Tundra, Thunder, and TSM top day one of Dota Pro Circuit Stockholm Major playoffs

Along with Gaimin Gladiators, a majority of the top teams moved on.
Photo by Adela Sznajder via [ESL](https://photos.eslgaming.com/PRESS-GALLERY-ESL-One-Stockholm-2022/)

There is only so much you can do when a top seed comes for you in a high-level Dota 2 tournament, which is why during the first day of the Dota Pro Circuit Stockholm Major playoffs, all but one series saw the teams with the better Group Stage record advance to the next round. 

Recommended Videos

Tundra Esports and Team Spirit were two of the early favorites entering the Stockholm Major, with one being a consistently improving machine out of Western Europe and the other being a dynamic roster of reigning International Champions. And, in a first-round clash that could very well decide the fate of the entire event, neither side disappointed. 

Game one was the least interesting overall, as Tundra methodically picked apart Spirit and never truly felt much pressure, but the Eastern Europe squad bounced back to take a very messy game two and did manage to put up a fight in game three before eventually falling 2-1 to what looks to many to be the best team currently competing. 

Immediately after that, we had another dynamic, back-and-forth series between Thunder Awaken and BetBoom Team, two underdogs who came out of their respective regions as the top seed and proved LAN experience doesn’t make the team.

Of the three games between the two, TA looked more dominant, winning game one off the back of a single well-timed teamfight and nearly closing out game two to seal the series. However, you can never underestimate a good Nature’s Prophet, as BB Team evened the series 1-1 by split pushing, employing the classic Rat Dota strat, and pushing for the throne after faking a Roshan fight—though they would also fall 2-1. 

The only upset of the first round took place in the third series, where TSM overcame OG in a still competitive 2-0 sweep, followed by Gaimin Gladiators putting T1 in a dumpster in a fashion that the SEA team hadn’t experienced in its current iteration.

Heading into the lower bracket, Spirit and beastcoast will kick off the elimination round, with several teams needing to advance in order to improve their standing in the DPC rankings in hopes of locking in an invite to TI11 at the end of the season. By the end of the next two days, all of EEU could end up out of the event while SEA could also be knocked down to just a single team depending on how the matches go.


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article Elite League Dota 2 2024: Tournament schedule, results, streams, and more
The Elite League logo transposed on a background of Dota 2 heroes.
Read Article Valve will finally help you dodge toxic Dota 2 players, but it’s going to cost you
Vengeful Spirit and Underlord in Dota 2
Read Article Not another letter patch: Dota 2 players left disappointed by Patch 7.35d’s small changes
Omniknight in Dota 2 versus Pudge and Witch Doctor
Related Content
Read Article Elite League Dota 2 2024: Tournament schedule, results, streams, and more
The Elite League logo transposed on a background of Dota 2 heroes.
Read Article Valve will finally help you dodge toxic Dota 2 players, but it’s going to cost you
Vengeful Spirit and Underlord in Dota 2
Read Article Not another letter patch: Dota 2 players left disappointed by Patch 7.35d’s small changes
Omniknight in Dota 2 versus Pudge and Witch Doctor
Author
Cale Michael
Lead Staff Writer for Dota 2, the FGC, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and more who has been writing for Dot Esports since 2018. Graduated with a degree in Journalism from Oklahoma Christian University and also previously covered the NBA. You can usually find him writing, reading, or watching an FGC tournament.