The first regular season of DreamLeague is ending this week with the last matches going down on Wednesday, just a day before teams start shipping off to MLG Columbus. The field is still wide open for most of the teams.
It has been a successful event so far for DreamLeague, as they have managed to produce both hype and good games, and it is still far from over, even though the regular season is about to end. Virtus.pro managed to beat Natus Vincere last week in a great game (VOD here), thus stirring up the group a fair amount. Currently VP are placed in a qualifying position but they have no matches left to play and may be overthrown by both Na`Vi and EG.
Natus Vincere and the DreamHack Curse
Na`Vi have not had a good DreamHack record over the years other than finishing second place (losing to mTw) at DreamHack Summer 2012. At last year's Winter edition they were eliminated in the quarter finals by Evil Geniuses and then again in quarters this Summer by Team Dignitas. So far it looks like the Dreamhack curse transitions into the online play of DreamLeague for Na`Vi. They need to claim two more wins to ensure placement above VP, their remaining matches being versus Alliance, Liquid and EG, so nothing is for certain as of yet. Evil Geniuses are currently ranked at the bottom end of the table but they also have the most matches left to play. If they win all five of them, they would finish at six matches won, enough to at least ensure a draw for 4th. Needless to say, their most crucial upcoming head-to-head is versus Na`Vi, which is a match both teams need to win.
Aiming for another home field victory
Speaking of curses and what not, Alliance have had the complete opposite run at DreamHack competitions. Last year's Winter edition was where it all started for them, they were a fresh squad playing under the handle NoTidehunter and managed to win the championship, thus starting a very rewarding dominion. They came back to Dreamhack in June and for another home field gold. There is a fierce competition for the top seed though as Alliance, Liquid and Fnatic all got a current record of four wins and two losses. All of them got four remaining matches, so the field is wide open still.
BYOC and the future
The top four of the season moves on to the playoffs, taking place at DreamHack Winter, November 28 to 30 in Jönköping, Sweden. The playoffs replace the usual DreamHack tournament and upcoming DreamHack events are likely to keep the DreamLeague format. The next season will start next year, featuring double the amount of teams compared to this season. The six teams playing this one will also compete in the next one, and will be joined by six teams coming from regional qualifiers (America, Europe west and Europe east - two teams from each).
As per usual with Dreamhack, there is always a part of the tournament provided for the hardcore attendees. At prior events, the teams winning the BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer) qualifiers have been granted spots in the group stage. This time they will instead be granted a spot amongst the final eight of the regional qualifiers for next season. The qualifier will be played at Dreamhack Winter and teams need to bring their own gear over to the massive computer festival to take part in it.
