It’s that time again. Team Liquid vs. Gaimin Gladiators is a series Dota fans have seen a lot of in the last year. The only really surprising thing here is that since both Liquid and GG are in the lower bracket, we cannot have them both in the Gran Finals. So this is the stage that the must fight their final fight on what has been a very demoralizing year for Liquid.

This series has played out in a Grand Final no fewer than 4 times this year. In Lima, Berlin, Bali and at DreamLeague Season 19, Liquid have lost out to GG. Can they finally win at TI12, where everything is on the line for both teams at the biggest Dota 2 tournament of the year?

Source: Valve

It all started at the Lima Major way back at the start of the year. Gaimin Gladiators were an up and coming team facing off with a WEU giant. But at the very last minute, Liquid’s Boxi developed an illness so severe he had to return immediately to Sweden. This left Liquid scrambling and forced their coach onto the team.

It was no surprise that Liquid lost that final at such a huge disadvantage. But no one saw what happened next coming.

In an oddly cinematic groundhog day, Gaimin Gladiators defeated Liquid at every Major and a DreamLeague this year. Technically, Liquid did place above them at Riyadh Masters 2023, but they owed GG’s elimination to Talon Esports.

Pur prediction for the outcome of Team Liquid vs. Gaimin Gladiators today is a matter of head vs. heart. If ever there was a team that deserved redemption, it’s Team Liquid. They’ve been in touching distance of glory so many times this year.

However, it must be said that the Gladiators have had a stunning and record breaking year. Taking home a TI win would be the cherry on top of a very large cake for them.

Our prediction is that Gaimin Gladiators will take it in another close series. We’d love to see another 2-1. Despite their form slipping a little as of late, GG is one of the best teams in the world for a reason. Dyrachyo’s carries are consistent and while they play the meta well, they’ve certainly had their fair share of curve ball drafts (mid Dazzle anyone??). No matter the outcome though, fans are in for one hell of a fight.