Techlabs Cup is set to begin momentarily as four teams once more meet on LAN in Minsk, Belarus, marking the first return to a LAN setting for the European scene since last months The International 2013. While the stakes of Techlabs are not quite as high as some of the upcoming LAN events such as MLG Columbus, StarLadder, DreamHack Winter and EMS One, this competition will serve as first indicator of the future prowess of some of the smaller teams which have been showing strong results online, while at the same time taking the temperature of Na`Vi, a team which has tended to suffer some fairly heavy post-TI slumps in the past.
As previously, this weekend's competition will grant the winner access to the end of the year Grand Finals. Already qualified teams for the event include Na`Vi, Team Empire and Terrible Terrible Damage. The first round of matches were scheduled to start at 15:00 CEST today, September 28th, however the tournament has suffered some delays, and the new starting time is at around 17:00 CEST. The first round will pit Na`Vi vs. the former Cascade squad and Quantic/Flip.sid3 playing under the moniker of dd.Dota against Power Rangers.
The challengers assemble
Of note is the fact that while Power Rangers is a name long in the making, dating back past the birth of Dota 2, their latest incarnation has not been together long at all but has already shown great results, taking games off Na`Vi and Alliance. In particular mid player and captain Vitalii ‘zxc’ Domostoy is an interesting prospect within the CIS scene, only hampered by the characteristic overabundance of solo mid players within the Russian speaking community. Power Rangers will set out to accrue some all important LAN experience for their talented young players.
Another team looking to try their mettle for the first time on LAN is the squad of Cascade.1xBET, recently renamed Almet, who have been showing good progress due largely to the strong work ethic of the players involved, who’ve reportedly been scrimming tirelessly throughout the summer. Players such as Alexander 'Stalk' Melder, Stanislav 'CHOMY' Storozhyk and Danil 'Bignum' Shehovstov are showing good strides of improving their game, and although the team has been somewhat overlooked due to the rise of other competing Russian based teams such as the new Team Empire roster, these players still have the ability to put on a great show and prove their worth.
The final challenger is likely the strongest of the lot, with no lack of experience or skill. The team which came together after The International from the remnants of Quantic Gaming, Flip.sid3 and mousesports have been posting consistent great results as of late and are, next to Kaipi, the risings stars of the post-TI3 season. Unfortunately, the team suffered a great loss in the leadup to the event, as Adrian ‘FATA-’ Trinks suffered an injury to his hand which will sideline him from the event. This marks his second hand injury in a short timespan, as he was forced to play the first EMS One seasons LAN Finals with the aid of a medical support as well. However, this time around the injury is too fresh, and he will have to be replaced. Luckily the replacement is no stranger to half of the team, as it is Sebastien ‘7ckingmad’ Debs and Titouan ‘Sockshka’ Merloz’s former teammate, carry player Airat ‘Silent’ Gaziev, who currently plays for Team Empire. While the team is undeniably weaker without FATA-, they should still by no means by underestimated.
Coverage
The games will be casted in English by Toby ‘TobiWan’ Dawson of joinDOTA. No ingame ticket exists for the event. The first round of matches will be played simultaneously with each other.
Schedule (CEST):
All times listed are tentative and subject to change.
17:00 - Semi-finals
20:00 - Third place decider
22:00 - Grand final
Prize pool distribution:
1st place - $8000 + slot at Grand Final in Moscow
2nd place - $4000
3rd place - $2000
4th place - $1000