Chinese Dota 2, with massive potential.

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Gaimin Gladiators vs LGD Gaming

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After a successful 3rd place in last year's International 12, LGD Gaming came in often touted as a team to look out for. Hoping to continue China’s strength after Azure Ray’s victory at ESL One Kuala Lumpur in 2023, the two teams clashed eager to push them up the pedestal in the tournament's early stage. LGD were able to draw first blood playing as a unit, destroying the ancient in an impressive 36 minute mark. While impressive, the Gladiators struck back, collecting their own victory, matching LGD’s game one victory again at the 36 minute mark. Faltering after impressive 2-0 series victories; Gaimin Gladiators with a 5-3 game score and 2-1-1 series’ score needed a victory to narrowly mantle themselves up a leg on their competitive adversaries. 

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Gaimin Gladiators vs Virtus Pro 

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With an impressive start, and the slow decline within the group stage; Gaimin Gladiators looked to lock up a top spot within the group. Virtus Pro up next on the other hand had little to play for. With a 2-6 game record, Virtus Pro played for pride and expertise necessary for the long haul of competitive Dota. With plenty of implications for the Gladiators squad, they looked to 2-0 the lowly Eastern European team; yet Virtus Pro fought to the bitter end. After a successful game one constriction, the series and group placement looked on the up, but Virtus Pro continued to battle, breaking down the Gladiators in game two taking a very necessary victory away from the Gladiators hands. With the series tie, tiebreaker implications came to fruition with all four Group A competitors battling for their group stage placement. 

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1v1 Tiebreakers

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With four teams all tied with 6-4 game records, the 1v1 tie-breaker imposed massive implications, allowing for teams to be seeded in potentially better bracket matchups. Unfortunately for the Gladiators; Team Liquid got the upperhand. Quinn vs Nisha, seen throughout in 5v5 play, competed amongst one another, with Nisha getting the victory for his team. With the 1v1 loss, Gaimin finished the groups 3rd overall, ready to compete in the playoff bracket stage. Their opponent; Team Spirit, The International 12’s Grand Final’s opponent, hoping to draw new blood after last year’s grueling defeat.

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Gaimin Gladiators vs Team Spirit (Upper Bracket Quarter-Final)

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Playing against one another for the first time after both teams' incredible International finals; the teams matched up once again in the new year, ready to duke it out. Looking to ward off previous demons, the Gladiators amassed impressive feats, looking like a completely different team, after the later stages of group play. Gaimin Gladiators took Team Spirit to its wit’s end, dominating their first upper bracket series 2-0, taking revenge on their International winning compadres.

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Gaimin Gladiators vs BetBoom Team (Upper Bracket Semi-Final)

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Next up, BetBoom Team, finishing with a lackluster group stage, but impressive 2-0 victory over LGD Gaming, looked promising in the playoff portion of play. Their promise continued and drastically, as game one ended to their pleasure in a vast 27 minutes. Gladiators in game two proved stronger turning the game into a long haul. Unfortunately for them game two fell just short, losing a close grueling game in the process. After 73 minutes BetBoom took the upper bracket victory pushing them forward. Gladiators turned to the lower bracket, a spot they often vanquished in.

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Gaimin Gladiators vs Team Liquid (Lower Bracket Quarter-Final)

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The storyline continued to improve, as the Western European teams met once again in lower bracket competition. Hoping to best their adversaries once again, the Gladiators' upper hand on the series’ head to head has been extensive, but Team Liquid looked to change the narrative. The storyline looked to sway in Gladiators favor, winning an impressive 26 minute slaughter, pushing them forward in a lower bracket run, they’ve come to grasp to. This time however Team Liquid dispensed their demons. Winning game two in 40 minutes, with stronger formidable play, game three was a grueling 50 minute marathon, unfortunately with a gladiator being slain in the wake. 

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Though the BetBoom Dacha 2024 placement wasn’t up to par for the juggernaut roster; the Gladiators looked formidable in the tournament with powerhouses all around them, finishing in a respectable 5th-6th place. As the DreamLeague Season 22 forms in the horizon, the Gladiators look to armor up, putting BetBoom Dacha in their rear view mirror, looking to bounce back to previous Gladiator strength seen time and time again.

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For more information on Gaimin Gladiators Dota 2, and all our professional esports teams stay tuned here for recaps, blogs and content in all our esports ventures. Thank you for reading. #AgainstAllOdds  

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