Tournament Spotlight: 1win Series Dota 2 Fall Playoff Day 1 Recap

1win Series Dota 2 Fall playoffs day 1
Image credit: 1win Esports

On Thursday, the first day of playoffs in the 1win Series Dota 2 Fall unfolded, culminating in the list of potential victors narrowing to just two teams after decisive Semifinals match-ups.

All told, it was over relatively quickly, with expected dominance from Team Liquid and a decisive win for Team Spirit against the Riyadh Masters 2024 champions. With coverage supported by 1win Esports, the esports arm of bookmaker 1win, read on for details on how it unfolded — and what comes next.

Thursday was Day 1 of the two-day playoff stage, and saw the Semifinal matches take place. First up was Team Liquid vs PARIVISION. 

Team Liquid made it to the Playoffs comfortably after topping their group and securing a win in the Decider match against Gaimin Gladiators. The formidable Liquid, one of the best performing Dota 2 teams in 2024, brought that same energy to the Semifinal against PARIVISION, who actually won last time the pair faced.

Match one, at first, proved close and up in the air until a late lead by PARIVISION materialised into a first map victory, seemingly a continuation of the strong form the team has displayed throughout the tournament. However, Team Liquid bounced back quickly in games two and three, cruising to back-to-back wins — both lasting around 30 minutes — to take the series and advance to the Grand Final.

Over in the other Semifinal, it was never so close. Team Spirit dominated the first game, securing 28 kills to Gaimin Gladiators’ 4, in an affair which was over in 34 minutes and in which their opponents showed few signs of strength.

The second game was a similar story; about 10 minutes in Spirit took the gold lead and never lost it, widening their advantage around the 20 minute mark and closing it out in the next 10 with another dominant performance, this time with 37 kills to Gaimin Gladiators’ 9.

1win series dota 2 fall final matchups
Image credit: 1win Esports

With the Semifinals done, we now have our two Grand Finalists locked in: Team Liquid vs. Team Spirit. Both are forces to be reckoned with; Team Liquid are the reigning champions of The International, while Team Spirit are the reigning champions of the 1win Series Dota 2, having won the Summer edition.

Ultimately, one victor must be crowned — and a $50,000 check granted — during the Grand Final which starts at 4pm GMT today, November 22nd.

Ahead of the Grand Final, Semifinalists PARIVISION and Gaimin Gladiators will head off against each other in a third-place match, starting at 1pm GMT. 

You can follow the Grand Final action on 1win’s Twitch or YouTube channels.

The 1win Series Dota 2 Fall is the third edition of the series by 1win Esports, the esports arm of sports and esports bookmaker 1win. This edition is also the third to boast a $100,000 total prize pool.

Jake Nordland
Jake has worked at Esports Insider as a journalist and editor since early 2021. Now ESI's Media Manager, he continues to act as lead editor of print magazine The Esports Journal, and contributes his words to the website from time to time.