In the Lower Bracket Finals of TI13, Gaimin Gladiators emerged victorious over Tundra Esports, securing their spot in the Grand Finals of The International 2024. This marks Gaimin’s second appearance in the Finals in two years, ending the hopes of TI champs Saksa and Topson.
Game One seemed to be in Gaimin Gladiator’s favor, despite not having a gold lead. Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen’s Sand King and Martin “Saksa” Sazdov’s Tusk proved to be a formidable duo, with the Sand King’s immortality making it difficult for Gaimin to secure a win.
Image Credit: Valve
In Game Two, Gaimin prevented Tundra from getting the Tusk hero and Sand King was banned. With Anton “dyrachyo” Shkredov excelling on the Lone Druid pick, Gaimin took control early and secured a victory, leading to the first three-game series in the Playoffs.
Game Three saw Tundra return to their Tusk/Sand King draft, but Gaimin’s stellar performance led by Quinn Callahan, Dyrachyo on Alchemist, and Seleri on Enchantress dominated the early game. Despite Tundra winning team fights later on, Gaimin’s strategic team fighting and last-minute backdoor play with Underlord secured their victory.
Tundra placed third, earning over $230,000 in prize money. Their unique lineup, featuring players from different backgrounds, made their journey remarkable but unfortunately came to an end.
Gaimin will face Team Liquid in the Grand Finals, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to TI13. Whether Gaimin claims the championship or Liquid breaks their finals curse, the event promises to be a memorable one.
