Gaimin Threw 28K Lead; PARIVISION Trash Talk Aurora – EWC Playoffs Day 1
After a short break, Dota action at the Esports World Cup 2025 event has returned. After a series of one-sided stomps throughout the elimination stage, we were finally treated with close matches.
The first series of the day featured 2024 EWC champions Gaimin Gladiators taking on the 2023 champions, Team Spirit. In the first map, the Gladiators had a 28,000 net worth lead at the 34-minute mark, and it seemed like the game was unlosable. However, they started feeding one by one, giving Team Spirit a way back into the game.
In typical Team Spirit fashion, the two-time TI winners showed why they are considered the best team at playing from behind, and completed what seemed to be an impossible comeback.
Team Spirit carried this momentum into the second game and won the series with a 2-0 scoreline, though the series wasn’t the cleanest.
The day ended with a matchup between PARIVISION and Aurora, which turned out to be a spicy one. Throughout the series, both teams were exchanging tips and bad manners.
PARIVISION went for Dukalis’ signature Chen in the first map, allowing them to stomp the early game and snowball the lead into a quick victory. PARIVISION were relentlessly tipping kiyotaka throughout the game.
In the next map, Satanic went for a last-pick Phantom Lancer, a hero with a 1-6 record at the event, and a 0-2 record on Satanic himself. The pick turned out to be a disaster, as Phantom Lancer was barely doing any damage. kiyоtaka wanted revenge, going 8/1/11 on Shadow Fiend to tie the series.
For the decisive map, Aurora didn’t learn their lesson and didn’t ban Chen. PARIVISION’s coach Astini immediately picked the hero, and started screaming at Aurora for not banning it. It turned out that Astini was right, as the third map was almost a repeat of the first – PARIVISION easily took the map and series. There were also question marks being thrown in the all-chat.
These results mean Team Spirit set up a semi-final match against PARIVISION, while the Gaimin Gladiators and Aurora have been eliminated from the event.
The Esports World Cup 2025 is a $3,000,000 tournament taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 16 teams compete from July 8 to 19.