Dota 2 fans out there were in for a treat today. Not only did they get to see three best-of-three series, they also witnessed some amazing Dota.
Upper bracket Semi-Final
GD B-Team vs 
Team Empire Team Empire could not live up to the hype and only placed second in the group, whereas the GD B-Team took everyone by surprise and placed on top. Both practiced a very aggressive and creative kind of Dota, showing forth some great games.
Game 1 looked very promising for Empire, as they picked what is often described as "wombo combo" - meaning Naga Siren, Enigma and Tidehunter. Yet it didn't pay out, as Black^'s Pudge always gets to kill at least one of those heroes before they could even use their ultimates. The GD B-Team pressured Empire early on and won numerous team fights, securing a GG within 22 minutes.
On the edge of being pushed into the Lower bracket, Empire picked a rather unorthodox line-up. Along with the recently popular Batrider and Jakiro, they picked up Pugna, Bane and Clinkz. It worked out fine for the Russians, as Funn1k's Clinkz destroyed whoever stood in his way, forcing ex-Mouz to a third game.
Empire opted to go for the same lineup, but were denied the Batrider and Clinkz. They picked up an Outworld Destroyer and an Omniknight for themselves instead. Every teammate that was targeted was either imprisoned, repelled, healed or slept. It worked out wonders in early team fights, but GD B smartly decided to pick off the Russians one by one. Having Pudge, Batrider and TA in their line-up helped the case a lot, securing their win.
Upper bracket Semi-Final
Pulse Gaming vs 
Natus VincereThe Swedes were recently picked up by Pulse Gaming and had now to prove themselves against Na'Vi.
It was a horrendous start for the so far unbeaten Ukrainians. They lost on every lane and Pulse dominated them. The latter's CK/Wisp combo picked off anyone surviving Pinoy's Shadow Fiend. Na'Vi's Alchemist pick didn't pay off and the team was crushed within 19 minutes, with a score of 24-5 for Pulse.
It was time for the Ukrainians to return the favor, which is why they resorted to more conventional picks, such as Queen of Pain, Tidehunter or CK. Many team fights went in the favor of Na'Vi, although Death was already knocking on the door several times. The Ukrainians took advantage of the poorly farmed Leshrac, taking him out before most fights even started. They piled on the pressure, leaving Pulse's Treant Protector no room to shine. A convincing push on the bottom lane got Na'Vi the win.
The third game was no nail biter as well, as Na'Vi pressured the Swedes very early. Pulse relied on Naix to farm up, while Broodmother resorted to split pushing. While Naix got his farm, the rest of his team had barely time to breathe properly. Na'Vi got early gank kills and dominated the Swedes in the Mid-game, giving Dendi's Puck an Ultra Kill. Pulse could not respond to that, nor could they handle the team fight potential as well as presence from Na'Vi, losing the third game and dropping to the Lower bracket.
Upper bracket Final
GD B-Team vs Natus VincereLooking back on the previous games, this match-up was bound to be packed with entertainment, excitement and action. It definitely delivered.
Game 1 looked promising already when Puppey picked up Dendi's beloved Pudge. KuroKy answered with Tidehunter and it seemed to work out. SingSing's Tide was on par in the midlane and ganks gave him the advantage - or so it seemed. Pudge was still able to land several crucial hooks, dismembering the AoE heavy line-up from the former mouz squad. They could however still get a few good combinations off, pushing Na'Vi to the limits and overpowering them in many team fights. Black^'s Gyrocopter worked out wonders. The game went back and forth, but Na'Vi eventually got on top as Void prevailed.
The next game lost in pace, but definitely not in tension. Dendi once again got his Pudge and was much more effective in this game. The early game looked very good for Na'Vi as Xboct's Anti-Mage farmed an 11-minute Battlefury. However, the said Battlefury was denied by Black^ (for a few minutes) who killed the courier when it just picked up all the necessary items. It delayed the much needed item against Bamboe's Broodmother and gave Black^'s Tiny even more farm. Na'Vi however still got the upper hand and eventually took out one set of rax. It looked like their game, but they became reckless. Xboct got caught a few times, giving away gold and levels. KuroKy's Rubick contributed with some well-timed and placed 4-man-black holes and GD B-Team wiped out the whole Na'Vi team and destroyed the throne.
The final game saw once again a Pudge, but this time it was Black^'s turn to fish for fresh meat. Viewers were however in for a treat, as GD picked up Pugna and Omniknight and Na'Vi drafted Clockwerk Goblin. While the game was entertaining to watch, it was not as tense as the games before. Na'Vi dominated their enemies and Puppey showed that a jungle Lycanthrope is still viable. It was however LightOfHeaven's Clockwerks time to shine, as he set up several kills and showed impressive skills. SingSing was able to hold Na'Vi back a lot in the early game, as his Netherward disintegrated the Ukrainians in the early mid game. But s soon as Dendi purchased a BKB with his QueenOfPain, team fights were all going the way of Na'Vi, leading to a convincing win.
Tomorrow at 1300 CEST, Team Empire faces off against Pulse Gaming in the Lowe rbracket's Final. The winner of this match will take on the GD B-Team at 2100 CEST to decide Na'Vi's enemy for the grand final this Sunday. Knowing all these teams, tuning in will definitely pay off.
Check out the full coverage of this event on our StarSeries coverage page.
